Nigeria’s drive to diversify its economy has received a significant boost following the discovery of a vast mineral-rich province in Kaduna State containing substantial deposits of platinum group metals, gold, lithium, nickel, copper, and rare earth elements.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, announced the breakthrough on Tuesday at the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit 2026 in Abuja, describing it as one of the most important developments in the country’s mining sector in recent years.
According to the minister, the discovery was verified by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) after exploration activities carried out by a private company in partnership with the agency.
“This is the first time I am announcing this publicly,” Alake said.
“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.”
He explained that the newly identified province contains exceptionally high-grade deposits of strategic minerals that are increasingly important for clean energy technologies, battery production, and advanced industrial manufacturing.
Beyond platinum group metals, Alake said the area hosts significant quantities of gold, lithium, nickel, copper, and rare earth elements, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for global investment in critical minerals.
The announcement followed the disclosure by Steron Mining and Company Limited that it had identified an estimated 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves at its Abuja mining site during a tour organised for delegates attending the summit.
Alake said the discovery aligns with the Federal Government’s strategy of transforming the mining sector from a raw mineral export industry into one focused on local processing, beneficiation, and value addition.
“For too long, Nigeria’s mineral endowment did not translate into sufficient national value,” he said, adding that ongoing reforms are designed to make mining a major driver of economic diversification and industrial development.
The minister also revealed that several investors have already committed billions of dollars to mineral processing projects aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global mining value chain.
Speaking during the facility tour, Steron Mining Chief Executive Officer, Abu Omar, said the company originally operated as a granite quarry before discovering lithium deposits and later identifying tantalite within the same area.
Omar noted that exploration activities remain ongoing and expressed confidence that additional commercially viable minerals could still be found.
The discovery is expected to enhance Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a major supplier of critical minerals at a time when global demand is rising rapidly, driven by the expansion of electric vehicle production, renewable energy projects, and emerging technologies.
