By Erewunmi Peace

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a high-purity gold refining plant in Lagos and revealed that a $600 million lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State is ready for commissioning.

These projects are part of the government’s strategy to add value to the nation’s mineral resources and reduce the export of raw materials.

The announcements were made by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, ahead of the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. According to the minister, these initiatives aim to position Nigeria as a leading minerals hub in Africa and attract both local and international investment in the solid minerals sector.

The Lagos gold refinery has already begun operations, producing high-purity gold for domestic and international markets.

Meanwhile, the lithium processing plant, valued at $600 million, is completed and set for commissioning, targeting the growing global demand for lithium used in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.

Dr. Alake noted that additional gold refineries are being developed across the country to further strengthen Nigeria’s mineral value-addition strategy and enhance economic growth through industrialization.

These developments underscore the government’s commitment to local beneficiation of mineral resources, creating jobs, and boosting Nigeria’s position in the global mineral supply chain.