Nigeria: We're formalising over 10,000 artisans miners into clusters — Kaduna mining MD
Speaking at a strategic engagement on the establishment of solid minerals clusters, aggregation centres organised by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in Kaduna, the MD noted they are actively involved in formalising their operations while adhering to safety and environmental standards.
'We are actively engaged in the formalisation of artisanal miners ,working diligently to organise them into clusters for effective aggregation. This initiative not only enhances their productivity but also ensures that we can collect accurate data on both the miners and their outputs.
'By formalising these operations, we are paving the way for better resource management, improved safety standards and increased market access for these miners.
'As we look to the future, I urge all stakeholders to join us in this clarion call for the formalisation of artisanal miners. By doing so, we can unlock significant value addition opportunities that will not only benefit the miners themselves but also contribute to the overall development of the mining sector.'
In his address, the state coordinator, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Kabiru Yusuf, said Kaduna State is endowed with vast solid mineral resources with significant deposits spread across its 23 local government areas.
He said the establishment of solid minerals clusters and aggregation centers is a strategic initiative aimed at unlocking the full potential of our mineral resources, creating jobs and boosting the internally generated revenue.
Declaring the event open, the representative of Gov Uba Sani, the Commissioner of Business lnnovation and Technology, Mrs Patience Fakai commended the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and Kaduna Mining Development Company for bringing together miners, processors, exporters, investors and regulatory bodies, saying, this collaborative efforts underscore the determination to unlock vast potential of our solid minerals sector.
He said, Kaduna State is richly endowed with solid minerals such as gold, tin, lithium, and gemstone.
'These resources if harnessed strategically can serve as a cornerstone for sustainable development, job creation and export competitiveness.'
Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Truecaller crosses 100mln monthly active users in Middle East and Africa
Stockholm, Sweden: Truecaller, the leading global platform for verifying contacts and blocking unwanted communications, reached a significant milestone in August as the number of monthly active users (including both Android and iOS) crossed 100 million in the MEA-region, representing a 19% growth y-o-y. 'With the Middle East and Africa experiencing significant growth in smartphone adoption and mobile data adoption, we're really happy that we're able to solve communication problems for individuals and businesses in that region. MEA, like India and many other markets, are mobile first markets with your mobile number being the primary identifier and Truecaller has always grown organically in such markets. We're continuing to strengthen our organization and our partnerships in the region, because we believe that the MEA is poised for significant growth for many years ahead,' said Rishit Jhunjhunwala, CEO, Truecaller. Some of the largest markets in MEA for Truecaller are Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Algeria, Ghana, and Jordan. Typically, Truecaller is used on 20-45% of connected smartphones in these markets. About Truecaller Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for over 450 million active users, with more than a billion downloads since launch and close to 56 billion unwanted calls identified and blocked in 2024 alone. The company has been headquartered in Stockholm since 2009 and has been publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since October 2021. Visit for more information For more information, please contact Andreas Frid, Head of IR & Communication,
Zawya
8 hours ago
- Zawya
Young African agripreneurs share Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions for agrifood systems transformation
A live X Spaces event exploring how young African innovators are using artificial intelligence (AI) to address food security challenges highlighted that digital inclusion is essential for rural communities. The one-hour live event on X, hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Regional Office for Africa, brought together three AI entrepreneurs, from Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Kenya, who are applying cutting-edge technologies to support smallholder farmers and improve productivity across the continent. Close to 200 people joined the online conversation. Meet the innovators The panel featured three young founders: Tafadzwa Chikwereti of eAgro in Zimbabwe, developers of CropFix, a mobile platform that uses artificial intelligence to diagnose pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies from photos taken by farmers; Femi Adekoya of Integrated Aerial Precision in Nigeria, who is known as the Flying Farmer because he uses drones and AI to promote precision agriculture. He also trains youth through the Precision Field Academy; and Lavender Birike of Klima360 in Kenya who uses AI to combine weather, soil, and market data to forecast climate risks and help farmers and insurers make informed decisions. The session was moderated by Mathew Ayong from FAO, and FAO Digital Agriculture specialist Ken Lohento gave closing remarks. Big ideas, big impact Tafadzwa Chikwereti emphasized that smallholder farmers produce a significant share of Africa's food but are often limited by lack of access to timely agronomic advice. 'The biggest challenge is rural connectivity and digital literacy,' he said. 'Bundling AI tools with accessible platforms is crucial for improving harvests.' He explained how eAgro is helping close the information gap for smallholder farmers in rural areas. 'We're using artificial intelligence to analyse crops and identify pest disease and nutrient deficiency,' he said. 'We deliver these insights using platforms including SMS text messages, which are crucial for smallholder farmers without internet or smartphones.' Describing the concept of precision agriculture, Femi Adekoya said, 'It means applying the right thing at the right time in the right place with the right intensity. That is sustainable agriculture,' he said. He added that AI can analyse data collected by drones to provide farmers with targeted recommendations that reduce resource use while improving yield and climate resilience. He highlighted the importance of collaboration across sectors. 'We believe African youth can be equipped with the knowledge and skills to lead this work,' he said. 'We're working with universities across Nigeria and supporting youth including in last-mile communities.' Lavender Birike of Klima360 highlighted the need for better access to open data. 'We have a lot of research data sitting in different places. If we could pass policies that enable access and provide safety frameworks, it would open opportunities for young people to develop localized solutions,' she said. She also shared her perspective on the importance of women's participation in AI. 'This is an opportunity for women to be involved from the beginning,' she said. 'Understanding how data is gathered and analysed gives them the opportunity to participate meaningfully and to become digital champions.' Driving transformation through partnerships The session concluded with a reflection on how collaboration between governments, universities, the private sector, and development organizations can accelerate the adoption of AI in African agriculture. Led by FAO Digital Agriculture specialist Ken Lohento, the speakers emphasized that innovation must be inclusive and context-specific, addressing the needs of farmers regardless of their location or resources. Lohento also highlighted FAO's work in the digital agriculture space, including the Fostering Digital Villages (FDiVi) project in Senegal, Rwanda and Niger that is supporting rural communities to harness digital tools, including AI applications, to boost productivity and build resilience. The X Spaces event drew strong engagement from the live audience, with participants asking questions and expressing support for the speakers' insights and innovations. It is part of FAO's ongoing Youth on the Frontier of Agrifood Systems series, which highlights the role of young people in shaping the future of agriculture in Africa. It follows a successful May session on young ag influencers, and forms part of FAO's broader efforts to promote youth-led innovation and digital transformation in Africa's agrifood systems. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.
Zawya
9 hours ago
- Zawya
Seychelles: Courtesy call by Ambassador Li Nan on Principal Secretary Madeleine
On Friday, 8 August 2025, Ms. Lin Nan, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Seychelles, paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Ian Madeleine, Principal Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Department, at Maison Quéau de Quinssy. During the meeting, the two diplomats engaged in fruitful discussions on the long-standing and ongoing cooperation between Seychelles and China. They reviewed current partnerships, particularly in the areas of capacity building, education, culture, health, military cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. Both parties expressed their shared commitment to further strengthen these collaborative efforts. In addition, they explored opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation into new and emerging areas, including eco-tourism, trade, and climate change initiatives. The discussions reaffirmed the mutual interest of both countries in promoting sustainable development and deepening diplomatic ties, grounded in mutual respect, friendship and collaboration. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Seychelles.
