Abuja — Preliminary result of a survey conducted in Katsina State has indicated the presence of large quantity of diamond in the state, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Mohammed Sada, has revealed.

Sada, who disclosed this in Abuja, expressed the hope that the full report on the survey would support the initial findings.

He explained that besides the prospect of having a large deposit of the precious gem stone in Katsina, a Nigerian company has shown serious interest in the exploitation of clay mineral in the state.

He, however, noted that problem of power supply especially in the supply of gas to the proposed plant was hindering the effort.

The Minister assured that the federal government is determined to open up the solid mineral sector to private investors, and that the ministry in collaboration with the World Bank is working on a programme that would bring together banks and miners on alternative source of funding for the sector.

Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema, said in Abuja recently that the state has about 18 solid mineral types, including kaolin, silica, gold, clay and diamonds.

Shema, while expressing the readiness of the state government to welcome and partner with investors, who are interested in exploiting the vast mineral resources in Katsina, said four fertiliser plants managed by youths in the state have produced and sold over 40 metric tonnes of fertiliser worth N250 million this year.

He said the fertilisers were produced using Kaolin mined in the in the state as raw material.

He said: "The development of the mineral sector is a very important component in the course of the development of our country because mineral deposits are available everywhere in Nigeria. "To tap into it is necessary for the growth of the industry, employment and engaging our youths in productive activities. For that reason, we set up for cottage fertiliser producing plants. These were set up with a deliberate programme of assisting our youths to aid our youths on how to be productive in the industry.

"We have large deposit of kaolin in Katsina State and it is a very good component that serves as a filler for the production of organic and chemical fertiliser. We trained 25 youths in the production of fertiliser at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and they trained on quality control.

"Last year alone at one of the plant in Badari we placed order for N100 million worth of fertiliser that was supplied by the plant and was used for the entire dry season farming of this year. So this year the raining season came and a total of N350 million for the pant to produce fertiliser for farmers. "

"You can imagine if all local governments in Katsina can have something that produces commodity worth over N250 million in a short time then it is quite a feat for the youths", he stressed.

He noted that all chalks used in schools and paints used in the state are produced by youths using local raw materials and appealed to the federal government to conduct additional geophysical survey of the state to aid his government in planning for the people.