j

The Director-General Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), Mr Obadiah Nkom says the country is in historic times as it is on a mission of self-rediscovery and redemption.
He said this during his investiture as president of the Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) weekend in Abuja.
The Tide news reports that he was elected as the society’s 30th president in March, at its 55th Annal International Conference in Enugu.
Nkom recalled that the country prior to the discovery of oil and gas in commercial quantity was known for its tin, columbite, and coal.
“Mining was one of main-stay of the country’s economy, leading to the establishment and development of cities such as Jos and Enugu where generations were raised.
“Mines and mining camps were homes to people from diverse corners of this country, guarantying the earning of decent living wages,” he said.
This, the NMGS President said promoted cohesive family lives and above all cemented the bond among the people.
Nkom said such days were only now remembered with nostalgia, especially so, because many of the mining entities had long been consigned to the dustbin of history.
He, however, said that efforts were being made by some Nigerians to get the country back to those “winning ways again”, a reason he said the country was on a mission of self-rediscovery and redemption.
The director-general assured Nigerians that as the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration enters the next level of development, the NMGS would continue to work closely and harmoniously with government and its agencies to achieve its objectives.
He noted that jobs in the oil and gas sector was becoming endangered as the world was aggressively looking for alternatives to fossil fuels.
Nkom advised that the Nigerian oil and gas sector should therefore, as a matter of fact begin to also pursue the maximisation of the potential inherent in the sector.
“Nigeria should shift from exporting unrefined crude to becoming a nation of petrol chemicals, we should pursue the conversion of this black gold into finished products and raw material feedstocks for industries.
According to him, this will hasten the country’s industrialisation process and create more jobs for teaming unemployed Nigerians.
He said it was regrettable that we export jobs that were badly needed by the teeming youth in the country.
Nkom explained that when we export crude oil, the country is denied the full benefits of our God given potential.
He, however, said that political will and a determined populace desirous of forgoing current short-time pleasure and comfort for a secured and sustainable future was required to achieve the full potential of the country’s solid mineral deposits.
According to him, in order to achieve this, there is the need for the Federal Government to formulate a licensing policy to encourage oil companies to becoming petrol-chemical producers rather than extractors and exporters of crude.
The ceremony was also attended by some traditional rulers from across the country, among whom was Malam Tagwai Sambo, the Chief of Marwa, in Kauro Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Source; https://www.miningng.com/nigeria-on-a-self-rediscovery-redemption-mission/

Dr Sanusi Mohammed, the Secretary General, African Iron and Steel Association, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint a professional Metallurgist as Minister of Mines and Steel Development.

Mohammed gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that a professional with high integrity who knows and understand the language of the ministry should be appointed as minister.

Mohammed also called on the Federal Government to rename the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development as Ministry of Mines and Metallurgy.

He advised the Federal Government to transfer the ministry to the presidency for better care and attention, just like what late President Shehu Shagari did during his administration.

Also, Mr Dele Ayanleke, the National Secretary, Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), called on the Federal Government to isolate insecurity in the north from mining operations.

Ayanleke said that the claim by the Federal Government that the suspension of mining operation in Zamfara, was as a result of the activities of bandits and illicit miners, was worrisome.

According to him, insecurity and kidnapping are happening in the south south region, but none of the oil companies has suspended operations.

“Ostensibly, the government should deal with the issue of insecurity in that zone.

“As an association, we want the Federal government to separate insecurity from mining operations; insecurity in the northern part or Zamfara should not be a yardstick to stop miners operating in that area,” he said.

Ayanleke urged the Federal Government to provide adequate security for miners operating across the country.
Source; https://www.miningng.com/appoint-metallurgist-as-minister-of-mines-expert-urges-buhari/

Is this still going?

cyriletifit:
Register .COM for $1.99, limit one per account, renew for $15.

Reg. here: https://directnic.com/pricing/details/com

Directnic do not offer Whois privacy protection for free, you must pay $5/yr for it.

Highlighting some of the lapses and successes of the Nigeria mining space has become necessary in the last four years under President Muhammadu Buhari as Nigerians await what’s in stock for them in the coming years of Next Level. The past four years have been filled with controversies, gains and minuses in the mining sector. AYONI M. AGBABIAKA reports.

Challenges

While the sector was challenged from lack of sufficient budgetary allocation, low revenue to the government from solid minerals exploitation, inaccurate export data and constant export without permits nor inspection by pre-shipment agents and lack of payment of royalties; lack of accurate mineral production data; shortfall in concise geosciences data; informal and illegal mining by holders of exploration licenses was rampant, the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMND) developed a roadmap for the growth and development of the Nigeria mining industry, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council in November 2016 to diversify the nation’s economy using solid minerals as one of the strategic pillars.

The Roadmap

The Roadmap seeks to make Nigeria self-sufficient in construction materials as well as produce industrial raw materials, in which Nigeria has comparative advantage. This presents opportunities for the development of hydrated and quick lime for water treatment, dimension stones for construction, as well as Calcium Carbonate, Gypsum and Kaolin for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other manufacturing industries. Also included are Bentonite and Barites for the oil and gas industry.

Successes

The sector recorded a number of successes during the period under review. “The most critical challenge facing the sector before the advent of this administration was poor funding. In 2015, the aggregate capital allocation for the entire ministry was shy of one billion naira annually, I am glad to inform you that this has improved tremendously in the last years,” the minister of state for Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Bawa Bwari stated.

N30bn intervention fund

The sum of N30bn (approx. $100m) was approved as intervention fund for the ministry to fund exploration projects, generate the needed geosciences data and provide the necessary regulatory framework to enable sectoral growth.

$150m World Bank loan

Also, a loan of $150m from World Bank was secured for the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification (Mindiver) programme.

GDP/Revenue generated

Under President Buhari’s administration strategic interventions from 2016, the mining sector witnessed a steady rise in its contribution to the nation’s GDP from 0.33% in 2015 to 0.6% in 2016. Overall, the revenue generated by the ministry from royalties and fees improved from N2.08 billion in 2015 to N3.92 billion in 2017 and N2.97billion as at October 2018.

The Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) also realised the sum of N5.2 billion as revenue generated through processing and other licensing fees.

Retrieval of old data:

Valuable data on various mineral deposits across the country was obtained from Fugro N.V, a global offshore and onshore geotechnical and survey services company who in 2006 undertook an aeromagnetic survey of the country, but did not release the outcome to the government due to non-payment. The Nigerian Geological Survey is already using the data to explore for strategic minerals.

Drilling equipment

The ministry acquired diamond core drilling rigs and assaying equipment amongst others for the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency for use in geosciences data generation.

Phosphate prospects

The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency carried out exploration for phosphate in Sokoto state. The phosphate economic mineralization was found to be suitable for establishment of fertilizer plants. Currently, test drilling is ongoing within the mineralized corridor and into hitherto unknown areas in Kebbi state.

