NIMASA moves to provide regulatory framework for seabed mining

In bid to fully harness the economic potential in the country’s maritime sector, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is seeking to regulate mining activities within the Nigerian seabed territory.

Speaking on Tuesday at a Stakeholders workshop on Deep Seabed Activities in Abuja, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola emphasized the need for established guidelines for seabed mining to address environmental challenges.

He revealed that the Agency is collaborating with relevant MDAs and the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in providing the regulatory framework and establishing environmental protection guidelines for seabed mining.

“The Agency could also help develop training programs to grow local expertise in deep seabed mining technologies and operations. Promote Research and Development in marine science and technology to enhance knowledge of deep-sea ecosystems and resource potential.

“We remain committed to ensuring that relevant legislative frameworks on the sustainable use of the Marine Environment and Safety standards are fully implemented.

“It is also crucial that the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007 is amended to reflect relevant provisions of ISA’s model of legislation on exploration and exploitation”.

They explained further that Nigeria has long benefited from its offshore oil and gas resources. “As we look to the future, deep sea mining presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria to diversify its economy and secure long-term economic growth.

“It is an integral part of the Blue Economy, promising technological advancement, resource security, and job creation. However, this potential can only be realized if we proactively address the associated environmental, technical, and regulatory challenges.

“I encourage all stakeholders here today to join forces as we navigate this frontier. Together, we can ensure that Nigeria’s deep sea resources contribute to the prosperity and sustainability of our nation, in line with international best practices,” he stated.

Furthermore, Mobereola said deep seabed refers to the deepest part of the ocean extending from approximately 200 meters to 11,000 meters depth.

“The deep seabed is home to unique ecosystems and biodiversity. It remains a largely unexplored frontier, with ongoing research and development aimed at understanding its ecosystem, resources, and potential applications.

“Deep Seabed Mining is an emerging concept that could improve the economic activities of a country. It involves the extraction of mineral deposits from the ocean floor.

“The extraction of such minerals has metals such as copper, nickel, cobalt, and gold crucial for modern technologies and green energy solutions”.

He noted that deep seabed is therefore believed to hold vast reserves of these minerals, possibly in quantities that could significantly reduce the world’s dependency on land mining.