Stakeholders seek fresh investments in gypsum development
Stakeholders seek fresh investments in gypsum development
Stakeholders seek fresh investments in gypsum development
By Matthew Eloyi
Stakeholders in the mining sector have called for the development and proper utilisation of gypsum in Nigeria.
They made the call at a one-day stakeholders’ forum organised by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), in collaboration with Salmad Concept Engineering Services Limited in Abuja.
According to the CEO of RMRDC, Professor Hussaini Ibrahim, the stakeholders’ forum was aimed at providing a platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities as well as the way forward for increased utilisation of gypsum in Nigeria.
This is just as the Chairman, Gypsum Miners Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Garba Ahmed, highlighted the opportunities for Nigerian minerals, gypsum inclusive to develop and compete favourably should there be enabling environment.
Ibrahim who was represented by the Director, Planning and Policy Development, Dr Mohammed Buga said if gypsum is properly utilised, it would help to create more jobs for the teaming unemployed youths, especially in the production of cement and POP in Nigeria.
He said that mineral resource development that promotes value chain brings with it employment, skills development, technological advancement and meaningful trade.
While noting that despite its abundant mineral resources, Nigeria still lags behind in the development of these resources, he said it was partly due to lack of advanced technology, infrastructure and finance.
In his words, “Accordingly therefore, the Council has worked extensively on improving and developing the quality of gypsum in Nigeria.
“The activities of the Council in the development of gypsum focused mainly on the value addition to gypsum. Other notable achievements by the Council in respect of gypsum development in Nigeria are: Identification of specific gypsum deposits across the country.
“Gypsum samples were analysed and characterised from the deposits in Adamawa, Ashaka, Gombe, Sokoto and Yobe States.
“Samples were also collected and analysed from new deposit sites in Ebonyi, Imo and Edo States very high.
“The analysis showed that the raw gypsum samples had purity ranging from 81.33 per cent 94 91 per cent.Development and fabrication of a simple and efficient scrubber which was donated to Gypsum Miners Association in Yobe State, amongst others.”
“There is still the need to develop Gypsum, for a wide range of applications as the bulk (more than 90 per cent) of the locally produced gypsum in Nigeria is being used in the production of Portland Cement.”
Stakeholders seek fresh investments in gypsum development