Inventorization and assessment

In a similar development, the ministry in collaboration with the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTI) carried out the inventorization and assessment of all carbonate rock resources (limestone, marble, magnesite and dolomite) in Nigeria. The project identified and characterized the resources in terms of their location, size, chemistry and suitability for cement manufacture. This is aimed at boosting the industrial mineral base of the country to support local industries and conserve foreign exchange. NGSA also operationalised the MoUs and Technical Cooperation Agreements with China Geological Survey. To this end, a nationwide regional geochemical mapping, aimed at identifying new mineral deposits, commenced in early 2018.

Coal prospects:

Also as part of the energy policy for the invigoration of the coal sub-sector and concession of Nigerian Coal Corporation coal blocks, a Project Delivery Team (PDT) was inaugurated. This was in furtherance of the aspirations of government to ensure that coal-fired power plants generate 30% of the nation’s electricity power, by the year 2020.

Mineral reserves:

The limestone resource base of the country increased from 2.3 billion tonnes to 10.6 billion tonnes. Limestone mining has continued to lead in royalties earned by government within the period under review,

An estimated 4.8 billion tonnes of marble was also found to occur in Nasarawa, Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Kebbi states and the FCT.

N15 billion integrated exploration programme

In addressing the issue of scarce geological data, an integrated exploration programme through the award of N15 billion contracts to international exploration companies for the purpose of exploring priority classified minerals like gold, lead, zinc, iron ore and rare earth metals.

Abuja earth tremor:

Another notable event during this period was the earth tremors experienced in some parts of Abuja. However, the ministry was able to douse the tension and acquired five high sensitivity Seismometers/Tilt meters for use in monitoring and detecting earth movements and earthquake related activities in the country and to provide timely information and advice to the general public and requisite government agencies.

Ajaokuta

Work is in the final stages for the reactivation of Ajaokuta 110MW thermal power plant for use in generating internally needed electricity, while the excess is fed into the national grid. The two integrated steel plants, Ajaokuta Steel Complex owned by government and Premium Steel (formerly Delta Steel) now run by private operators, are working towards commencement of production, “as we are addressing the start up challenges, some private steel plant owners – African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd, KAM Steel, and WEMPCO have acquired mineral titles to mine iron ore for steel production, to substitute scrap iron/steel as feed stock.

“African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd, in particular have invested over $600 million in the development of their six steel plants located at Lagos, Ikorodu, Ogijo, Agbara, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. They are also building a captive power plant in Kaduna, using Nigerian coal. Kogi Iron Limited an ASX listed iron ore mining company continues to blaze the trail in iron ore utilization. Contrary to previously held beliefs, the company has developed ways of using its iron ore resource to produce high grade steel, proving that apart from Itakpe, which was meant to feed Ajaokuta, Nigeria has other sources of iron ore for making steel. Its plan to build a steel plant at Agbaja is in final stages.

Also, “in our quest to ensure local sourcing of steel raw materials and in line with its statutory mandate to enhance reserve estimates for steel, the ministry executed the following exploration projects during the period under review: Yola Nora Iron Ore Project, Tafawa Balewa LGA, Bauchi state; Agbado-Okudu Iron Ore Project, Kogi state; Ebiya Iron Ore Project, Ajaokuta LGA, Kogi state; Bauxite Project, Sardauna LGA, Taraba state and Amansiodo Coal Project in Enugu state.

“These projects are geared towards satisfying the current estimated local steel demand which stands at 4.5 million tonnes per annum. Currently, 30% of the local requirements are met by local steel companies using 100% scrap as raw material,” the minister said.
Source: https://www.miningng.com/overview-of-the-mining-sector-under-president-buhari-first-four-years/

not as planned

Ghana’s President has said that Africa must enrich itself from its natural resources.

Nana Akufo-Addo said the countries on the continent must consider adding value to its natural resources.

He added that African countries must also negotiate well with mining companies.

Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said that Africa’s mining industry must enable the economic transformation of countries on the continent instead of make them poor.

He was speaking at the 2019 edition of the Investing in African Mining Indaba, the world’s largest mining investment conference.

Nana Akufo-Addo said that it is not right for Africa to be inhabited by the poorest people in the world even though the continent is so rich in minerals that are sought after by the world.

He said that some factors which have led to this situation include the poor negotiation skills of African leaders. He said Africa has come of age and should not give unusual tax and royalty incentives, and mining companies should not expect to make extraordinary profits on the continent.

He, therefore, told the gathering that, on 22 January 2019, the re-opening of the AngloGold Ashanti mine in Obuasi was done under an agreement that balances more fairly the interests of the two sides, that is the Government of Ghana and AngloGold Ashanti. “As I said at the ceremony, it is my hope and expectation that, this time around, under the new management of AngloGold Ashanti, the development of Obuasi will reflect the wealth its soil produces,” he indicated.

President Akufo-Addo was of the view that since the minerals are a public resource, the negotiations between countries and companies should be transparent, accessible and easily understandable by citizens.

“Communities should be able to examine mining contracts, find out how much revenue has been generated, and how, and on what it is being spent,” he said, adding that “long and bitter experience means both sides, African governments, and mining companies, have to work hard to gain the trust of the people.”

Nana Addo said just like developed countries “mining, can help rapidly to grow Africa’s manufacturing sector, and be the champion of economic growth on the continent.”

However, he said this will not happen if Africa continues to be the place where you dig minerals that are exported in their raw form to be processed outside.

“We cannot, and should not continue to be merely exporters of raw materials to other countries. The value chain of mineral extraction has great potential for job creation, and can form an essential basis for the transformation of economies around the continent,” he added.

He concluded by saying “Africa has made the world rich with our minerals, our gemstones adorn crowns and homes around the world, it is time to make Africa prosperous and enable her people to attain a dignified standard of living. Join us in this exciting project for sustainable economic growth,” President Akufo-Addo said.

Source; https://www.miningng.com/mining-must-make-africa-rich-not-poor-ghanas-president/

THE Federal Government has struck a partnership with the Osun and Kebbi state governments to develop gold mining.

The pilot scheme of the “Presidential Initiative to streamline gold mining for the benefit of the people, the artisans and the governments”, is soon to be launched.

Three others states – Niger, Kaduna, Zamfara – which possess mineral resources in large volume, are also to enjoy the Federal Government’s partnership to boost the plan to diversify the nation’s economy from its reliance on oil revenue.

The initiative in Osun, Kebbi and other states, is based on the volume of available gold deposits and the willingness of the state governments to develop the mining sector to generate resources and to create jobs for their people.

There is a large deposit of gold in the eastern part of Osun State, which is currently being mined haphazardly with little or no control from the government.

According to the Federal Government’s initiative, artisanal miners will be organised to facilitate better output and the enjoyment of the benefit of their resources.

After a period of training, the artisanal miners will be able to access micro-credit and be exposed to further capacity-building.

