As demand for green technologies grows, lithium has become an important raw material for batteries. Globally, China is the third largest lithium producer, after Australia and Chile and ahead of Argentina. New discoveries in Nigeria have increased interest from international investors, and Chinese companies now finance a large share of projects.
At the 2025 Chinese Mining Conference in Tianjin in October 2025, Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake said that since September 2023 companies such as Canmax Technology, Jiuling Lithium, Avatar New Energy Nigeria Company and Asba have invested more than USD 1.3 billion in lithium processing. The government introduced a 2023 rule requiring on-site processing to add local value before export.
Mining is concentrated in Nassarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Ekiti and Cross River states. Many people work in informal artisanal mining, which is often dangerous. In December 2024 miner Abdullahi Sabiu said he knows his work is illegal but he does it to support himself. Traders and activists say children sometimes work at sites and call for stronger regulations and international safeguards. Geology consultant Safinatu Mohamed Sani proposed five measures to make mining more sustainable.
Difficult words
- investment — Putting money into something to make profit.Investments
- lithium — A chemical used in batteries and technologies.
- economy — The system of money and trade in a country.
- advocate — To support or argue for something.advocating
- environment — The natural world and surroundings.
- artisanal — Made by hand, often in small quantities.
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Discussion questions
- What are your thoughts on lithium mining in Nigeria?
- How can mining practices be improved for safety?
- What role should the government play in regulating mining activities?
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