President Tinubu inaugurates West Africa's largest lithium processing plant in Nasarawa
via Punch Nigeria6 min read
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has inaugurated West Africa's largest lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State. The plant, located in the Endo community, boasts a daily processing capacity of 6,000 metric tonnes and an annual capacity of three million metric tonnes. Since its inception, the company has generated over 1,000 direct and 2,000 indirect jobs. President Tinubu emphasized that solid minerals are crucial for economic development, stating that nations achieve greatness by converting natural resources into economic prosperity through discipline, enterprise, technology, skills, and industrial organization. He highlighted the importance of moving from raw material extraction to processing and value-added goods, noting that the plant's commissioning signifies confidence in Nigeria's economic reforms and its readiness to participate in the global minerals economy. Lithium is recognized as a key mineral for the global energy transition, essential for battery technology, electric mobility, and renewable energy storage. Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, affirmed the administration's policy against exporting raw minerals without local processing, aiming to create jobs and develop local expertise. He expressed confidence in the partnership with Diamond Energy Group, which established the plant, and encouraged other investors to follow suit. Yu Chongqiang, Ambassador of JULING and CANMAX, speaking for Diamond New Energy,
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