Nigeria has announced the discovery of a “world-class” polymetallic mineral province in Kaduna State containing platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper, lithium and rare earth elements, in what officials describe as one of the most significant developments in Nigeria’s mining sector in recent years.
Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, disclosed the discovery on Wednesday while speaking at the opening ceremony of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit 2026 in Abuja.
The announcement came shortly after delegates at the summit toured a mining facility operated by Steron Mining and Company Limited in Abuja, where the company unveiled an estimated 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves.
Alake said the Kaduna discovery, verified by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), has the potential to strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global market for critical minerals essential to clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.
Describing the find as a major breakthrough, the minister said it was made by a private company with support from the NGSA.
“This is important for newsmen and stakeholders to take note, this is the first time I am announcing this publicly. Recent exploration breakthroughs verified by our Nigerian Geological Survey Agency have unveiled a world-class polymetallic mineral province in Kaduna State, consisting of world-class platinum group metals, precious, and critical mineral deposits,” Alake said.
“The province is notable for significant deposits of gold, nickel, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements of exceptionally high grades, positioning Nigeria among the emerging destinations for strategic mineral resources and sustainable mining investment.
“This is a new discovery by a private company assisted by our agency, the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency.”
The minister said the discovery aligns with the Federal Government’s efforts to transform the mining sector by prioritising local processing and value addition rather than exporting raw minerals.
According to him, Nigeria is moving away from a long-standing model that failed to maximise the economic benefits of the country’s vast mineral wealth.
“For too long, Nigeria’s mineral endowment did not translate into sufficient national value,” Alake said.
“The paradox was very clear: vast mineral potential but limited beneficiation, rising global demand but inadequate geological confidence, legal authority but weak enforcement, and abundant activity but too much informality.”
He added that ongoing reforms in the sector have attracted significant investor interest, with billions of dollars already committed to mineral processing projects expected to reshape the country’s economic landscape.
Meanwhile, Steron Mining and Company Limited said exploration activities at its Abuja site have revealed substantial lithium deposits, with indications of other valuable minerals.
Speaking during the facility tour, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Abu Omar, said an estimated 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium have been identified at the location.
Omar explained that the company initially focused on granite extraction before uncovering lithium deposits and later discovering signs of tantalite.
“We have granite in abundance because it is the host rock here. That was our original focus. We later discovered lithium and have now identified occurrences of tantalite,” he said.
He added that exploration work is continuing across the site, expressing optimism about future discoveries.
“The prospects remain encouraging,” Omar said.
Boluwatife Enome
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