Nigerian govt announces discovery of platinum, lithium, rare earth deposits in Kaduna

The Federal Government has announced the discovery of a world-class polymetallic mineral province in Kaduna State containing significant deposits of platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper, lithium and rare earth elements.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, disclosed this on Wednesday at the opening of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit 2026 in Abuja.

Mr Alake described the discovery as one of the most significant breakthroughs in Nigeria’s mining sector in recent years, saying it has the potential to strengthen the country’s position in the global market for critical minerals.

According to the minister, the discovery was verified by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, NGSA, following exploration activities conducted by a private company in collaboration with the agency.

He said the newly discovered mineral province contains exceptionally high-grade deposits of strategic minerals that are increasingly in demand globally for clean energy technologies, industrial manufacturing and advanced technological applications.

“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,” Mr Alake said.

He added that the province is notable for its substantial deposits of gold, nickel, copper, lithium and rare earth elements, describing the find as a development that could position Nigeria among emerging destinations for strategic mineral resources and sustainable mining investments.

The minister noted that the discovery was being announced publicly for the first time, stressing that it underscores the growing success of exploration efforts within the country’s solid minerals sector.

The announcement coincided with the unveiling of an estimated 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves by Steron Mining and Company Limited at its mining site in Abuja.

Delegates attending the summit were taken on a tour of the facility, where the company showcased its lithium operations as part of efforts to demonstrate Nigeria’s expanding mineral resource base and growing investment opportunities in the sector.

Mr Alake said the Federal Government was implementing wide-ranging reforms aimed at transforming mining into a major contributor to economic growth, industrialisation and job creation.

According to him, the administration of President Bola Tinubu has identified the solid minerals sector as a key pillar of its economic diversification agenda and is pursuing policies designed to attract investment, encourage local mineral processing and increase government revenue.

He said the government was moving away from the traditional practice of exporting raw minerals and instead promoting domestic beneficiation and value addition to maximise economic returns.

“For too long, Nigeria’s mineral endowment did not translate into sufficient national value. The paradox was very clear: vast mineral potential but limited beneficiation, rising global demand but inadequate geological confidence, legal authority but weak enforcement, abundant activity but too much informality,” the minister said.

He maintained that ongoing reforms were targeted at addressing these challenges and positioning Nigeria as a competitive player in the global mining industry.

Stakeholders at the summit said the latest discovery and growing investments in lithium and other critical minerals could open new opportunities for industrial development, foreign direct investment and employment generation across the country.