MINISTRY OF MINES AND STEEL DEVELOPMENT SOLID MINERALS DEVELOPMENT SOLID MINERALS DEVELOPMENT FUND
16 YEDSERAM STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR THE ENGAGEMENT OF A CONSULTING FIRM TO PROVIDE RELATED CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN MINES LAND

1. INTRODUCTION
The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the development of salt deposits in Ebonyi State and the Nigeria brine belt situated in the Benue Trough.

2. BACKGROUND
Mining is one of Nigeria’s most promising growth sectors. Nigeria has 44 known types of minerals of varying mixes and proven quantities.

3. OVERVIEW OF THE SOLID MINERALS DEVELOPMENT FUND
The solid Minerals Development Fund (“SMDF” or the “Fund”) is a Government-owned Fund established to drive investments in Nigeria’s mining sector. The Fund was established in 2007 by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the 2007 Minerals and Mining Act. SMDF is a unique government funding vehicle focused on driving critical interventions that maximize the recovery and impact of capital deployed. The mandates of the Fund include the development of physical and human capacity in the Nigerian mining sector, funding for geoscientific data gathering storage, and retrieval to meet the needs of the private sector-led mining industry, equipping the mining institutions to enable them to perform their statutory functions, funding for the extension services to small scale and artisanal mining operations and provision of mining-related infrastructure in mines land

4. SALT MINING IN EBONYI STATE
In Ebonyi State, the brine salt deposits have been identified in six out of the total number of 13 local government Areas of the state (Obazara, Ikwo, Onicha, Abakaliki, Afikpo North, and Ishielu). The highest grade deposits are located within the Uburu Salt Lake, which is central to the proposal initial inspection, has a long history that predates colonial times and has been a significant source of brine and edible salts in the last 100 years. The lake has equally been a substantial source of income for the host community and neighboring communities with an estimated population of over 1 million. The Uburu Salt Lake lies at longitude 6o 0 ‘to 6o 10 ‘N. To fast-track these salt deposits’ development; the solid Minerals Development Fund is implementing a comprehensive mining-related infrastructure in mines land in line with its mandate.

5. OBJECTIVES
The consultant is to undertake a due diligence assessment on the existing design and cost estimates for the infrastructure works and support the Client in procuring a Contractor to execute the works

6. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The consultant must be a single legal entity with all other necessary expertise secured via subcontinent or joint venture arrangement. The SMDF will enter into a single contract to deliver the works set out in these Terms of Reference Reports written in English and Consultants will be expected to have a strong command of written English. The skills and experiences required of the Consultant should include, among other things, knowledge concerning;
• Design cost estimating and construction management of engineering infrastructure
• Experience in water retaining structures
• Preparation of Tender Documents for Works projects using Bureau of Public Procurement Procedures
• Bid Administration and structuring