Solid minerals in Nigeria and their locations

By Editorial Team Last updated Sep 27, 2023

Solid minerals in Nigeria and their locations

Nigeria has abundant solid mineral deposits. Unfortunately, due to the focus of the government on oil and gas, this viable sector of the economy is left and the huge economic impact that it should have had on the economy is lost. Investors can explore the opportunities that abound in this sector of the Nigerian economy. Some of the solid mineral in Nigeria and their locations includes:

Talc

Over 40 million tonnes of deposits of talc are in some states. For instance, Niger, Osun, Kogi, Ogun, and Kaduna. The 3,000 tonnes per annum catalytic plant owned by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) is the only talc plant in Nigeria. When you talk about one of the most versatile sectors of the industrial minerals of the world, you talk about the talc industry. The exploitation of the vast deposits would, therefore, satisfy local demand and that of export.

Gypsum

This is another solid mineral in Nigeria. Gypsum deposits of over one billion tonnes are spread all over many states in Nigeria. For instance, Ebonyi State. Cement industries use Gypsum for cement production. Companies that produce Plaster-of-Paris (P.O.P) and classroom chalks also use Gypsum. Currently, cement production is put at 5 million tonnes per annum while the national requirement is over 9.6 million tonnes per annum. Therefore Gypsum exploration offers a huge investment opportunity in Nigeria.

Iron Ore

There are over 3 billion metric tonnes of iron ore in deposits in some states in Nigeria. States like Kogi, Enugu, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory have Iron Ore deposits in a commercial quantity.

Lead/Zinc

Over 10 million tonnes of lead/zinc veins are spread over eight states in Nigeria. Companies and individuals can go into a Joint venture partnership to develop and explore the various lead/zinc deposits all over the country.

Bentonite and Baryte

Over 6.5 million tonnes of baryte is in some states of the country, for instance, Taraba and Bauchi states. Large bentonite reserves of 700 million tonnes, with a specific gravity of about 4.3 are available in many states of the federation. They are ready for massive development and exploration.

Gold

This is another solid mineral in Nigeria. Gold is in abundant reserve in some states of the country. For instance, Zamfara and Niger states.

There are proven reserves of both alluvial and primary gold in the schist belt of Nigeria, in the southwestern part of the country, and in some states in Northern Nigeria. Gold deposits in these states are mainly alluvial. Therefore, private investors can stake concessions on these primary deposits.

Bitumen

Nigeria has about 42 billion tonnes of Bitumen; almost twice the number of existing reserves of crude petroleum. Bitumen can be used directly as an asphalt binder. Unfortunately, road construction companies in Nigeria currently import the bitumen they use for road construction.

Coal

Due to its low sulfur and ash content, Nigerian coal is regarded as one of the most bituminous in the world. It is the most environment-friendly in Africa. There are nearly 3 billion tonnes of reserves in 17 coal fields and over 600 million tonnes of proven reserves in Nigeria. State such as Enugu and Kogi has rich deposits of coal.

Rock Salt

This is another solid mineral in Nigeria. Nigeria has salt springs in some states. For example, Awe in Plateau State, Abakaliki, and Uburu in Ebonyi State. More so, Rock salt is available in Benue State. A total reserve of 1.5 million tonnes of Rock Salt is available in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s annual demand for chlorine, table salt, caustic soda, sodium hydrochloric acid, sodium bicarbonate, and hydrogen peroxide is over one million tonnes. Nigeria spends a lot of money annually on the importation of these chemicals.

Gemstones Solid minerals in Nigeria and their locations

There are Gemstones mines in various parts of the country. For instance, Plateau, Kaduna, and Bauchi state. They include; sapphire, aquamarine, ruby, tourmaline, emerald, and topaz. Others are; garnet, amethyst; zircon, and fluorspar, and these stones are among the best in the world.

Granite

Nigeria has a huge deposit of Granite in almost all the states of the federation. It is in commercial quantity in states such as Cross River, Ekiti State, and the FCT. There are lots of local and international quarrying companies currently in Nigeria. Of all the igneous rocks, granite is mostly known and is commonly found on earth, it is light-color with dark mineral visible grains.

It consists mainly of quartz (SiO2) and feldspar (rich in potassium). Granite has fewer amounts of mica, amphibious, and other minerals. These mineral compositions are what usually give it its varying color. For instance red, pink, grey, or white.

Uses of Granite

You can use it in two ways, you can crush and use it as crush stones or it is used as an aggregate. The primary use is in monuments, buildings, paving, and bridges. Because you can use Granite in establishing a plane of reference after polishing, you can use it normally as granite surface plates.

Furthermore, we find its use in various applications, especially when cut into tiles and slabs such as in stair treads, tile floors, and countertops.

Solid minerals in Nigeria and their locations, see the video