By Grace Samuel
The Minister of solid minerals development, Dr Dele Alake, has expressed optimism that collaborating with the US on investments throughout the mining value chain will increase opportunities for Nigeria.
The minister said renewed focus on solid minerals has significant potential to match the economic impact of oil in the country.
He stated this during a chat with the US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, Geoffrey Pyatt at the Mines and Money conference in London recently.
Alake also commended the United States for its dedication in collaborating with Nigeria in various economic sectors, highlighting the importance of the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Alake emphasized that the mining industry offers a great opportunity for enhanced trade between Nigeria and the United States.
Responding, Pyatt assured the Minister that his country is exploring investment in Nigeria’s mining value chain, noting that the global energy transition from fossil fuels to critical metals makes it imperative for both countries to harness areas of comparative advantage for strategic collaboration.