Featured
FG Inaugurates Committee On Salt And Kaolin Production
Joel Ajayi
In line with it’s Renewed Hope Agenda to enhance local capacity for industrialisation and promote value addition in the solid minerals sector, the Federal Government has inagurated a 10- man Committee to strengthen the mechanism for full scale and industrial production of Salt and Kaolin in the country.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony held on Wednesday at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Solid Minerals Development/ Steel Development, Dr Mary Ogbe stated that the initiative to explore and exploit Salt and Kaolin aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu led administration to increase domestic use, capacity for export and boost employment opportunities.
Dr Ogbe said: ”In order to change the narrative and kick start the development of our nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, with his Renewed Hope Agenda has challenged us to believe in our country and develop it as we do not have another country.
”It is this consideration that is behind the strong desire of the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Oladele Alake to develop the exploration exploitation and processing of salt and Kaolin in Nigeria for Nigeria’s use and subsequent export. This will provide jobs for Nigerians, conserve foreign exchange and boost our economy.”
The Permanent Secretary charged the 10- man Committee with the following terms of reference:
a. Determine the extent of deposits and locations of brine and rock salt and Kaolin in Nigeria.
b. Determine the number and viability of licenses issued for the exploration and exploitation of these minerals.
c. Determine the cost of exploration of those sites to ascertain the quantum of the existence of brine, rock salts and Kaolin ( if this has not been determined before).
d.Propose the way forward to actualizing the building of Salt and Kaolin Processing plants in Nigeria with a given time frame.
e. Come up with any other.
recommendation that will assist the Government in taking proactive measures to develop the sector.
Elaborating further, Dr Ogbe gave a timeline, on or before 30 November 2023 to the Committee for submission of its report in view of the urgency of the assignment.
Prof. Zachaeus Opafunsho, the Director- General/CEO of Council for Mining Engineers and Geoscientists of Nigeria will serve as Chairman of the Committe, while Mrs. Salamatu Umar, Director Special Duties Department in the Ministry is the Secretary.
Featured
FG woos foreign mining investors with lower production cost
Joel Ajayi
Cutting red tapes which slow business transactions and improving the security of mining operations are among fresh commitments unfolded by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake at the Mines & Money Conference which opened in London, United Kingdom on Tuesday.
Addressing global stakeholders in the mining industry, Alake, in the 15-minute speech pitched for more investment in Nigeria listing unique advantages such as lower production cost due to surface mining and billions of dollar untapped minerals.
He quoted recent reports by audit firm KPMG which reported that mining’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP rose from 0.3 percent to 0.85 percent last year, indicating 0.63 percent year on year growth.
His words: “The country’s geological bounty encompasses over 44 distinct mineral types, found in exploitable quantities across more than 500 locations. Recently, recognizing the evolving global landscape and in response to emerging trends, Lithium has been included as a crucial strategic mineral of global consequence.”
Dr. Alake said the administration of President Bola Tinubu has embarked on reforms to boost investment by streamlining procedures and reducing hurdles to attract foreign investors.
Showcasing recent progress in creating conditions for solid minerals development, Dr. Alake highlighted fresh data revealed by the Airborne Geophysical Survey, memorandum of understanding with German firm Geoscan to gather more data on solid minerals across the country and access to finance through a new funding facility launched by the Africa Finance Corporation and the Solid Minerals Development Fund.
The minister reminded the global mining community of the Federal Government ‘s policies on how mining operations must benefit the communities and lead to processing instead of wholesale export of raw minerals.
“ Nigeria is currently emphasizing Solid Minerals Beneficiation and Value-Addition as a panacea for quick and sustainable growth of the Mining Industry…By adding value to our raw materials, we not only create higher value products but also generate employment opportunities for our teeming youth and increase the sector’s overall profitability and contribution to the nation’s GDP”, he said
Dr. Alake urged investors to support socio-economic development of the communities where they mine to make mining mutually beneficial.
Citing the recent launch of the revised guidelines for Community Development Agreement which provides for social amenities, educational support, health and safety environmental facilities.
-
Featured4 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured4 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured4 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured4 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured2 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports1 year ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News3 months agoJubilation In Kaduna As Tribunal Upholds Ekene Adam Winner Of Reps Election
-
Featured4 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
