FG to stop minerals testing abroad, unveil analysis lab

• Published On: 12 December 2024 at 20:27

Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has praised African Natural Resources and Mines Limited as an important partner in the government's efforts to promote local value addition in the mining sector.

Speaking at the commissioning of the ultra-modern mineral analysis laboratory in Sabon-Wuse, Niger State, Alake emphasized that the lab, the first of its kind in Nigeria, is aligned with the key objectives of repositioning the mining sector in line with his seven-point plan.

Segun Tomori, the Minister's Special Assistant on Media, said in a statement on Thursday that the certified lab will significantly benefit the sector by handling mineral samples that were previously sent abroad for testing.

"You are not only supporting the President's Renewed Hope Agenda, but also contributing to our ministry's seven-point agenda, which includes local value addition as a critical component. This internationally certified lab will greatly benefit the sector because it will handle mineral samples that were previously sent abroad for testing, establishing Nigeria as a key player in global mineral analysis," the minister said.


The minister praised ANRML's initiative and urged the company, which also operates an iron ore mining and processing plant, to continue its investment efforts, pledging the Federal government's support for investments that will create jobs for the country's teeming youth.

In his remarks, ANRML Group Managing Director Alok Gupta thanked the minister for commissioning the laboratory and reiterated the company's commitment to working with the ministry to transform the country's mining landscape.

"The world-class laboratory that was established today will be used to analyze solid mineral samples. Recognising the need for such a facility in Nigeria, we decided to build this laboratory using cutting-edge technology. "I am proud to announce that we are the only company in Nigeria that has received the prestigious ISO 7025 certification from the Canadian Association of Laboratory Abbreviations and other internationally recognized accreditation bodies for testing laboratories," Mr Gupta stated.


The ANRML laboratory, which is outfitted with cutting-edge WDXRF machines, provides a full range of geochemical services tailored to the exploration and mining industries.