The Federal Government, it was learnt, intends to grow the solid minerals’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by over eight per cent in 2020 under the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP).

Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola is excited about the prospects in the plan for his people, who will reap the benefits while his government will get the opportunity to boost its IGR.

Oyetola said: “I look forward to the effects this will have on our people with the job opportunities and the chance for a better life for our people, who are ready to take advantage of the natural resources they have in their backyard.

“For us as a government, we will improve on our revenue generation and, therefore, have the resources to be able to cater for the needs of our people.

“It is good to streamline the activities at the mining sites to standardise things and ensure the all stakeholders get the benefits – the community, the people and the government.”

The governor promised to cooperate with the Federal Government in whatever plan it has for the mining sector in the state.

He said the initiative is in line with the objectives of his government, which is to tap into all the available resources

He noted that he met with Minister of Mines and Steel Development Alhaji Bawa Bwari in Abuja last December on the possibility of Federal Government’s support or partnership with the state to boost mining.

Oyetola said he was also looking forward to the banana farming collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

Source; https://www.miningng.com/fg-to-boost-gold-mining-in-osun-others/

The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development said it revoked 4,176 mining titles between 2011 and 2018.

The Ministry disclosed this in a report made available to newsmen in Abuja.
It said that 908 mining titles were revoked in 2011, none was revoked in 2012, 548 were revoked in 2013 and 250 in 2014.

The report said no title was revoked in 2015, while 941 titles were revoked in 2016, none was revoked in 2017 and 1,529 were revoked in 2018.

The report said that revocation of the titles were as a result of failure on the part of licensees to meet up with the required obligations as stipulated in the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 and the Regulation, 2011.

It said that the justification and major benefits that the government derived from the exercise include the removal of dormant and unused titles in the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) mineral titles database.

According to the report, the revocation has helped to reduce to the barest minimum the level of speculation and discouragement in the sector.

The report said it also helped to ensure only genuine investors had access to the minefield among others.

Source; https://www.miningng.com/ministry-revokes-4176-mining-titles-in-8-years/

Ondo state government on Friday said in the next two years, it would be on the world map for bitumen exploitation as arrangements have been concluded to begin processing of the natural resources in the state.

The Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Prof Bayonile Ademodi dropped the hints in Akure at a meeting with Licencee Bitumen Companies Operating in the state.

Ademodi, who said some companies had been licensed to begin production in the state, noted that the essence of the meeting was to receive presentations from licencee bitumen companies on the level of work done in line with their workplan for bitumen exploitation development.

He reiterated that the present administration under the leadership of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was committed to providing bitumen investors, the necessary conducive atmosphere to thrive in the state.

Ademodi said, “Since the beginning of the present administration in Ondo state, bitumen exploitation project have been put in the frontline.

“This is the first time the ministry would be established for the purpose of overseeing the development of bitumen project in Ondo state.

“The major task of this ministry is to prepare grounds for the successful operation of these bitumen companies and the host community. But the ministry has taken it upon itself as a major task to develop a conducive operational environment for the bitumen licencee companies. So we are fully engaged with the community.

“I can assure the whole world that in two years time, Ondo state would be on the world map in terms of bitumen exploitation”.

In his welcome address,the acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry,E.O Ogunsanmi,an engineer,said the programme was borne out of the ministry’s avowed commitment to ensure that bitumen exploitation in state was devoid of crisis which is usually associated with mining, particularly, crude oil as we have it in the Niger Delta Region.

Ogunsanmi who also reiterated that the state governor was committed to the industrialization of the state and bitumen development was considered as a veritable means to transform the state from purely a civil service state to an industrial hub in Nigeria.

According to him, “The present administration has improved the road infrastructure, and this again will aid the movement of your products to the market”.

The Director, Project Manager of Kabara Mining Nigeria Limited, one of the companies that bid for the exploitation, Anit Wiener, expressed the readiness of his firm to begin work in the area.

Wiener, however, charged the state government to prepare a ground with the host community for the commencement of the project saying that the company could not do it alone without the support of the state government and the community.

He said, “We have bitumen licence that we have intent to establish, plant for separation and to finally take the bitumen from ground for the prosperity of the country, and the first exploitation would commence this year”.

Source; https://www.miningng.com/ondo-bitumen-first-exploitation-begins-this-year/

ABUJA—Eleven private investors have expressed interests in the concessioning of Ajaokuta Steel Company.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Abubakar Bawa Bwari, disclosed this at a briefing in Abuja yesterday.

Legal issues resolved

According to him, the legal issue around the company has been resolved, with it reverting fully to the federal government.

Although Bwari did not disclose when the privatisation process would commence, he indicated that it would be concessioned to a firm that had the financial muzzle, technical know-how and genuinely committed to the nation’s steel sector development.

Responding to a question on the current status of the steel plant, the minister said: “Global Infrastructure does not have a stake in Ajaokuta asset. We have signed an out- of -court settlement, signed and modified concession agreement.

“On investors interested in Ajaokuta, so far we have 11 companies that want to take over Ajaokuta. The government policy is that government is not going into business. For example is things that have happened in railways, airway, even the National Nigerian Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, having challenges and others.

“What this government intends to achieve is to make the private sector be the major driver of the mining sector. All we do is to regulate and to serve as the enabler, we will create the enabling environment for mining activities. We want the private sector to drive it.

“So if everything is done we want to give Ajaokuta to the company that has the funds, technical-know-how and have the commitment to our sector. The steel sector has some international politics in it. It is not just any company you give your steel sector.”

The minister disclosed that the Ajaokuta Steel Plant was about 98 per cent complete but that the remaining percent consisted of infrastructure and that unless developed, the plant would not be able to operate, even if it was 100 percent completed.

“Ajaokuta is 95 per cent to 98 per cent completed. In Ajaokuta everything is in place. We have our workers there that have been maintaining the place. But the problem was legal issue but that is resolved. Even we have resolved the legal issues and the two per cent has to do with external infrastructure.

“Ajaokuta is such a huge project that requires railways, river ports and so on. Government is putting all those things in place now. Even at 100 per cent completion it won’t have been able to operate, without the infrastructure.

“Let me give you an example if all the raw materials required from Itakpe to Ajaokuta of high concentrate required to produce steel, taking 750 trucks everyday to Ajaokuta and imagine 750 trucks from Itakpe to Ajaokuta.

“A lot of the investors have expressed interest in taking over Ajaokuta including investors to build these infrastructures. So bear with us Ajaokuta will work,’’ he said.

Click here to read more mining and investment news in Nigeria

Although the minister said that the legal tussle over Ajaokuta Steel Company had been resolved, the Iron Ore Company Itakpe, which was built to supply raw materials to the steel plant was left in the hands of Global Infrastructure.

Bwari said the arrangement for Global Infrastructure to hold Itakpe Iron Ore Company for seven years was part of the out-of-court settlement with the Indian company which transaction on Ajaokuta was terminated by the federal government over allegations of assets stripping.

