Solid Minerals Extraction
Nigeria’s mining sector is diverse, rich in mineral resources including high-value commodities. There are 44 exploitable
minerals in proven commercial quantities across more than 500 locations. Despite this abundance, the mining sector contributes only 0.3% to national employment, 0.02% to exports, and approximately US$1.4 billion to the Nigerian GDP. Niger State, in particular, is endowed with solid minerals such as uranium, coal, gold, iron ore, tin, phosphate, crude oil, molybdenum, and lithium. All
available minerals in Niger State are detailed in the table below:
| Value | Location | Shareholding |
|---|---|---|
|
$1,000,000 Low End |
All 25 Local Government Areas |
100% foreign or Nigerian |
|
$10,000,000 High End
|
| MINERAL TYPE/QUALITY | LOCATION | REMARKS |
|---|---|---|
|
Gold (22 – 24
carrat) |
Available in all LGAs |
Exploration in locations in Minna,
Kontagora,
Rafi, Paikoro, Magama, Shiroro,
Gurara LGAs |
|
Talc (Si02
63.5%) – 41
million metric tons |
Rafi (Kamunu), Shiroro
(Yarada –
Erena) & Kontagora
(Tungan
Bako) LGAS |
Kamunu deposit has been acquired by
Kagara
Talc Processing & Crystal Talc Ltd
Kaduna |
|
Talc (Si02
63.5%) – 41
million metric tons |
Rafi (Kamunu), Shiroro
(Yarada –
Erena) & Kontagora
(Tungan
Bako) LGAS |
Kamunu deposit has been acquired by
Kagara
Talc Processing & Crystal Talc Ltd
Kaduna |
|
Kyanite |
Rafi LGA (Assaya, Masuku
&
Guda hills, Maguga),
Shiroro
LGA(Agolo & Kuta) |
63,600 million tons in Assaya, 13.1MT
in Masuku hill, 20.203MT in Guda hill,
145.24MT in Maguga. For Agolo &
Kuta the volumes are known yet. Apart
from Assaya, exploration has not
commenced in all the locations |
|
Kaolin |
Lavun (Wani SW, Jipan,
Patigi &
Patijuko hill), Gbako
(Edozhigi &
Gubaji), Mokwa (Kpaki), |
585,000tons in Gubaji, 760,500 tons in
Patigi, 4,732,000tons. No development
or exploration work has commenced |
|
Ball Clays |
Edati (Shugbu west of
Batati),
Gbako (Lemu), Suleja
(Abuchi),
Minna (Kuyi), Agaie (Nami),
Paikoro (Pago) |
68250MT in Shugbu west,
2,925,000MT in Abuchi, 89,375MT.
Deposits have been tested and shown
to be good for Burnt Bricks production. |
|
Graphite |
Rafi (Kugu, Keribe &
Apopogo),
Minna (Beni) |
1.1MT in Kugu, 3.3MT in Keribe. No
development or exploration work has
commenced |
|
Feldspar |
Shiroro (Shiroro dam),
Kontagora
(Beri), Borgu (kuble) |
Mineral in large commercial deposits. |
|
Mable |
Paikoro (Kwakuti) |
2.5MT in Kwakuti |
|
Dolomite |
Gurara (Takalafiya) |
4MT in Takalafiya |
|
Manganese |
Shiroro (Budwi – Allawa,
Masaka– Allawa, Ayaba –
Dagwashi),
Munya (Guni) |
Mineral in large commercial deposits. |
|
Mica |
Shiroro (Allawa, Tambaji),
Munya (Guni) |
Mineral in large commercial deposits.
No development or exploration work
has commenced
|
|
Lead & Copper |
Suleja (Baba-Tsauni),
Gurara
(Izom) |
16.8MT of Galena & 1.8MT of Mala
Cite. Preliminary investigation has been
carried but no exploration |
|
Quartzite |
Rijau (Dukku road) Gurara
(Paikoro-Gurara Boundary) |
Large deposits & suitable for glass
making.
Preliminary investigation done |
|
Abbestors |
Kontagora (River Kawo) |
More work needs to be carried out |
|
Iron Ore (High
Quality) |
Kontagora (Mahoro), Rijau
(Erini),
Magama (Agido &
Majaba),
Mariga (Kasuwan Ango) |
Large scale high grade deposits
abound. Only small scale smelters are
exploring |
|
Silica Sand |
Gbako (Wuya Suman,
Baggi &
Nupeko), Katcha (Badeggi,
Tsauchita & Kasanagi) exploring |
Deposits in Gbako LGA contain 86
93% Silica and suitable for glass
making while deposits in Katcha LGA
require decolorizing with MnO2 |
|
Granite |
Rafi (Tegina/Kagara,
Makangara & Kusherki
series, Madaka, Ushema)
Kontagora (Dutshe series) |
Quarrying by road construction
companies.
Commercial quarrying is minimal |
|
Beryle |
Kontagora, Bangi,
Pandogari & Sarkin Pawa |
Light Blue Honey |
|
Amethyst |
Kontagora, Rijau, Bangi |
Pink coloured |
|
Tourmaline |
Rafi (Kagara), Munya
(Sarkin
Pawa) Edati (Kwale),
Mariga
(Shadadi) |
Exist in black, pink & yellow variants |
|
Topaz |
Minna, Suleja |
Colourless & Milky |
|
Quartz Crystal |
New Bussa, Rijau, Minna |
Colourless |
|
Smortky Quarts |
Pandogari |
Smortzy Crystals |
|
Wolframite |
Shiroro (Zumba) |
Small scale & Artisanal Mining are
taking place which needs to be
curtailed for maximum benefits |
|
Hydro carbon (oil
& gas) |
Muregi (Mokwa), Bida Basin |
Geo-physical survey has been
completed and results show large
commercial deposits of hydro carbon of
much higher quality than Niger Delta.
As opposed to Oil/gas ratio of 60:40
in Niger Delta, Bida basin showed
70:30 ratio |