The Federal Government has raised an alarm over a planned smear campaign by Jupiter Lithium Limited during the visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom.
Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, who described the company’s claim as false, stated in a statement that the allegation was aimed at discrediting ongoing reforms in the country’s mining sector.
He said the ministry had earlier responded to the allegation contained in a publication titled ‘Nigeria seizes British lithium project under armed guard’, which is allegedly sponsored by the said company.
He disclosed further that the government has no contractual relationship with Jupiter Lithium, adding that the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act prohibits the issuance of mining licences to foreign companies.
According to him, the dispute started from the revocation of mineral titles belonging to a Nigerian company, Basin Mining Lt, which is linked to an Australian, Steve Davis.
“The titles were revoked after the company failed to pay statutory annual service fees of N2.494 billion for several licences covering the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.
“The affected licenses 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40552ML, and 40555ML were withdrawn in line with existing regulations after due notices were served on the company,” he said.
Tomori also dismissed the claims that the licences were transferred to a Chinese firm, and he accused Davis of operating several companies in the country to acquire mineral titles without undertaking actual mining operations.
He urged Nigerians and the international community to disregard the allegations.
Leave a Reply