The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has expressed concern over the widening gap in the mining sector in Niger State, urging the state government and relevant stakeholders to intensify efforts toward the formation of artisanal miners’ cluster groups.

The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, raised the concern at a one-day workshop on “Advancing Solid Minerals and Rare Earth Elements through Value Chain Development in Niger State,” held at Lina TV Hall, Old Secretariat, Minna, on Thursday.
Ayeni explained that the workshop was organised to educate, sensitise and promote advocacy among artisanal miners in the state to enable them add value to their products and formalise their operations.

Represented by Oyinkan Duke, Chief Trade Promotion Officer in the Solid Minerals Directorate of NEPC, the NEPC boss noted that illegal mining activities have persisted in the sector over the years.
She stressed the need for stakeholders to visit mining locations to sensitise artisanal miners on the importance of formalising their operations, forming cluster groups and embracing value addition through shared facilities and improved collaboration.

According to her, several mineral resources in Niger State remain largely untapped, urging stakeholders to adopt broader sensitisation strategies to educate miners on forming cooperative societies.
She explained that cooperative structures would make it easier for artisanal miners to access funding, obtain necessary documentation and certifications, and meet requirements for participation in international markets.

“Without formalisation, there will be no proper records captured, which affects traceability and the sector’s contribution to national development,” she said.
Ayeni further highlighted that Niger State is endowed with valuable minerals such as Gold, Columbite and Tantalite, among others, which require deliberate development efforts to fully harness their economic potential.

She advised artisanal miners to collaborate closely with the Niger State Ministry of Solid Mineral Resources to adopt appropriate technologies, ideas and facilities that would improve mining operations in the state.
Ayeni emphasised that responsible mining practices should be embraced as a collective responsibility, noting that informal mining negatively affects the economy, while formalised mining enhances revenue generation, traceability and global recognition.

A paper presentation at the workshop was delivered by Oyinkan Duke on “Advancing Solid Minerals and Rare Earth Elements through Value Chain Development and Beneficiation for Sustainable Economic Growth.”