Noting that he does not know what would happen to Itakpe after the seven-year period, the minister said:

“The area they have stake in is the National Iron Ore Mining Company Limited, NIOMCO, Itakpe, and they have a concession for seven years to run and after that I don’t know what will happen. They don’t have any stake in Ajaokuta

“Under the out-of-court settlement for concession Ajaokuta should have first right to all the raw materials coming from Itakpe.” States won’t come to Abuja for anything if they take solid minerals seriously. The minister said that the federal government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with state governments, adding that any state government that took investment in solid minerals seriously would not need to come to Abuja for money. “Under the Memorandum of Understanding between the states and federal government, they can set up Special Purpose Vehicles, SPVs, so that they can go into business in terms of partnership with some big mining companies, especially on areas they have comparative advantage.

“I know, of course, some states are doing that. Those areas as phosphate for fertilizer, carbonate for water treatment states can go into. I want to tell you and I am not boasting that if states had shown more seriousness in the solid minerals sector, they don’t need to come to Abuja.”

Bwari said that the sector ‘s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, had risen from 0.03 percent in 2015 to to 0.6 percent 2016

Source; https://www.miningng.com/11-investors-indicate-interest-in-ajaokuta/

Set to implement mineral export guidelines

The federal government has hinted that royalty rates for miners have been reduced from between three per cent and five per cent to between two and 3.5 per cent, noting that royalties will henceforth be paid directly to the Federation Account, after repatriation of proceeds by the exporter’s bank – in the currency of trade – before the exporter’s domiciliary account is credited.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa Bwari, who disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja, said that the advalorem value (market value) on which all royalties for exports are calculated, will henceforth be charged against the international quoted price of the commodity.

Bwari, while giving account of his three years’ stewardship in the mining sector, in Abuja, revealed that all mineral exports shall henceforth be inspected by the federal government-appointed independent pre-shipment inspection agents, who shall also render quantity and quality control services and monitor pricing.

He noted that the move, which is in accordance with the Pre-shipment Inspection of Exports Act, was a measures been put in place to ensure correct valuation of royalties.

According to him, “to promote and encourage more mineral exporters to go into mining and to make provision for the environmental degradation resulting from the activities of the informal artisan producers, royalties for mineral trading exporters is set at a reduced rate to between 2.5 per cent and 4.5 per cent.

“Under the-soon-to-be-released Mineral Export Guidelines, the lingering issue of evading payment of royalties or false declarations has been dealt with. This simply means that a person exporting, for example, Tin concentrate of 50 per cent tin metal content, will pay less royalties than a person exporting a concentrate of 70 per cent tin content.

He stated that the extra one per cent charged for non-mining exporters shall be deployed for environmental remediation by the government, saying whilst royalties were paid for only 56 within the period, export documentation was cumbersome and the process of mineral exports took 46 days to complete.

“This, we discovered was occasioned by the lack of a distinct procedure for conducting mineral exports. The whole export circles from inspection at source to shipment will now take16 days, instead of the current 46 days’’, the minister further stated.

“I am pleased to announce to you that for the first time in the history of Nigeria, the Ministry in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) has developed a handbook for Mineral Exports.

“The document addresses the lapses in processing exports and will facilitate the capture of accurate data on mineral exports.”

He added that the guidelines document will also plug revenue leakages, by ensuring repatriation of export proceeds and payment of royalties.

According to him, “ The new Export Guidelines for Solid Minerals: Procedures and Documentation Requirements for Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria will also reduce the time for processing Mineral Export Permits from 14 days to two working days.

“Implementation of the document is expected to commence by the second quarter of this year. The project is driven by the Home Finance Department of the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Investment Promotion and Mineral Trade Department of the Ministry.’’

Bwari also stated that the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) have conducted the appropriate Stakeholders Consultative Forum and are arranging to hold a final sensitisation workshop for stakeholders in the first quarter of 2019.
Source; https://www.miningng.com/fg-reduces-miners-royalties-rate-to-3-5/

The immediate outgone director general of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), Eng. Mohammed Amate has said the Mining Cadastre is the gateway to mining.

He also said if the agency is allowed to go down, the sector will go down.

Eng Amate stated this while handing over to the incoming director general of the agency, Eng Obadiah Simon Nkom who took over from him in Abuja. According to Eng. Amate” My only appeal is we built this agency from nothing to what it is today and our guiding principles have always been intergrity, rule of law and transparency and I hope that these guiding principles will continue in this agency

He said “the gateway to mining is the Mining Cadastre and if you allow it to go down, then the sector is down”

He further charged the incoming DG to ensure that whatever he does, he should do with the fear of God and make sure his conscience is clear and follow the principles of the mining Cadastre office.

The outgoing DG who stressed that he owed no one any apology in the course of his work said “Whatever I did, I did it conscientiously bearing in mind that at that time, it was the right thing to do for the industry, what I did at that time, my conscience told me that it was the best thing to do for the industry”

Speaking on his achievements while in service, Eng Amate said “we started the mining Cadastre from nowhere and today it is known all over the world. We have been able to set an agency that is based on priority, integrity and transparency. So we are proud to say today we have an agency that people can come and meet friendly atmosphere, apply for mining licenses and acquire them”

He said “prior to the setting up of the MCO, it took between one and two years but now they can issue licenses within 30-45 working days”

He revealed that from the inception of the office till date, they had issued well over 7000 licenses, but today what we have on our data base is about 4500 licenses because of the dynamics of the Cadastre system and because some were cancelled, some expired and some are very active.

In his remarks, the new director general, Eng. Obadiah Simon Nkom who commended the contribution of his predecessor said “we are ready to take the mining Cadastre to the next level, particularly at this critical moment of Nigeria’s development, in relation to the economy and the diversification of the government into agriculture and solid minerals”

“Mining Cadastre particularly had been a key agency in the development of the sector and one of the key things that we intend to do is to be able to restore investors’ confidence and be able to attract more investment into the sector and making sure that we bring speculators to nil’

“This aspect of people getting licenses and keeping them and not allowing these areas to be free will not happen again” he said “We will make sure that people who hold unto licenses will have no option but to develop it through ‘the use it or lose it policy’.

He said the new regime will be an inclusive one where people will be involved and even when they are sanctioned, they will know that they have not done the right thing.

In her vote of thanks, the Director Registry, Hajia Salau described the outgoing DG as one who contributed to both her personal and National development.

Source; https://www.miningng.com/if-mining-cadastre-goes-down-the-whole-sector-goes-down-former-dg/

ASX listed base metals producer Symbol Mining has nearly doubled its exploration holdings in Nigeria after it was granted 6 additional exploration licences covering 472 square kilometres surrounding the flagship Macy lead/zinc mine this week.

The company has also applied for a further two exploration licences covering geology along strike from the Zurak zinc deposit, located about 50km southwest of the Macy project area.

