Nigeria Will Emerge Major Gold Producer in West Africa –MinisterBy Eric Ojo, Abuja(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite has declared that Nigeria will soon become a major gold producing hub in the West African sub-region. The minister said the development will diversify the country’s revenue away from crude oil and create jobs for its teeming youthful population. He also disclosed that government was creating an enabling environment across the gold value chain. The minister further explained that by projection, a slew of industries would spring up across the gold value chain, noting that “numerous industries will spring off when our gold economy becomes full-fledged”. “We are working on a Roadmap towards a sustainable barite industry in Nigeria to support, regulate and monitor stake holders along the barite value chain.