Nigeria's Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has proposed the establishment of a Mine Emergency and Community Development Fund to address the human and economic losses resulting from mine collapses in Africa. Alake made this suggestion at the third Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) High-Level Roundtable on Critical Minerals Development, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. The roundtable, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, brought together African ministers responsible for mining and other stakeholders in the continent's minerals sector.
The frequency of mine collapses across Africa necessitates a coordinated continental response, according to Alake. He cited significant mining accidents in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic, as well as recent cases involving suspected illegal miners who died in Nigeria. Alake emphasized that condolences alone are insufficient, noting that mine disasters often leave families without breadwinners and communities struggling to recover from losses. The proposed fund aims to provide emergency support to mining communities affected by disasters and help strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms.
In addition to the fund, Alake called for the creation of an African safety facility to support the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining. This facility would encourage miners to operate through cooperatives and provide livelihoods for millions of Africans. According to Alake, artisanal and small-scale miners contribute significantly to the supply of minerals to domestic and international markets. He urged governments to focus on formalizing the sector rather than criminalizing artisanal miners, arguing that better regulation could improve safety while increasing the sector's contribution to the formal economy.
Alake also signed the Continental Integration and Economic Assurance Declaration (CIEAD), which aims to provide a framework for greater coordination of bilateral and multilateral projects across Africa. The declaration is expected to support more predictable investment in regional infrastructure and mineral processing while encouraging governments to collaborate on projects with continental impact. This move is seen as a step towards enhancing economic integration and cooperation among African countries.
Vice President Kashim Shettima urged the AMSG to support African industrialization through partnerships with foreign governments and companies based on shared interests and mutual benefits. He emphasized that African countries must take greater responsibility for ensuring that the continent's mineral wealth contributes to economic transformation and improved living standards. This call for action highlights the need for African countries to work together to harness their mineral resources for the benefit of their citizens.
Samaila Zubairu, CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation, also stressed the importance of greater regional cooperation. He noted that African countries cannot rely on isolated national efforts to address the scale of the continent's development needs. Zubairu emphasized that Africa must accelerate industrialization to meet the needs of a population expected to reach about two billion people in the coming decades. This requires a coordinated approach to develop the continent's critical minerals sector and support economic growth.
The roundtable featured discussions among mining experts, representatives of regional and international institutions, and executives from the mining industry on strategies for developing Africa's critical minerals sector. The meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to share ideas and best practices, with a focus on promoting sustainable and responsible mining practices across the continent. Key outcomes of the meeting include a renewed commitment to cooperation and collaboration to address the challenges facing the sector.
Key points
- Nigeria's Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, proposes a Mine Emergency and Community Development Fund to mitigate losses from mine collapses in Africa.
- The fund aims to provide emergency support to mining communities affected by disasters and help strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms.
- Alake also calls for the creation of an African safety facility to support the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining.
