The Minister for Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, has assured that the Federal Government would, in 2018 produce a comprehensive data of solid minerals that abound across the country.
Stating this in Abuja on Tuesday, The minister said that this administration would give more priority to the mining sector in 2018 as it is one of the viable alternatives to the oil sector.
According to him, the government would collaborate with the China Geological Surveys to conduct an extensive geochemical mapping programme across the country.
Part of the activities to boost the sector, according to him is that the ministry would embark on massive electromagnetic airborne geophysical survey of promising parts of the country with a view to capturing geophysical survey nationawide. He the hopes that the analysis would attract potential investors to the sector.
According to Fayemi, “We are also working towards the completion of the equipping of the NGRL (National Geosciences Research Laboratories in Kaduna) as well as the completion of our national mineral database, and will, in collaboration with the China Geological Surveys conduct an extensive geochemical mapping programme across the country.
“The aim is to work with competent consultants to deploy logistical and technical equipment with radiometric, magnetic, electromagnetic and allied capabilities, to capture and provide analysis of the geology of Nigeria and the mineralisation of the areas covered.
“We consider this a very important part of our work in 2018, to deliver a comprehensive bankable data of our mineral endowments across the country,” the minister said.
He stated that in line with the roadmap for the sector approved in August 2016, the ministry’s vision to build a world-class minerals and mining ecosystem that would help in improving the economy would be intact.
