By Stella Odueme
The Director-General and CEO of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (NMCO), Engr. Simeon Nkom, has said that sustainable mining can only be achieved through strong partnerships with host communities, social justice, and inclusive development.
Speaking at the 5th African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS 2026) in Abuja on Thursday ,Nkom called for a “new social contract” that prioritises community participation and shared benefits from mining activities.
“The desired shift today is to move from resource extraction to shared partnership.
Mining companies must go into communities not just for mining, but for creating relationships and building trust,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria’s mining laws already provide for Community Development Agreements (CDAs) to ensure host communities benefit through employment, skills acquisition, scholarships, healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.
Nkom stressed the importance of a social licence to operate, warning that communities can disrupt projects if their interests are ignored.
“A mining title may grant legal access, but social licensing grants legitimacy,” he stated.
The NMCO boss also highlighted the growing importance of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards and mineral traceability, noting that investors increasingly require evidence of responsible mining practices and community impact before providing funding.
He urged mining companies to engage traditional institutions, community leaders, civil society groups, women and youth in decision-making processes to ensure sustainable outcomes.
“The future of mining will not be supported by extraction alone. It will be supported by social licensing, community participation and the effective implementation of the new social contract,” Nkom said.
