The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lithium

  • Firms partner on lithium power solutions

    Firms partner on lithium power solutions

    Genus, a power solutions specialist, in collaboration with Simba Industries has introduced its latest range of high-performance solar inverters and lithium-ion battery systems.

    The power solutions will be distributed in the country by Simba Industries. The introduction marks a major step forward in providing reliable, efficient, and future-ready energy solutions for Nigerian homes and businesses.

    Built on years of engineering expertise, the new Genus range combines faster charging, longer battery life, and greater energy efficiency with a compact, modern design. The new series achieves a full charge in just three to four hours, nearly three times faster than traditional alternatives, offering both performance and convenience for today’s power-conscious users.

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    Speaking on the development, Sandeep Sharma, spokesperson for Simba Industries, said: “The new Genus range has been developed to meet the practical needs of Nigerian consumers – delivering dependable performance, durability, and energy savings. These systems are engineered for high load capacity, quick recharge times, and long service life, while also reducing overall operating costs. Together with Simba’s trusted service network, we’re providing a solution that delivers lasting value and reliability.”

    The collaboration between Genus’s technology-driven innovation and Simba Industries’ service and distribution strength reinforces both companies’ shared goal of enabling energy independence through accessible, reliable, and cost-effective power solutions.

  • Nigeria’s first large-scale lithium development project kicks off in Kaduna

    Nigeria’s first large-scale lithium development project kicks off in Kaduna

    …project targets $6.2 billion revenue within two years

    Nigeria is on the way towards earning multi-billion-dollar revenue from Lithium as UK-based Jupiter Lithium Ltd and US-based ReElement Technologies Corporation commence a project for lithium exploitation across 442 square kilometres of lithium-rich terrain in northern Nigeria.

    President Bola Tinubu and Solid Minerals Development Minister, Dele Alake, have consistently emphasised the development of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector towards accelerating national growth and economic development.

    With the global price of Lithium at about $37, 000 (2022 rate), the 167, 000 tons being targeted for production within the first two years are expected to yield a minimum of $6.2 billion.

    Under the project, known as the Jupiter Critical Minerals Project, the two international companies and their Nigerian partners are to commercialize major lithium deposits in Kaduna State.

    According to the Chairman of Jupiter Lithium Ltd, Mr. Stephen Davis, Jupiter Critical Minerals Project which is being undertaken with the support of the Federal Government is set to become Nigeria’s first large-scale lithium mine.

    He noted that their lithium deposit discovery could transition Nigeria from an oil and gas-dependent economy to one focused on clean energy.

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    “The project is expected to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic diversification, foreign exchange generation, and local non-oil export sector,” he told reporters in Abuja on Friday.

    The Jupiter Critical Minerals Project is being developed in phases with government support, ensuring economic feasibility and long-term risk minimization.

    Beyond economic benefits, the project will also enhance local infrastructure, providing access to potable water, electrification, and education scholarships in host communities.

    By developing its lithium resources, Nigeria has the potential to become a key player in the global battery metals market.

    The collaboration between Jupiter Lithium and ReElement Technologies represents a major step forward for both companies and the future of electric vehicles and high-powered battery development to supply the global market.

    A statement jointly issued by the two companies explains further: “The partnership aims to transform Nigeria into a regional hub for lithium mining and downstream battery and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing; Jupiter Lithium plans to expand its operations, currently at contract mining, to include a spodumene concentrator facility that will produce 55,000 tons of 6% lithium spodumene concentrate annually by the first quarter of 2025.

    “Production is expected to ramp up to 167,000 tons within two years and ReElement Technologies will build a lithium and critical mineral refinery to convert spodumene concentrate into high-purity, battery-grade lithium carbonate.

    “Mark Jensen, the CEO of ReElement has outlined the environmental and cost benefits of their technology and emphasized the project’s potential to advance local industrialization and job creation.

    “The Jupiter Critical Minerals Project is being developed in phases with government support, ensuring economic feasibility and long-term risk minimization; beyond economic benefits, the project will also enhance local infrastructure, providing access to potable water, electrification, and education scholarships in host communities,” they stated.

    By developing its lithium resources, Nigeria has the potential to become a key player in the global battery metals market.

  • Stakeholders seek Executive Order to discourage Lithium export

    Stakeholders seek Executive Order to discourage Lithium export

    Stakeholders in the solid minerals and metal sectors have called for a Presidential Executive Order that would discourage the export of Lithium.

    They said the executive order should include other energy minerals, to discourage their export in its raw form  while the government reviews the mining and mineral Act of 2007.

