In Nigeria, the government of Bauchi has sealed with a Chinese consortium a $27.5 billion deal for the exploration of solid minerals and develop a pithead power project which is expected to generate 3,500MW of electricity. This was reported by local news website Leadership quoting a press statement issued by press secretary to Bauchi State governor, Malam Abubakar Al-Sadique (photo).

According to the statement, in addition to generating over $250 million per year, the projects when completed will create 10,000 direct and indirect employments. Moreover, the consortium will construct a 2,500 bed hospital worth $30 million in the state.

Governor Abubakar also said, in regards to mining, that a special purpose vehicle has been put in place to serve as a framework for Public-Partnership to acquire mining rights of virgin mineral terrains and take over all viable titles that failed to meet the requirements of the mineral and mining act of 2007.