“The way forward for Artisanal and Small Scale Miners in Africa is to look inward and draw strength from each other and make progress as home grown companies,” the Director, Minerals and Miners Centre (MMC), Dr. Comfort Asokoro-Ogaji has said, adding that the Centre is glad to enable members to establish linkages that will attract prosperity to the country.
The MMC Director, who made the point during an interview session on the sideline of the MMC conference, in London, hinted that MMC will launch the internship and mentorship program in Nigeria, on 14th December 2023, at the National Assembly Complex, adding that six hundred and fifty two (652) Nigerians have registered and look forward to participating.
Asokoro-Ogaji challenged the private sector in Nigeria to rise to action for the growth of the sector. While saying that local players must imbibe global mindset as well as understand the trends in mining technology in order to gain relevance in the global market, she commended foreign investors for their interest in developing Africa, stating that MMC aims to assist local miners to improve and embrace more advanced approaches that will enable them to compete favorably in the global marketplace.
She explained that the actions taken by the Centre aim to bridge the huge knowledge gap, adding that the MMC conference in London revealed the gap.
“We need to rise up and get to work,” she stated.
Discussing some goals scored at the conference, she explained that MMC sealed pacts of collaboration with notable companies who are interested in working with corporate members of MMC in diverse areas of business and technology development for the industry.
She stated: “Business talks have been initiated by MMC with GSL Mineral Processing and K-Mines for mineral exploration and operational optimization for managing resources and maximizing yield,” adding that the solutions include open cut and underground mining system simulations, structural 3D modeling of mineral deposits and tools needed by mining companies for pits design, haul roads and mine structures.
She explained the need for miners to key-into global solutions for process optimization and reduce analogue approach to mining. This, she said, ensures quality of exploration data, report integrity and general acceptability by investors.
“We must follow the trend to gain relevance in the global market otherwise our miners will remain local and not have any space where it matters most.”
She assured that the MMC will continue to discuss with the global solution providers in the industry for its members, and also strategize for the growth of the sector via private sector-led initiatives and solutions.
Discussing the relationship brokered between the MMC and one of its partners, she said: “Our talks with GSL Mineral Processing Company are centered around exploration reporting standards acceptable worldwide for private investors partnerships with our miners locally.”
“GSL will work with MMC member companies to facilitate a paradigm shift for the Nigerian Mining Industry,” she said, adding that most Nigerian mining companies are still at the feasibility studies or exploration stages. She said GSL can assist with the mine value chain from scoping through PEA to PFS and DFS.
Dr Comfort further reiterated the need for partnerships as the way to go, saying: “Another team we are talking to is SRK. Though SRK is not new to us because SRK had worked with Richflood International – an MMC member company, for Environmental due diligence. However, this time around, we are discussing a more broad expertise on innovative solutions in a multidisciplinary approach.
She said the MMC and SRK are also collaborating in the area of reserve estimations and the entire exploratory process, solutions for effective engagements with financial institutions and governments.
“The MMC event in London is an annual event focused on reporting KPIs by each Member Company or JVs. We do not want a conference of rhetoric but reporting results, lessons and way forward,” she added.
