— _Prof. Charles Ofoegbu, Managing Director, Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Ltd_
(A conversation with Dr. Paul Nwosu, Editor-in-Chief, Anambra Times)
Q. What is the status of the Kaolin Processing Plant, Ukpor?
A. Well, the current status of the plant is that the existing equipment, which was vandalized during the war, has now been reconditioned. Not just reconditioned, but rehabilitated and installed. The factory house is ready for commissioning.
The second equipment, the bigger one—more sophisticated and identified as 3R (3 Rollers)—has been ordered from manufacturers in China. These types of equipment are not pre-manufactured and stored; they are assembled upon order. That process has been completed, and we’ve received the bill of lading. It has been shipped and is currently en route to Nigeria.
We are optimistic that by the first week of February, it will be cleared and delivered to Ukpor. The reassembly process will take two weeks, after which we will test-run the equipment in preparation for commissioning.
Testing cannot begin without power. A generator is being installed at the site, and civil works for the building housing the generator are complete. Additionally, a borehole has been completed, equipped with a solar-powered pump and storage tanks. Reticulation of water within the factory area is also finished, and we are extending the supply to the community as part of our CSR initiative. This will provide clean, potable water that doesn’t require boiling.
Q. When will this plant come on stream?
A. The plant will become operational once the second mill is installed. We are targeting the first week of March for commissioning.
Additionally, we have identified and acquired pharmaceutical-grade Kaolin, used in products such as Bismuth and antacid medications. This discovery revealed that Anambra State possesses large quantities of this resource. The Governor recognizes its importance, which is why funds have been released to establish a second mill, the 5R, designed specifically for processing pharmaceutical-grade Kaolin.
This means that pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria will no longer need to import Kaolin. We will supply them locally, and whatever surplus remains can be exported to neighboring countries like Ghana. Work on this expansion will begin shortly.
Furthermore, we are also developing a chemical fertilizer plant. The necessary equipment has been refurbished and is ready for use, and construction of the housing structure is ongoing. Waste Kaolin from the processing plant will be converted into chemical fertilizers.
Q. Prof., let me be clear. So, there are two products that will come out of this processing plant?
A. No, there are three products:
1. Industrial-grade Kaolin.
2. Pharmaceutical-grade Kaolin, used in the pharmaceutical industry for medicinal purposes.
3. Chemical fertilizers, derived from waste Kaolin.
Q. Before Soludo decided to set up this company, what was the situation on the ground in Ukpor? We heard reports of illegal activities.
A. Illegal mining was rampant. The environment suffered significant degradation due to indiscriminate excavation and product theft. By 2 a.m., one could see a chain of loaded trucks on the roads leaving the state, transporting Kaolin from Ukpor and Ozubulu. Kaolin was also being moved by barges from Ozubulu to Ajaokuta.
This destruction attracted criminals, including so-called unknown gunmen or IPOB operatives, who took advantage of the chaos to dominate the area.
Governor Soludo did not ban mining altogether—mining is an essential industrial activity. However, he suspended it temporarily to allow for reforms. The new measures ensure compliance with industry best practices and environmental laws. Miners now need to declare their activities, pay taxes, and show evidence of remediation efforts.
Q. What are the other uses of Kaolin?
A. Kaolin has a wide range of uses. We are negotiating with a Spanish company to establish a ceramic factory in the state. The Kaolin required for ceramics is abundant in Ozubulu and Osumohu.
Additionally, Kaolin is extensively used in medicine, including the production of artificial teeth and plaster of Paris for orthopedics. It is also a key ingredient in women’s cosmetics.
Q. Now that this Kaolin mining operation is under government control, when will revenue begin to stream in?
A. By the end of January, we expect to start generating revenue. From one of the pits alone, we anticipate earning about 18 million Naira per month. Multiply that by 12 months, and you’ll see the significant impact this will have.
