By Yunus Olawale
As Nigeria positions itself as a key player in the global energy transition, Steron Mining Company showcases its lithium operations to African and international investors.
In a significant prelude to the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) scheduled for June 23-25, 2026, Steron Mining Company on Tuesday, 23rd June, 2026,
hosted an extensive site tour of its Wasa mining operations in Abuja, offering delegates an unprecedented look into Nigeria’s burgeoning critical minerals sector.
Abubakar Sadiq Omar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company personally led the delegation through Steron’s integrated mining complex, demonstrating the complete operational cycle from mineral exploration to value-added processing.
A Comprehensive Mining Showcase
The site tour provided attendees with a first-hand view of the entire mining value chain, beginning with mineral occurrence identification and extending through to production. Omar and his team demonstrated the sophisticated exploration techniques used to identify lithium veins, including core drilling operations that determine mineral depth, nature, and commercial viability.
“We showcased the mining cycle from the occurrences of the minerals to the inference, to the core drills, to the identification of where the veins are and the depth and the nature of these minerals which is lithium here,” Omar explained during the tour.
“We also demonstrated to the team how to drill, blast and haul for production.”
The Wasa site operates two distinct mining methodologies: open cast (open pit) mining and underground tunneling. The tunnels represent a particularly strategic operation, allowing the company to feed directly from the veins at the source.
Geological Significance and Reserves
The operation’s geological setting is particularly noteworthy. The site features abundant granite formations, which serve as the host rock for lithium mineralization. The company’s initial operations began as a quarry operation before the significant discovery of lithium deposits several years ago. More recently, exploration has identified occurrences of tantalites, suggesting the site may host multiple critical minerals.
In 2023, Steron Mining Co. drilled an inferred reservoir estimated at one million tons of lithium and counting. The lithium occurs in concentrations ranging from one to three percent within the granite host rock.
Value Addition and Processing Capacity
Perhaps most significantly, the company has invested in processing capabilities that substantially upgrade the mineral value. Rather than exporting raw ore, Steron has implemented a beneficiation process that separates waste material from valuable mineral content.
“We add value by processing and separating the waste from the good stuff,” Omar stated. “That way we are able to feed the processing plants that are around us. Increasing the priority from 1 to 3 percent that we have to about 67 percent ready for exportation.”
This processing capability represents a critical value-add that positions Steron Mining Co. as a sophisticated operator capable of supplying high-grade lithium concentrate to both domestic processing facilities and international markets.
Community Engagement and Social License
The company’s approach to community relations emerged as a central theme during the tour. Omar emphasized that Steron has prioritized what he termed “social license” by placing community safety and well-being at the forefront of operations.
“We have prioritized social license by putting them first and their safety and their well-being,” Omar noted. “And as you can see they celebrate this visit more than we are. And we are one now with them.”
The visible community participation and celebration during the delegation’s visit underscored the company’s successful integration with local stakeholders, a model that AFNIS aims to promote across the continent.
Policy Environment and Investment Climate
The site tour also highlighted the supportive policy environment that has enabled operations like Steron Mining Company to flourish. The Nigerian government has demonstrated commitment to prioritizing local participation in the mining sector while simultaneously welcoming foreign investment.
“The government of today have dedicated time and effort to seeing that local participation is prioritized. Hence the birth of an operation like this,” Omar explained. “So these policies have also welcomed foreigners.”
Strategic Importance for Energy Transition
The timing of the site tour is particularly significant given lithium’s central role in the global energy transition. As the world moves from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, lithium has emerged as a critical mineral for battery production and energy storage.
“Lithium especially is used for the power of the future for batteries and really this is where that’s the energy transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy and that is one of the most reliable sources of renewable energy,” Omar emphasized.
AFNIS 2026: Showcasing African Mining Potential
The Wara site visit serves as a prelude to the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS), which will convene in Abuja from June 23-25, 2026. The summit aims to showcase the continent’s resource potential and attract investment into Africa’s mining and energy sectors.
“That’s what AFNIS showcasing and they are able to host the African community and the world to come and see what it is like to mine in Nigeria and power the world,” Omar stated.
Market Position and Export Strategy
When questioned about market strategy, Omar indicated that the company is currently in a growth phase with production capacity expanding. “We don’t cherry pick buyers at this point,” he noted, suggesting a focus on building production capacity and establishing reliable supply chains before entering more selective marketing arrangements.
Looking Forward
As global demand for lithium continues to surge, driven by electric vehicle adoption and renewable energy storage requirements, operations like Steron Mining Company’s Wasa site position Nigeria as an emerging player in the critical minerals supply chain. The company’s integrated approach—combining exploration, extraction, processing, and community engagement—offers a model for responsible resource development across Africa.
The AFNIS summit 2026 will provide a platform for further discussion of these themes, bringing together government officials, industry leaders, and investors to chart the future of African natural resources development.
