FG to Establish Barite Processing Plant in Cross River 

February 13, 2021
Barite Processing Plant

By Adedapo Adesanya

Plans are being formalised by the federal government to establish a barite processing plant in Cross River State.

The project, which is a part of the federal government’s Artisanal and Small-Scale Mineral Processing Cluster for the South-South Zone, is expected to see to the development of solid minerals in the zone and reduce the economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic on its citizens.

This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Mines and Steel, Mr Uchechukwu Ogah, who explained that the choice of Cross River for the cluster project for barite value chain development was predicated on the fact that the state is endowed with large commercial deposits of the minerals.

Mr Ogah spoke in Calabar, at the formal take over ceremony of landed property donated by the state government for the establishment of Artisanal and Small-scale Mineral Processing Cluster in the state.

He explained that the project was an initiative of the federal government in a swift response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce the devastating effect of the pandemic on her citizenry.

With the huge deposit of barite around Obubra through to Yala Local Government Area of the state, the Minister expressed optimism that the project which will be of benefit to the people and the state, will create job opportunities as well as wealth for the people.

He called on Cross Riverians for support and input to ensure a successful project plan.

On his part, the Cross River State Governor, Mr Ben Ayade, commended the federal government’s initiative to site the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mineral Processing Plant in Cross River for the South-South Zone.

Mr Ayade, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Ivara Esu, assured maximum cooperation from the state government in making the project a reality.

“Let me once again thank the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel for not allowing politics, nepotism and corruption to influence their decision of siting the barite processing cluster in the state.

“The Cross River State Government shall give you the maximum cooperation to enable the federal government to achieve its set objective,” he said.

Barite is used to make high-density concrete to block x-ray emissions in hospitals, power plants, and laboratories.

It is also used in a wide variety of other applications including plastics, clutch pads, rubber mudflaps, mould release compounds, radiation shielding, television and computer monitors, sound-deadening material in automobiles, traffic cones, brake linings, paint and golf balls.

Adedapo Adesanya

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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