The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has announced that mineral sample testing will now be conducted locally, eliminating reliance on foreign laboratories.
Speaking on Thursday at the commissioning of the first ultra-modern mineral analysis laboratory in Sabon-Wuse, Niger State, built by African Natural Resources and Mines Limited (ANRML), the minister highlighted the federal government’s commitment to enhancing local value addition in the mining sector.
“This internationally certified lab will significantly benefit the sector, as it will handle mineral samples previously sent abroad for testing, positioning Nigeria as a key player in global mineral analysis,” Alake stated, emphasizing its alignment with the ministry’s 7-point agenda and the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The facility, equipped with cutting-edge WDXRF machines, provides comprehensive geochemical services for exploration and mining industries. The laboratory, certified with ISO 7025 by the Canadian Association of Laboratory Accreditation, is the first of its kind in Nigeria.
Commending ANRML’s initiative, the minister urged the company to sustain its efforts and pledged the federal government’s support for investments that generate employment opportunities for Nigerian youths.
In his remarks, ANRML Group Managing Director, Alok Gupta, expressed pride in establishing the laboratory and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to revolutionizing Nigeria’s mining sector.
“This world-class laboratory, built with the latest technology, addresses a critical need in Nigeria and solidifies our position as a key player in the industry,” Gupta stated.
The commissioning marks a significant step towards repositioning Nigeria’s mining sector for global competitiveness.
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