BY Kunle Daramola
Dele Alake, the minister of solid minerals development, has proposed a programme that will enable Nigerians study modern mining practices in Western Australia.
Alaba Balogun, the deputy director of information in the ministry, said in a statement that the minister made the proposal while leading a Nigerian delegation to a mining conference in Perth, Australia on Wednesday.
Alake said Australia has acquired a lot of knowledge and skills to develop its mining industry.
He added that Nigerians will benefit from training, study trips and exchange of mineral professionals as the country attempts to transform its mining sector.
Alake added that Nigeria has vast deposits of precious minerals, including lithium, gold, coal, lead, zinc, baryte and iron ore.
He said the federal government has launched a roadmap to attract foreign direct investment to the mining sector.
He also said the government is “forming a solid minerals corporation and joint venture agreements with multinationals in mining to enable the sector compete globally”.
On his part, Bill Johnston, the Western Australia minister for mines and petroleum, energy, corrective services and industrial relations, said the government is ready to support the transfer of knowledge and skills to mining professionals from Nigeria and sponsor mining experts from the country.
He also promised to mobilise the public and private sectors to support the initiative aimed at developing the mining sector in Africa.
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