France to revive 2000 abandoned mining pits in Nigeria

Over 2,000 abandoned mining pits in the country are expected to be revived under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and France.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake stated this at the weekend.

The MoU was signed during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s State visit to France.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media Segun Tomori, Alake explained that the agreement would open new opportunities for the remediation of the abandoned mining pits.

The minister added that the MoU had boosted President Tinubu’s efforts at repositioning the country’s solid minerals sector for international competitiveness.

He stated that both countries agreed to develop joint projects to promote and diversify the sector’s value chain for both countries.

The minister added that the two countries identified critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel and cobalt as rare earth elements that are essential for clean energy technologies.

The key component of the MOU, according to the statement, is the promotion of sustainable mining activities by executing projects and programmes that reduce the environmental impact of mining.

It also includes the establishment of joint extractive and processing projects through co-financing by public and private entities to diversify and secure the supply of critical minerals and decarbonise energy projects critical to the value chain.

Under the MoU, both countries agreed to collaborate on research, training, and Franco-Nigerian student exchanges for knowledge and skills transfer.

Alake signed for Nigeria while the Inter-Ministerial delegate for Critical Ores and Metals of France, Benjamin Gallezot signed on behalf of his country.

Both nations agreed to adopt international best practices in the execution of projects conceptualised to improve the conditions of the local populace affected by mining whilst placing a premium on transparency.

Through regular bilateral and multilateral training, seminars and events, administrators of institutions in the critical metals sector are expected to improve their capacity to manage the sector’s value chain.

Alake promised that the ministry would leverage the partnership to open up the mining sector to French investors.

Also at the weekend, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, described the President’s visit to France as a significant step toward strengthening bilateral relations and opening new frontiers for subnational governments like his state.

Mbah, who was part of Tinubu’s team on the visit, spoke with reporters in Paris.

A statement by his media office quoted him as having emphasised the importance of such high-level engagements in driving growth and development at both national and state levels.

He said: “This visit demonstrates the strong relationship between Nigeria and France. It’s not just about diplomacy; it’s also about creating opportunities for states like ours to explore trade, investment, and development partnerships.”

The governor highlighted ongoing collaborations with France’s development finance institution, Agence Française de Dévelopement (AFD), which he said, was already partnering Enugu State to expand its urban water scheme.

“For us in Enugu, this is beyond an exploratory mission. It is an opportunity to strengthen and build on partnerships that can directly impact our people through enhanced infrastructure and economic growth,” Mbah stated.

He highlighted the warm reception extended by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife to the Nigerian delegation, as well as the fruitful discussions that underscored the bilateral ties between Nigeria and France.

“This visit demonstrates the strong bilateral relationship between France and Nigeria. State visits like this further strengthen and build on such relationships, offering opportunities for both nations to explore new trade and investment prospects,” Mbah added.

Once Nigeria’s economic mainstay

Once a mainstay of the country’s economy, the sector has experienced significant decline over the years due to Nigeria’s bromance with crude oil.

During the colonial era, mining was a major sector of the Nigerian economy, with the British colonial authorities exploiting the country’s mineral resources to fuel their industrialization efforts.

After Nigeria gained independence in 1960, the mining sector continued to play an important role in the country’s economy.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the Nigerian government invested heavily in the development of the mining sector, with the establishment of state-owned mining companies and the creation of a ministry of mines and power.

However, the sector began to decline in the 1990s due to a combination of factors, including a decline in the global commodity market, lack of investment, corruption, and environmental degradation.

The decline of the mining sector in Nigeria has had significant negative impacts on the country’s economy and local communities.

The sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP has dwindled significantly, and many mining communities have been left to suffer from environmental degradation and pollution.

Furthermore, the decline of the sector has also led to significant job losses and economic hardship for many Nigerians who depend on the sector for their livelihood.

Despite the challenges facing the mining sector in Nigeria, there are efforts underway to revive the sector.

The Nigerian government has developed a new mining law and established a mining regulatory agency to oversee the sector.

Additionally, the government has also established programs to support the development of small-scale mining operations and to promote the use of local content in the sector.

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