In a significant stride towards ensuring operational safety in Nigeria’s mining sector, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, emphasized the pivotal role of meteorological sciences during the ‘Solid Minerals Conference’ organized by Business Day newspaper.
The one-day conference, held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, provided a platform for Prof. Anosike to present a paper titled ‘Intersection Between Climate Change Concerns and The Mining Industry – The Role of NiMet.’
Highlighting the vulnerability of mines and related activities to weather conditions, Prof. Anosike underscored the impact of extreme weather events on mining operations, citing potential risks to worker safety and disruptions in productivity. He emphasized that as climate change accelerates, the frequency of extreme weather events poses challenges to safety, productivity, and profitability in the mining industry.
Notably, the federal government has already taken steps to address these concerns. According to Prof. Anosike, the Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dr. Dele Alake, stated in an October 2023 ThisDay newspaper story that the government is actively pursuing diversification from hydrocarbons to position the minerals sector as a significant contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while addressing climate change impacts.
Prof. Anosike stressed the importance of real-time weather forecasts and warnings, stating that accurate meteorological data is essential for assessing and mitigating risks associated with extreme weather events. He further explained that NiMet’s new Establishment Act of 2022 empowers the agency to commercialize meteorological data by partnering with the private sector.
“We are looking forward to engaging the private sector on how NiMet can provide customized weather and climate data for their organizations,” said Prof. Anosike. “Meteorological information supports effective planning and optimization of mining and other activities, including scheduling operations based on favorable weather conditions and managing inventory efficiently.”
Discussing the impact of climate change on Nigeria, Prof. Anosike mentioned significant effects such as uncertainties in the onset of the rainy season, shifts in rainfall patterns, sea level rise, overwhelming heat, and extreme weather events. He emphasized that with adequate weather and climate information, there is an increase in climate actions and resilience among the Nigerian populace.
In addition to his address, Prof. Anosike informed the audience about the upcoming public presentation of NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) scheduled for Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at the NAF Conference Centre and Suites, Abuja. The SCP serves as an early warning tool, providing information to all sectors of the Nigerian economy to respond to climate extremities over the next year.
The Solid Minerals Conference witnessed the presence of key figures, including the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, and several industry experts, demonstrating a collective effort to address challenges and drive sustainable development in Nigeria’s mining sector.
