The Federal Government has stated her intention on collaborating with China's Railway Investment Group Limited (CRIG) so as to harness the versed mineral deposits across the country. The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, who made this known via a statement issued by Mrs Etore Thomas, the Director Press of the ministry, expressed government readiness while receiving the team of CRIG on Saturday in Abuja.
According to the minister, “The ministry can avail CRIG the opportunities to invest both in mining and metal sector once there is a genuine expression of interest in the sector that will facilitate the industrialisation and prosperity of the nation.”
Adegbite while proposing for investment in mining and processing of some of the major minerals, such as Gold, Bitumen, Barite, Led, Zinc, cobalt, Lithium, coal and gemstones, added that “The ministry is likely to begin auctioning of Bitumen licences by October this year and critical investors should utilise such ample opportunity to immensely contribute to the growth of the sector for a viable nation.”
The minister has called for investors to fully invest in Ajaokuta Steel Plant, disclosing that about 13 to 14 minerals needed to produce Liquid Steel from the plant were all available in Nigeria. “The only thing remaining for Ajaokuta steel plant to kickstart production is the completion of the blast furnace.”
He assured that the ministry would provide them with literature on the abundant minerals in the country and their usages to enable their investment choices.
Mr Yunusa Mohammed, Acting Director, Investment Promotion and Mineral Trade (IPMT) Department in the ministry, promised the CRIG team of the government support in providing needed information on the sector.
Mohammed further stressed the need for serious investors in this sector so as to contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy.
