Gov. Sule inaugurates construction of rare earth processing plant
Gov. Sule inaugurates construction of rare earth processing plant
Gov. Abdulahi Sule of Nasarawa State has inaugurated the construction of $400 Million Rare Earth Metal Processing Plant by Hasetins Commodity Ltd at Ukeh community, Karu Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, Sule congratulated the company for the work being done to tap the enormous mineral resources in the state.
The Voice Media Trust (VMT NEWS) reports that rare earth metals are a group of 17 metallic elements that are crucial for making many modern technologies work.
They include Lanthanum, Cerium, Praseodymium, Neodymium, Promethium, Samarium, Europium, Gadolinium, Terbium, Dysprosium, Holmium, Erbium, Thulium, Ytterbium and Lutetium.
They are prominent in modern technologies, including in manufacturing of electronic goods, clean energy vehicles, and medical devices, due to their unique magnetic, fluorescent, and catalytic properties.
Rare earth plays a major role in international trade as China remains the only country in the world mining and processing rare earth in commercial quantity.
The discovery of rare earth in commercial quantity in Nigeria and its mining if well harness, therefore, is expected to radically alter the global business landscape.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, Sule said that the plant at Ukeh would see the processing of Latino uranium, chromium, and so many other essential metals.
“While I congratulate Hasetins today, I want to use the opportunity to inform the good people of Nasarawa that, for the first time in Nigeria, we are going to have a rare metal processing plant.
“This is critical to process metals that includes Latino uranium, chromium, and so many other metals that are coming into our state.
“And so this is a huge investment that we should all be proud of. On behalf of the good people and government of the state, I would like to once more congratulate Hastings for coming to our state,” he said.
In his remarks, the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Adele Alake attributed the deal to President Bola Tinubu.
He said that the investment was a patriotic revolution to set Nigeria on the path of self-reliance, common wealth, and prosperity for all.
“Hasetins Group shall demonstrate that we can separate, process, and refine our rare earths metal.
“Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, Renewed Hope is giving birth to self-reliance in the solid minerals sector.
“A new era of economic prosperity is here; I wish to commend the Hasetins Group and its partners for making us proud. Very soon, we hope to be here to commission the refinery,” he said.
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Also speaking, the Minister of State for Labour, Ms Nkiruka Onyejeocha, said that the initiative could be a powerful driver of employment.
She said that Nigeria stood at a demographic crossroads as the young population is growing fast, and every year, millions enter the labour market in search of decent jobs.
According to her, current estimates show that Nigeria must create about 4.5 million jobs annually just to maintain the existing employment unemployment levels.
“If we fall short to do this, unemployment and under employment will deepen if we meet and surpass this dark target, we will turn our demographic into a divided and lift millions out of poverty.
“Initiatives like this one are therefore strategic as only few sectors can match mining in its ability to create jobs across the skills spectrum from professionals and technicians to artisans, service providers and local entrepreneur,” she said
Onyejeocha said that the Federal Ministry of Labor and Employment was ready to support the investors to ensure that occupational safety and health within the plant met global standards.
Earlier the Managing Director of Hasetins Commodity Ltd, Mr Prince Jidayi said that plant represented a bold step into a future that holds immense potential for innovation, sustainability and advancement.
He explained that rare earth elements were vital to current advanced technology; everything from renewable energy solutions and electric vehicles to consumer electronics and defense systems.
“We are deeply committed to fostering a workforce that reflects the diversity and talent of all the regions that we operate at.
“This plant we are setting up will embrace sustainable practices, ensuring that we protect our environment while we innovate and we advance,” he said.
