NIMEP’s Unveils High-Quality Gold and Lithium Reserves

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Director General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and Chairman, Implementation Committee of the National Integrated Mineral Exploration Project (NIMEP) Dr. Abdulrazaq Garba, revealed that the gold and lithium deposits discovered in Nigeria are indeed of exceptional quality.

Garba noted that this revelation stems from the comprehensive findings of the National Integrated Mineral Exploration Project (NIMEP), a fundamental component of the federal government’s strategy to diversify the solid mineral sector.

Spearheaded by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, this initiative aims to attract investors by providing reliable data and promoting further exploration and development of the nation’s mineral resources.

Garba, who Chaired the Implementation Committee of the NIMEP Project further stated that they have validated the existence of high-quality lithium deposits in Nasarawa and Kwara.

He explained that multiple enterprises have independently verified the richness of these subterranean resources, with a notable concentration in Kwara.

Dr. Garba expounded on their methodology, which effectively demystifies lithium mineralization in Nigeria.

He said, “Our observations indicate that the average lithium grade is consistently above 1.5%. In fact, we have even discovered lithium deposits with higher grades in the country.”

However, a substantial challenge looms: the determination of the size of the lithium mineralization in the country.

Dr. Garba stressed the importance of ascertaining the volume of lithium oxides in various locations to elevate Nigeria’s mineralization to a globally recognized standard. At present, Nigeria’s mineralization remains a conceptual framework without specific size data.

Shifting the focus to gold, Dr. Garba, shared findings from one of the gold belt targets that extend across Zamfara, Kebbi, and the FCT areas.

He explained that, “ This gold trend spans over 7 kilometers in length and extends more than 500 meters in width. Drilling in this region unveiled significant intersections of gold-bearing veins, with an average grade of 1.6 grams per ton.

“ These discoveries suggest the potential of a substantial gold and Ni-Cr-Co trend that could be particularly appealing to major investors. Conversely, the belief in an extensive deposit of barite mineralization appears to be a misconception. The challenge, according to Dr. Garba, lies in the thin, deep veins that are unsuitable for large-scale mining ventures.”

Dr. Garba further expressed his firm belief that this initiative promises numerous advantages and has already begun yielding positive results.

In his view, the execution of the project serves as a catalyst for investment, attracting investors from various backgrounds to the sector. A prime example is the Segilola Gold Project in Osun State, managed by Segilola Resources Operating Limited, a subsidiary of Thor Exploration Limited.