Terra Industries, an Abuja-based defence-technology and robotics startup, has secured $2 million in contracts to provide security and surveillance for lithium-mining operations in Nigeria.
The contracts, signed with two mining companies, come just one week after Terra launched its new commercial division, marking an early breakthrough as the company expands its autonomous security technology from defence applications into private-sector infrastructure.
Under the agreements, Terra will deploy 20 Sentry Towers and four Iroko drones across the mining sites. The systems will provide surveillance, real-time threat detection and response capabilities, with the operations coordinated through ArtemisOS, Terra’s autonomous command-and-control platform.
The two mining operators have not been publicly identified. Terra said the initial deployment could expand as the companies bring additional mining sites online, potentially increasing the scale of the contracts. The deal highlights the growing use of technology to protect critical infrastructure in areas where conventional security coverage may be limited.
Terra says its commercial division was created to provide surveillance and deterrence systems to companies operating critical infrastructure, including those in the mining, oil and power sectors. The company is adapting the same autonomous technology stack it supplies to defence customers for commercial security applications.
The Sentry Towers and Iroko drones are designed to work together, giving operators both fixed-site monitoring and aerial surveillance capabilities.
Terra, founded in 2024, describes itself as a multi-domain systems and data-intelligence company developing air, land and maritime security systems. Its technology is also being used in the protection of other critical infrastructure across Africa.
The contracts come as interest in Nigeria’s lithium resources continues to grow. Lithium is an important component in rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles, smartphones, laptops and energy-storage systems.
For Terra Industries, the $2 million deal provides an early test of whether locally developed autonomous security technology can serve Nigeria’s rapidly expanding mining and critical-minerals industry.
The company has also been expanding its manufacturing and international footprint, including plans for a large drone manufacturing facility in Ghana and offices outside Africa.
Securing the lithium sites could therefore represent more than just a new commercial contract for Terra. It signals the growing intersection of Nigeria’s technology sector, defence innovation and critical-mineral economy.
Discover more from Scoop Hub
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
