Zamfara State inaugurates $200 million lithium processing plant

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has officially inaugurated a $200 million lithium mining and processing plant in Boko Village, Zurmi Local Government Area. The project, a joint investment by ZAM Mining Company Ltd, Bima Mines Ltd, Jinlide Mining Co. Ltd, and other partners, is hailed as a significant milestone in the state's pursuit of industrialization and economic development.

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For many years, our state has been known within and outside this country as a haven of vast mineral deposits. Our land is blessed with abundant resources, but the true measure of this blessing lies in how responsibly they are harnessed to improve the lives of our people.

Governor Lawal stated that the Zamfara Lithium Mining and Processing Plant is designed to responsibly unlock the state's vast mineral potential. He highlighted the project's focus on value addition, job creation, and the sustainable exploitation of natural resources. The governor stressed that transparent resource management and an enabling environment for responsible investors are crucial for achieving meaningful development.

He emphasized that Zamfara's abundant mineral resources should drive economic growth and improve livelihoods, rather than remain underutilized. His administration has implemented reforms to transition the solid minerals sector from informal mining to a regulated industry capable of attracting credible investors and fostering shared prosperity. The governor noted the global importance of lithium and other critical minerals for the transition to renewable energy and modern technology, underscoring the necessity of local processing and value addition.

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We cannot remain only a source of raw minerals. We must participate actively across the value chain through local processing, skills development and industrial growth.

"We cannot remain only a source of raw minerals. We must participate actively across the value chain through local processing, skills development and industrial growth," Lawal asserted. He assured genuine investors of the state's commitment to providing a conducive business environment, including improved security, infrastructure, and supportive policies. The governor also directed the plant operators to prioritize local employment, skills acquisition, environmental protection, community development, and corporate social responsibility, ensuring that the people of Boko Village and surrounding communities benefit directly from the investment.

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The people of Boko Village and neighbouring communities must benefit directly from this investment. Their well-being must be enhanced, and this project must become a true partnership for development.