Natural Resources

Mineral Resources

Plateau State is endowed with rich deposits of a variety of industrial minerals of high quality. Tin (cassiterite) and columbite have been mined on the Jos Plateau since 1902. Although production has declined, due to the drastic fall in demand, this area was once the world's leading producer of tin with an annual output of 17,000 tons in the peak war period of 1941-45. Other minerals found in Plateau State in commercial quantities are barites, kaolin, zircon, monazite, marble, limestone, sphalerite, quartz, galena, glass sand, clay and gemstones.

Local Sources of Raw Materials in Plateau State

Many industries have started to take advantage of the abundant raw materials in Plateau State. These include mining-related industries such as Makeri Smelting Company, Kaolin Industry in Barakin Ladi, Gold and Base, Exlands and Kaduna Prospectus. Most of the industries in Plateau State are agro-based types utilizing local agricultural materials. A few well-known agro-based industries in the state are NASCO Foods, NASCO Packs, Jos International Breweries, Northern Nigeria Fibre Products and Grand Cereal and Oil Mills Ltd.

Locations of Mineral Reources in Plateau State

Mineral Raw Materials

Monazite, Columbite, Feldspar, Clay, Cassiterite, Gemstone, Kaolin, Dolomite, Mica, Zircon, Marble, Ilmenite, Barytes, Quartz, Talc, Galena

Agro Raw Materials

Guinea corn, Millet, Fruits, Maize, Rrish potato, Cotton, Groundnut, Acha, Sorghum, Wheat, Tomatoes, Beans, Beniseed, Cassava, Rice, Yams, Garden egg, Ginger, Apple, Lettuce.

Raw Material Resources of Plateau State by Local Government Area

1. Bassa

Mineral Resources
Monazite, Columbite, Clay, Cassiterite, Gemstone, Kaolin, Zircon, Abrasive, Dolomite

Agro-Allied Raw Materials
Guinea Corn, Millet, Irish Potato, Sweet Potato, Acha, Mango, Maize, Guava, Pepper, Tomatoes, Vegetable, Livestock.

2. Barkin Ladi

Mineral Resources
Monazite, Clay, Mica, Columbite, Cassiterite, Zircon, Kaoline, Limenite, Gemstone

Agro-Allied Raw Materials
Maize, Sorghum, Millet, Wheat, Irish Potato, Beans, Mango, Apple, Tomatoes, Carrots, Acha, Sugar Cane, Pepper, Poultry.

3. Bokkos

Mineral Resources
Ilmite, Kaolin, Monazite, Granite, Gernet, Cassiterite, Gemstone

Agro-Allied Raw Materials
Sorghum, Beans, Irish Potato, Maize, Sweet Potato, Vegetable, Fruits.

4. Jos East

Mineral Resources
Gemstone, Columbite, Tin Ore

Agro-Allied Raw Materials
Acha, Sweet Potato, Vegetable, Irish Potato, Fruits, Livestock

5. Jos North

Mineral Resources
Quartz, Clay, Kaolin, Cassiterite, Gemstone, Columbite, Zircon, Rutile

Agro-Allied Raw Materials
Acha, Sorghum, Beans, Groundnuts, Maize, Sweet Potato, Vegetable, Wheat, Irish Potato, Fruits, Livestock

6. Jos South

Mineral Resources
Marble, Ilmenite, Gemstone, Monazite, Cassiterite, Feldspar, Zircon, Columbite

Agro-Allied Raw Materials
Millet, Sorghum, Irish Potato, Vegetable, Fruits, Livestock, Acha, Beans, Groundnuts, Carrot, Sugar Cane

7. Kanam

Mineral Resources
Lead/Zinc Ore, Feldspar, Clay, Gemstone, Crude Salt

Agro-Allied Raw Materials
Sorghum, Maize, Beans, Groundnuts, Cotton, Sugar Cane, Rice, Vegetable, Fruits, Poultry, Livestock

8. Kanke

Mineral Resources
Talk, Gemstone, Lead/Zinc Ore, Feldspar, Kaoline, Quartz

Agro-Allied Raw Materials
Irish Potato, Millet, Guinea Corn, Beans, Fruits, Vegetable, Poultry, Livestock

9. Langtang North

Mineral Resources
Gemstone, Feldspar, Clay, Baryte

Agro-Allied Raw Materials
Groundnuts, Millet, Beniseed, Guinea Corn, Cotton, Fruits, Vegetable, Livestock, Beans, Yams, Cassava

10. Langtang South

Agro-Allied Raw Materials
Sorghum, Beans, Groundnuts, Rice, Yams, Cassava, Mango, Vegetable, Livestock.

11. Mangu

Mineral Resources
Garnet, Feldspar, Tin, Columbite, Ilmenite, Zircon, Clay, Gemstone, Quartz.

Agro-Allied Raw Materials
Sorghum, Beans, Maize, Irish Potato, Mango, Citrus, Vegetable, Fruit, Livestock, Sweet Potato, Acha, Guinea Corn, Cocoyam.

12. Mikang

Mineral Resources
Gemstone, Salt, Baryte.

Agro-Allied Raw Materials
Cassava, Maize, Rice, Groundnuts, Guinea Corn, Millet, Yams, Vegetable, Livestock

13. Pankshin

Mineral Resources
Talc, Gemstone, Lead/Zinc Ore, Feldspar, Ilmenite, Kaolin, Quartz.

Agro-Allied Raw Materials
Maize, Irish Potato, Millet, Guinea Corn, Beans, Fruits, Vegetable, Livestock

14. Qua'an Pan

Mineral Resources
Gemstone, Feldspar, Barytes, Clay, Limestone

Agro-Allied Raw Materials
Maize, Rice, Groundnuts, Yams, Cassava, Guinea Corn, Millet, Vegetable, Tomatoes, Livestock, Mango, Sugar Cane

15. Riyom

Mineral Resources
Gemstone, Clay, Zircon, Ilemnite, Mica, Monorite, Tin, Columbite

Agro-Allied Raw Materials
Maize, Guinea Corn, Groundnuts, Cassava, Tomatoes, Pepper, Mango, Vegetable, Livestock

16. Shendam

Mineral Resources
Gemstone, Barytes, Salt, Feldspar. Gold, Silver

Agro-Allied Raw Materials
Sorghum, Beans, Maize, Rice, Groundnuts, Yams, Cassava, Citrus, Fruits, Vegetable, Mango, Livestock

17. Wase

Mineral Resources
Clay, Gemstone, Galena, Sphalerite

Agro-Allied Raw Materials
Sorghum, Maize, Rice, Cotton, Tomatoes, Fruits, Vegetable, Livestock