Gusau: Governor Dauda Lawal has inaugurated a $200 million lithium mining and processing plant in Boko, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, describing the project as a major step towards the state’s economic transformation and industrial development.
Lawal said the facility marks the beginning of a new era in Zamfara’s drive to harness its vast mineral resources through responsible mining, local value addition and sustainable economic growth.
The governor’s remarks were contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Gusau by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris.
According to Lawal, the project represents a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to maximise the benefits of its abundant solid minerals through responsible investment, job creation and industrialisation.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming Zamfara’s mining sector from informal and unregulated operations into an organised, transparent and value-driven industry that directly benefits residents.
Lawal noted that the growing global demand for lithium and other critical minerals—driven by renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles and modern manufacturing—presented a unique opportunity for the state.
He stressed that Zamfara must move beyond being merely a supplier of raw minerals and become an active participant across the mining value chain through local processing, value addition, skills development and industrial growth.
“For many years, our state has been known within and outside Nigeria as a land blessed with enormous mineral resources. The true value of that blessing lies in how responsibly we harness it to improve the lives of our people,” he said.
“From the inception of this administration, we made a firm commitment to change the narrative of the solid minerals sector in Zamfara—from informality to organisation, from exploitation to value creation, and from lost opportunities to shared prosperity.”
Lawal said the establishment of the lithium processing plant aligns with his administration’s vision of promoting industrialisation while ensuring that mining activities comply with the law, protect the environment and deliver tangible benefits to host communities.
He directed mining operators to prioritise local employment, skills transfer, community development, environmental sustainability and meaningful corporate social responsibility. The governor also commended Zam Mining Company Ltd, Bima Mines Ltd, Jinlide Mining Co. Ltd, Bevo Mines Ltd, Generalised Mining Company Ltd and other partners for investing in Zamfara.
According to him, their investments demonstrate growing confidence in the state’s business environment.
Lawal assured investors of continued government support through improved infrastructure, policy reforms and stronger collaboration to encourage responsible and sustainable investments.
He also lauded President Bola Tinubu‘s administration for repositioning Nigeria’s solid minerals sector as a key driver of economic diversification and national development.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lithium processing plant is a joint investment by Zam Mining Company Ltd, Bima Mines Ltd, Jinlide Mining Co. Ltd and other partners.
The company described the facility as one of Africa’s largest technologically advanced mineral processing plants, attributing the investment to the improved business climate created by the Lawal administration.
It said the project is expected to generate no fewer than 2,000 direct and indirect jobs, with priority given to qualified Zamfara residents, particularly those from host communities.
Residents of the Boko community welcomed the project, expressing optimism that it would help reduce unemployment, stimulate economic activities and alleviate poverty across the state.
