The Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, has completed mapping and characterization of industrial mineral deposits in Nasarawa, Kwara and Niger states.
This is contained in a press statement signed by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Muhammad Maiturare, released on Thursday in Minna.
Mr Maiturare, a professor, said the university was commissioned to undertaken the project by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC.
He said that the full report of the project had been submitted to the Director General of RMRDC, Hussaini Ibrahim.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the council for supporting the project through a research grant to the university, stressing that the gesture was in line with current focus on developing solid minerals to diversify the economy.
“The study mapped and geochemically characterized five strategic industrial minerals, namely, Clay, Marble, Barite, Talc and Feldspar.
” The results showed that cosmetic, jewellery, cement, battery, paint, ceramics, pharmaceutical and building materials industries could be developed and sustained in these areas using the mapped industrial minerals,” he said.
Mr Maiturare noted that sustained mining of solid minerals would generate employment, reduce poverty, create wealth and empower women and youth in the country.
The Director General of RMRDC, Hussaini Ibrahim, said when he received the report that the council would be commissioned to undertake similar study in the remaining states of North Central zone.
NAN
