A global lithium carbonate producer headquartered in China, Ganfeng Lithium Group Co., Ltd, on Wednesday said it has no link with Ganfeng Lithium Industry Limited operating in Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
The China-based firm specifically said it had received a lot of complaints against the company that dubbed its name to conduct its “illegal activities” in Nigeria, saying the company (Ganfeng Lithium Industry Limited) is not its subsidiary.
Daily Trust had its last Saturday’s edition, quoting Bloomberg, published that the trio of Ganfeng Lithium Industry Ltd, Tianqi Lithium Industrial Ltd and Ningde Era Industrial Ltd were behind the planned $250million Nigeria’s first lithium-processing plant that was launched recently.
The report said the Nigerian Ganfeng, which is owned by the Nigeria-based Tianqi and Ningde Era, hosted Solid Minerals Minister Dele Alake at a ceremony in the Nasarawa State on October 12 to start building a facility the company said would take two years to complete and be able to refine 18,000 tonnes of lithium ore per day.
But reacting to several complaints against Nigerian Ganfeng, one of which includes escalating tension on mining sites in Nasarawa, the Chairman of China-based Ganfeng Lithium Group Co. Ltd, LI Liangbin said there is no formal affiliation with Nigerian Ganfeng.
In an official letter sent to Nigeria, LI Liangbin said, “We, Ganfeng Lithium Group Co. Ltd, feel compelled to address the matter of a Nigeria registered company known as Ganfeng Lithium Industry Limited.
“It has come to our attention that there may be some confusion regarding the relationship between Ganfeng Lithium Group Co. Ltd and Ganfeng Lithium Industry in Nigeria.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear that Ganfeng Lithium Industry in Nigeria is not a subsidiary of Ganfeng Lithium Group, and it operates independently and without any formal affiliation with our organisation.
“Any activities or endeavours undertaken by Ganfeng Lithium Industry Limited in Nigeria have no authority, endorsement, or support from Ganfeng Lithium Group.
“While we respect the right of companies to operate independently and establish their own identities, it is essential to ensure that the public and all stakeholders understand the distinction between the two entities.
“Please note that any statements, claims, or actions attributed to Ganfeng Lithium Industry Limited in Nigeria should not be interpreted as being representative of Ganfeng Lithium Group Co. Ltd or its operations.”
LI Liangbin, who further urged the federal government of Nigeria to always do their due diligence before registering foreign companies, directed the Nigerian populace to reach out for any enquiry through www.ganfenglithium.com.
