The Federal Government has announced the discovery of a major polymetallic mineral province in Kaduna State containing platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper, lithium and rare earth elements, a development officials say could significantly strengthen Nigeria’s mining industry.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, disclosed the discovery on Wednesday, June 24, during the opening of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit 2026 in Abuja.
According to the minister, the discovery was verified by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and resulted from collaboration between the agency and a private exploration company.
Alake said the newly identified mineral province contains high-grade deposits of critical minerals that are increasingly essential for clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing and the global transition to renewable energy.
He described the find as one of the most important developments in Nigeria’s mining sector in recent years, noting that it could enhance the country’s standing in the rapidly growing global market for critical minerals.
The announcement came as Steron Mining and Company Limited revealed that it has identified an estimated 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves at its mining site in Abuja. Participants at the summit were taken on a tour of the facility as part of efforts to showcase Nigeria’s expanding mining industry and growing investment in mineral processing.
Speaking at the event, Alake said the Federal Government is implementing wide-ranging reforms designed to transform mining into a key pillar of economic growth, industrialisation and job creation.
He noted that the government is shifting away from the traditional export of raw minerals and is instead prioritising local processing, refining and value addition to maximise economic benefits.
As part of these reforms, the minister disclosed that more than 3,000 dormant and non-performing mineral titles have been revoked to improve compliance, curb speculation and ensure licences are held by investors capable of developing mining assets.
Alake further revealed that investors have committed billions of dollars to mineral processing projects across Nigeria, including lithium refining facilities and an iron ore-to-steel project in Kogi State.
Among the investments highlighted were an $800 million lithium processing project, a $600 million lithium processing facility in Nasarawa State, a completed $200 million lithium plant near Abuja awaiting commissioning, and a $50 million lithium processing facility in the Federal Capital Territory that is already expanding operations.
The minister also reported a significant increase in government earnings from the sector, stating that annual mining revenue rose from approximately ₦6 billion before the current administration assumed office to more than ₦38 billion in 2024, surpassing ₦70 billion by the end of 2025.
He called for greater cooperation among African nations in the development of natural resources, arguing that sustainable prosperity on the continent depends on regional integration, industrialisation and value addition rather than continued reliance on raw material exports.
Also speaking at the summit, Steron Mining Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Abu Omar, said the company organised the site visit to demonstrate the growing role of indigenous firms in developing Nigeria’s critical mineral resources.
Omar explained that the company initially operated as a granite quarry before discovering lithium deposits and later identifying tantalite mineralisation within the area.
He noted that lithium has become one of the world’s most sought-after minerals due to its vital role in battery manufacturing and renewable energy technologies, adding that the company processes the mineral locally to increase its purity before export in line with government value-addition policies.
Steron Mining geologist, Bello Damulak, disclosed that exploration and drilling activities at the site have identified total mineral resources estimated at 94.8 million metric tonnes, comprising about 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium and 91.4 million metric tonnes of granitic rock.
The African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit brings together government officials, investors, financiers and industry stakeholders to discuss opportunities in mining, energy, infrastructure financing and resource development across Africa.
This year’s edition focuses on regional cooperation, critical minerals development, value addition and industrialisation as global demand for minerals required for clean energy technologies continues to grow.
