Anambra State Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mr Anthony Ifeanya, has called for a State Solid Minerals Summit to showcase the potential and readiness of the State to engage in fruitful partnerships in the sector.
This, he said, would be one of the strategic steps to actualise the state’s solid minerals development aspirations and targets.
He described a functional solid mineral development company as a panacea to the problem of solid mineral development in the state.
Barrister Ifeanya, who stated this in an interview with journalists in Awka, noted that their interaction with Kaduna State Ministry, revealed the strategic work plan they adopted for successful development of their solid mineral sector.
He believes that if properly harnessed in Anambra State, it has the potential of becoming one of the most economically viable sectors.
According to the Commissioner, Anambra Solid Minerals Development Company, recently incorporated to replace Anambra Mineral Development Company, which became moribund after its incorporation in 2007 due to “negligence, and shortfalls in logistics,” is expected to be fully equipped, staffed with the necessary logistics put in place to drive the solid mineral development in the state.
While disclosing that Anambra State has a Joint Venture Agreement with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council and Ukpor Community for the Kaolin project at Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area, Mr Ifeanya stressed the importance of an active Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee, which he noted, is pivotal in resolution of conflicts that frequently occur as a result of mineral exploration, exploitation and beneficiation.
He appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to approve the appointment of a managing director for Anambra Mineral Development Company, establishment of Solid Mineral Databank, detailed geological survey, acquiring exploration, mining and quarry licences and linking the ministry to ministry of Land’s website for GIS services.
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