Mining: Expert urges youths to make gemstone industry a source of livelihood

The President of Women In Mining In Nigeria (WIMIN), Dr Janet Adeyemi has urged youths to explore opportunities in the gemstone industry as a potential source of livelihood.

Adeyemi made the call while presenting a paper at  the pre-conference panel discussion at the 59th Annual International Conference and Exhibition (AICE) of the Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) on Monday in Jos.

The presentation was titled ‘Opportunities in the industrial Minerals and Gemstone sector.’

She said that Nigeria has gemstones spread across the country and the industry provided many opportunities for wealth creation.

Adeyemi  urged youths, particularly young geo-scientists to take advantage of the NMGS conference to seek more knowledge of the sector.

She said that youths should not limit themselves in wealth creation, especially with the vast global opportunities in the mining sector.

The president  said that  the youths should instead seek entrepreneurial opportunities in mining, which has the potential to industrialise Nigeria and Africa.

“With the huge potential of untapped wealth, developing the gemstone could be a game changer Africa needs to industrialize and develop.

“Manufacturing opportunities for gemstone and jewelry processing equipment, lapidary equipment, gemstone analysis and gemstone valuation equipment will provide an expanded basis for a potential bottom-up industrialisation process in the gemstone and jewelry sector and associated jobs.

“Such new industries in the country could also help to offset risks of declining revenue from fossil fuel exports while diversifying national revenue streams,” she said.

She urged the youths to be patient while leveraging the opportunities, improve their skills, and to continuously update their knowledge, emphasising that success in the mining industry may take time.

“Building a reputable brand and customer base takes time, but with dedication and the right strategies, one can leverage opportunities in this unique and fascinating industry,” she said.

According to her, being successful in the sector required a combination of industry knowledge, passion, ethical practices, and excellent customer service.

The WIMIN boss said that identifying opportunities in the gemstone industry required a comprehensive understanding of the market and the ability to recognise emerging trends and demands.

She recommended that Nigeria should establish a venture capital fund for mining, gemstone processing and marketing.

According to Adeyemi, bridging the gaps between the local industry in Nigeria and the global market required an urgent need to build capacity in the industry.

She said that a good regulatory environment can attract investment in the sector and create a conducive business environment for mining companies, thereby triggering opportunities in the sector.