Solid Minerals Ministry carpets NEF for opposing location of Gold Refinery in Lagos
*Photo: Dr Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development* The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has reacted to the opposition expressed by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) to the location of a Gold Refinery in Lagos, describing it as "the parade of ignorance in the service of mischief." In a statement on Monday, 19th January, 2026, Segun Tomori, Special Assistant...
Dele Alake re-elected Chairman of Africa Minerals Strategy Group
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has been re-elected Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG)—a continental ministerial forum of African Ministers responsible for minerals and mining, committed to coordinated action aimed at maximising value addition and beneficiation from Africa’s vast mineral resources. Dr. Alake was first unanimously elected as the pioneer Chairman of the AMSG...
MAN asks affected members to submit memo on revocation of over 4,000 mining licenses
*Photo: President of Miners Association of Nigeria, Chief Dele Ayanleke* The Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) has asked its affectedmembers to submit position papers to the House of Representative Committee on Solid Minerals regarding the revocations of over 4,000 Mining Licenses from 2023 to date. MAN made the call in a statement by its President, Chief Dele Ayankeke, sequel to a...
FG prohibits sand mining around River Niger bridges
By Ikenna Obianeri The Federal Government has prohibited sand mining within a 10-kilometre radius of the River Niger to protect the First and Second Niger bridges. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the decision on Friday in Asaba, Delta State, during the inauguration of the Second Niger Bridge Closed-Circuit Television monitoring centre. Umahi said the ban was approved by the Federal...
Both federal, Oyo state govt secretive about multi-billion support while explosion victims suffer over last 2 years, says Chairman of Bodija Residents Association
*Pastor Bamgbose Two years after explosives stockpiled by a mining firm at a Bodija residence blew up and destroyed the community, Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose, Chairman of Bodija Estate Residents Association (BERA) told TheMiners government has not done well with the survivors of the incident. Excerpts:Q: It is two years since the unfortunate explosion at Bodija. How are you marking the...
Ghana cancels long-term mining agreements as gold prices soar
Ghana, Africa's top gold producerhas launched a major overhaul of its mining sector, by moving to cancel and phase out long-term investment stability and development agreements. Government of the West African country says the reforms aim to capture greater state revenue from record-high gold prices. The government is scrapping "stability agreements" that traditionally locked in tax and royalty rates for 5 to...
Tinubu invites foreign investors to partner in Nigeria’s lithium and critical minerals sector
*Photo: President Bola Tinubu* President Bola Tinubu hasinvited foreign investors to partner in Nigeria’s lithium and critical minerals sector, stressing that the government prioritises local processing and value addition. He gave the invitation on Tuesday, at the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), on the sidelines of which Nigeria concluded a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates...
Ministry of Solid Minerals, DSS Intercept 7 trucks ferrying suspected illegally mined lithium in Kwara
In a joint intelligence-led operation, the South-West Zonal Office of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, working alongside the Department of State Services (DSS), Kwara State Command, has intercepted seven trucks suspected of illegally transporting lithium ore within the region. The Zonal Mine Officer for the South-West, Ganiyu Ajibade, revealed that the arrest followed intelligence received on Thursday, 8th January...
Gold, Lithium Plants Position Nigeria as Africa’s Minerals Supply Hub – Alake
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has affirmed that the establishment of lithium processing and gold refining plants across Nigeria is positioning the country as Africa’s leading minerals hub and a critical global partner in minerals essential for the transition to green energy. Dr. Alake made this assertion at a meeting with the the Saudi Arabian Minister...
A Call for the differentiation of Calcite as a Distinct Mineral in the Federal Government Gazette for Licensing Processing and Royalties Payment in Nigeria: Akoko-Edo as a Case Study
By Engr Fatai Jimoh AbstractThe Nigerian mining sector operates under a mineral classification framework that groups calcite within broader carbonate categories such as limestone, marble, and dolomite. While geologically related, these minerals differ significantly in purity, industrial application, processing requirements, and economic value. The absence of calcite as a distinct mineral category in the Federal Government Gazette has created regulatory...
