The National Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Cooperative Society (NASSMCS) says it has discovered high-value sodium deposits in specific locations across Nigeria that could be used in mass-producing long-lasting sodium-ion batteries.

This is contained in a statement signed by Alhaji Auwalu Dantasidi, National President of NASSMCS and made available to newsmen in Nasarawa local government area of Nasarawa state on Monday.

According to Dantasidi, NASSMCS was able to achieve the feat of being the first to discover and extract the mineral resource because of its membership numerical advantage, mining expertise and skill and the fact that artisanal miners are the first explorers of mineral resources.

He explained that some members of the Cooperative Society had stumbled upon the rich mineral reserves while conducting a routine geological survey in different regions across the country around mid-August of the year 2023.

“This high-quality sodium is situated within the Rocky Mountains and River beds in Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Osun Calabar, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Bauchi, Kebbi, Taraba, Yobe, Oyo, Plateau, and Kaduna in high deposit.

“This groundbreaking discovery is poised to revolutionize various industries and reshape the nation and global energy landscape,” he said.

“The implications of this discovery are far-reaching. As the world grapples with the urgent need to transition to renewable energy sources, sodium-ion batteries offer a compelling solution.

“With their potential to store and release energy at a competitive cost, they hold the key to transforming the renewable energy sector.

“Sodium-ion batteries have long been heralded as a potentially transformative technology, promising enhanced energy storage capabilities and a more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries,” he said.

He explained further that the game-changing factor in the discovery is that sodium-ion batteries are inherently more abundant and environmentally friendly than their lithium-ion counterparts.

“This newfound resource will reduce dependence on finite and ecologically sensitive lithium reserves, further solidifying Africa’s position as a vital hub in the global green energy revolution.

“This discovery of sodium deposits is not only a triumph for the mining industry but also a boon for the Nigerian economy,” he said.

Dantasidi assured that NASSMCS’s commitment to sustainable mining practices ensures that the benefits of the breakthrough will extend to communities across Nigeria, fostering economic growth, and creating employment opportunities for thousands of Nigerians.

“Furthermore, this pioneering achievement has the potential to spur innovation in research and development, attracting further investment and talent to the country.

“NASSMCS has set a new standard for innovation and sustainability in the mining industry and this historic discovery of sodium deposits positions them at the forefront of the national energy transition, with far-reaching implications for industries ranging from electric vehicles to grid-scale energy storage,” he said.

He then assured that the NASSMCS was ready to work, support and collaborate with the Ministry of Solid Minerals led by its Honourable Minister, Mr Dele Alake to change the economic narrative of Nigeria through the maximal commercialization of the sodium potential abound across Nigeria. (Daily Sun)

Update news