Nigeria announces major polymetallic province in Kaduna

The Nigerian government announced on Wednesday the discovery of a major new polymetallic mineral province in Kaduna State, a breakthrough officials say could significantly strengthen the country's position in the global market for critical minerals. The announcement was made by Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake during the opening ceremony of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit in Abuja.

The newly identified province contains significant deposits of platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements, all verified by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency. Alake described the deposits as being of exceptionally high grade and positioned Nigeria as an emerging destination for strategic mineral resources and sustainable mining investment. He stated that the discovery was made by a private company assisted by the national agency.

The announcement coincided with a showcase of Nigeria's growing mining sector at the summit. Delegates toured a lithium mining site operated by Steron Mining and Company Limited in Abuja, where company executives disclosed estimated lithium reserves of 3.3 million metric tonnes. The company's...