Business
By Adaobi Nsofor
AS part of measures by the Anambra State Government to revamp and make use of Solid Minerals in the state as a way of revenue generation, the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) has approved the reactivation, expansion and early commissioning of the Kaolin processing plant at Ukpor.
The move was geered by the Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Limited.
Explaining the activities of the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Limited, Prof. Charles Ofoegbu said that the project would take advantage of the huge deposits of Kaolin in the state with emphasis on downstream value addition on products for both export and local use.
He said that the project which started as Pilot Processing Plant designed for Ukpor by the Federal Government has now been transferred to the state with Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company having the mandate to, not only complete the plant but to expand and commercialise it.
Prof. Ofoegbu assured that the project which was planned to be ready for commissioning in the first quarter of 2025, would not only generate employment but also enhance the quality of the takeoff of the value chain of Kaolin deposits within the state.
He maintained that moving forward, emphasis would be on the downstream in addition to quality Mineral Resources within the state, and to this end, plans were underway to also establish a similar processing Plant for Bentonite and other Minerals within the state as well as from outside the state.
Speaking further, the ANSMDCL boss said that as part of the mandate of the Company, the State Governor, Prof Charles Soludo has also approved the acquisition of solid minerals assets around the state which includes Bentonite, Kaolin, Limestone, Lignite etc which the Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company is also exploring possibilities of acquiring other Minerals Resources outside the boundaries of the state.
On quality assurance, Prof. Ofoegbu emphasised that the company is working on the establishment of Mineral Testing laboratory in the state capital that would serve the whole of Southeast and beyond, as worthwhile tools with the hope of attaining global recognition.
A.I
Sept. 5, 2024
Tags: Adaobi Nsofor Prof. Charles Ofoegbu
