The Director-General, Nigeria Meteorological Agency, Charles Anosike, has said that the agency has important roles to play in the mining sector of the nation’s economy.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the agency late Tuesday.

Anosike said this while presenting a paper titled ‘Intersection between Climate change concerns and the mining industry – The role of NiMet’ during a one-day ‘Solid Minerals Conference’ organised by BusinessDay newspaper in Abuja on Tuesday.

The NiMET boss said that the mining industry is one of the most weather-vulnerable industries in the world; as the mines are often located in geographically and climatically challenging locations.

He said that weather affects mining operations, posing risks that can compromise workers’ safety and lead to delays and disruption in productivity.

The statement read in parts, “Real-time weather forecasts, warnings, and information on climatic conditions are essential for ensuring the safety of operations especially where weather conditions can significantly impact safety.

“Accurate meteorological data‭ ‬helps in assessing and mitigating risks associated with extreme weather events such as storms, floods, etc.

“This is critical in minimising potential damages to infrastructure and ensuring the safety of personnel.”

The DG highlighted the government’s commitment to diversifying the country’s revenue sources by emphasising the minerals sector, as stated by the Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dele Alake.

Anosike discussed the agency’s new Establishment Act 2022, which aims to commercialise meteorological data through partnerships with the private sector.

This effort will allow NiMet to provide tailored weather and climate data to organisations, supporting effective planning and operational optimisation.

Furthermore, Anosike shared information about the agency’s upcoming public presentation of the Seasonal Climate Prediction at the NAF Conference Centre and Suites, which is scheduled for February 20, 2024, in Abuja.

The SCP is an early warning tool that aims to equip various sectors of the Nigerian economy with information to respond to climate extremities over the next year.