FG Declares Discovery Of ‘World-Class’ Mineral Deposits In Kaduna

According to Ireporter Online, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has announced the discovery of a “world-class” polymetallic mineral province in Kaduna State, containing strategic deposits of platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements.

The announcement was made on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit 2026 in Abuja, where the minister described the find as one of the most significant breakthroughs in Nigeria’s mining sector in recent years.

Alake explained that the discovery, which has been verified by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, was made through collaboration between the agency and a private mining company. He noted that the newly identified mineral province contains exceptionally high-grade deposits that position Nigeria as a rising hub in the global competition for critical minerals used in clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.

The minister further referenced a recent unveiling of about 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves by Steron Mining and Company Limited at its Abuja site during a facility tour organized for summit participants.

He emphasized that Nigeria is shifting focus from raw mineral exports to value addition and domestic processing, stating that the country’s long-standing mineral wealth had not translated into adequate national value due to weak beneficiation, limited geological confidence, and informal sector challenges.

Alake also disclosed that investors have committed billions of dollars into processing projects expected to significantly transform the structure of Nigeria’s economy in the coming years.