• Muhammad Gambo-Yaro, delivered a presentation during the capacity building.
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has proposed the development of a Zamfara Lithium Development Master Plan, establishment of a verified lithium resource inventory, including the promotion of investment in lithium industrial parks.
The Zamfara State Coordinator, Mr. Muhammad Gambo-Yaro, made the call during a capacity-building programme on the development of the lithium value chain for export competitiveness, organised by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), held at the Hajiya Saudatu Usman Bungudu Conference Hall, Gusau, Zamfara State.
In his presentation titled, ‘Building a Local Lithium Value Chain – From Mining to Battery Precursor Production: An Overview of Zamfara Lithium,’ Gambo-Yaro said that preliminary data indicated that Zamfara State possesses significant lithium potential capable of contributing to industrialisation, employment generation, technology transfer, foreign exchange earnings and economic diversification if properly harnessed through value addition rather than the export of raw lithium ore.
He outlined the lithium value chain as encompassing geological surveys and exploration, resource evaluation, mining, ore sorting and beneficiation, lithium concentrate production, chemical refining, battery precursor production, battery manufacturing and assembly, end-use industries, as well as battery collection and recycling.
According to him, the development of a robust local lithium value chain would require coordinated investment in mineral processing facilities, chemical refining plants, battery precursor production, research and development, quality assurance laboratories, infrastructure, human-capital development and sustainable mining practices.
He stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in driving the development of the sector, noting that stronger collaboration among government agencies, research institutions, mining companies, financial institutions, host communities and development partners would be critical to achieving sustainable growth.
