|
In its recognition of the critical role of Mining to the
Socio –economic growth of the nation, the Federal Government
has reiterated its readiness to partner with both
international and local investors for the
sustainable growth of the mining sector.
The
Honourable Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mrs.
Diezani Alison – Madueke made the declaration during a
meeting with the delegation of both
Nigeria
and Chinese investors led by the Managing Director of ENL
Consortium Limited, Prince Clement Haastrup.
The General Manager, Xian Yuanfar
International Trade Company,
Larry Whang was among the delegation.
The
Minister, who decried the hitherto moribund state of the
nation’s mining sector, disclosed that the present
administration is working aggressively to partner with
interested and aggressive investors both locally and
internationally to grow the mining sector in Nigeria.
According
to the Minister “we are moving forward very aggressively and
intend to partner with serious investors at home and
abroad”.
Mrs.
Alison – Madueke said Federal Government has already put in
place regulatory parameters with the enactment of the
Minerals and Mining Act of 2007 to revive and revitalize the
mining sector.
She
added that the Mining regulations aspect of the Minerals and
Mining Act 2007 would soon be concluded so as to facilitate
the full implementation of the Act.
While
commending the interest shown by Chinese investors at
developing Gold, the Minister disclosed that Government was
focusing on the exploration and exploitation of Gold being
one of the Seven Strategic Minerals of the Federal
Government because of its economic importance to the nation.
The
Minister explained that the
price of
Gold has remained very high in the commodity
market.
She said
findings from a number of junior operators who are already
working on the exploration of Gold revealed that there are
commercial quantities of Gold in excess of what they had
originally expected in Nigeria.
She
added that “the quality of Gold in Nigeria is one of the
best qualities of Gold in the World” stressing that, it will
be beneficial to both interested investors and Nigeria by
investing
in Gold.
The
Minister assured the Chinese investors of the Federal
Government’s commitment to provide an enabling environment
to exploit this
mineral
resource (Gold) to the optimal level.
Mrs.
Alison – Madueke reiterated the benefit of different
international fora embarked upon by the Ministry, adding
that, Nigeria would be represented at a forum organized
by
International Commercial Bank of China (ICBC)
to showcase the mineral potentials of Nigeria to the Chinese
investors later this year.
She said
that a technical discussion between the delegation and
officials of the Ministry would be set up so as to
brainstorm in a robust manner on the way forward for the
sector.
Part of
the highlights of the visit was the presentation of a copy
of Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act of 2007 which is one of
the instruments of the nation’s mining sector to the leader
of the delegation by the Honourable Minister.
Earlier
in his address, the Managing Director of ENL Consortium
Limited Prince Clement Haastrup who led the delegation said
that the purpose of their visit was to discuss on areas of
collaboration with the Government so as to develop and grow
the Mining Sector.
Prince
Haastrup said that ENL Consortium Limited in partnership
with the Chinese Investors is interested in
mineral
exploration particularly Gold and other
possible areas in the mining sector.
He
explained that the Chinese Investors are into construction,
mining, manufacturing of heavy equipment among others,
adding that, ENL Consortium Limited was ready to partner
with these investors’ companies which are mostly government
owned to boost their operations in Nigeria.
|