Symbol said that it expects the applications around Zurak to be granted within a month.

The newly granted tenements and tenement applications cover very prospective geology in the under-explored, base metal-rich Benue Trough and with the company’s first-mover advantage, it is now the largest landholder for these commodities in Nigeria.

According to the company, the new acquisitions and applications cover significant areas of artisanal workings, some of which were up until recently producing high grade, direct shipping lead/zinc ores from near surface.

Symbol has also amended and extended its Imperial JV agreement with partner Goidel Resources where it controls 60%, with Goidel holding the balance.

The companies have agreed to amend the agreement by introducing a 50km inclusion zone surrounding the existing three exploration licences, adjacent to the Macy deposit.

In future, if either party holds, acquires or wishes to acquire tenements within this zone, then the Imperial JV will have the right to acquire those tenements at cost.

Symbol has also agreed with Goidel to extend the option to acquire an existing exploration licence along strike from the Macy deposit, subject to the company completing at least 4,000 metres of drilling before the end of 2019.

That option can also be extended by the company for a further 12 months, if required.

Symbol CEO Tim Wither said: “The agreement with Goidel and the granting of six new tenements from the Nigerian Government effectively doubles the Imperial JV’s landholding in the highly prospective Benue Trough.”

“The granting of the additional licenses is in line with our strategy of expanding our pipeline of quality and highly prospective exploration projects, potentially adding to our success at the Macy project.

“These additional licenses represent a rare opportunity to secure a growing land position in underexplored region, where we have significant expertise”.

The company now plans to complete an initial geological review including field reconnaissance, rock chip sampling and geochemical sampling in areas of interest, with the aim of prioritising future exploration targets.

Symbol will also undertake ground geophysical surveys, that will include high-resolution induced polarisation or “IP” surveys over the entire Macy mining licence in the March quarter of 2019.

According to company management, open pit operations at Macy are progressing well, with commissioning of the wet plant for ore beneficiation at the mine expected shortly.

Source; https://www.miningng.com/symbol-doubles-exploration-holdings-in-nigeria/

Spain will stop its operations on at least 26 coal mines in 2019, putting an end to the exploitation of said mineral.

The mines that will be closed can be found in the communities of Asturias, Aragon and Castilla and Leon.

The closure of these mines will affect more than 2,000 workers that are part of the special regime of coal mining.

The number of employees working on the coal mining industry in 1985 was 51,420. The coal in Spain is mainly used for the production of electricity from thermal power plants.

Spain has a commitment with the European Commission to abandon coal at the beginning of the decade, within the objectives established by the European Union (EU). Brussels had granted a final extension to a deficit economic activity that has more than 30 years of decline in Spain.

Only two mining companies have stated that they would like to continue with their operations, which would mean that they would have to leave and return every single help that the Spanish government is giving to this kind of companies, under the special regime of coal mining.

In 2010, the EU accepted – due to pressures from Germany and Spain, that the deficit coal mines could continue to receive public aid – under one condition.

That those deposits had to close on December 31, 2018, at the latest. If on that date, the coal mines declared their desire to continue with the operation, they would have to do it without any public help and would have to return the aid received.

The closure of the mines does not imply the abandonment of the use of coal, which is currently imported in at 90 percent from several countries, especially Colombia and Russia.

Currently, nine of the 15 thermal power plants in Spain use coal as fuel and will have to stop working by 2020.

This activity is responsible for 15 percent of the greenhouse gases emissions in Spain.

Source: https://www.miningng.com/spain-to-stop-coal-mining-in-2019/

The Mining and Metals sector can easily become the largest employer of labour, the minister of Mines and Steel Development, Abubakar Bawa Bwari has said.

This was contained in the ministers speech at the ground breaking an foundation laying ceremony of Lead and Zinc processing plant in Tongyi, Ebonyi state yesterday.

“According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the Mining and Metals sector can easily become the largest employer of labour, since mineral deposits occur in virtually every part of Nigeria,”the minister said.

He however said for this to happen government must develop the downstream sector through beneficiation in order to increase profits dramatically, and provide more opportunities for employment in mining sites all over the country.

“We are therefore laying emphasis on industrialisation of mining processes as recommended by the African Mining Vision (AMV) whose Roadmap was adopted by the African heads of state in 2009.”

The minister said most of the revenue derived from the sector are through royalties and foreign exchange earnings from the exportation of our mineral resources. He said Tongyi remains one of the foremost exporters of lead zinc in Nigeria, which makes their desire to set up this Concentrate Plant most welcoming.
Source; https://www.miningng.com/mining-sector-can-become-the-largest-employer-of-labour-minister/

Provided she's good at other housechores. We all have our deficiencies

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development have assured the Osun State government of support.

The state governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, received the assurance at two separate visits to the CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Bawa Bwari, their offices in Abuja.

The governor told them of the large deposit of mineral resources in many parts of the state, especially gold which he said the state was yet to take its full advantage.

Oyetola sought support for the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and the Youth Entrepreneurship Programme of his administration, saying the state is planing to streamline artisan mining.

Seeking support for his administration’s agriculture programme, especially the plan to establish nine farm centers in the nine federal constituencies of the state, he disclosed that he would revitalize Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the state.

He also revealed that he would hold an Economic Summit which will hold in the first quarter of 2019.

The governor, who noted that “Osun is home of mining” told the minister that the “local miners are unregulated” and also that the state has mining licences which are not utilized.

Responding, the minister promised support Osun to organise artisan miners and back the state to get the best out of its mineral deposit.

Bwari described the visit of the governor less than one month after assuming office, as “an indication of his seriousness and commitment to duty.

Also, Emefiele, who commended the governor for his plan to improve agriculture, said states should embrace agriculture to provide employment opportunities for their people and generate revenue.

The CBN governor said: “I do not think states can’t be viable. They were self-sustaining in the days of regions. We‘ve abandoned agriculture. Everybody is now depending on oil. States can be viable if they leverage their advantage.”

Emefiele promised to support Osun state within the limit of CBN programmes, adding that he had known the governor for many years as a man of integrity and competence when he was a private sector player.”

He said the plan to streamline the artisan miners and the youth enterprenurship programme will receive the full support of the CBN.

The governor also on Monday visited Minister of Works, Power and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Finance Hajiya Zainab Ahmed and the Qatar Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Abdulaziz bin Mubarak Al-Muhannadi.

Source; https://www.miningng.com/oyetola-visits-cbn-mines-and-steel-development-ministry/

veraponpo:


Good move

Yes.. It is.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development have assured the Osun State government of support.

The state governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, received the assurance at two separate visits to the CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Bawa Bwari, their offices in Abuja.

The governor told them of the large deposit of mineral resources in many parts of the state, especially gold which he said the state was yet to take its full advantage.

Oyetola sought support for the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and the Youth Entrepreneurship Programme of his administration, saying the state is planing to streamline artisan mining.

