The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Republic of France for joint projects in the solid minerals sector.
The agreement focuses on the extraction and processing of critical minerals while addressing environmental and safety issues in mining activities.
The MoU was signed during President Bola Tinubu’s official visit to France, with Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, and France’s Inter-Ministerial Delegate for Critical Ores and Metals, Mr. Benjamin Gallezot, representing their countries.
According to a statement by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, the collaboration will address the remediation of over 2,000 abandoned mining pits across Nigeria.
These pits have been linked to several mining-related tragedies, including recent incidents that claimed the lives of 5 individuals.
The partnership includes research, training, and student exchange programs, focusing on knowledge and skills transfer in critical minerals such as copper, lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are vital for clean energy technologies.
“A key component of the MoU is the promotion of sustainable mining activities by executing projects and programs that reduce the environmental impact of mining on carbon emissions, water consumption, and climate change,” the statement read.
The agreement outlines joint extractive and processing projects co-financed by public and private entities to diversify and secure the supply of critical minerals and support decarbonization in energy projects linked to the mining value chain.
Both nations pledged to adopt international best practices to ensure transparency and improve conditions for local communities affected by mining activities.
The collaboration will also include training programs aimed at enhancing the capacities of administrators in managing the sector.
