By Kure Tashilane.
Nasarawa State Government has signed a ten years renewable agreement between its own mining company and Gangfeng Mining Company for the exploitation of lithium in Endo community, Nasarawa Local Government area of the state.
Nasarawa Mining Company through that agreement has mandated Gangfeng Mining Company to on be half of the state exploit lithium at the 1.5 Cadastre Unit allotted it by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in the recently settled disputed 3.5 Cadastre Unit in Endo community.
Gangfeng by this agreement would pay Nasarawa State Government 1.5m USD and would establish a lithium processing plant in Endo for enhanced value chain derivation.
” Let me first and foremost, welcome our traditional rulers and the community leaders from Endo community. Today’s event is the signing of an agreement on the 1.5 Cadestre Unit belonging Nasarawa State Government with Gangfeng Mining Company …
” I equally appreciate the Deputy Governor Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, members of the committee, our traditional rulers and community leaders who worked very hard in order to resolve this particular issue of the hitherto disputed 3.5 CU. I also appreciate the Commissioner of Environment, the Chairman of Nasarawa LGA and all our security agencies for their doggedness in ensuring the safety of this site otherwise the site would have been another wild area for mining ” The Governor noted.
Engineer Sule equally appreciated the heads of all the other agencies such as NAGIS, Ministry of Works that worked very hard to ensure the safety of that before now; disputed 3.5 CU which culminated into the signing of cooperation agreement.
He also thanked Gangfeng Mining Company General Manager Mr. Zhan Daowu and all the other parties involved for their commitment in entering into this partnership with Nasarawa State Government for the exploitation of lithium at the 1.5CU owned by the state as well as their commitment to construct a processing plant within 13 months.
” I am very happy when I heard the General Manager of Gangfeng Mr. Zhan Daowu mentioning straightaway that he will be able to start the installation of the lithium processing plant in November and finish in December next year …
” The installation of the lithium processing plant is very important to us and this is one of the basis for having this partnership with Gangfeng …
” When we came in, Hongwang, Lidel and Gangfeng were taken out lithium in raw form outside Nasarawa State but with the support we got from the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development especially from the DG Cadastre Office; we were able to stop all the huge illegal mining activity taking place at a place called Endo, in Nasarawa LGA …
” I express great appreciation to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dr. Dele Alake, the DG Cadastre Office who have also accepted the position of Nasarawa State to suspend all operations on that before now disputed site ” The Governor noted.
Engineer Sule explained that during deliberations on which company the state should partner, several companies were interested in taking the 1.5CU Nasarawa State was allotted by the federal government at a higher amount than Gangfeng offered.
He pointed out that the state however decided to accept the offer of Gangfeng simply because they are interested in building a lithium processing plant at that site for enhance value chain addition and pre-shipment benefits that would be accruing to the state.
” I want to make it categorically clear that this is the first time that Nasarawa is getting money from anything mining …
” After obtaining 1.5 Cadastre Unit from the Federal Government and realizing the fact that Nasarawa State does not have the capacity to go into full blown mining. We decided to enter into a relationship with Gangfeng because of their commitment to set up a lithium processing plant at that site ” Engineer Sule revealed.
The Governor observed that the essence of partnering a company that is willing to establish a lithium processing plant at that site is connected to the fact that after digging all the materials from the soil; only less than 10 percent of it is would be pure lithium.
He stressed that if the state had partnered a firm that is not interested in establishing a processing plant; that would amount to allowing raw materials to be taken out of the state thereby loosing over 90 percent of materials that can used to reclaim the area this mining activities is taking place.
” That is the whole essence of the debate on ensuring that the mining is taking place there, the processing is taking place there, so that we can use the material to reclaim our lands ” Sule asserted.
Gangfeng Mining Company by this agreement will pay Nasarawa Government 1.5m USD and out of it 500m USD would be given to the surrounding host communities directly to execute developmental projects and take care of their welfare.
” That is the reason why we invited the leaders of the community, the Chairman, Overseer of the development area will work towards identifying projects that would be beneficial to the people of that area. Then the money will be released for that purpose while the remaining 1 million USD is going for the benefits of the entire state ” The Governor assured.
