By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, has responded to concerns raised about the siting of a gold refinery in Lagos.

In a statement issued by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, the Ministry clarified that the refinery in Lagos is not a government project but is fully owned and operated by Kian Smith, a private mining company.

Tomori explained that the refinery is part of broader private-sector initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s gold industry. He emphasized that the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, had announced the commissioning of the Lagos refinery alongside other privately owned refineries planned across the country.

The Ministry congratulated Kian Smith’s founder and Managing Director, Nere Emiko, for her commitment to delivering the project, noting that it aligns with the government’s Value Addition Policy introduced two years ago. This policy discourages the export of raw minerals and encourages local processing and manufacturing, thereby creating jobs and attracting foreign investment.

Examples of projects under this policy include a $600 million lithium plant in Nasarawa State, a $400 million rare earth plant also in Nasarawa, and a $200 million ASBA lithium plant in Abuja.

The Ministry stressed that private companies determine the location of their operations based on business and market considerations, while the government’s role is to provide an enabling environment through policy reforms.

It reaffirmed its commitment to encouraging more mining companies to establish processing and manufacturing plants across Nigeria, in line with efforts to build a stronger and self-reliant economy.