Nigeria Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Lithium Mining

Government efforts target unlicensed operations to control critical mineral resources and address security concerns.

Dozens of arrests have been made since April, including Chinese nationals and local workers.
Illegal mining is linked to funding militia groups in northern Nigeria, exacerbating conflicts.
The government has deployed a specialized corps to combat resource theft and regulate mining activities.
Lithium, essential for EV batteries, is in high demand due to the global clean energy transition.
Nigeria's remote mining areas face challenges with corruption and minimal government oversight.