Minister announces discovery of ‘world-class’ mineral province containing platinum, lithium, other deposits in Kaduna
Minister of Solid Minerals development, Dele Alake, has announced the discovery of a “world-class” polymetallic mineral province that contains platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements in Kaduna state.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the African natural resources and energy investment summit 2026, Alake said the discovery is one of the most significant developments in Nigeria’s mining industry in recent years.
The announcement followed the unveiling of an estimated 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves by Steron Mining and Company Limited in its Abuja mining site during a facility tour organised for delegates of the summit.
Alake said the discovery, verified by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, could boost the nation’s position in the global race for critical rare earth minerals.
He said the discovery was made by a private company in collaboration with the agency.
The minister noted that the new mineral province contained exceptionally high-grade deposits of strategic minerals, which are increasingly sought after globally for clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.
“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.”
He said Nigeria is gradually abandoning the traditional model of exporting raw minerals in favour of domestic beneficiation and value addition.
“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.”
He added that investors have committed billions of dollars to processing projects that are expected to alter the structure of Nigeria’s economy.
On his part, Abu Omar, the chief executive officer of Steron Mining and Company Limited, said an estimated 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium are at the site.
Omar explained that the company initially operated as a granite quarry before discovering lithium deposits and later identifying occurrences 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,” Omar said.
He said exploration activities are continuing, noting that “the prospects remain encouraging”.
