The Federal Government has pledged its full support behind a $400 million foreign direct investment aimed at establishing Africa’s largest rare earth and critical minerals processing plant in Nasarawa State.
The project, promoted by Hasetins Commodities Limited, is expected to generate over 10,000 jobs nationwide while adding value to Nigeria’s mineral wealth through local processing.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, described the plant as a landmark in the country’s journey towards industrialisation and job creation.
The minister said the initiative was a direct response to President Bola Tinubu’s mandate for value addition in the solid minerals sector.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by Hasetins’ management to his office, Alake hailed the company’s decision to upscale its current installed capacity of 6,000 metric tonnes to 18,000 metric tonnes through a new facility.
‘This groundbreaking initiative demonstrates that our reforms are yielding concrete results’, the minister said in a statement signed by his media aide, Segun Tomori, on Sunday.
‘With your collaboration, we are now witnessing the birth of Africa’s largest rare earth and critical metals plant right here in Nigeria. Your patriotic zeal confirms that our policies are on the right track and delivering measurable outcomes’, he added.
He noted that beyond job creation, the project would enable skills transfer, technology adoption, and deeper integration of the mining sector into the national economy.
Hasetins Commodities, a Nigerian-based firm specialising in rare earth elements and platinum group metals, said its model focuses on early-stage beneficiation, where metals are pre-separated locally, allowing artisanal miners to earn more.
Managing Director/CEO of the company, Prince Jidayi, said the decision to invest was driven by ongoing reforms in the sector and growing investor confidence under Alake’s leadership.
‘We have seen the introduction of mining marshals to tackle illegal mining, as well as reforms that have simplified access to mining licences.
‘Beyond this flagship facility, we are also establishing regional separation plants while supporting local miners and host communities through training, provision of protective gear, and other empowerment initiatives’, he said.
The Director of Corporate Affairs at Hasetins, Peter Butt, commended the federal government for fostering a structured and investment-friendly mining environment.
He said the minister’s strong emphasis on in-country value addition encouraged Hasetins to adopt a sustainable, community-driven approach to development.
Alake assured the firm of full institutional support, reiterating the government’s commitment to turning Nigeria’s mineral endowment into a pillar of economic diversification and industrial growth.
The new rare earth metals facility is expected to position Nigeria as a key player in the global critical minerals market, which supplies materials used in high-tech electronics, renewable energy systems, and defence applications.
