The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development in Nigeria has set up a barite processing plant in Cross River State to encourage local production and prohibit barite importation.

The minister, Olamilekan Adegbite, highlighted the significance of the plant's location in Ugaga due to the abundance of barite deposits and proximity to Port Harcourt, where the processed barites are required for oil exploration in line with the local content policy.

The plant will enable artisanal and small-scale barite miners in the region to access the facility for processing before transportation and sales. The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, added that the plant would produce barite of international API standards suitable for export to other parts of the world, generating foreign exchange.

The Nigerian government launched domestically produced barite in October 2021, which aims to reduce foreign exchange spending on barite imports.

source; punchng.com
https://punchng.com/fg-unveils-barite-processing-plant-plans-import-ban/