Avatar New Energy Materials Co Ltd, the Chinese firm that recently commissioned the largest lithium processing plant in Africa, located in Endo, Nasarawa Local Government Area, has indicated its readiness to build a second lithium factory in the Udege area.
This was made known when chief executive officers of Chinese mining companies paid a courtesy visit on Governor Abdullahi Sule at the Government House on Thursday.
Mr. Josh Zhu, chief executive of the Avatar New Energy Materials Co Ltd, who spoke through an interpreter, disclosed plans by his company to establish a second lithium factory in Udege.
Zhu said this was in fulfilment of the promise the company made during the commissioning of its plant in Endo.
“The good news today we would like to deliver is that we are determined to build another plant in Nasarawa with the same capacity. That is, we will be the number one lithium processing also in Nasarawa or in Nigeria. As we promised in the commissioning, we are going to make lithium processing in a global area in the lithium industry,” he stated.
While appreciating Governor Sule and his administration for providing his company with an enabling environment, Zhu revealed that the plant in Endo is producing with the company aiming to achieve full production capacity soon.
He assured that Avatar will provide more employment for the citizens of the state, as well as improved welfare for both its staff and the host community.
This is just as the Ganfeng Mining Company also assured that it will invest further in Nasarawa State.
Mr. Chang Jiang-Yu, chief executive of the Ganfeng Mining Company said his company is committed to investing in schools, clinics, hospitals, and boreholes as corporate social responsibility.
Yu appreciated Governor Sule and his administration for their continued support of Ganfeng Mining Company.
Responding, Governor Abdullahi Sule reiterated the determination of his administration to create an enabling environment for investors to come to Nasarawa State.
Governor Sule told the visiting company executives that in any meeting they held with him, they should know they are dealing with the entire state, adding that whatever they discuss is solely for the benefit of the state and not him personally.
“Let me first and foremost welcome Avatar officials, as well as the Ganfeng officials, both the ones from China and the ones in Nigeria. I want to welcome you, and I want to say that today, you have the opportunity to meet other government officials.
“The reason why I want you to meet these people is that you will know any meeting you are having with me, is beyond me, you are meeting the Nasarawa State government. Anything you are going to do, you are doing it for Nasarawa State, not for me personally. That is why it’s important you have the opportunity to meet with some of them,” he stated.
