In a bid to upgrade mining laboratories in the country to world class standard and realize the desire of the present administration to diversify the economy through the mining sector, the ministry of solid minerals development has solicited for support from the government of Australia.
Kayode Fayemi, the minister for solid minerals development, requested for the support today when Paul Lehmann, the Australian high commissioner to Nigeria, paid him a courtesy call and discussed how best to assist the Nigerian mining sector.
Fayemi, while appreciating the role played by the high commissioner’s predecessor in the promotion of Nigerian-Australian relations in the mining sector and the support of almost one million dollars in the area of research, confirmed that a number of ministry officials benefited from exchange programmes, study tours, as well as graduate programmes up to the doctorate level.
He also acknowledged support from Australia to the Nigreian Geological Survey Agency, the artisanal and small mining department and the mining cadastre office.
On the need to upgrade the mining laboratory in Kaduna, the minister explained that rather than send raw mined minerals to Europe and South Africa, the quality of such minerals can be enhanced if certified here in Nigeria before export.
He further stressed the need to learn from Australia, particularly on mining issues at a time when government is refocusing its attention on the sector in line with the downward trend in global commodity prices and in the oil and gas sector.
“For us in Nigeria, it’s a much more compelling argument to diversify our focus and revenue base because oil has been the king for so long and we’ve been blinded by oil. We need to rediscover our root which interestingly was in mining around Jos, Enugu and other places,” Fayemi said.
Lehmann, while thanking the minister for receiving the team from the Australian high commission in Nigeria, emphasized that Australia’s mining interests have strong presence in this part of the world, and that they were ready to go the extra mile since they are used to operating in remote environments.
The ambassador said the meeting was to try to make connections between Australian firms/investors and Nigerian investors/operators for mutual benefit of the two countries.
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