Nigeria’s Ambitious Plans for Critical Minerals Refining
Nigeria is positioning itself as a frontrunner in Africa’s critical minerals refining landscape, with a federal regulatory evaluation currently underway for a $400 million rare earth processing plant in Uke, Nasarawa State. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the country’s role in the global green energy supply chain.
Local Company Leads the Charge
The facility, being developed by Hasetins Commodities Limited, is projected to add 12,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) to Nigeria’s production capabilities. Once operational, the plant will enable Hasetins to achieve a total production capacity of 18,000 tonnes per year, positioning Nigeria ahead of its regional competitors in the race for sustainable energy solutions.
Regulatory Oversight and Compliance
A delegation from the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, led by Superintendent of Mines Mr. Ganiyu Imam and Deputy Director Mr. Oladehinde Oladusi, recently inspected the site. During the visit, they assessed the regulatory compliance and infrastructure milestones critical to the project’s successful execution.
Policy Shift in the Solid Minerals Sector
Mr. Imam emphasized that this capital investment aligns with the Nigerian government’s strategy to reform the solid minerals sector. The new approach focuses on reducing the export of unprocessed ore, advocating instead for domestic value addition.
Commitment to Environmental Standards
During the site review, officials noted the plant’s infrastructure meets established operational standards, signaling a significant shift from historical practices of raw mineral extraction. They highlighted the importance of a comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) secured by the developer, which is essential for industrial projects of this magnitude. The regulatory team urged the project operators to adhere to the environmental protection protocols outlined in their compliance documents as construction advances toward full operational status.
Building Sustainable Practices in Processing
As the global markets for technology and energy continue to prioritize environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance, the Nasarawa facility is designed to incorporate sustainable engineering principles. The plant intends to implement a closed-loop treatment model, reducing air emissions, managing industrial waste, and mitigating the risk of wastewater contamination in local aquifers.
Empowering Local Miners and Community Engagement
Prince Jidai, Managing Director and CEO of Hasetins Commodities Limited, asserted that domestic refining is vital for optimizing the economic benefits of Nigeria’s energy transition. He noted that the new facility will not only process rare earth elements but also critical technical metals like tantalum, tungsten, and tin, thereby ensuring the sustainability of the operation in alignment with environmental protection efforts.
To ensure that the plant meets its targeted output, Hasetins is expanding its investment framework beyond Uke to establish a network of regional and satellite separation centers. This decentralized strategy aims to integrate small-scale miners (ASMs) into a regulated supply chain, enhancing local mineral economies while reducing supply risks by providing safety equipment, technical training, and structured off-take arrangements. Additionally, federal regulators have mandated that a comprehensive community development agreement (CDA) be finalized before the plant’s full commissioning to promote long-term stakeholder alignment and safeguard operations.