The Governor also pointed out that the State House of Assembly is expected to come up with a law that would define how the money from mining coming to the state would be spent moving forward.
The hitherto disputed 3.5 Cadastre Unit was eventually shared among three entities. Gangfeng Mining Company was given 1 Cadastre Unit, Lidel was allotted 1 Cadastre Unit and Nasarawa Mining Company for its efforts was given 1.5 Cadastre Unit which Gangfeng will now on be half of the state handle the exploitation of lithium in that field.
On his part, the General Manager of Gangfeng Mining Company Mr. Zhan Daowu appreciated Nasarawa State Governor Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule, his Deputy Dr. Emmanuel Akabe and all other states officials who participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms and conditions of the agreement.
Mr. Daowu noted that the signing ceremony would not have been possible without the vision and steadfast support of the Governor who had demonstrated unwavering commitment to see the launch of this joint project.
” Today, we are glad to state that Gangfeng Mining Company is investing in the installation of a state of the art lithium processing plant in state as part of our company global strategy which will usher in new opportunities to Nasarawa State …
” We will commence installation by November 1st, 2024 and would complete the establishment of the lithium processing plant in December 2025. The installation will create significant number of jobs for the local community, improve living condition, stimulate industrialization; thereby contributing to the overall prosperity of the people” The General Manager assured.
He stressed that Gangfeng Mining Company is committed in the entrenchment of sustainable and social responsibility aspect of the agreement as they would be working closely with local government authorities and the local communities to ensure successful implementation of the project terms and conditions.
In his vote of thanks, His Royal Highness, the Emir of Nasarawa Ibrahim Usman Jibrin appreciated the Governor for his foresight and vision in fast tracking the initiative for the agreement based on the level of seriousness Gangfeng Mining company had shown.
” From what they have shared today, they are starting the construction in November and they have given themselves a target of 13 months, by the end of December next year. So that you and your entire team will come to Nasarawa LGA to commission this lithium processing plant …
” On behalf of the local government Chairman and Osu Ajiri we thank you very much for what you have done and feel free to call on us at any time. We are willing to lend our support behind this project.
It is a pleasure to be with in this significant event. Today, we reached a watershed, a milestone and all these counts to the doggedness of Governor Abdullahi Sule who has insisted on doing the right thing every time of the day …
” I believe that it is from today that we will begin to properly answer the name of solid minerals. In the past, it’s just on paper and many people come in and out of this state to cart away millions without a dime returning to the state government not to talk of the local community ” The Emir observed.
The royal father described the signing of the agreement as a legacy project while urging that government should explore all legal avenues available with regards to environmental impact assessment, soil degradation and reclamation policies and put them in proper perspective.
” I need you to come strongly with the Ministry of Environment to make sure that the Environmental Impact Assessment law which is key in all mining activities is not left behind. At the end of the exploitation of these minerals, the land would be left degraded. EIA Act talks about rehabilitating the land after the minerals have been taken ” The Royal Father pointed out.
The event was climaxed with the signing of the cooperation agreement between the state owned Mining Company and Gangfeng Mining Company officials at the Government House Council Chamber in Lafia the state capital. express great appreciation to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dr. Dele Alake, the DG Cadastre Office who have also accepted the position of Nasarawa State to suspend all operations on that before now disputed site ” The Governor noted.
Engineer Sule explained that during deliberations on which company the state should partner, several companies were interested in taking the 1.5CU Nasarawa State was allotted by the federal government at a higher amount than Gangfeng offered.
He pointed out that the state however decided to accept the offer of Gangfeng simply because they are interested in building a lithium processing plant at that site for enhance value chain addition and pre-shipment benefits that would be accruing to the state.
” I want to make it categorically clear that this is the first time that Nasarawa is getting money from anything mining …
” After obtaining 1.5 Cadastre Unit from the Federal Government and realizing the fact that Nasarawa State does not have the capacity to go into full blown mining. We decided to enter into a relationship with Gangfeng because of their commitment to set up a lithium processing plant at that site ” Engineer Sule revealed.
