Nigeria’s metal sector seeks restrictions on illegal lithium mining

This week, key stakeholders in Nigerian solid minerals and metal sectors have called for a Presidential Executive Order to discourage illegal lithium mining and minimize environmental impact during the fifth National Council on Mining and Mineral Resources Development (NCMMRD) meeting in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The proposal aims to curb illegal mining through legislative amendments and enhance the value-added processing within the country with emphasis on periodic royalty reviews, fostering synergy among multiple parties in the industry. Regulators also express intentions to ensure local mining operations meet international best practices.

Nigeria faces a situation where small-scale artisanal lithium mining is the norm. The government has reportedly placed a ban on the export of raw solid minerals by mining companies last year. Following that, Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dele Alake, has met with UK government leaders in November 2023, to explore the possibility of establishing local production chain and transform the landscape of Nigeria’s mineral sector.