Major Discoveries Announced at Africa Mining Summit
June 26, 2026, Nigeria announced two major mining discoveries at the Africa Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit held in Abuja. A world-class polymetallic province was discovered in Kaduna State, containing high-grade platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements; approximately 3.3 million tons of lithium reserves were identified near Abuja. The above discoveries were explored through cooperation between Steron Mining Company and the Nigerian Geological Survey Bureau and verified by the latter.
Global Lithium Supply Pattern May Be Affected
Nigerian Solid Mineral Development Minister Dele Alake stated that this marks an important step for the country toward critical mineral exports and economic diversification, potentially attracting global investment. This disclosure has potential implications for the global lithium supply pattern, but specific mining plans and commissioning times remain unclear; subsequent progress requires attention.