The Governor observed that the essence of partnering a company that is willing to establish a lithium processing plant at that site is connected to the fact that after digging all the materials from the soil; only less than 10 percent of it is would be pure lithium.
He stressed that if the state had partnered a firm that is not interested in establishing a processing plant; that would amount to allowing raw materials to be taken out of the state thereby loosing over 90 percent of materials that can used to reclaim the area this mining activities is taking place.
” That is the whole essence of the debate on ensuring that the mining is taking place there, the processing is taking place there, so that we can use the material to reclaim our lands ” Sule asserted.
Gangfeng Mining Company by this agreement will pay Nasarawa Government 1.5m USD and out of it 500m USD would be given to the surrounding host communities directly to execute developmental projects and take care of their welfare.
” That is the reason why we invited the leaders of the community, the Chairman, Overseer of the development area will work towards identifying projects that would be beneficial to the people of that area. Then the money will be released for that purpose while the remaining 1 million USD is going for the benefits of the entire state ” The Governor assured.
The Governor also pointed out that the State House of Assembly is expected to come up with a law that would define how the money from mining coming to the state would be spent moving forward.
The hitherto disputed 3.5 Cadastre Unit was eventually shared among three entities. Gangfeng Mining Company was given 1 Cadastre Unit, Lidel was allotted 1 Cadastre Unit and Nasarawa Mining Company for its efforts was given 1.5 Cadastre Unit which Gangfeng will now on be half of the state handle the exploitation of lithium in that field.
On his part, the General Manager of Gangfeng Mining Company Mr. Zhan Daowu appreciated Nasarawa State Governor Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule, his Deputy Dr. Emmanuel Akabe and all other states officials who participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms and conditions of the agreement.
Mr. Daowu noted that the signing ceremony would not have been possible without the vision and steadfast support of the Governor who had demonstrated unwavering commitment to see the launch of this joint project.
” Today, we are glad to state that Gangfeng Mining Company is investing in the installation of a state of the art lithium processing plant in state as part of our company global strategy which will usher in new opportunities to Nasarawa State …
” We will commence installation by November 1st, 2024 and would complete the establishment of the lithium processing plant in December 2025. The installation will create significant number of jobs for the local community, improve living condition, stimulate industrialization; thereby contributing to the overall prosperity of the people” The General Manager assured.
He stressed that Gangfeng Mining Company is committed in the entrenchment of sustainable and social responsibility aspect of the agreement as they would be working closely with local government authorities and the local communities to ensure successful implementation of the project terms and conditions.
In his vote of thanks, His Royal Highness, the Emir of Nasarawa Ibrahim Usman Jibrin appreciated the Governor for his foresight and vision in fast tracking the initiative for the agreement based on the level of seriousness Gangfeng Mining company had shown.
” From what they have shared today, they are starting the construction in November and they have given themselves a target of 13 months, by the end of December next year. So that you and your entire team will come to Nasarawa LGA to commission this lithium processing plant …
” On behalf of the local government Chairman and Osu Ajiri we thank you very much for what you have done and feel free to call on us at any time. We are willing to lend our support behind this project.
It is a pleasure to be with in this significant event. Today, we reached a watershed, a milestone and all these counts to the doggedness of Governor Abdullahi Sule who has insisted on doing the right thing every time of the day …
” I believe that it is from today that we will begin to properly answer the name of solid minerals. In the past, it’s just on paper and many people come in and out of this state to cart away millions without a dime returning to the state government not to talk of the local community ” The Emir observed.
The royal father described the signing of the agreement as a legacy project while urging that government should explore all legal avenues available with regards to environmental impact assessment, soil degradation and reclamation policies and put them in proper perspective.
” I need you to come strongly with the Ministry of Environment to make sure that the Environmental Impact Assessment law which is key in all mining activities is not left behind. At the end of the exploitation of these minerals, the land would be left degraded. EIA Act talks about rehabilitating the land after the minerals have been taken ” The Royal Father pointed out.
The event was climaxed with the signing of the cooperation agreement between the state owned Mining Company and Gangfeng Mining Company officials at the Government House Council Chamber in Lafia the state capital.