From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
To promote local value addition in the Solid Minerals Sector, the African Natural Resources and Mines Limited has built an ultra-modern mineral analysis laboratory in Niger State.
At the Commission, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake said the establishment of the laboratory conform with his 7-point agenda in re-positioning the sector.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant Media to the Minister, Segun Tomori in Abuja.
The statement described
African Natural Resources and Mines Limited as a valuable partner in the federal government’s efforts towards boosting the sector.
“You are not only aligning with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda but also contributing to the ministry’s 7-point agenda, with local value addition being a critical component” he emphasizes.
It stressed that the laboratory will play a vital role in positioning the nation as a key player in global mineral analysis.
“This internationally certified laboratory will significantly benefit the sector by handling mineral samples that were previously sent abroad for testing” Dr. Alake states.
According to the statement, Dr. Alake appealed to the African Natural Resources and Mines Limited to uphold it investment efforts while pledging the Federal government’s support for investments that will generate jobs for the teeming youths in the country.
The statement said, in his remarks, the Group Managing Director of the African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, Mr Alok Gupta, pledges commitment to partnering the ministry to revolutionize the country’s mining sector.
“The world-class laboratory commissioned will be used to analyze solid mineral samples. Recognizing the need for such a facility in Nigeria, we decided to establish this laboratory using the latest technology” he adds.
“I am proud to announce that we are the only company in Nigeria certified with the prestigious ISO 7025 from the Canadian Association of Laboratory Abbreviations and other internationally recognized accreditation bodies for testing laboratories,” Mr. Gupta states.
“The laboratory, is equipped with cutting-edge WDXRF machines, offers a comprehensive range of geochemical services tailored for the exploration and mining industries”
African Natural Resources and Mines Limited also operates an iron ore mining and processing plant.