Mr Alex Ohikere, the Director-General, National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency (NSRMEA), says the agency has acquired new rig to boost exploration activities in three states of the federation.
Ohikere, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, identified the states as Zamfara, Yobe, and Kaduna.
“With this new rig, the agency intends to launch out its exploration programmes on various high grade iron ores in these states ?–? in Gidan Jaja (Zamfara State), Gidan Buzu (Yobe State) and Jaruwa (Kaduna).
“The drilling personnel of the NSRMEA recently concluded their training programme on the operation and maintenance of the new rig we have acquired.”
Ohikere explained that the manufacturer of the new rig, Atlas Copco of Sweden, also trained the staff of the agency on how to operate the equipment.
“The new rig is multi-purpose and has the ability to vertically and angularly drill up to 400 metres depth in different types of geological environment.”
The director-general said that the agency acquired the rig to improve its exploration activities and to ensure increased revenue generation from the mining sector.
?
?
?