The Federal Government and France have agreed to develop joint projects to promote and diversify the value chain of the critical minerals in the solid minerals sector of both countries.
Critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements are essential to clean energy technologies.
According to a statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Segun Tomori, on Sunday, the agreement will open new opportunities for the remediation of over 2,000 abandoned pits in the country.
Recently, at least 65 individuals tragically lost their lives in separate mining pit collapse incidents across the country.
In the Memorandum of Understanding signed by both countries on the sidelines of the official visit of President Bola Tinubu to France, both countries agreed to collaborate on research, training and Franco-Nigerian students exchanges for knowledge and skills transfer.
The statement read, “A key component of the MOU is the promotion of sustainable mining activities by executing projects and programmes that reduce the environmental impact of mining on carbon emissions, water consumption, and climate change.”
