Bauchi Governor Inaugurates Kaolin Ore Processing Plant

By Muslim Lawal and Baban Zarah 

:Urges FG to strictly enforce the policy on "Use it or Lose it on dormant, speculated licenses.

:Says Kaolin is abundant in more than 5 LGAs of the State

Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi state, Tuesday inaugurated the newly established Kaolin Ore Processing Plant in Gwaram community of Alkaleri local government area of the state with an assurance to work with the federal government to advance the operational effectiveness of the project. 

Speaking at the occasion, the governor said the state government is determined and ready to continue to work with Miners Association of Nigeria, Kaolin Millers Association, Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMC) and all other stakeholders on how to improve the value chain of the raw material.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Ibrahim Kashim, Governor Bala Mohammed said his administration had established the Ministry of Natural Resources in 2020 with the aimed of  complimenting Federal Government's effort in streamlining the activities of solid mineral resources in addition to repositioned the Bauchi Mining and Exploration Limited (BAMSEL). 

According to him, so far, the Bauchi Mining and Exploration Limited has acquired 17 Licenses comprising 9 Exploration Licenses, 7 Small Scale Mining Leases and 1 Reconnaissance Survey Permit which makes it rank top in the North-East sub region.

"I am delighted to be part of this important and most auspicious occasion which is essentially a journey of promises and fulfilments. What we are witnessing today started with the recommendations by the Economic Sustainability Plan Committee of the Federal Government in response to the challenges posed by COVID-19 Pandemic. 

"The Federal Government had accordingly request the Bauchi State Government for a piece of land for the setting up of the Artisanal and Small- scale Mining (ASM) Cluster and the Need Assessment for the North-East Geopolitical Zone. This noble objective has been achieved as we gather here today to commission the Kaolin Ore Processing Plant.

"Kaolin being important raw material with a wider spectrum of industrial applications is abundant in more than 5 Local Government Areas in Bauchi State and indeed the North-East Geopolitical Zone. It is estimated that annual national demand of Kaolin stands at 350,000 Metric Tons while local production is only 25,000, Metric Tons leaving a huge deficit annually.

"This deficit will definitely create a humungous capital flight due to importation. This Cluster is a special type being earmarked for an index Pharmaceutical Ingredient (IPL). There is no doubt, that the ASM Cluster will help North-East and Nigeria at large to achieve the long desired national policy on local content, substitution and deletion of mineral resources.

The governor gave assurance that Bauchi state will collaborate with the other 5 States in the Northeast Sub-region on the cluster through the Artisanal and Small- scale Mining (ASM) Department, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development with creating an enabling environment by providing security, infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water supply for the optimum operations of the cluster.

"Let me inform the Hon. Minister of Mines and Steel Development that we will continue to look for the assistance of his Ministry in the areas of synergy, transparency. accountability and revenue generation from Solid Minerals. In Bauchi State, there is a total of 341 licenses acquired by operators and/or speculators. These comprise of 152 Exploration Licenses, 17 Mining Leases, 55 Quarry Leases, and 117 Small Scale Mining Leases.

"The activities from exploration to marketing of these negligible resources is by far very considering the number of titles acquired in the State. I would therefore like to call on the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to strictly enforce the policy on "Use it or Lose it on dormant and speculated licenses. On the other hand, considering the quantum of mining and mineral activities in Bauchi State, we want to see the enhancement of a royalty that truly reflects these activities.

"The Hon. Minister may wish to be reminded that the State has been working round the clock in developing the first mining policy in the North-East Geopolitical zone, a development that has been acknowledged and blessed by your Ministry. To our greatest dismay, however, this effort is being sabotaged by the Federal Mines Officer in the State due to his non-cooperation."

On his part, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Architect Olamilekan Adegbite explained that the Bauchi Kaolin Ore Processing plant is to process Kaolin needed for the use of the pharmaceutical industry in the country stressing that efforts should be made to embark on dry processing for the paint and other industries.Alh.Baban Zarah.