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Nasarawa community raises alarm over lithium spill

By Fortune Abang

A cross-section of residents in KAMA community, Udege Development Area, Nasarawa Local Government, have raised concerns over alleged lithium mining spillage affecting farmland, waterways, and the environment in their community.

Lithium, a chemical rich in minerals, is used in batteries that power electric vehicles, smartphones, and renewable energy systems, making it economically valuable but potentially hazardous if its extraction is poorly managed.

Residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Thursday that mining spillage had hindered agricultural yield and polluted rivers, raising fears about long-term environmental and health consequences for the community.

They alleged that operations by Avatar New Energy Materials Co. Ltd. produced dust, wastewater, and chemical residues, creating uncertainty about air and water quality, while calling for Federal Government intervention to limit environmental risks.

Some residents noted that while lithium processing might benefit the national economy, contamination of soil and underground water sources, if unchecked, could pose serious health hazards to the people living near the operations.

Residents urged the company to take measures to safeguard community waterways and the environment, ensuring lithium processing did not compromise the safety of residents or their farmland.

Mohammed Amadu, a resident, said some residents who used to bathe in the community river often felt feverish for up to two weeks after exposure, prompting avoidance of the river entirely.

Another resident, Ibrahim Suleiman noted that lithium contamination began in Dec. 2025, and in spite of appeals to Nasarawa State Government, no intervention had been made to address the pollution or safeguard community health.

An anonymous resident said vibrations from extraction resembled landslides, while whitish substances from broken lithium ore floated in rivers and tributaries, raising concerns over chemical contamination of water used for daily chores.

Civil society organisation Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, called for government regulation of industrial-scale lithium mining to protect residents’ health and prevent environmental hazards from unmanaged spillage.

CAPPA Executive Director Akinbode Oluwafemi, warned that lack of oversight on mining activities could have adverse effects on host communities, including water and soil contamination from indiscriminate disposal of lithium waste.

“We are concerned about the implications of Lithium processing operations in communities, given the systemic flaws inherent in mining governance,” Oluwafemi said.

Environmental specialist Abang Johnson told NAN that lithium processing must be carefully managed to avoid airborne and wastewater pollution, which could contaminate soil, underground water, and threaten kidney and thyroid health.

“The processing of Lithium without careful management could result in chemical airborne minerals and waste water pollution; all of which have potential to contaminate soil and groundwater sources.

“More so, most communities that are close to Lithium processing operations can be at risk, as taking of Lithium can result in the damage of human kidney and thyroid gland.

“I believe through government intervention, adequate awareness can be created to ensure community residents know proper ways to handle situation that could pose risks, to their health.”

Johnson urged government intervention and public awareness to ensure residents know safe practices when living near lithium processing operations and mitigate potential chemical exposure risks.

Responding, PR Manager Benny Modey of Avatar New Energy Materials, denied the allegations, calling them false and asserting that Environmental Impact Assessments and routine regulatory inspections confirmed full compliance with safety standards.

“We are not experiencing any issues with pollution, spillage, or any of the claims that have been presented by individuals in the community.

“Some of these statements may be driven by propaganda intended to damage the reputation of the organisation. If such claims are made, they should be supported with verifiable facts, as these are serious allegations.

“To the best of my knowledge, no regulatory agency has confirmed any of these claims. In reality, these issues do not exist and are untrue.

“First and foremost, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been conducted at the site to ensure all safety parameters are properly in place.

“In addition, various regulatory authorities carry out routine inspections to verify compliance and ensure that all safety protocols are being properly observed,” Modey said.

Modey said claims of pollution or spillage were unfounded, suggesting that some individuals might be spreading propaganda to tarnish the company’s reputation, and urged substantiated evidence from authorities before making such allegations.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

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Nasarawa community raises alarm over lithium spill