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, describing it as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s mining sector.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, made the announcement on Wednesday at 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 and was made through the efforts of a private exploration company working in collaboration with the agency.
Alake said the newly discovered mineral province contains high-grade deposits of strategic minerals that are in growing demand globally due to their importance in clean energy technologies, battery production and advanced manufacturing.
He described the find as one of the most important developments in Nigeria’s mining industry in recent years, noting that it could strengthen the country’s position in the global critical minerals market.
The minister revealed that the province hosts substantial deposits of gold, nickel, copper, lithium, rare earth elements and platinum group metals, placing Nigeria among emerging destinations for mining investment.
Alake also highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at transforming the solid minerals sector into a major driver of economic growth and industrialisation.
According to him, the Federal Government has adopted policies designed to attract investment, improve transparency, strengthen regulatory compliance and promote local processing of minerals rather than exporting raw materials.
He disclosed that more than 3,000 dormant and non-performing mining licences had been revoked as part of efforts to sanitise the industry and ensure that mineral assets are developed by serious investors.
The minister stressed that value addition remains central to the government’s mining strategy, explaining that investors seeking mining leases are now required to present plans for processing and beneficiation.
He said the policy has already attracted significant investments in lithium processing and mineral refining across the country.
Among the projects highlighted were an $800 million lithium processing investment, a $600 million lithium processing facility in Nasarawa State, a $200 million lithium plant near Abuja awaiting commissioning, and a $50 million lithium refining facility in the Federal Capital Territory that is already expanding operations.
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Alake also referenced a $1 billion iron ore-to-steel project in Kogi State, describing such investments as critical to changing the structure of Nigeria’s economy through industrial development and job creation.
The minister noted that government revenue from the mining sector has grown significantly, rising from about ₦6 billion before the current administration to over ₦70 billion by the end of 2025.
He called for stronger collaboration among African countries in developing mineral resources, arguing that the continent must move beyond exporting raw materials and focus on processing, manufacturing and regional integration.
Meanwhile, delegates attending the summit visited the mining site of Steron Mining and Company Limited in Abuja, where the company disclosed that it had identified an estimated 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves.
Managing Director of the company, Abu Omar, said the firm’s exploration activities revealed lithium deposits alongside other mineral resources and demonstrated the growing role of indigenous companies in Nigeria’s mining industry.
The company’s geologist, Bello Damulak, stated that exploration and drilling activities have so far revealed total mineral resources estimated at 94.8 million metric tonnes, including granite and lithium deposits.
Industry stakeholders at the summit described the discoveries and ongoing investments as positive indicators of Nigeria’s efforts to build a stronger mining sector capable of contributing significantly to economic diversification and industrial growth.