    The recommendations include the need for periodic review of royalties on lithium and other energy transition mineral and synergy among government, industries/operators and the academia in lithium business.

    The call was made yesterday in Ilorin, Kwara State on the second day of the fifth National Council on Mining and Mineral Resources Development (NCMMRD) Meeting by over 100 stakeholders in the sector.

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    The stakeholders presented recommendations on community development and inclusiveness in the minerals and metal sector, curbing illegal mining operations in Nigeria, technological innovation: a pivotal game-changer for the mineral and metal industry, Lithium as energy transition minerals in Nigeria and Mineral Resources management: a key to realisation of economic diversification for the nation.

    The recommendations also included adequately funding relevant MDAs (Ministries, Agencies and Departments) of the sector charged with the responsibility of exploration/geoscience data generation, and also encourage/support investors/researcher with Incentive.

    On curbing illegal mining, somw of the recommendations included, “Promote the amendment of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 and the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Regulations, 2011 to curb illegal mining and also adopt strategies such as enforcement of existing laws, establishment of special courts for trial of illegal miners and economic saboteurs, enhance surveillance and monitoring of mines field, Community engagement, public awareness and to enhance the capacity building of Officers of the Ministry.

    “Improve on existing collaboration and synergy between Federal, State and Local Governments by strengthening and funding adequately Mineral Resources Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO) to perform its statutory functions.

    “Proper funding of the Special Mines Surveillance Taskforce (SMSTF) to enable it deliver on its mandates of tackling the menace of illegal mining reducing environmental degradation and plugging revenue leakages amongst others.”

  • REA, NASENI sign $150m lithium battery manufacturing deal with Chinese firm

    REA, NASENI sign $150m lithium battery manufacturing deal with Chinese firm

    The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Nigeria and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) have sealed a $150 million lithium battery manufacturing deal with a Chinese investor.

    The agreement was signed with the Chinese firm: SHENZEN LEMI Technology Development Company as the global community converged for COP 28 in Dubai at the weekend.

    The agencies are poised to make a significant stride in climate action by signing the groundbreaking Cooperation Agreement, marking a pivotal moment in the global effort towards sustainable energy practices.

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    According to the REA press statement that contained this, the agreement was signed under the leadership of the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Power and the China Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

    It noted that the “partnership will facilitate the establishment of a Lithium-Ion Battery manufacturing and processing factory in Nigeria. This initiative is backed by a US$150 million investment from LEMI, with operations scheduled to commence in phases, starting from the 2nd quarter of 2024.”

    REA said the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power in Nigeria, expressed enthusiasm for being part of this transformative agreement.

    It further noted that the signing of the Cooperation Agreement is anticipated to serve as a pioneer initiative for the Light and Belt Initiative in Africa, aligning with global efforts to drive climate technology development and transfer.

  • UK to partner Nigeria on lithium value chain

    UK to partner Nigeria on lithium value chain

    British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has said his country’s National Economic Security Council is interested in partnership with Nigeria on energy minerals, such as lithium.

    Dowden spoke at the unveiling of a comprehensive investment package, comprising the lithium value chain, between him and Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, in London.

    A statement in Abuja by Alake’s media aide, Kehinde Bamigbetan, said a comprehensive investment package, comprising the lithium value chain, topped talks between British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, in London, late evening on Wednesday.

    Hosting the meeting, Dowden said he chaired the British National Economic Security Council, which was interested in partnership with Nigeria on energy minerals, such as lithium.

    The British Deputy Prime Minister said the meeting was to kick off discussion between both countries and that officials of the Department of Trade and investors would sit down to work out the details of the partnership.

    He urged Alake to convey his pleasure to welcome President Bola Tinubu to the African Summit scheduled to take place next year.

    In his initial remarks, Alake said Nigeria has large deposits of minerals and ready to partner investors from the United Kingdom, adding that President Tinubu, as the Chief Marketer of Nigeria’s investment drive, would consider the invitation positively.

    The minister announced that President Tinubu’s administration had introduced value addition as a priority policy in the sector.

    “Our new policy places emphasis on local value addition rather than export of raw minerals so that the value of our mineral products can increase,” he said.

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    Noting that Nigeria and Britain have a long history, Alake told Dowden: “If Nigeria is not doing well, Britain should be concerned. And if Nigeria is doing well, Britain can benefit from the opportunities.”

    The minister said the Nigerian team would be willing to sit down with their British counterparts to take the discussion to the next level.

    Dowden hailed the Federal Government of Nigeria for its policy on value addition.

