Nigeria’s solid mineral sector is gaining momentum, with gold mining emerging as a significant contributor to economic diversification. Recent data from Google Console indicates a surge in searches related to “states with gold in Nigeria,” highlighting growing interest in this sector. While previous articles have covered about 10 states, extensive research reveals that at least 17 Nigerian states possess notable gold deposits. This article provides an in-depth exploration of these states, offering valuable insights for investors, miners, researchers, and policymakers.
Zamfara State
Maru: Known for artisanal mining, Maru hosts alluvial gold deposits, particularly in the Duki and Maraba mines, situated within schist belts.
Anka: Features both alluvial and lode gold deposits. Notable old mines include Kwali, Jameson, Zuzzurfa, and Kuba, where gold veins exploit the schist foliation.
Malele: Gold-quartz veins are observed cutting through biotite gneiss and chlorite schist formations.
Kaduna State
Birnin Gwari: A significant gold mining area with active communities. Tsohon Birnin Gwari and Kwaga exhibit gold reefs extending 7 km and 3 km respectively, with grades ranging from 5 to 100 g/t Au.
Osun State
Ilesha: A prominent gold mining hub with both alluvial and lode deposits.
Atakumosa & Iperindo: Host significant gold mineralization. Iperindo’s gold-quartz carbonate veins occur within biotite gneiss and mica schist formations, with an estimated resource of 620,000 ounces.
Ondo State
Okeagbe & Ifon: Emerging sites for gold mining activities, known for their mineral-rich landscapes.
Niger State
Gurara, Shiroro, Gurmana, Zungeru: Regions renowned for gold-rich geological formations. Gurmana’s gold is associated with quartz-sulphide veins within amphibolites and gneisses.
Kogi State
Okolom-Dogondaji: Features gold-quartz veins in N-S and NNE-trending shear zones within schists and amphibolites.
Kebbi State
Bin Yauri: Hosts gold-sulphide-carbonate quartz veins within brittle fault zones, with grades of 5-15 ppm Au.
Ogun State
Ajegunle-Awa: Minor gold occurrences in residual soils at the contact between amphibolites and pegmatites, with 26 ppm Au content.
Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
Abuja: Significant gold deposits across various locations, including Apo, Gwagwalada, Bako, Kwali, and Abaji. Numerous riverbeds and streams within the FCT are known to contain gold.
Nasarawa State
Uke, Zimbabwe axis, Angwan Mayo, Wamba: Exhibit significant artisanal gold mining activity. Recent discoveries have been reported in Angwan Mayo, located before Garaku.
Edo State
Egbetua (Ososo, Akoko-Edo LGA): Hosts gold deposits, though illegal mining has led to environmental degradation and insecurity.
Uneme-Erhurun, Sobe, Enwan, Dangballa, Ososo, Imorga: Identified as gold-bearing areas within the state.
Kwara State
Alagbede (Moro LGA): Features gold-bearing quartz veins in meta-sediments overlying pegmatite gneiss basement.
Odonigi (Moro LGA): Recognized for abundant gold resources, though challenged by illegal mining activities.
Bishewa, Ologomo, Agboro, Korobiri, Degeji, Ndanaku, Mari, Oputa, Lokomosi, Tunga Bichi, Gbajubo, Giloadi, Birnin Ruwa: These areas exhibit gold mineralization associated with gneisses and schists, with assays ranging between 1.1g/t to 8.3g/t.
Sokoto State
Tureta, Binji, Sabon Birni, Illela: Gold mineralization has been identified in these and other parts of Sokoto, placing the state among the growing gold-bearing regions of Northwestern Nigeria.
Katsina State
Jibia, Dutsin-Ma, Faskari, Kankara: Multiple sites in Katsina have shown promising gold reserves, with artisanal mining activity reported across several local government areas.
Bauchi State
Alkaleri, Toro, Tafawa Balewa: Gold has been discovered in several parts of Bauchi, especially within the basement complex zones. These deposits are associated with quartz veins and alluvial systems in river channels.
Taraba State
Zing, Gashaka, Yorro, Sardauna: Reports of gold deposits in Taraba have emerged in recent years, especially in the mountainous and riverine areas. Artisanal miners are already active in some of these regions, with ongoing exploration efforts by geologists and private firms to determine the scale of the deposits.
Adamawa State
Ganye, Toungo, Mayo-Belwa, Michika: Gold occurrences have been reported in several locations across Adamawa. Although detailed geological surveys are still in progress, local prospecting and panning activities suggest viable gold mineralization in the state’s basement complex and sedimentary belts.
