Edo State Commissioner for Mining and Energy, Hon. Enaholo Ojeifoh has unveiled plans by the government to develop Lithium and other solid mineral mining operations in the State.
This came to the fore at a meeting organized by the Ministry to find lasting solutions to challenges bedeviling Lithium and other Minerals mining in the State.
“The State Government is already working on implementing the agenda enumerated during the last Stakeholders meeting on leasing of Equipment, training of Youth in the mining Business, Power, etc.
Lithium mining is capital intensive, and the State Government wants to know the challenges faced by Miners”, he said.
He harped on the necessity for every Miner to join the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) while pointing out that it has become essential to establish a framework for providing power support to Miners through thorough profiling.
Hon. Enaholo further said, “The State Government’s objective is to foster the growth of the Lithium Industry by establishing a Lithium Processing Plant. There is a plan to convert Gas to power for Industrial Park. We intend to create a framework centered around Lithium Partnerships, leveraging connections with International Companies. Some of these foreign entities are willing to cover investment expenses.
The Government also aims to set up a buying centre for Lithium and other Minerals at very affordable prices. We must have a dialogue on the operational aspect of the system”.
Furthermore, the Commissioner said that Government was prepared to develop a model and explore additional minerals like Kaolin, Gypsum, and Coal. Our limestone reserves can also be utilized for manufacturing high-grade products beyond our current usage.
It’s imperative to establish a power cluster, pinpointing the suitable Local Government area as our power hub. Clear consensus is required regarding the specific metrics and criteria for our power facilities”.
Additionally, the Director of Mining, Mr. Ihianle Omoruyi, stated that the State Government plans to set up a Weighbridge to weigh the quantity of minerals carried by Trucks conveying minerals.
The Chairman of Miners Association of Nigeria, Engr. Micheal Okhumode applauded the Commissioner for his interest in the State’s Mining sector.
He stated that the Miners are ready for partnership but will not allow foreigners to mine directly, stressing that the foreigners will have to partner with the Indigenous Companies and follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.
He appealed to the Government to help in equipment leasing, adding that laboratory analysis would help the Miners to know the percentage of each element present in a mineral.
The Chairman suggested nearness to the source of raw materials as regards the base power. He enumerated some Local Government Areas (Akoko Edo, Etsako West) in Edo North, where minerals such as Limestone, Dolomite, Kaolin, Feldspars, and Lithium are present in commercial quantities. He suggested Auchi for the Lithium Processing Plant.
Oyiro Orumen, a representative of the Freedom Group, pointed out that partnerships from Europe are welcome, but they must collaborate with indigenous Miners. He maintained that the indigenous Miners are knowledgeable and have a wealth of experience.
He expressed the belief that the Mineral Analysis Centre will flourish if established in the State, referencing Kaduna State, which owns one of the best analysis centres with high standards.
Another Representative of Freedom Group, Bamikole Segun commended the Commissioner for implementing the agreement reached with the Miners earlier. He said Edo State can take advantage of the Lithium Processing Plant, maintaining that Edo State is blessed with Kaolin that extends from Igueben-Ubiaja, then straight to Benue.
Bamikole further stated that professionals should have a perfect understanding of the mineral formation and that there is an ongoing plan in Freedom Group to set up Weighbridge in the corridors and strategic points in no distant time in Edo State.
The representative of Goopex Company, Osayanmen Rapheal commended the State Government initiative, noting that miners are ready to participate. He said that the faraway miners were ready to join the drive.
The Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Engr. Fatai Jimoh stated that the Commissioner is working hard to offer solutions to the challenges in the state’s mining sector. He called on everyone to develop a model for both the host indigenous miners and those who are entering the sector.
He added that Edo State is blessed with Coal around Ugiamen in Ekpoma axis; the cost of sampling is making miners lose interest in mineral evaluation.