Thursday June 25, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
The Federal Government has announced the discovery of a “world-class” polymetallic mineral province in Kaduna State containing platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper, lithium and rare earth elements.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, disclosed this on Wednesday, June 24 , 2026, during the opening ceremony of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit 2026 in Abuja.
Alake described the discovery as one of the most significant developments in Nigeria’s mining sector in recent years, noting that it was verified by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency.
According to the minister, the mineral province was discovered by a private company working in collaboration with the agency and contains high-grade deposits of strategic minerals that are increasingly in demand globally.
“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.
He added that the province contains significant deposits of gold, nickel, copper, lithium and rare earth elements of exceptionally high grades, positioning Nigeria as an emerging destination for strategic mineral resources and mining investment.
The announcement came shortly after Steron Mining and Company Limited unveiled an estimated 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves at its Abuja mining site during a facility tour organised for delegates attending the summit.
Alake said the discovery could strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global market for critical minerals, particularly as demand continues to rise for resources used in clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.
The minister also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ending the export of raw minerals and promoting local processing and value addition.
According to him, Nigeria is gradually moving away from the traditional model of exporting unprocessed mineral resources and is encouraging investments in beneficiation and processing projects.
“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, and abundant activity but too much informality,” he said.
Alake further disclosed that investors have committed billions of dollars to mineral processing projects, which he said would help transform the sector and contribute to the diversification of the Nigerian economy.
*The NewsGURU
