The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, has secured a deal with the Australian government which would enable Nigerian professionals in the solid minerals sector to travel to Australia for more studies.

Presenting the request to the Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Energy, Corrective Services and Industrial Relations of the government of Western Australia, Bill Johnston, in Perth, Australia, on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, Alake said the country has acquired a lot of knowledge and skills in developing its modern mining industry, adding that Nigerians will benefit from training, study trip,s and exchanges of mineral professionals in its current effort to transform the sector.

Alake, who led the Nigerian delegation to the 21st Africa Down Under Mining Conference held in Perth, said the government had launched a roadmap to attract foreign direct investment by investing in big data on minerals and the quantum of their deposits, forming a solid minerals corporation and joint venture agreements with multinationals in mining to enable the sector to compete globally.

He informed Johnson that Nigeria has vast deposits of precious minerals, including lithium, gold, coal, lead, zinc, barite, and iron ore.

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Alake, therefore, proposed a programme enabling Nigerian mining professionals to study modern mining technology and practices in Western Australia with the government’s support.

Responding, Johnston, who appreciated Alake’s courtesy visit, said the meeting would pave the way for cordial relations.

Accepting the proposal, Johnston said the government of Western Australia would support the transfer of knowledge and skills to mining professionals from Nigeria and sponsor mining experts to visit Nigeria to impart knowledge.

He urged the minister to make a formal request as soon as possible so both could work together to realise the goal.

He promised to mobilise the public and private sectors to support the initiative, saying many companies are willing to explore opportunities for developing the mining sector in Africa.

Other members of the delegation were the Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific, Ambassador Anderson Madubike; Deputy High Commissioner, Mercy Clement; Investment Banker from ANZ Bank, Martins Imonitie; and the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Solid Minerals, Dr Mary Ogbe; among others.

The Star