The federal government says it will collaborate with China Railway Investment Group Limited (CRIG) to harness gold and other mineral deposits across the country.

Olamilekan Adegbite, minister of mines and steel development, expressed the government readiness while receiving the CRIG team on Saturday in Abuja.

In a statement issued by Etore Thomas, the ministry’s director press, Mr Adegbite said his ministry would avail CRIG of the opportunities of investing in priority areas.

“The ministry can avail CRIG the opportunities to invest both in the mining and metal sector once there is genuine expression of interest in the sector that will facilitate the industrialisation and prosperity of the nation,” Mr Adegbite said.

Mr Adegbite canvassed for investment in mining and processing some minerals, such as gold, bitumen, barite, led, zinc, cobalt, lithium, coal and gemstones.

“The ministry is likely to begin auctioning of Bitumen licences by October this year, and critical investors should utilise such ample opportunity to immensely contribute to the growth of the sector for a viable nation,” Mr Adegbite said.

He also called on investors to fully invest in Ajaokuta Steel Plant, disclosing that about 13 to 14 minerals needed to produce liquid steel from the plant were available in Nigeria.

“The only thing remaining for Ajaokuta steel plant to kickstart production is the completion of the blast furnace,” the minister said.

He assured that the ministry would provide them with literature on the abundant minerals in the country and their usages to enable their investment choices.

Sunny Okorie, leader of the CRIG delegation, said that their firm had already invested in many businesses in Nigeria and now wants to invest in the mining sector.

The ministry promised the team government support in providing needed information on the sector.