Seeking support for his administration’s agriculture programme, especially the plan to establish nine farm centers in the nine federal constituencies of the state, he disclosed that he would revitalize Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the state.

He also revealed that he would hold an Economic Summit which will hold in the first quarter of 2019.

The governor, who noted that “Osun is home of mining” told the minister that the “local miners are unregulated” and also that the state has mining licences which are not utilized.

Responding, the minister promised support Osun to organise artisan miners and back the state to get the best out of its mineral deposit.

Bwari described the visit of the governor less than one month after assuming office, as “an indication of his seriousness and commitment to duty.

Also, Emefiele, who commended the governor for his plan to improve agriculture, said states should embrace agriculture to provide employment opportunities for their people and generate revenue.

The CBN governor said: “I do not think states can’t be viable. They were self-sustaining in the days of regions. We‘ve abandoned agriculture. Everybody is now depending on oil. States can be viable if they leverage their advantage.”

Emefiele promised to support Osun state within the limit of CBN programmes, adding that he had known the governor for many years as a man of integrity and competence when he was a private sector player.”

He said the plan to streamline the artisan miners and the youth enterprenurship programme will receive the full support of the CBN.

The governor also on Monday visited Minister of Works, Power and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Finance Hajiya Zainab Ahmed and the Qatar Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Abdulaziz bin Mubarak Al-Muhannadi.

Source; https://www.miningng.com/oyetola-visits-cbn-mines-and-steel-development-ministry/

The Miners Association of Nigeria and China Miners Association have reached an agreement to strengthen the existing bilateral economic relationship between the two bodies.

Alhaji Sani Shehu, the President of MAN, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.

Shehu said the association and the CMA reached the agreement at the recent Mines and Money Conference held in London.

He said that the two associations drafted a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on ways to strengthen the existing bilateral relationship to promote solid minerals trade between both countries.

According to him, some of the issues captured in the agreement are: to prevent a situation whereby members of MAN find it difficult to receive their payment after supplying minerals in China.

He said other issues captured in the agreement were the need to curtail Chinese mining investors falling into the hands of fraudsters in Nigeria and to also share knowledge on exploration, among others.

He said: “Some Chinese mining investors fell into the hands of fraudsters in Nigeria in the years past, while some of our members supplied minerals to some Chinese nationals and they were not paid.

“MAN thought that the way out is for the two associations to come up with an MoU to address these challenges and to also boost our minerals’ trades.

“On the draft MoU, MAN agreed to assist Chinese mining investors that want to invest in Nigeria with necessary documentation while we source for minerals for Chinese nationals that want to buy minerals.”

He said that MAN and CMA had several discussions and inputs on the draft MoU before other aspects were added to the agreement in London.

He added: “The agreement is currently a draft. Hopefully, a MAN delegation will be going to China by April 2019 to sign the MoU.”

Source; https://www.miningng.com/nigerian-chinese-miners-set-to-strengthen-economic-relations/

The mining sector is a strong propeller for Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Abubakar Bawa Bwari, has said.

Opening the Second Annual Northern Nigeria Solid Minerals Fair and Workshop in Minna, Niger State, Bwari said ERGP has facilitated removal of impediments to investment with the metals and solid minerals sector receiving priority attention as a catalyst for attracting private sector funds to the economy.

“The sector provided 24 of the 70 projects, including eight five-star projects that require zero public investment,” he disclosed, even as he hinted the projects are expected to facilitate private sector investment worth $3.32bn and create 238,000 jobs.

He listed ERGP’s success as the designation of three minerals – gold, lead-zinc ore and tin as quick win commodities, the issuance of a gold refinery licence to an indigenous company and the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the gold refinery plant in Mowe last Thursday.

He also noted that challenges hindering commercial exploitation of the minerals are being removed, while a new export policy has been developed to remove hurdles associated with export permits and licencing.

Represented by Umar Hassan, an engineer, the minister highlighted achievements of his ministry, including increased revenue to government coffers, job and wealth creation and the acquisition of gold by the Central Bank of Nigeria to stabilise the nation’s currency.

source; https://www.miningng.com/mineral-sector-can-make-nigeria-great-bawa-bwari/

Jkyoung:
If the figures aren't confirmed by Obi then it's not true



Argue with your keypad

Confirmed

JustWatching:
500,000 indeed
Msteeew

They are referring to direct and indirect jobs

A groundbreaking by the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development held today in Ogun State

…refinery to be completed by end of H1 2019

…More than 500,000 jobs to be created in two years

…The refinery to start with production capacity of 3 tonnes per month of 99.99% gold and 1 ton per month production of 99.99% silver.

History was made in Nigeria on Thursday, as the country celebrated the ground breaking of its first gold refinery by the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari. The refinery being developed by indigenous minerals company Kian Smith Trade & Co Ltd. (“Kian Smith”) in Ogun State is scheduled to start production in 2019, sourcing most of its ore from miners in the country.

“The present administration is determined to develop the mining sector to act as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth of the country,” said Hon. Bwari at the groundbreaking ceremony.

“Part of our marching orders in the Mines and Stell Development ministry is that we are expected to develop the sector to increase its contribution to the nation’s GDP, improve its capacity to create jobs and engender sustainable mining,” the minister added, stressing that it was in keeping with his ministry’s mandate that a roadmap was developed for the growth and development of the mining sector.

“During the focus labs of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of this administration, we discovered that a well organised gold value chain can trigger an economic revolution like it did in India, South Africa, Switzerland and others,” he said further. He noted that the ministry has continued to work in this light to develop a gold value chain for the country.

The refinery will start with a production capacity of 3 tonnes per month of 99.99% gold and 1 ton per month production of 99.99% silver. “We will be supplying the Central Bank, the Jewellery and the Electronic Industry,” said Nere Teriba, Vice Chairman of Kian Smith at the groundbreaking ceremony.

“We have already secured a significant monthly supply of gold from Zamfara, Kebbi, Kwara, Niger, Kaduna, Ibadan, Ile-Ife, Ilesha and about 100kg per month from other parts of Africa. We are presently finalizing supply agreements and terms from suppliers in Kano. Next week, we will be securing supply from Kogi State,” she added.

According to Teriba, the refinery when completed will provide more than 500,000 jobs in two years as it continues to support its suppliers in their bid to become registered business entities in the mining sector.

“There’s at presently at least 1,000,000 unregistered business participants in the Nigerian market (considering gold miners, sponsors, dealers, processors, aggregators and gold-workers). The formalization, organization and development we bring to the value chain will provide quick wins to the Nigerian economy,” Teriba said.

Also speaking, the Governor of Ogun State Sen. Ibikunle Amosu, who was represented by the Commisoner for Agriculture Adepeju Adebajo expressed enthusiasm about the refinery project which she said was in line with the state government’s industrialization plan. According to her, the project is a major boost to the Nigerian mining sector. “Apart from the fact that the strengthening of our mining industry will reduce importation of refined products, it will go a long way in affirming our country’s status as a world mining power.”

