Nigeria Unveils Major Critical Minerals Discovery as Lithium Reserves Boost Mining Ambitions

Nigeria has announced one of its largest critical minerals discoveries in recent years, identifying a new mineral-rich district in Kaduna State alongside a significant lithium resource as the country intensifies efforts to diversify its economy beyond oil.

The announcement was made during the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit in Abuja, where the Federal Government revealed the discovery of a polymetallic mineral province containing high-grade deposits of lithium, gold, platinum group metals, nickel, copper and rare earth elements.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake described the Kaduna discovery as a world-class mineral province that could significantly strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global critical minerals market. He said the discovery reflects the country’s growing potential to become a leading destination for mining investment as demand for strategic minerals continues to rise.

The discovery was made by Steron Mining in partnership with the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), which subsequently verified the findings. According to the government, the project represents one of the most important developments in Nigeria’s mining industry and supports ongoing efforts to attract both local and international investors.

In a separate announcement at the summit, Steron Mining disclosed that exploration work near Abuja had identified an estimated 3.3 million tonnes of lithium reserves. The company also reported that the broader project contains approximately 94.8 million tonnes of mineral resources, including lithium-bearing ore and associated granitic rock.

The latest discoveries come at a time of rapidly increasing global demand for lithium and other critical minerals used in the production of electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy technologies and large-scale energy storage systems. As countries transition towards cleaner energy sources, competition for reliable supplies of battery minerals has intensified.

Nigeria has emerged as an increasingly attractive destination for critical minerals investment, particularly in the lithium sector. International companies, including major Chinese investors, have committed substantial funding towards lithium processing facilities and mining projects, while exploration activities continue to expand across several states.

The Federal Government has also shifted its mining policy towards promoting local mineral processing rather than exporting raw ore. Officials say increasing domestic beneficiation will create more jobs, boost industrial development and generate greater value from the country’s mineral resources before export.

Steron Mining said it already processes lithium ore locally in line with the government’s value-addition strategy, which aims to establish Nigeria as a competitive player in the global battery minerals supply chain.

Despite the promising discoveries, industry experts caution that several challenges must still be addressed before commercial production can reach its full potential. Limited infrastructure, unreliable electricity supply, illegal and artisanal mining activities, financing constraints and regulatory issues continue to affect the growth of Nigeria’s mining sector.

Nevertheless, the latest discoveries are expected to strengthen investor confidence and support the country’s broader economic diversification strategy. With rising international demand for critical minerals, Nigeria hopes its expanding resource base will attract further investment, increase export earnings and position the country as a key supplier of strategic minerals needed for the global clean energy transition.