Nigeria to open two Chinese-backed lithium processing plants this year
Nigeria is set to commission two major lithium processing plants this year, the country's mining minister announced on Sunday, marking a shift from raw mineral exports towards adding value domestically.
The facilities, largely funded by Chinese investors, could help transform Nigeria's vast mineral wealth into jobs, technology, and manufacturing growth within the country.
Mining minister Dele Alake said a $600m (R10.72bn) lithium processing plant near the Kaduna-Niger border is slated for commissioning this quarter, while a $200m (R3.57bn) lithium refinery on the outskirts of Abuja is nearing completion.
Two additional processing plants are expected in Nasarawa state, which borders the capital Abuja, before the third quarter of 2025, the minister said.
"We are now focused on turning our mineral wealth into domestic economic value - jobs, technology, and manufacturing," Alake said.
Over 80% of the funding for the four facilities has been provided by Chinese firms, including Jiuling Lithium Mining Company and Canmax Technologies, according to separate announcements by governors of the states where the plants are located.
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