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Nigeria

Open in the explorerOrganisations (7)Events

Production, refining and reserves

CommodityMetricValueWorld rank · shareSource
Rare earthsMine production 20251,500 t REO#10 · 0.4%USGS MCS 2026
LithiumMine production 20241,000 t Li2O content—World Mining Data 2026
ManganeseMine production 202357,000 t manganese ore (gross weight)#21 · 0.1%USGS Minerals Yearbook 2023 (manganese), table 6
TinMine production 20253,500 t Sn content#13 · 1%USGS MCS 2026
TungstenMine production 202123 t W content#17 · 0%USGS Minerals Yearbook 2021 (tungsten), table 15
ZincMine production 202333,000 t Zn content#27 · 0.3%USGS Minerals Yearbook 2023 (zinc, tables-only release), table 16
NiobiumMine production 200740 t Nb content—USGS MCS 2008
TantalumMine production 2025390 t Ta content#3 · 16%USGS MCS 2026
ThoriumResources 201429,000 t Th—OECD-NEA/IAEA Red Book 2014 (Uranium 2014), Table 1.17
BerylliumMine production 202540 t Be content#4 · 9%USGS MCS 2026
Nitrogen (ammonia)Refinery production 20252 million t N content (ammonia)#15 · 1%USGS MCS 2026

Policies and export measures

Policy tracker →

  • 2024-11-19 · export control

    Value-addition plan requirement for mining lease applicants

    The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development announced a policy requiring every mining lease applicant to submit a detailed value-addition plan, prioritising in-country processing and reducing reliance on raw mineral exports. The same announcement listed an Energy Transition Minerals Development Policy and a review of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007 as related reforms. Dated by the ministry release (announced at Nigeria Mining Week, 18-20 November 2024).

    Source: Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (Nigeria)

  • 2022-07-27 · export control

    Federal Executive Council approval of the Nigerian Mineral Value Chain Regulations (beneficiation policy)

    The Federal Executive Council approved a memo titled Nigerian Mineral Value Chain Regulations 2021, under which raw ores are no longer to be exported without beneficiation. It aims to promote domestic mineral processing plants and linkages along the mineral value chain. Dated by the FEC meeting at which approval was announced.

    Source: Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (Nigeria)

Trade in critical minerals

Exports 2024$1.5 bn

  1. Copper$387 mto China 54%, Japan 30%, South Korea 13% · 13 more
  2. Aluminium$340 mto Japan 60%, China 8%, India 5% · 26 more
  3. Tin$301 mto China 59%, Malaysia 38%, Thailand 2% · 5 more
  4. Lead$173 mto United States of America 47%, China 45%, Türkiye 4% · 22 more
  5. Lithium*$163 mto China 100%, Saudi Arabia 0%, United States of America 0% · 11 more
  6. Zinc$68 mto China 90%, India 10%, Belgium 0% · 9 more
  7. Titanium (ilmenite)*$61 mto China 100%, Vietnam 0%, United States of America 0% · 2 more
  8. Zirconium (zircon)$23 mto China 100%, Vietnam 0%, India 0% · 2 more

and 18 more commodities

Imports 2024$109 m

  1. Aluminium$42 mfrom Malaysia 63%, China 27%, Türkiye 7% · 15 more
  2. Manganese*$28 mfrom India 83%, China 7%, Angola 6% · 10 more
  3. Zinc$16 mfrom Netherlands 33%, Belgium 21%, Finland 15% · 8 more
  4. Silicon$7 mfrom China 69%, India 31%, South Africa 0% · 2 more
  5. Potash$4 mfrom Israel 27%, Chile 23%, Germany 20% · 8 more
  6. Barite$3 mfrom India 54%, China 28%, Türkiye 13% · 3 more
  7. Alumina$2 mfrom Canada 69%, China 12%, France 5% · 8 more
  8. Tin$2 mfrom China 76%, Türkiye 20%, Niger 4% · 1 more

and 27 more commodities

Trade values in current US dollars (ores, concentrates, intermediates, chemicals and refined metal), not prices. * Includes HS codes that also cover other products. Source: CEPII BACI (HS22), Etalab Open Licence 2.0 — details.

Fiscal regime for mining

InstrumentApplies toRateLegal basis
RoyaltyAntimony, Bauxite, Bismuth, Niobium, Tantalum, Copper, Gold, Titanium (ilmenite), Iron ore, Lead, Zinc, Magnesite, Manganese, Molybdenum, Titanium (rutile), Tin, TungstenMetallic minerals and concentrates: antimony, bauxite, bismuth, columbite, copper, gold concentrate, ilmenite, iron ore, lead/zinc, magnesite, manganese, molybdenum, pyrite/chalcopyrite, rutile, tantalite, tin, wolframite (also coal and bitumen)3%Ministry-approved market value per unit (naira)Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Reviewed Royalty Rates for Minerals Produced in Nigeria (22 Apr 2015), under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007 and Minerals and Mining Regulations 2011 · Schedule, items 1-62in force 2015-04-22
RoyaltyBarite, Bentonite, Diatomite, Feldspar, Garnet (industrial), Graphite (natural), Gypsum, Kaolin, Mica (scrap and flake), Phosphate rock, Salt, Sand and gravel (industrial), Soda ash, Talc and pyrophyllite, Zirconium (zircon), LimeIndustrial minerals, construction minerals and gemstones (amethyst, aquamarine, emerald, ruby, sapphire, topaz, tourmaline), barytes, bentonite, graphite, gypsum, kaolin, phosphate, salt, silica sand, soda ash/trona, talc, zircon5%Ministry-approved market value per unit (naira)Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Reviewed Royalty Rates for Minerals Produced in Nigeria (22 Apr 2015), under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007 and Minerals and Mining Regulations 2011 · Schedule, items 1-62in force 2015-04-22

Rates and terms as set in the cited law or regulation; agreements with individual projects can differ. Not legal or tax advice.

Deals and financing (1)

  1. 2025-02-05 · Joint venture · signed

    Suzhou TA&A Ultra Clean Technology (Canmax Technologies) → Three Crown Mines Limited; Kebbi State Government · Kebbi State lithium licences 45158 EL and 46216 SSML (Ngaski)

    Canmax signed a lithium resource development investment agreement with Nigeria's Kebbi State government and Three Crown Mines to jointly invest in, develop and operate lithium licences in Ngaski, Kebbi State.

    official release

Mines and facilities (6)

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