Abuja: Hot on the heels of Nigeria's unveiling of a strategic roadmap designed to convert the country's mineral wealth into investments in clean energy manufacturing and domestic value addition, the organisers of the Nigeria Mining Week conference and expo have revealed this year's packed and topical programme. Convening at the Abuja Continental Hotel in the Nigerian capital from 13 to 14 October, this longstanding mining gathering supports Nigeria's ambition to become a regional refining and processing powerhouse. The theme of this year's event is "Unlocking Investment and Growth through Partnerships."
According to African Press Organization, Samukelo Madlabane, Event Director - Mining Portfolio at VUKA Group, stated that the Nigerian government is actively boosting beneficiation and industrialisation in its mining sector. This involves mandating local processing, opening large-scale mineral plants, and unveiling strategic roadmaps that link critical minerals to clean energy manufacturing. Recent initiatives focus on lithium, copper, and bauxite, aiming to move beyond raw exports and build integrated value chains.
The Council for Critical Minerals Development in the Global South recently presented a Critical Minerals Roadmap to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake. The roadmap outlines strategies to harness Nigeria's lithium, copper, and bauxite resources to strengthen local industries, advance mineral beneficiation, and draw investment into green manufacturing. Madlabane highlighted that Nigeria Mining Week is perfectly timed for a defining moment in the nation's mining sector, with a new Critical Minerals Forum focusing on minerals essential for the global energy transition.
The programme's highlights include a Critical Minerals Forum on 13 October, featuring sessions on strategic leadership, building reliable pathways to global markets, exploration potential, financing, industrialisation, policy, ESG and sustainability, and infrastructure integration. Side events and forums such as The Gold Forum, The Steel and Industrial Minerals Forum, The Women in Extractive Industries Forum, The CEO Roundtable, and The Deal Room will also add to the engaging atmosphere.
Over the past 11 years, Nigeria Mining Week has become a key gathering for mining pioneers and suppliers. Titan Minerals Ltd returns as the diamond plus sponsor, with KMDC, Kursi, Lovol, Sinogrand, and XCMG as diamond sponsors, and SMT Nigeria as a platinum sponsor. The event expects to gather over 3,000 attendees, 75 world-class speakers, and 150+ exhibitors and solution providers, with strong international representation from countries including the UK, EU, US, China, UAE, Canada, South Africa, and India.
Organised by the Miners Association of Nigeria in partnership with PwC, VUKA Group, and Mining Review Africa, and hosted by the Nigerian Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, the event also features NEITI as the transparency partner.