According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria, in 2020, recorded a 17.95% growth in aggregate minerals production.
In its report titled “Mineral Production Statistics 2019-2020,” obtained by reporters, the production rose from 54,505,048.23 tons in 2019 to 64,286,308.01 tons in 2020.
It noted that “aggregate production in 2020 (64,286,308.01 tons) grew by 17.95% compared to 2019 with 54,505,048.23 tons, indicating an improvement in production.”
The document explained that the Mining and Quarrying sector is crucial to growth in Nigeria considering the potential to export mineral resources to the rest of the world and the drive for diversification.
The NBS said essentially, Nigeria is said to be endowed with more than 40 types of minerals including marble, coal, iron ore, gold, silica, lead, zinc, tin ore, manganese, granite, laterite, and limestone.
NBS said that in 2020, Kogi, Ogun, and Cross River were the three states with the largest share of production with 12.50 million tons, 12.11 million tons, and 8.90 million tons respectively.
It said the lowest state was Borno, which recorded 5,060 tons. Similarly, Ogun State, FCT, and Kogi State were the top three states with the largest shares of production in 2019.
