The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite, in Abuja revealed that the process of refining gold, gemstones, and other mineral resources will soon begin throughout Nigeria’s six geopolitical areas.
The minister believes that enhancing the value of the nation’s mineral resources will greatly contribute to the wealth and employment of Nigerians.
He also claimed that six factories were being built in the various regions to process the mineral resources that had been deposited there.
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“We have set out to do six regional projects and one of them is the gold souk in Kano, the North West region.
“Before now, our gold was being exported in its raw form for close to nothing to foreign counter for processing and we end up buying them expensively.
“We have trained people who will make jewellery and they will be resident in the plant,” he said.
He said similar plants had been set up in the North East, Bauchi for processing kaolin, while in the North Central Kogi State was chosen for establishment of a gold smelting plant.
Adegbite also said in the South West, in Ibadan, gemstone plant had been established while in the South East, lead processing plant was established in Ebonyi.
The minister said in the South South region, baryte processing plant had been established, adding that “Nigeria imports baryte to the tune of 300 million dollars every year.
He said the six regional projects were at advanced stage of completion and would be commissioned soon.
