We’ll encourage private sectors for water treatment ― FG

The Federal Government, on Tuesday, declared that it would provide the necessary supports to the private sector to develop calcium carbonate for water treatment, dimension stones for building industry and barite for the oil and gas sector.

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite made this known in Abuja at the grand opening ceremony of the 4th Annual Nigeria Mining Week, organised by Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) in collaboration with Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC).

He said the total value of Nigeria’s industrial minerals imports in 2016, calcium carbonate represented more than 25 per cent, while mica represented 20.3 per cent, gypsum represented, 9.1 per cent and barite represented 3.6 per cent.

According to him: “The desire to facilitate local production of these minerals is aimed at conserving foreign exchange and creating jobs and wealth for the citizenry. Some of these minerals include calcium carbonate, kaolin, barite, gypsum and mica.”

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Mr Adegbite lamented that despite the host of mineral resources embedded within the states in Nigeria, the sector was still classified as non-performing.

The minister said the existing documented stock of mineral resources could kick-start a boom in the mining industry, adding that his ministry was intended to partner with a broad spectrum of stakeholders in the industry to deepen reforms, fostering a conducive ecosystem for private sector participation and growth.

In his speech, the Governor of Nasarawa state, Alhaji Abdullahi Sule said about 400 mineral title holders operate in the state, but only 15 were actively engaged in the mining operations. He said the state government would soon establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to engage in partnership with willing mining investors for mutual benefits.