BY AKUDORO GLORIA
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake on Thursday commissioned the ultra-modern mineral analysis laboratory in Sabon-Wuse, Niger State.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media
to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori on Thursday 12 December 2024.
Alake emphasized that the internationally certified lab will not only benefit the sector but will also handle mineral samples that were previously sent abroad for testing, positioning Nigeria as a key player in global mineral analysis.
He said the lab, which is the first of its kind in the country, aligns with his 7-point agenda and the key objectives of repositioning the mining sector.
Alake described African Natural Resources and Mines Limited (ANRML) as a valuable partner in the federal government’s efforts to promote local value addition in the mining sector.
“You are not only aligning with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda but also contributing to our ministry’s 7-point agenda, with local value addition being a critical component.
“This internationally certified lab will significantly benefit the sector, as it will handle mineral samples that were previously sent abroad for testing, positioning Nigeria as a key player in global mineral analysis,” the Minister stated.
Commending ANRML’s initiative, the Minister urged the company, which also operates an iron ore mining and processing plant, to sustain its investment efforts. He pledged the support of the federal government for investments that will generate jobs for teeming youths in the country.
In his remarks, the Group Managing Director (GMD) of ANRML, Alok Gupta, expressed his gratitude to the minister for commissioning the laboratory and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to partnering with the ministry to revolutionize the country’s mining landscape.
“The world-class laboratory commissioned today will be used to analyze solid mineral samples. Recognizing the need for such a facility in Nigeria, we decided to establish this laboratory using the latest technology.
“I am proud to announce that we are the only company in Nigeria certified with the prestigious ISO 7025 from the Canadian Association of Laboratory Abbreviations and other internationally recognized accreditation bodies for testing laboratories,” Mr. Gupta asserted.