Authorities dey try more to attract investment into Nigeria plenty mineral resources and stop the export of raw ores, exploration geophysicists on Monday raise concern say the country fit one day force to import minerals wey e dey already extract and export if strategic deposits no be deliberately conserved.

The warning come as Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, talk say Federal Government dey strengthen geoscientific data, mineral exploration and professional capacity to transform mining sector make e become major pillar of Nigeria economic diversification.

But Nigerian Association of Exploration Geophysicists argue say the push for value addition and more mining must dey matched with national conservation policy to protect selected high-grade and strategic mineral deposits for future generations and Nigeria long-term industrial development.

The two messages wey different but dey complement each other come out for the 4th Annual International Conference and Training Workshop of the association for Abuja, where professionals examine the role of geophysics for resource exploration, environmental management and infrastructure development.

The conference wey theme be “Geophysics: A Critical Driver in Resource Exploration, Environmental Management and Infrastructural Development,” still feature discussions on artificial intelligence, machine learning, groundwater assessment, geotechnical engineering, policy, investment and capacity building.

Alake, wey one Director for Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, Hadiza Godi represent, talk say geophysics pass just academic discipline, e describe am as critical tool for discovering Nigeria underground wealth and supporting sustainable national development.

The minister talk say, “Geophysics no be just academic pursuit; e be the master key wey dey open our underground wealth, protect our ecosystem, and secure the foundation of our national infrastructure.”

E talk say Federal Government don make the generation of reliable geological and geophysical information a central part of their mining reform agenda because credible data still dey critical to reduce uncertainty and attract investment.

According to am, “Accurate and reliable geoscientific data na the ultimate bedrock of mining investment.”

Alake talk say the ministry, through NGSA, don expand geological mapping and undertake targeted high-resolution airborne geophysical surveys as part of efforts to improve knowledge of Nigeria mineral endowment.