By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – A mining expert, Mr. Oluchi Nwoko, has expressed confidence in the capacity of the solid minerals sector to diversify the Nigerian economy if government demonstrates strong political will to harness its potential.

Nwoko, said this in Abuja at the weekend while speaking on the forthcoming 3rd SOMEX Nigeria Mining Quarry Expo to be held in Calabar, Cross River State, from November 26-28, 2015.

He said that in this edition, the Expo is partnering with the Miners Association of Nigeria, MAN, adding that investors are expected from Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland and Nigeria, while state governments will also be showcasing their solid mineral potential and investment opportunities.

He also said that operators are ready to key into government’s declaration of developing the sector if it demonstrates strong political will in that direction.

Nwoko said: “Nigeria is a country blessed with as many as 44 solid minerals of which only limestone and granite is presently mined at an industrial scale, basically for the production of cement and aggregates for our local construction industry.

“The next mining phase in Nigeria will focus on iron, tin, lead and coal, which are driven by the need to locally produce iron products for the construction sector and coal which is required in large quantity for the production of iron, power generation and export. Other industrial and high value minerals which are of high local and international demand will also see a very sharp increase in mining investments.

“The government should not slow down on its declaration of developing the mining sector, and it is the political will demonstrated that could bring about the expected and much awaited diversification of the economy, and unlocking other sectors like the mining sector.

“We in the private sector are ready to key into this declaration but the government should provide the enabling environment in the mining sector for this to happen and we believe this administration is ready to rapidly develop the potentials of the sector.”

Nwoko, who is also the Managing Director, Seventy One Nigeria Limited, the organisers of the EXPO, said the mining stakeholders’ conference will focus on investment and business opportunities in the solid mineral sector. This will centre on high value in the areas of exploration, mining, mineral processing and trading services, heavy equipment, parts, consumables, tools and services provision, mineral transportation, export facilities and terminal, training, business and financial services.