Nasarawa State and NASENI To Partner On Lithium Processing Policy
By Patience Ikpeme
The Nasarawa State government and NASENI plan to collaborate on a lithium processing policy that would process lithium mined in the state locally instead of exporting it raw.
The policy is in line with NASENI’s drive to encourage the processing of Strategic Solid Minerals and ensure that batteries are produced locally for electric vehicles and other energy storage applications.
Nasarawa state has potentially the largest deposits of lithium in Nigeria.
NASENI has called for investors and Nigerian lithium offtakers from around the world to partner with it to process various combinations of lithium into batteries locally, including lithium processing from mineral crushing and extraction all the way to final products that can be used both locally and exported to other countries.
NASENI will partner with other government agencies such as Rural Electricity Agency (REA), Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), and other investing institutions on this effort.
A number of companies have indicated interest in investing in Nasarawa state to process lithium in various quantities ranging from 1,000-3,000 tonnes per day.
Almost 6,000 tonnes per day are projected to be processed daily in Nasarawa alone.
Nasarawa State Governor Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule said that other states such as Kebbi, Kwara, etc., might also attract such kind of companies and investments, as such there is a need for proper coordination.
The Governor added that there is something happening that is akin to Gold Rush which he termed ‘Lithium Rush” happening in his state because the price of lithium in the world market has jumped from $6,000 per metric tonnes to $78,000 per metric tonnes.
According to Engr. Sule, NASENI is considering using its Solar plant in Gora as a lithium processing and battery production plant considering its proximity to the raw materials.
NASENI Institutes have industrial machineries and other equipment readily available for Nigeria’s industrialization but require huge funds outlay to fulfil their mandate. Dr. Gwandu requested the governor’s support as an ambassador of NASENI in the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) since NGF holds the key to releasing NASENI’s held-up funds.
