An association, Women in Mining in Nigeria (WIMIN), says Nigeria can access funds for mining development through the generation of big data to attract major players to the sector.

The national president of WIMIN, Janet Adeyemi, stated this in an interview with journalists on Monday in Abuja.

Ms Adeyemi said that even though Nigeria possessed the critical minerals needed for the global energy transition, it must have a record of proven reserves certified by a competent person or company.

“We keep on talking about the fact that Nigeria has the largest deposit of bitumen. Nigeria has so many diverse minerals, but there is something in mining: you must have a proven reserve by a competent person.

“This will help Nigeria access funds for its development and also attract big players to invest in the sector, boosting the country`s gross domestic product,” she said.

According to the president, certified mining reports, in addition to attracting investors to the sector, will ensure Nigeria benefits from such partnerships, especially through value addition to its minerals.

She said that for Nigeria to reap from the solid minerals sector, it must enrich its sustainable development policies with community engagement tools such as stakeholder mapping, social impact assessment, and community development programmes.

She added that with policies on benefit-sharing mechanisms, capacity building, partnerships with NGOs and traditional institutions, as well as collaboration between the government and mining companies, the sector would be repositioned.

The president said that for Nigeria to diversify and develop its local economy, it must take advantage of the abundant solid mineral resources it possesses in commercial quantities across its states.

According to Ms Adeyemi, professionals should be engaged to minimise the risk associated with mining activities.

“We have to be very strict with the mining companies because mining can be very devastating and destructive.

“We need to have experts who do the environmental, social and governance certification to make sure companies are compliant,” she said.

She lauded the efforts of the minister of solid minerals, Dele Alake, in ensuring the sector was gender-friendly.

She acknowledged his resolve to implement an inclusive approach to ensuring sustainable development in the sector.

(NAN)