Nigeria discovers major deposits of platinum, lithium, rare earth minerals in Kaduna

NIGERIA has announced the discovery of a significant polymetallic mineral belt in Kaduna State containing platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements, a development expected to boost the country’s mining industry and attract fresh investment.

The disclosure was made on Wednesday by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, during the opening of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit 2026 in Abuja.

The announcement followed a tour by summit participants to a mining facility operated by Steron Mining and Company Limited in Abuja, where the company revealed an estimated 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves.

According to Alake, geological assessments conducted and verified by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), confirmed the existence of the mineral-rich province in Kaduna. He noted that the discovery could strengthen Nigeria’s standing in the global supply chain for critical minerals used in clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.

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The minister described the find as a landmark achievement, explaining that it was uncovered by a private company working 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.

He added that the newly identified mineral zone contains substantial quantities of gold, nickel, copper, lithium and rare earth elements of exceptionally high grades, positioning Nigeria as an emerging destination for strategic mineral investments and sustainable mining activities.

Alake stated that the discovery supports the Nigerian government’s strategy of promoting local mineral processing and value addition instead of exporting raw materials with limited economic benefits.

He argued that Nigeria’s vast mineral resources have historically failed to generate adequate value for the economy due to limited beneficiation, inadequate geological confidence, weak enforcement mechanisms and a largely informal mining sector.

“For too long, Nigeria’s mineral endowment did not translate into sufficient national value,” the minister 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.”

The minister further disclosed that reforms introduced in the mining sector have already attracted billions of dollars in investment commitments, particularly in mineral processing projects expected to transform the industry.

Meanwhile, Steron Mining and Company Limited said ongoing exploration at its Abuja mining site has uncovered large lithium deposits alongside indications of other valuable minerals.

Speaking during the facility tour, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Abu Omar, said investigations so far point to about 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium resources at the site.

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Omar explained that the company originally focused on granite extraction because the rock formation dominates the area. However, further exploration led to the discovery of lithium and later revealed signs of tantalite mineralisation.

“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 noted that exploration work remains ongoing and expressed confidence that additional mineral discoveries could emerge as activities continue across the site.

“The prospects remain encouraging,” Omar added.