The Federal Government has rejected reports claiming it intends to establish a gold refinery in Lagos, describing such assertions as false and misleading.
The clarification follows concerns raised by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), which warned that setting up a gold refinery in Lagos could violate the federal character principle.
In a statement on Sunday, Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, emphasized that the government has no such plan. He explained that the minister never claimed ownership of or plans to build a refinery anywhere in the country.
Tomori clarified that the refinery generating discussion is entirely a private investment by Kian Smith, and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has no authority to dictate where private investors locate their operations.
“Dr. Dele Alake was clear and precise when announcing the proposed inauguration of the refinery. Other gold refineries are already being planned across the country, all privately owned by different companies,” Tomori said.
He added that the government does not compel private firms to establish operations in specific locations; investors choose sites based on operational efficiency and market needs.
The refinery aligns with the Federal Government’s value-addition policy in the solid minerals sector, which aims to reduce the export of raw minerals and promote local processing and manufacturing.
According to Tomori, the policy has already led to the establishment of several mineral processing plants nationwide, attracting significant foreign investment and generating thousands of jobs for Nigerians. Examples include the $600 million lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State, the $400 million rare-earth minerals plant in Nasarawa, and the $200 million ASBA lithium plant in Abuja.
He also noted that ongoing policy reforms by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development over the past two years have created a favorable environment for private sector participation in mining. Projects such as the Lagos gold refinery showcase the positive effects of these reforms.
“The Ministry will continue to encourage mining companies to develop processing and manufacturing facilities across the country,” Tomori said.
He urged the Northern Elders Forum to support efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen Nigeria’s economy through self-reliance and industrial growth.
“We call on NEF to turn a new leaf and collaborate in building a stronger, self-reliant economy that serves the interests of all Nigerians,” Tomori added.
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