The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has described African Natural Resources and Mines Limited (ANRML) as a valuable partner in the federal government’s efforts to promote local value addition in the mining sector.
Speaking at the commissioning of the ultra-modern minerals analysis laboratory in Sabon-Wuse, Niger State, Alake explained that the lab, the first of its kind in Nigeria, aligns with the key objectives of repositioning the mining sector in line with his 7-point agenda.
In a press release seen by Nigerian Mining and signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori,
“You are not only aligning with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda but also contributing to our ministry’s 7-point agenda, with local value addition being a critical component. This internationally certified lab will significantly benefit the sector, as it will handle mineral samples that were previously sent abroad for testing, positioning Nigeria as a key player in global mineral analysis,” the minister stated.
The Minister commended ANRML’s initiative, urging the company, which also runs an iron ore mining and processing plant, to sustain its investment efforts. The minister pledged the support of the Federal government for investments that will offer jobs opportunities for Nigerian youths.
While responding to the minister, the Group Managing Director (GMD) of ANRML, Alok Gupta, expressed his gratitude for commissioning the laboratory and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to partnering with the ministry to boost the country’s mining landscape.
“The world-class laboratory commissioned today will be used to analyze solid mineral samples. Recognising the need for such a facility in Nigeria, we decided to establish this laboratory using the latest technology. 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 recognised accreditation bodies for testing laboratories,” Gupta added.
Equipped with cutting-edge WDXRF machines, the ANRML laboratory offers a complete range of geochemical services for the exploration and mining industries.