Australian miner Chariot Resources Limited has announced a lithium-rich mineral discovery in Nigeria following the approval of six mining licences by the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), marking a significant step in its entry into the country’s critical minerals sector.
- Chariot Resources Limited has discovered lithium-rich minerals in Nigeria after receiving approval for six mining licences.
- The licences consolidate Chariot’s control over key exploration and mining projects.
- This marks the first entry of an ASX-listed lithium company into Nigeria’s promising lithium sector, which is already supplying spodumene to China.
- Independent analysis confirmed high-value spodumene at several sites, with lithium oxide grades from 2.66% to 5.96%.
In a statement, the company said the MCO approved the transfer of a total of six licences—comprising four exploration licences and two small-scale mining licences—from Continental Lithium Limited to C&C Minerals Limited, its Nigerian joint venture entity.
The licences cover both exploration permits at the Fonlo and Gbugbu projects, as well as small-scale mining interests at the Saki project, effectively consolidating Chariot’s control over key assets in the region.
Shanthar Pathmanathan, Executive Chairman & Managing Director of Chariot, said:“These approvals are monumental for the Company and indeed the global lithium sector as they signify the first entry of an ASX-listed lithium company into the high-potential lithium sector in Nigeria, which hosts lithium pegmatites that are already producing spodumene for the Chinese market but remain almost entirely undrilled.”
The approvals represent substantial progress toward completing Chariot’s acquisition of a 66.667 percent stake in C&C Minerals, with Continental Lithium retaining the remaining 33.333 percent.
The company described the development as a key regulatory milestone that materially de-risks its Nigerian lithium portfolio acquisition.
Chariot also confirmed that four additional licences—three at Saki and one at Iganna—are still awaiting final approval from the MCO.
Spodumene discovery strengthens Nigeria lithium ambitions
Independent laboratory analysis conducted by the University of British Columbia confirmed the presence of high-value spodumene across all six sampled sites from the Fonlo and Iganna projects.
According to The West Australian, the mineral accounted for between 28.4 percent and 75.3 percent of crystalline content, a result the company says significantly strengthens its development outlook.
Spodumene is considered one of the most commercially viable lithium-bearing minerals due to its relatively straightforward processing compared to more complex alternatives such as lepidolite, which was not detected in any of the samples.
The six samples also returned lithium oxide grades ranging from 2.66 percent to 5.96 percent, reinforcing expectations of high-grade mineralisation.
Additionally, elevated caesium values were recorded, with pollucite reaching up to 9.5 percent in one Iganna sample, indicating strong lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatite potential.
Chariot said the findings support its plan to advance drill-ready targets and accelerate exploration across its Nigerian portfolio.
The company added that the mineralogical results substantially de-risk its development pathway and will guide upcoming exploration, fieldwork, and potential small-scale mining assessments as it moves toward phased project development in Nigeria.
