The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has confirmed the discovery of nickel in parts of Kaduna State, northern Nigeria. It said that the discovery occurred some months back and experts from the ministry have been following the development as approved by law.
A private mining syndicate headed by Mr. Hugh Morgan, a mining industry veteran made the discovery, which it said, was potentially of high quality, reports The Australian, an Australian national newspaper.
According to the newspaper, the discovery is unusual because the nickel is found in small balls up to 3mm in diameter of high purity in shallow soils in what could be the surface expression of a much bigger hard-rock nickel field.
Nickel, a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge, sells for about $4.43/LB in the international markets. It is used in the manufacture of several steel/metal based items including coins and alloy based products.
Some of world’s largest producers of the metal include Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Indonesia, Canada and China.
“The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development is aware of the excitement in the media about the discovery of nickel in parts of Kaduna State. This is totally understandable considering the partial assay of the mineral assets referenced.
“The ministry is aware of the occurrence of the mineral in the area.
“Since the first discovery many months ago, technical experts from the ministry have been following up on this development as provided by law.
“We appeal to the general public to allow the Ministry to come up with detailed reports on the new find, the statement by Mohammed Abbas, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry said.
The Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has amplified Nigeria’s intention to grow its mining sector by attracting billions of dollars in new investments.
Earlier this month, he told Bloomberg that about $US5 billion would jump-start the sector. “In two to five years, we would have started production of iron ore, lead, zinc, bitumen, nickel, coal and gold at a serious scale,” he added.