Nigeria has moved a step closer to strengthening its position in the global race for critical minerals after regulators approved the transfer of additional lithium exploration licences, advancing an Australian-backed acquisition that could eventually support industries ranging from electric vehicles to defence manufacturing.
The latest approvals by Nigeria's Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) represent fresh progress toward Chariot Corporation's acquisition of an 11-mineral-title portfolio from Continental Lithium Limited, reinforcing investor confidence in the country's rapidly growing lithium sector.
Lithium has become one of the world's most strategic minerals, serving as a key component in electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy storage systems, smartphones, artificial intelligence infrastructure and advanced defence technologies.
As countries race to secure reliable supplies, Africa—and Nigeria in particular—is attracting increasing attention from global mining companies.
According to Chariot, the MCO recently approved the transfer of three exploration licences—EL 38148, EL 67480 and EL 68365—from Continental Lithium Limited to its Nigerian subsidiary, C&C Minerals Limited, subject to the payment of statutory transaction and registration fees.
