Segilola Resources Operating Ltd., a unit of Toronto-listed Thor Explorations Ltd. and operator of Nigeria’s first commercial gold mine, used its presence at the 2025 Nigeria Mining Week to reinforce calls for responsible and transparent mining practices as the country races to attract new investment into its solid minerals sector.
The company, which runs the Segilola Gold Mine in Osun State, was a Gold Sponsor at the industry’s biggest annual gathering held in Abuja from Oct. 13 to 17. It also hosted its Second Annual Stakeholder Reception, bringing together more than 100 policymakers, financiers, and industry executives.
Among the dignitaries were Faruk Yusuf Yabo, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development; Innocent Bariko, director-general, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA); Simon Obadiah Nkom, DG, Mining Cadastre Office; and Olusegun Omoniyi Ige, DG, Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA). Senior representatives from Africa Finance Corporation, Bank of Industry (BOI), Babalakin & Co., ENR Advisory, and the VUKA Group were also present.
Segun Lawson, Segilola’s Chief Executive Officer, told attendees that the company’s focus extends beyond output growth.
“It takes courage to build mines not just for profit, but for people, the planet, and posterity,” Lawson said. “At Segilola, we’ve chosen a path grounded in responsibility and driven by innovation, committing to a sustainable future for Nigerian mining.”
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous economy, is betting on its mining sector to diversify exports and reduce its dependence on oil, with gold, lithium, and critical minerals emerging as new frontiers. The government is seeking to attract private capital to the sector through regulatory reforms and infrastructure investment, though industry players say consistent policy execution remains key.
At the reception, Segilola showcased its livelihood restoration programs—initiatives aimed at building resilient local economies and improving community welfare around its mine. The company said its approach demonstrates how responsible mining can generate long-term social and economic value alongside financial returns.
Throughout the Mining Week, Segilola’s leadership contributed to discussions on sustainable finance, regulatory evolution, and sector transformation, positioning the firm as a reference point for how commercial mining can align with environmental and social priorities. Its exhibition booth drew steady engagement from investors and technical partners eager to learn from the company’s operating model.
With Nigeria’s mining renaissance gathering pace, Segilola Resources remains a test case for how global best practices can take root in West Africa’s emerging resource economies—balancing profitability with environmental stewardship and community impact.