Australia, Nigeria deepen mining ties with research, capacity enhancement programme

The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD) has officially launched a capacity enhancement programme for Nigerian mining professionals at Murdoch University in Australia.

This initiative is a result of a bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Australia, supported by the Commonwealth of Nations aimed at addressing skill gaps in the mining sector and deepening bilateral ties between the two nations.

The programme, which commenced on June 8, 2024, would run for two weeks and feature 11 Nigerian participants, a statement by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals has indicated.

The training covers various subjects, including extractive metallurgy, sustainable geochemistry, and mineral science research, as well as field trips and interactions with industry experts.

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Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and Leilani Bin-Juda, Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria gor their support in realising this vision.

He charged the participants to be worthy ambassadors and leverage the training to enhance the country’s technical capabilities.

Andrew Deeks, the Vice-Chancellor of Murdoch University, highlighted the importance of capacity building in the global resources sector, emphasising that the exchange programme aligns with the University’s mission to promote ethical, sustainable, and inclusive engagement.

This collaborative effort is expected to strengthen bilateral ties and foster mutually beneficial development in the mining sectors of both nations.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.