In this exclusive interview with The Rock Post Magazine, the Chief Executive Officer, Bluesach Matrix Limited, an indigenous company, Kingsley Anajemba, a Geology and Mining graduate from University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. He bares his mind about the economic opportunities provided by the geology of the pegmatites of Central Nigeria and also remarked that everyone long for an oil field or oil block while the real wealth is sitting at shallow depth beneath our feet. Excerpts:
In a recent statement, you indicated that your company expected mining 3.6 million metric tonnes of lithium from over 20 mining sites with a financial projection of $1 billion. At the moment, where are you precisely in pursuit of this lofty goal?
We intend to achieve these prospective goals from the middle belt of Nigeria, which hosts predominantly the pegmatitic rocks that warehouses most of the solid minerals and precious stones found in Nigeria. However, our interest or rather invested interests are in Nassarawa, Kaduna, Kogi, Taraba, Bauchi, Oyo, and Katsina States.
By this projection, are you confirming that there is enough reserve of the mineral, lithium, in the country? Which other minerals do you equally see the prospect of investing in?
We have different kinds of lithium Ores – Kunzite, Lepidolite, Petalite, Amblygonite. The Lithium Ores I have just mentioned are also of different lithium grades and are associated with other gangue minerals, which may end up being of interest in the near future as we evolve in our socio-economic environment.
The gangue minerals associated with most Lithium Ores are Silica, used for making glass; Aluminum, used for frames, and when scientifically processed with natural gas, gives you the body frame for luxury automobiles. Talcum, which can be used to make powder, deodorants or even primer and foundations for our beautiful ladies in Nigeria. You also have Chromite, Tantalite, Cassiterite, etc.
samsung and LG should be our off-takers as we have a lot of minerals used for the manufacture of electronic components and health products.
How far have you gone in terms of adding value to the minerals you mine, which is the focus of government at the moment?
We have never really been a fan of robbing this country, why will I export thousands of metric tonnes of lithium Ore, bearing very essential minerals unpaid for? That is capital flight and very irresponsible of any Nigerian to sell our sovereignty for next to nothing and encourage hoodlums who come in pretext to mine a particular mineral but have other intentions? Bear in mind that Gold, Platinum and other rare minerals like uranium, thorium, rubidium, vanadium etc. are all carted away unpaid for.
And even if we decide to sell our minerals, shouldn’t we be paid in dollars? Why will I sell 1ton of lithium for 120,000 Naira to a buyer from Asia who in turn sells the same 1ton for $600 to European and American markets?
Why are we not selling directly to these end users?
I am sure you can see the value chain and the capital flight and leakage I have been hammering on.
Just look at North, does this make any sense? Northern Nigeria holds more resources than all the oil blocks and reserves in the south. Remember, renewable energy is the way forward. Every electronic appliance is almost run on battery cells from cars, watches, smart homes, phones, and even car manufacturers for batteries. No one is speaking about oil anymore. Besides, it is not a sustainable source of revenue generation for our country, Nigeria.
We waste so much money in the oil and gas sector and we are still producing less than 3 million barrels pers day, I am being generous about the 3 million, you know it’s way less.
The millions of dollars carted away by the bad politicians and bad civil servants would have set up a mining operations city in Nigeria. One ship load of 1 million barrels of crude oil will set up our mining sector.
It’s learnt that you are in partnership with some foreign investors towards establishing a solid mineral based commercial bank in Nigeria to catalyse investments. Who are these foreign partners, and how soon do you envisage their coming on board? Of course, considering the dire need of funding in the highly capital intensive mining sector?
That’s right but it is too early to mention our partners as we are still structuring our findings which primarily focuses on assisting fellow mine owners who can’t afford to raise money or get loans from the banks to purchase equipments. We want to encourage organised local content, funded by our financial platform, workshops, trainings, access to equipment and all the necessary needs to support our people.
In return, we will be the off-takers of whatever minerals mined at a subsidised rate. Their extracts brings value chain to supply our refineries and beneficiation plants intended to be deployed as soon as possible.
We are very happy with the Hon. Minister, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Dale Alake. His policies seem set in place to develop the solid minerals sector of Nigeria.
We encourage his efforts and look forward to working with him as geologists, miners and investors. Hopefully, the Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society and Council of Mining Engineers and Geoscientists will be given the opportunity to have an audience to discuss and support his vision.
What do you see as challenges peculiar to mining business in Nigeria, from your experience?
The professional miners who actually went to school for this and have some work experience are not being appreciated. They need to be empowered to assist the government train local artesian miners. They need to have access to SME loans. Mining has totally been forgotten in Nigeria. Everyone longs for an oil field or oil block, while the real wealth is sitting at shallow depth beneath our feet.
We lack laboratory and lapidiary centers. Government needs to start providing access routes/roads to areas with massive Ore deposits. This brings direct labour, trade and commerce to such areas and reduces the challenges that discourage mining. Security is also a big deal. We need to sensitise and reorient foreigners who indirectly sponsor the act of terrorism. I have been to the remote bushes/ forests and spoke to bandits and some terrorists. They explained to me why they have decided to engage in such acts.
In terms of mining, the Nigerian government seems to be taking the bull by the horns this time. What is your observation and, perhaps, advice towards successful attainment of the mining goals for the country?
Very commendable move from Mr. President and the Hon. Ministers thus far. The Minister is sensitizing the sector first but the bigger challenge here is the huge disparity between foreigners and foreign companies funded in the millions and Billions of Dollars with cash and equipment versus our country running a deficit from the past and awful unproductive leaders. I believe the President is the real deal, and we have to walk this journey together. We, as a company and group of partners decided to also take the bull by the horns by sourcing funding and equipment overseas rather than waiting to suck the nipples of the federal government.
The success of mining comes with the collaboration of the community, the state and federal government.
Local content must be key, Corporate Social Responsibility, Environmental Impacts Assessment and educative workshops must be a part of the process to sustain peace and stabilise the troubled regions.
Universities should be funded more, they need to have free access or minimal subscription rate to data and information using high tech equipment.
Field trips within Africa and overseas should be sponsored at subsidised rates. This gives lecturers and students first hand information and access to the methodology and use of modern-day equipments.
Kindly share a brief background of yourself.
Happy Nigerian, from Nnewi in Anambra state. A Geology and Mining graduate of the University of Jos, Nigeria. I am currently an entrepreneur, sitting on a few boards and primarily focused on supporting the development of our people, especially the indigent ones.
The issue is that we practice a regressive economic system and until we understand the value of creating a middle-class Nigeria, we will remain poor regardless of all our excess sovereign assets.
