Governor Dauda Lawal has officially opened a $200 million lithium mining and processing facility in Zamfara State, stating that the state’s long-term prosperity hinges on the responsible handling of its rich mineral wealth, local value addition and employment generation.
The Zamfara Lithium Mining and Processing Plant, situated in Boko Village, Zurmi Local Government Area, represents a joint venture between ZAM Mining Company Ltd, Bima Mines Ltd, Jinlide Mining Co. Ltd and other investment partners.
Governor: Zamfara Must Become a Value-Chain Player, Not Just a Raw Materials SourceSpeaking at Saturday’s commissioning ceremony, Lawal noted that Zamfara must go beyond simply exporting raw minerals and instead position itself as an active participant in the global critical minerals value chain.
“The global economy is changing rapidly. Lithium and other critical minerals are central to the future of renewable energy, electric vehicles, modern technology and industrial transformation,” the governor said. “Zamfara State cannot afford to remain only a source of raw minerals; we must become active participants in the entire value chain.
“According to Lawal, the new processing facility fits into his administration’s broader vision of encouraging local processing, value addition, skills development and industrial expansion, noting that genuine progress can only occur when resources are managed with efficiency and transparency.
“Our land is blessed with abundant resources; the measure of this blessing is how it is responsibly harnessed to improve the lives of our people, ” he said.Shifting from Informality to Structure He explained that his administration had worked to reposition the solid minerals sector “from informality to organisation, from exploitation to value creation, and from lost opportunities to shared prosperity” through backing lawful mining practices, drawing in credible investors and deepening cooperation with the Federal Government.
The governor pledged ongoing government support for investors through enhanced security measures, improved infrastructure and policies designed to promote sustainable mining practices.
Governor Demands Direct Benefits for Host Communities Lawal instructed plant operators to ensure that host communities gain directly from the investment. “I therefore mandate that the operators prioritise local employment, skills transfer, community development, environmental protection and meaningful corporate social responsibility,” he stated.
He stressed that all mining operations in the state must adhere to the law, safeguard the environment and produce real, measurable benefits for local communities.
The $200 million lithium mining and processing facility is projected to generate employment opportunities, drive industrialisation, boost local value addition and establish Zamfara as a key player in Nigeria’s critical minerals sector.
