Lagos Records Another Big One, As Gold Refinery Commences Operation
The Federal Government says it has commenced operations at a high-purity gold refining plant in Lagos.
This is according to a statement by Segun Tomori, media aide to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake.
Aside from the Lagos refining plant, the federal government announced progress on three additional gold refineries at different stages of development across the country and a $600 million lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State that is ready for commissioning.
Aleke said the developments mark a major step in Nigeria’s drive to reposition itself as Africa’s leading minerals processing hub, moving decisively away from the export of raw minerals.
He said “the projects underscore the success of the Federal Government’s value-addition policy, which aims to boost revenue, create jobs and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global mining industry”.
According to the statement, Aleke spoke during a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Mr Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, ahead of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) scheduled to be held in Riyadh from January 13 to 15.
The statement said the meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in minerals development and industrialization.
“Nigeria’s value-addition policy is yielding results, with a high-purity gold refinery now operational in Lagos,” Alake said.