By Mohammed Bello Doka
President Bola Tinubu lauded the unveiling of Nigeria's largest lithium ore processing plant in Lafia, Nasarawa State, marking a significant milestone in the country's economic landscape. In a meeting with Governor Abdullahi Sule and representatives from Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited and Canmax Technologies, President Tinubu emphasized the pivotal role of foreign investments in Nigeria's development trajectory.
Avatar, a prominent Chinese firm, spearheaded the construction of the lithium processing plant, boasting a daily production capacity of 4,000 metric tonnes. Additionally, Canmax Technologies, renowned for its contributions to global battery material production, announced a substantial investment of $200 million for another lithium processing facility in Nasarawa State, underscoring their confidence in Nigeria's investment climate.
President Tinubu underscored the importance of environmental stewardship and community engagement in the operations of these firms, urging them to uphold corporate social responsibility standards. He envisioned Nigeria's potential as a hub for solar technology production, leveraging the country's abundant resources and skilled workforce.
Governor Sule expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of President Tinubu towards solid mineral development, highlighting the economic prospects of lithium mining in Nasarawa State. Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Dele Alake, echoed the government's commitment to remediate abandoned mines and promote local value addition in the mining sector.
In closing, the Chinese executives, Mr. Hi Yongwei of Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited and Mr. Zhenhua Pei of Canmax Technologies, reiterated their commitment to adhering to mining regulations and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships with host communities. Their investments signal a promising era of growth and innovation in Nigeria's mining industry, propelled by collaboration between local and international stakeholders.
Tags
News