The vice chairman of Kian Smith Nere Teriba said the refinery will be ready to start production by the end of the first half of 2019.

SOURCE https://www.miningng.com/kian-smith-begins-construction-of-nigerias-first-gold-refinery/

The Katsina State Government on Tuesday said it has identified no fewer than 547 artisanal miners and 442 mining sites across the state as part of efforts to improve the mining and complement federal government’s efforts of diversifying the economy from oil to the non-oil sector.

The state Commissioner for Resource Development, Mustapha Kanti Bello, who disclosed this at the empowerment and sensitisation programme for artisanal miners in Katsina, said the state would soon partner other mining companies to carry out geo-chemical survey to ascertain the commercial viability covered by the state.

He affirmed that the need for artisanal miners to have value for their products has been the major priority of the state government, hence the formation of mineral buying centre in order to checkmate the activities of buying and selling of mineral resources at their standard value in the state.

Bello added: “The process of establishing the buying centre is currently onging in collaboration with the private sector. Designs, bill of quantities and land acquisition for the centre have already been completed. The centre is to be located at Kankara.

“Benefits from government and funding agencies can only be derived when the ASM come together as cooperative societies and register with tenets of the Mining Act 2007 and all other relevant laws”.

The commissioner however said the programme was imperative considering the focus of government at all levels to diversify the economy from oil to non-oil, adding that mining is key to the economic diversification drive of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said: “The artisanal miners are the pathfinders in the mining sector and empowering them will impact greatly on the overall economic activities of the society. This programme is second under this administration conducted by the ministry after accessing the last exercise and learning from the success or otherwise recorded in the last exercise.”

source https://www.miningng.com/katsina-identifies-547-artisanal-miners-442-mining-sites/

Abuja – A financial expert, Mr Tony Edeh, has urged the National Assembly to pass the bill establishing Nigeria Mining Commission into law to facilitate the diversification of economy, driven by the present administration.

Edeh, the Managing Director of Norrenberger Financial Group, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

Norrenberger is an Integrated Financial Services Group that operates a customer-focused business model, offering clients a comprehensive range of financial products and services.

This includes Funds and Investment Management, Structured and Alternative Finance, SME Funding, Foreign Exchange and Business Advisory Services.

He explained that the bill had been in the National Assembly awaiting passage and when it was passed into law; and the commission was in place, the revenue from the mining sector would be boosted.

He said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration should put forth its political might to ensure that the bill was passed into law.

The expert also advised the Federal government to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with state governments where these minerals were deposited to jointly explore while royalty would be paid to the central government.

He added that the state governments would also be realising their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the sale of these natural resources.

According to him, host communities must be carried along too to avoid being neglected.

Edeh enjoined Federal Government to encourage local Miners to form cooperative societies that would give them legal backing to engage more in the business.

He lauded the present government’s effort for its anchor borrower scheme, saying that it had employed more youths in farming and other entrepreneurial activities.

“Rice mills are springing up as a result of incentives from government. This has encouraged more people to go into rice farming specifically.

“The present government has also supported initiatives in the ICT by giving out small credit facilities to best ICT solution based application to expand their businesses,” he noted.

The expert explained that the Nigerian economy could be classified broadly into the oil and non-oil sectors.

According to him, growth in the second quarter in 2018 was driven by developments in the non-oil sector as service sector recorded its strongest positive growth since 2016.

He said that the non-oil sector grew by 2.05 per cent in real terms during the quarter in review, mainly driven by Information and communication services, construction, agriculture, transportation, storage and other services.

“It is clear that no economy grows while depending on a single source of income, different sectors of the economy are expected to contribute to the overall GDP of a country before a meaningful growth can be achieved.

“Nigeria has depended on oil for too long and it is time to begin to look at other sectors of the economy that needs to be developed in order to earn more money and expand the economy,” he said.

https://www.miningng.com/financial-expert-urges-nass-to-pass-nigeria-mining-commission-bill/

The Federal Government says African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd’s 600 million dollars (N183 billion) investment in integrated iron ore mining processing and steel production will boost the country’s economy.

The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, said this in a statement issued by Paul Abechi, the Special Adviser on Media and Communications in Abuja on Sunday.

Mrs Ahmed, who expressed the government’s delight over the development, said this during a meeting with the representative of the firm, Raj Gupta, in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The minister said that the investment would also lead to increased revenue generation and job creation under the diversification policy of the federal government.

“In a bid to diversify away from oil and increase government revenues, I met with African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd and they are investing 600 million dollars in an integrated iron ore mining, processing and steel production project in Kagarko Local Government, Kaduna State.

“This is about the first major investment in the mining sector in more than two decades.

‘‘The project will have a capacity of 5.4 metric tonnes per annum and will create 3,500 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs,” the minister said.

According to her, the steel plant will generate 36 megawatts of electricity to the national grid that will, in turn, boost the already generated megawatts of power for other economic activities.

“About 36 megawatts of electricity is to be generated from the waste heat which will increase power supply to Kagarko Local Government to help develop other industries and urbanise the local area.

‘‘The surplus will also be added to the national grid,” she said.

Mrs Ahmed explained that the company’s steel would carry out beneficiation, pelletising and convert iron into direct steel for manufacturing.

She added that it would galvanise the industrial space into a hub of production of finished goods for local consumption and export to foreign countries.

She predicted that the project would massively impact on the local people and the nation at large, based on the potential it has to transform the socio-economic life of Nigerians.

“This project will drive industrial and community development, generate more power, create employment for locals, substitute imports, crude steel production, royalties and reposition the mining sector,” she said.

https://www.miningng.com/firms-600m-investment-in-iron-ore-will-boost-nigerias-economy-minister/

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday assured local Miners of government support in tackling challenges facing mining activities in Nigeria

The President stated this when Miners in Nigeria under the umbrella of Miners Association of Nigeria, presented their challenges to the President at the presidential villa, Abuja.

The President assured the miners of government’s committed to encouraging mining activities in the country, adding that the people that the administration will look into the plights of the miners.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Bawa Bwari,disclosed that the Miners commended the President for what we have done in the mining sector. Government is putting in place some incentives that are encouraging mining activities in Nigeria.

According to him, “ They came to show their appreciation and also to complain about what they are encountering, especially in states where state governments are charging them multiple taxes and some of their activities are disrupted by state government agencies. In fact, sometimes their mines are closed down.

“This, we are talking with the state governments involved. We intend to take up this matter at the National Economic Council (NEC); where state governments should know their limits and they should know they are also beneficiaries of whatever mining activities is going on because 13 percent derivation is supposed to go to state governments for mining activities taking place there.”

Reiterating that the government has recorded major achievements in the mining sector, Bwari was particularly elated that the mining of high quality led in Bauchi State among other things.

