Nigeria elected to chair new African mining pressure group

The federal government says Nigeria has been elected to chair the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), a mining pressure group.

The election opens new frontiers for Nigeria in the global mining industry, according to a statement on Tuesday by Segun Tomori, media aide to Dele Alake, the minister of solid minerals development.

According to the statement, Alake was unanimously elected the pioneer chairman of the group, on the sidelines of the 30th edition of Investing in Africa Indaba, held in Cape Town, South Africa.

The event was said to be attended by ministers of mineral development of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Chad, Botswana, Zambia, and Namibia.

Speaking at the signing of the resolution, Alake urged African leaders to unite to get maximum benefits from the continent’s mineral resources.

Alake said the era of hauling away solid minerals is over, charging countries on the continent to speak with one voice in support of value-addition as a requirement for investment in the mining industry.

“Today, there is economic scramble for Africa. The critical metals needed for the energy transition are in Africa,” he said.

“Therefore, if we do not come together this time around and take our destinies in our hands, we will go through the same harrowing experiences of the past. That is why we formed this body.

“Let those who want our minerals know that if you go to country A, you have the same regulations and laws guiding the sector. You go to country B, you find the same. 

“So, there is no divide and rule anymore. That is when we can show sincerity of purpose, and the world will begin to take Africa seriously.”

On behalf of President Bola Tinubu, the minister pledged the country’s full support to “achieve our objectives”.

According to the statement, more than 15 countries have pledged support for the group.