Govt to stop minerals testing abroad, unveils lab

The Federal Government has unveiled an ultra-modern mineral analysis laboratory to enable the country to halt the testing of minerals abroad.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, who inaugurated the laboratory, described the ministry’s partner – African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, as a valuable firm in the Federal Government’s efforts to promote local value addition in the mining sector.

Speaking at the commissioning of the mineral analysis laboratory in Sabon-Wuse, Niger State, Alake emphasised that the lab, the first of its kind in Nigeria, aligns with the key objectives of repositioning the mining sector in line with his 7-point agenda.

A statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Segun Tomori, on Thursday, said the certified lab will significantly benefit the sector, as it will handle mineral samples that were previously sent abroad for testing.

Alake said, “You are not only aligning with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda but also contributing to our ministry’s seven-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.”

Commending ANRML’s initiative, the minister urged the company, which also operates an iron ore mining and processing plant, to sustain its investment efforts, pledging the support of the Federal Government for investments that will generate jobs for teeming youths in the country.

In his remarks, the ANRML Group Managing Director, 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,” Gupta asserted.

The ANRML laboratory, equipped with cutting-edge WDXRF machines, offers a comprehensive range of geochemical services tailored for the exploration and mining industries.