FG announces discovery of platinum, lithium, rare earth deposits in Kaduna
The Federal Government has announced the discovery of a major polymetallic mineral province in Kaduna State, containing significant deposits of platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, disclosed this on Wednesday during the opening of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) 2026 in Abuja.
According to the minister, the discovery was confirmed by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and represents one of the most important breakthroughs in Nigeria’s mining sector in recent years.
Alake explained that the mineral-rich area was identified through exploration activities carried out by a private company with support from the geological agency.
“This is the first time I am announcing this publicly,” he said.
He noted that the newly discovered deposits contain critical minerals that are increasingly sought after worldwide for clean energy technologies, battery manufacturing, and advanced industrial production.
The minister said the province’s substantial reserves of gold, nickel, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements place Nigeria among emerging destinations for strategic mineral investments and sustainable mining operations.
Alake added that the discovery aligns with ongoing efforts by the federal government to reposition the mining industry as a key driver of economic growth and industrial development.
He said the administration of Bola Tinubu has prioritised the solid minerals sector as part of its economic diversification agenda, introducing reforms aimed at attracting investors, strengthening regulatory oversight, and encouraging local value addition.
As part of these reforms, the government has revoked more than 3,000 inactive mining licences to improve transparency and ensure that mineral assets are managed by capable operators.
“We have focused on restoring discipline in licensing, strengthening compliance, improving transparency, and ensuring that mineral assets are held by operators with the capacity and intention to develop them,” Alake stated.
He further explained that mining lease applicants are now required to submit plans for local processing and value addition rather than exporting raw minerals.
According to him, the policy has already attracted substantial investments in lithium processing and mineral refining projects nationwide, including an $800 million lithium processing investment, a $600 million facility in Nasarawa State, a $200 million lithium plant near Abuja awaiting commissioning, and a $1 billion iron ore-to-steel project in Kogi State.
The minister also highlighted significant growth in mining sector revenues, saying annual earnings increased from about N6 billion before the current administration took office to more than N38 billion in 2024 and surpassed N70 billion by the end of 2025.
“Our revenue performance has improved significantly,” he said.
The announcement coincided with the unveiling of an estimated 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves by Steron Mining and Company Limited during a tour of its mining site for summit participants.
The company’s Managing Director, Abu Omar, said the visit was organised to demonstrate the contribution of indigenous firms to the development of Nigeria’s critical minerals sector.
He revealed that the company operates both open-pit and underground mining activities and expanded beyond granite quarrying after discovering lithium deposits.
“We later discovered lithium and have now identified occurrences of tantalite. Exploration activities are continuing, and the prospects remain encouraging,” Omar said.
He added that the company processes lithium ore locally before export in line with government policies promoting value addition.
Also speaking, company geologist Bello Damulak said exploration and drilling activities have identified approximately 94.8 million metric tonnes of mineral resources at the site, including 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves and about 91.4 million metric tonnes of granitic rock.
The African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit brings together government officials, investors, financiers, and industry stakeholders to discuss mining, energy development, infrastructure financing, and investment opportunities across Africa.
