The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has attributed his honourary fellowship by the Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) to Federal Government’s support for the mining sector.
Mr. Alake, on Tuesday was conferred with honourary fellowship by the NMGS at the 60th Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the NMGS, themed “Transformation of the Mineral, Energy, Water and Construction Sectors Through Innovations”, held in Abuja.
In his address, he acknowledged that development in the mining sector is beyond the efforts of an individual, stating that it is a “collective responsibility”.
“I am honored to have been conferred with the honourary fellowship by the Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS). This recognition reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning the mining sector, and I want to emphasize that advancing this sector is a collective responsibility,” the Minister said.
He noted that the mining industry is currently experiencing a global paradigm shift driven by the adoption of digital technologies, explaining that it is crucial that the Ministry embrace these innovations to attract investment, increase productivity, and ensure responsible extraction of Nigeria’s vast mineral resources.
Minister Alake revealed that he has prioritised the deployment of geospatial data and remote sensing technologies for mineral exploration within the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
These efforts, he said, will help reduce uncertainties and optimise investment decisions.
“Furthermore, we are working towards establishing mineral processing hubs to enhance value addition and reduce our reliance on raw mineral exports,” the veteran journalist stated.
He urged the NMGS to foster industry collaborations that will drive the transformation of the mining industry, reiterating his commitment to working with the society and other industry players to realise the full potential of Nigeria’s natural resources for national development.
“Once again, I am grateful to the NMGS for this honor. Together, through innovation and collaboration, we will build a resilient and prosperous future for Nigeria’s mining and geosciences sector,” he added.
