The six geopolitical zones of Nigeria have started the process of refining gold, gemstones, and other mineral resources, according to Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite, minister of mines and steel development.
Adegbite, who stated that the nation’s mineral resources will play a significant role in generating wealth and jobs for Nigerians, also disclosed that six factories are being built in different regions to process the mineral riches that have been deposited there.
He said;
‘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 close to nothing to foreign counter for processing and we end up buying them expensively.
‘We have trained people who will make jewelry and they will be resident in the plant.”
Similar facilities have been built in the North East, in Bauchi, to process kaolin, and in the North Central, in Kogi State, to build a gold smelting facility.
A gemstone plant has been developed in Ibadan, in the South West, and a lead processing plant in Ebonyi, in the South East. A baryte processing plant has been set up in the South South region.
The six regional initiatives are nearly finished and will shortly be put into operation.
