Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria’s government has intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal mining activities, particularly targeting unlicensed miners involved in the illicit trade of lithium, a critical mineral in high demand for electric vehicles, smartphones, and power systems.
Since April, authorities have made numerous arrests as part of a broader initiative to regulate mining operations, combat illegal activities, and ensure the country benefits more from its mineral resources. The surge in global demand for lithium, driven by the transition to clean energy, has heightened concerns over unregulated extraction practices.
A notable crackdown occurred in mid-May when a joint team of soldiers and police raided a market in Kishi, Oyo State, resulting in the arrest of 32 individuals, including two Chinese nationals. The market, previously known for agricultural produce, had become a center for the illicit lithium trade. Reports indicated that Chinese nationals were clandestinely prospecting for lithium, engaging local miners, and using the market as a transit point.
President Bola Tinubu has attributed the rise in conflicts in Nigeria’s northern region partly to illegal mining activities and has called for international assistance to address the issue. While the Chinese embassy in Abuja has refrained from commenting on the arrests, it has previously emphasized the importance of Chinese nationals adhering to Nigerian laws.
Despite Nigeria’s emergence as a significant lithium source in Africa, illegal mining poses challenges, including revenue loss for the government and exploitation of vulnerable workers from conflict-affected areas. According to Emeka Okoro of SBM Intelligence, resource theft contributes to annual losses estimated at $9 billion.
To tackle the problem, Nigeria has established a specialized “corps of mining marshals” comprising 2,200 personnel. The corps has recorded notable successes, including arrests and seizures of illicit lithium, such as the confiscation of two trucks loaded with the mineral near Abuja in April and the apprehension of four Chinese nationals in Nasarawa State.
Furthermore, the government is promoting the formation of cooperatives among artisanal miners in communities like Jos, encouraging them to operate within the legal framework and contribute positively to Nigeria’s mining sector.