“For example, we have a company called Symbol Mining. It has started modern mining in Bauchi. It is mining lead at 32 percent grade compared to the world average of 6 percent. This is a good development for Nigeria because mining is structured in such a way that any discovery like that will attract bigger mining to come to Nigeria,” Bwari said.

Underscoring the importance of mining to Nigeria, he said: “We have no choice than to encourage mining for one reason; our population. When you consider our population and you discover that we have more than 44 minerals cutting across all the 774 local governments, this will create activities and create opportunities for our teeming population.”

https://www.miningng.com/buhari-assures-local-miners-of-support/

Mrs Aisha Buhari, Nigeria’s First Lady, has called for more women participation in mining to boost the growth of the sector.

Aisha, represented by Mrs Mairo Al-Makura, the Wife of Governor of Nasarawa, made the call in Abuja on Thursday while declaring open a two-day African Gems and Jewelry Exhibition and Seminar (AGJES).

The theme for this year’s edition of the exhibition is “Mines 2 Market: Collaborating to Improve Industry Linkages, Healing Africa through Gemstones”.

She said that women should tap from available resources and opportunities in the sector as there should be gender equity in the industry.

The First Lady charged major players in the industry to encourage women to grow in the mining business.

Aisha said that the event, which its maiden edition recorded a huge success in 2017, was envisaged to draw global patronage to promote Nigeria gemstones.

She said that there was no doubt that the yearly seminar and exhibition would subsequently boost the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of the country.

Alhaji Abubakar Bwari, the Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, said the ministry had commenced reforms in the sector to ensure proper policing of the gemstone sector.

“The central point of our gem policy is to ensure due process in our gemstone mining and marketing activities in line with international best practices,” he said.

The minister said that the ministry would assist artisanal miners to get good prices for their gemstones to boost the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP..

“Let me again emphasise that while we continue to make efforts to attract investors into the sector, we will ensure that mining is done in strict accordance with our laws.

According to him, the ministry is encouraged to collaborate with the organisers of AGJES to celebrate the 2018 second edition due to amazing success recorded from its maiden edition.

“The ministry is not an operator, but a regulator of the sector, but we realise that we cannot achieve the objectives of this current government without the collaboration of stakeholders.

“As part of our mandate, the ministry is required to improve the sector’s capacity to create jobs and broaden the range of economic opportunities available to Nigerians,” he said.

According to him, this is why the ministry continue to support the initiatives of the organisers using this event as a platform for creating a viable local market and access to foreign markets for locally produced gems and jewelry.

Dr Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour, charged the ministry to ensure it curtails illegal mining activities that had engulfed the sector.

“The ministry must incorporate illegal miners into cooperatives to reduce illegal mining operations; oil is no more in vogue, but solid minerals.”

Amb. Regina Edzuwah, the Co-promoter, African Gems and Jewellery Exhibition and Seminar (AGJES), said Nigeria was endowed with abundant precious stones that could earn the country billions of dollars in world market.

Edzuwah said that Nigeria gemstones, which include, sapphire, ruby, aquamarine, emerald, tourmaline, topaz, garnet, zircon and amethyst, among others, were highly recognised and appreciated abroad.

https://www.miningng.com/first-lady-calls-for-more-women-participation-in-mining/

Reference Number: 265 0412 MHU
Job Description:
Symbol Mining is seeking the appointment of a Senior Mining Engineer to assist in the development and management of a greenfield Zinc and Lead operations in the state of Bauchi, Nigeria. This role reports directly to the Imperial Mine Manager and will assume the role of Mine Manager in their absence. Direct reports will be Contractors, Mine Geology and Engineering, Safety and all IJV Staff

Responsibilities:

Lead/Represent the company at the Macy operations and ensuring the safety of all employees, consultants and contractors;
Co-responsibilities with Mine Manager regarding all activities related to community engagement, Health, Safety programs and Environmental management
Responsibility for all aspects of planning, scheduling and production of the direct shipped zinc and lead product.
Mentor all IJV personnel and develop procedures in modern mining and operational practices;
Maximize mine profitability through management of effectively pit, processing and logistics processes and procedures in a cost-effective manner;
Co-responsible for the management of the Mining Contractor, monitoring and reporting performance;
Manage operational design, evaluation, and scheduling of all open pit work;
Review the mine technical, operational and financial performance with daily, weekly and monthly reporting;
Assist Imperial Mine Manager regarding State and Federal Government compliance, relationship management, and interaction with key stakeholders;
Liaison and supervise external consultants and authorities as requested/directed
Requirements: Qualification and Skill

Engineering Tertiary qualifications
Exposure to international operations
Minimum 5 years operational senior experience + 8 years industry experience
Exposure to optimisation of operations through design and change management
Open Pit experience with Blending operations
Nigerian candidates strongly recommended to apply
Benefits and Contractual information:

6/3 roster if based abroad, 3/1 roster if based in-country

To apply: https://www.miningng.com/senior-mining-engineer-at-symbol-mining/



Source: https://www.miningng.com/senior-mining-engineer-at-symbol-mining/

Abuja – One of the big takeaways in the just concluded Mines and Money Conference in London was an agreement reached between the Miners Association of Nigeria and their Chinese counterpart in the areas of cooperation, collaboration and strengthening of bilateral economic relations in the mining industry.

President Miners Association of Nigeria, Sani Shehu who disclosed this said he and Mr Peng, the president of China Mining Association met at the conference to firm out earlier discussions held on the need to do business in mining and promote solid minerals trade between both countries.

“We have been having discussions before now for stronger ties between the two associations in view of the fact that China is the major off-taker in Nigeria’s mining products.

“We agreed in principle that Chinese Miners should source minerals they are interested in through our association. We also agreed that Miners Association of Nigeria should be guaranteed reliable off-takers of mineral products in China through the China Mining Association.”

He said the aim was to prevent the present situation whereby some members from Nigeria make supply to China but experience difficulty in receiving payments and also avoid a situation where Chinese investors fall into the hands of fraudsters in Nigeria.

“We both agreed that such cooperation will enhance trade and investment between Nigeria and China in the mineral sector. We both prepared a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be considered and deliberated upon before we are invited to China to sign the document within the first quarter of next year.

He added: “We hope to sign before the next Mining Conference in China”.

On whether the Miners Association of Nigeria can sign the dotted lines on behalf of the government of Nigeria and other business interests, Shehu said the association does its dealings around the world in line with the law.

“Members of MAN and trade solid minerals operate according to the provisions of the law. As a recognised body operating within the framework of our laws we can sell to any interested off-taker including the Chinese without breaking any law. Indeed, as a private sector association, we feel obliged to complement government’s effort of reforming the sector, attracting investors and collaborating with Chinese Miners in the area of partnership and joint ventures.

We believe this effort should be seen in the light of supporting the government’s economic diversification and investment drive through the solid minerals.” He said.
Source https://www.miningng.com/nigeria-china-miners-association-sign-pact/