By Pearlrose Eberechi
Nigeria has begun the process of refixning gold, gemstones, and other mineral resources in the six geo-political regions of Nigeria.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, said this when he appeared on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.
,Adegbite said adding value to the country’s mineral resources will go a long way in creating jobs and wealth for Nigerians.
He revealed that before now, gold in the country was exported in raw form but said, six plants were being set up across the six regions to process mineral resources deposited in those regions.
“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 nothing to the foreign counter for processing, and we ended up buying them expensively.
“We have trained people who will make jewellery, and they will be residents in the plant,” he said.
Mr Adegbite said similar plants had been set up in the North-East, Bauchi for processing kaolin, while the North-Central Kogi State was chosen to establish a gold smelting plant.
The Minister also said in the South-West, in Ibadan, a gemstone plant had been established, while in the South-East, a lead processing plant was established in Ebonyi.
According to him, a baryte processing plant had been established in the South South region adding that “Nigeria imports baryte to the tune of 300 million dollars every year.
On the six regional projects, the Minister said that the projects had reached an advanced stage of completion and would be commissioned soon.