    The British Deputy Prime Minister noted that going up the value chain would create more economic opportunities for the partnership between both countries.

    He highlighted the importance of the relations between both countries, stressing that if the relations were bad, Britain would not be bothered with the supplies.

    “You are right on value addition. If the processing then happens within a Third World Country we are comfortable with, that would be good,” Dowden said.

    Founder and partner of Carousel Bio-Energy, promoters of the project, Jafar Hilali, briefed the meeting on his firm’s plans to intervene at every stage of the lithium value chain leading to the establishment of a lithium battery production factory.

    Hilali promised to assemble a consortium of British companies in power supply, infrastructure and lithium battery production with a projection to produce lithium battery-powered energy buses for Nigeria’s domestic market.

  • ‘Lithium, uranium deposits, avenue for growth’

    ‘Lithium, uranium deposits, avenue for growth’

    Marketing communications practitioner, Dr Tunji Olugbodi has said mining Nigeria’s lithium and uarnium deposits can open up the economy and provide jobs for the youths.

    Olugbodi said the world is moving to electric/electronic driven vehicles because of its environmental friendliness, adding that Lithium which is commonly used for making the batteries in this era of Electronic Vehicles(EVs) is available in commercial quantities in Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Ekiti and Cross River states.

    The Vice Chairman, Verdant Zeal Group Ltd and Convener of Innovation Series, urged the Federal Government to look in that direction and harness the wealth inherent in this untapped Lithium and other minerals deposits to pull the country out of the economic quagmire.

        He gave the advice while delivering the Open Lecture of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) Ago Iwoye, with the theme: ‘Collaborative Innovation: Braiding The Knowledge Gap Between Industry and Academia.’                                                              

    He noted that the socioeconomic challenges and injuries plaguing the country today were self-inflicted, but expressed the confidence that the narrative could be flipped to usher in recovery and prosperity by leveraging the overwhelming potentials, capacities and opportunities available, citing the GDP of $477.38billion in 2023 as an example.

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    Olugbodi also identified the huge youth population as the most important weapon for Nigeria’s speedy growth if mined positively and their productive capacity unleashed with orientation.

        He cited the entertainment export where the nation’s young musicians such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, Tems, Davido Asake among others have brought recognition and laurels to the country.

        He said: “Indicators of what can happen if we adopt the right orientation are already showing in entertainment export and the influence that this is garnering all over the world. We have earned better global recognition through the combined exploits of David, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, Tems and Tiwa Savage, to mention but a few, than we have received from all the political leaders since 1990.”

        In his remarks, the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, OOU, Prof. Dele Odunlami said the lecture which happened to be the second edition was meant to generate ideas and project them to kiln of national discourse towards finding solutions to national challenges.

  • US firm to set up Lithium battery factory

    US firm to set up Lithium battery factory

    A United States company is concluding plans to set up a Lithium powered batteries and solar panels factory in the country.

    Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Uche Nnaji, said the government is only interested in serious-minded people that want to set up immediately.

    He said the government will support such investors in collaboration with the Ministry of solid minerals by giving them licence so that they can start immediate.

    Chief Nnaji said this yesterday in Abuja when experts from a company on Solar and Storage Technology in the US, Hecata Energy, visited him.

    He said such batteries would be used to provide power to solar panels in the country, thereby improving electricity supply in the country.

    He said: “In about three or four cities in Nigeria, we have some abandoned projects on renewable energy and solar panels and are making efforts to complete them. So you may not need to make new ones except where what we have is different from what you are looking at. So all you need to do is to partner but nobody stops you from building your own.

    “What we owe you is to provide policy support and land, also very important to us is the fact that you build Lithium batteries to, and we are blessed with Lithium deposit in this country. So when we see serious-minded people that want to set up immediately, we will support them with Ministry of solid minerals by giving them licence so that they can start immediate.

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    “We have some people coming from Belgium that are interested in building batteries; there are some Chinese that are interested. We are set if your mission is geared towards moving fast, we are doing it first come first. The other day the South Korean Ambassador told us that they have about $350 million for grant renewable.

    “We are in partnership with other agencies, we have moved far, so I am particularly delighted, about a company that wants to build solar panels that have the capacity to build lithium battery plant. So now my interest is in when you can start.”

    Head of business development, Sub-Saharan Africa Hecata Energy, Ms. Catherine Mfere, said the company is ready to collaborate with the ministry to set up the factory in the country.

    She said the company has already set up 40, 50 and 100 megawatts of electricity in countries like Ghana, Zambia, South Africa and a lot more and is set to do same in Nigeria.