By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry responsible for Solid Minerals Development, on Tuesday hosted delegates and mining leaders from several African countries, including Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on a tour of the Steron Mining Company’s lithium exploration and mining site in Wasa, Abuja, as part of activities leading to the official commencement of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) 2026 at the State House on Wednesday.
The excursion provided participants with a first-hand view of Nigeria’s growing mining industry, showcasing exploration, drilling, blasting, underground tunneling and mineral processing operations at one of the country’s emerging lithium-producing sites.
During the tour, mining consultant Engineer Mohamed Otokiti amongst other site Engineers and management of Steron Mining Company explained the mining cycle and the technical processes involved in mineral extraction.
He described how rocks are drilled and charged with explosives before controlled blasting is carried out to fragment mineral-bearing formations for excavation and processing.
According to Otokiti, mining follows a structured process beginning with prospecting, exploration, development and eventual exploitation of mineral resources.
He noted that the Wasa site contains significant deposits of lithium-bearing pegmatite alongside granite formations, which are also commercially utilized through quarry operations.
Delegates were briefed on safety measures employed during blasting operations, particularly in communities located near mining sites.
Company officials explained that explosive quantities are carefully controlled to reduce ground vibration, while blast areas are covered with heavy protective materials to prevent fly rocks and minimize environmental impact.
The visiting African delegation was also taken to an underground mining section of the operation, where officials demonstrated how lithium-bearing veins are extracted through tunneling techniques designed to improve operational efficiency and reduce mining costs.
Speaking to Journalists during the tour, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Steron Mining Company, Abu Sadiq Omar, mni, said the company was honoured to host delegates attending AFNIS 2026 and provide insight into locally driven mining operations in Nigeria.
“We are honoured to host AFNIS 2026 and the African mining community to an excursion showcasing what it looks like for a local Nigerian company to run a mining operation of this scale,” Omar said.
He explained that the company demonstrated the complete mining value chain to delegates, from mineral occurrence and exploration activities to core drilling, resource identification, blasting, hauling and underground extraction.
“We showcased the mining cycle from the occurrence of minerals to exploration, drilling, blasting and production. We also took the delegation underground to see our tunneling operations where we directly extract from the mineral veins,” he said.
Omar disclosed that the company currently operates both open-pit and underground mining systems and has identified substantial lithium and tantalite occurrences within the concession area.
According to him, exploration activities conducted in 2023 established an inferred lithium reserve of approximately one million tonnes, with further exploration ongoing to expand the resource base.
He noted that lithium remains a strategic mineral globally due to its critical role in battery manufacturing and the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy technologies.
“Lithium is one of the minerals powering the future. It is essential for battery production and the global energy transition towards renewable energy,” he stated.
The Steron Mining CEO also praised government policies aimed at increasing indigenous participation in the mining sector while attracting foreign investment.
“The policies of the current administration have prioritised local participation and created opportunities for Nigerian companies to thrive. At the same time, they have welcomed international investors and partners. AFNIS is providing a platform for Africa and the world to see Nigeria’s mining potential,” he added.
On community relations and safety, Omar emphasized that the company places significant importance on its host communities, describing community acceptance as critical to sustainable mining operations.
“We have prioritised the social licence by putting the community first. Their safety and wellbeing remain our top priority, and today’s visit demonstrates the strong relationship we have built with them,” he said.
The AFNIS 2026 summit is expected to bring together government officials, investors, industry leaders and stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to discuss opportunities in mining, energy, infrastructure and sustainable resource development, with Nigeria positioning itself as a leading destination for mineral investment on the continent.
