The Federal Government has thrown its weight behind a $400 million investment project aimed at establishing Africa’s largest rare earth and critical minerals processing facility in Nasarawa State.

The plant, led by Hasetins Commodities Limited, is part of Nigeria’s broader push to increase local beneficiation of its solid minerals and transition into a key player in the global critical minerals value chain. The initiative is projected to create over 10,000 jobs across the country.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, described the project as a significant step toward achieving President Bola Tinubu’s directive on value addition in the sector. Speaking during a visit by the Hasetins management team to his office in Abuja, Alake said the initiative underscores the impact of recent reforms in Nigeria’s mining industry.

“This groundbreaking initiative demonstrates that our reforms are yielding concrete results,” he said. “With your collaboration, we are now witnessing the birth of Africa’s largest rare earth and critical metals plant right here in Nigeria.”

He added that the facility would not only drive employment but also promote skills development, technology transfer, and deeper economic integration of the mining sector.

Hasetins Commodities, which specializes in rare earth elements and platinum group metals, confirmed it is expanding its installed processing capacity from 6,000 to 18,000 metric tonnes. The company’s approach includes local pre-separation of minerals, which it says helps increase earnings for artisanal miners and adds economic value at the source.

Company CEO, Prince Jidayi, attributed the investment decision to renewed investor confidence driven by sector reforms and regulatory improvements.

“We have seen the introduction of mining marshals to tackle illegal mining, as well as reforms that have simplified access to mining licences,” he said.

In addition to the Nasarawa plant, Hasetins plans to develop regional separation centres while supporting artisanal miners and host communities with training and equipment.

Director of Corporate Affairs, Peter Butt, said the company was encouraged by the government’s clear stance on local value addition and investor-friendly policies.

Alake reiterated the government’s readiness to provide institutional backing for the project and stressed that Nigeria’s mineral endowments should serve as a foundation for industrial development.

The rare earths processing plant will supply key materials used in advanced technologies, including renewable energy infrastructure, electric vehicles, and defence systems. With global demand for these minerals rising, Nigeria’s entry into the market is expected to significantly enhance its strategic relevance in the critical minerals supply chain.