The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, says the Tinubu administration has attracted more than $800 million in direct foreign investment into the mining sector in Nasarawa State. He made the announcement during President Tinubu’s one-day visit to the state to commission development projects undertaken by Governor Abdullahi Sule.
Alake revealed that a $400 million deal had just been finalised to establish Africa’s largest rare earth minerals and critical metals processing plant in Nasarawa. He said the project alone is expected to create over 10,000 jobs, with separation centres planned in other geopolitical zones to ensure wider national benefits.
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According to the minister, the federal government is committed to ensuring value addition within Nigeria’s mining industry, rather than exporting raw materials. He highlighted the administration’s ongoing reforms as key to attracting both local and international investors to the solid minerals sector.
Alake also disclosed that the ministry continues to face resistance from vested interests opposed to the government’s stance against illegal mining. He said mine marshals enforcing reforms have been targeted with blackmail and harassment, but assured the public that the crackdown will continue under President Tinubu’s directive.
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