Nigeria, U.S. Set for Mining Cooperation MOU at UNGA

Nigeria and the United States are progressing towards a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on mining cooperation, anticipated to be signed during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. This development follows a meeting between Dele Alake, Nigeria's Minister of Solid Minerals Development, and Keith L. Heffern, the U.S.

Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires. The discussions build on earlier high-level engagements in Washington, D.C., where Alake led a delegation from the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company (NSMC) to meet with David Copley, a senior director at the National Security Council.

The focus is on enhancing cooperation in the critical minerals value chain, including geological exploration and refining. Alake informed the U.S. delegation about ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s mining sector, including digitizing geological data for investor accessibility.

He emphasized the geographical distribution of mineral resources in Nigeria, citing gold in Zamfara and lithium in Nasarawa, Kebbi, and Taraba. The meeting also addressed the constitutional framework for mining regulation and the establishment of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) by states for mineral exploitation.