Governor Dauda Lawal has commissioned the ZAM Lithium Processing Plant in Boko village, Moriki Emirate, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, describing the project as a major milestone in the state’s drive towards industrialisation, value addition and economic diversification.
The state-of-the-art facility, valued at more than $200 million, is expected to transform Zamfara’s solid minerals sector by shifting the focus from the export of raw minerals to local processing, manufacturing and industrial development.
The commissioning ceremony attracted traditional rulers, government officials, investors, community leaders and stakeholders in the mining industry, all of whom witnessed what the governor described as the beginning of a new era for the state’s mining sector.
Governor Lawal said the project aligns with his administration’s vision of harnessing Zamfara’s abundant mineral resources to create jobs, increase internally generated revenue and stimulate sustainable economic growth.
The processing plant is a joint venture involving Zam Mining Coal Limited, the Zamfara State Government, Bima Mines and Jinlide Mining Co. Ltd., a partnership aimed at boosting investor confidence and attracting further investments into the state’s solid minerals industry.
Beyond lithium, the facility will also process other strategic minerals found in Zamfara, including gold, copper and iron ore, creating a comprehensive value chain from exploration and mining to processing and industrial utilisation.
Equipped with advanced processing technology, the plant has the capacity to process up to 6,000 tonnes of raw materials daily, translating to more than 2 million tonnes annually, a development expected to strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global minerals market.
The project is also expected to enhance mineral recovery, encourage technology transfer and support the growth of complementary industries such as transportation, logistics, equipment maintenance and machinery services.
According to the developers, the processing plant will create approximately 2,000 direct and indirect jobs, with priority given to qualified residents of host communities. The company also plans to introduce vocational and technical training programmes to equip local youths with skills required in the mining industry.
As part of its corporate social responsibility commitments, the company pledged to undertake community development projects, including the construction and renovation of health centres, the provision of boreholes for potable water, and the installation of solar-powered electricity systems in surrounding communities.
The company also assured stakeholders that it would operate in accordance with environmental best practices, prioritising responsible mining, operational transparency and environmental protection.
Speaking at the commissioning, Governor Lawal said his administration remains committed to reforming Zamfara’s mining sector by promoting regulated, transparent and lawful mining activities while creating an enabling environment for credible investors.
He noted that the growing global demand for lithium, driven by electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies and modern electronics, presents a significant opportunity for Zamfara to become a major player in the global critical minerals market.
The governor stressed that developing local processing capacity would ensure greater value addition, create employment opportunities and retain more economic benefits within the state rather than relying on the export of raw minerals.
Lawal also commended the company’s commitment to host communities through its corporate social responsibility initiatives, describing them as essential to ensuring inclusive and sustainable development.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising the solid minerals sector as a key driver of economic diversification, industrialisation and national development, noting that the initiative aligns with Zamfara State’s vision of expanding investment opportunities and strengthening its economy.
