The Nigerian Lithium Belt: A Treasure Trove of Valuable Minerals

The Nigerian Lithium Belt is an area of immense geological significance that holds vast potential for the extraction of valuable minerals. Continental Lithium has a strong presence in this region, with 15 of our 26 licenses located within the belt and covering a total area of approximately 113,500 acres which are particularly prospective for lithium and associated mineralization, providing us with ample opportunities to explore and mine the rich mineral deposits found here.

What is the Nigerian Lithium Belt?

The Nigerian Lithium Belt is a northeast-trending belt that stretches for about 450 miles from the southwest corner of Nigeria to Kano State in the north. It lies within the Basement Complex, an area covering roughly 50% of Nigeria, known for hosting major, valuable, and commercially needed mineral deposits. The Basement Complex comprises Precambrian crystalline rocks with associated in-folded schist belts and is overlain by younger sedimentary rocks.

Within the Nigerian Lithium Belt, you can find a rock type called pegmatite, which contains lithium, tantalum, niobium, tin, and gemstones. Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) Pegmatites are complex pegmatites that are mined for lithium, beryllium, tin, tantalum, rare earth elements, and other valuable minerals. In Nigeria, concentrations of LCT Pegmatites can be found within the Nigerian Lithium Belt.

Why is the Nigerian Lithium Belt Important?

According to a 2021 study conducted by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, the lithium content of spodumene and lepidolite minerals contained in the pegmatite is high grade, ranging up to 8% lithium oxide. This makes the Nigerian Lithium Belt an attractive location for mining companies like Continental Lithium, as it offers a rich source of high-quality lithium and other valuable minerals.

Lithium is a critical component in modern technology, including batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage solutions. As the demand for lithium continues to grow, the Nigerian Lithium Belt represents a significant opportunity for Continental Lithium to contribute to meeting this demand.

Continental Lithium’s Focus on the Nigerian Lithium Belt

We are currently focused on mining locations within our 15 exploration licenses situated within the Nigerian Lithium Belt. Our near-term exploratory activity is concentrated on the two lithium spodumene-based projects at Iwajowa, Kaima, and Gbugbu. Each of these mines is located within the Nigerian Lithium Belt, which stretches from southwestern to north-central Nigeria.

For several years, small-scale artisanal miners have mined lithium minerals of commercial interest, such as spodumene, montebrasite, amblygonite, and lepidolite, within the geographic boundaries of our exploration licenses. Continental Lithium is committed to leveraging this rich mineral resource to help meet the growing demand for lithium and other valuable minerals while adhering to environmentally responsible and sustainable mining practices.