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…Targets technical firms, laboratories, contractors
The Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) has opened its doors to vendors, contractors and technical service providers for its Early-Stage Mineral Exploration and Research Grant Endowment (EMERGE) Programme, setting November 11, 2026, as deadline for applications.
The initiative is aimed at building a pool of qualified companies that will provide specialised services to support early-stage mineral exploration and research across the country.
In a notice issued by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, SMDF said the application portal opened on November 3 and would close at 11:59pm on November 11.
The fund identified three major categories for prospective applicants: field and exploration, laboratory and testing, as well as site support and supply.
Under field and exploration, SMDF is seeking geological mapping, geochemical sampling, geophysical surveys, exploration drilling, core handling, modelling and resource estimation firms.
The laboratory and testing category covers sample preparation, assays, mineralogical and metallurgical testing, particularly for lithium, tin, tantalum, rare earth elements and other critical minerals.
For site support and supply, the fund is seeking companies capable of providing field camps, access tracks, minor civil works, utilities, field equipment, laboratory consumables, personal protective equipment, vehicles and logistics.
To qualify, interested firms must provide evidence of registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), three years’ tax clearance, three years’ audited financial statements and records of similar assignments executed within the last five years.
SMDF explained that the exercise was designed to establish a pool of pre-qualified vendors and technical partners that could be engaged by the fund, its partners or eligible grant beneficiaries for EMERGE-related activities.
It, however, clarified that pre-qualification would not automatically translate into a contract award, as all submissions would undergo evaluation at the discretion of the fund.
It added that successful applicants would enjoy pre-qualified status for one year, subject to review.
The fund also stressed that applications must be submitted through its designated online portal, warning that submissions by email or hard copy would not be accepted.
Interested companies can apply under one or more categories, provided they submit relevant evidence for each category.The application portal is vendors.smdf-emerge.com.ng.
