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With Nigeria on track for its major industrial gold production, it seeks collaborations, not only to curb illegal mining but also mercury-free mining.
A global alliance to reduce mercury contamination with the Minamata Convention on Mercury was due to the recognition of the risks it posses. Over 90 per cent of miners in Nigeria practise artisanal and small-scale gold mining and with the use of mercury.
A preliminary virtual workshop for the Global Environment Facility PlanetGold in Nigeria was recently held. The Federal Government, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and the Miners Association of Nigeria took part and committed to mercury-free gold production in Nigeria.
Safe and efficient recovery of gold without mercury is possible in the country. In a mercury-free gold mining environment, it will be able to market gold at higher values while keeping miners safe.
More so, the environment will also escape the tons of hazard if Nigeria employs other means of gold mining like the concentration.
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Mercury-free mining in Nigeria is key to an improved artisanal and small-scale gold mining as well as industrial advancement and development.
The first industrial gold production takes off with Thor Exploration Limited in the first quarter of 2021. The project is worth $98 million and its gold refinery under construction is near completion.
With less than a 0.1% contribution to the GDP, the government is looking to make up to 3% more from mining by 2025.
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