UNCLAS ABUJA 000984

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EMIN BEXP ECON LY
SUBJECT: KADUNA STATE MINERAL RESOURCES

REF: ABUJA 0501



1. (U) This is an action request. See paras. (4) and (5).



2. (U) During a meeting with Ambassador Jeter on March 28,
Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi discussed at length his
desire to bring in a U.S. company to exploit solid minerals
in his state. He claimed that there were squatters
illegally mining gold and other precious metals in Kaduna.
He asked for USG assistance in first determining what
minerals were present and whether or not they exist in
commercially viable quantities for exploitation. Second, he
asked that U.S. natural resource firms be "invited" to
consider developing Kaduna's natural resources.



3. (SBU) Makarfi also claimed that Libyan firms had
approached him about exploiting these resources, and
expressed a desire not to have a major Libyan presence in
Kaduna.



4. (U) Action request for USGS. What information does the
USGS have regarding the presence of solid minerals in Kaduna
State?



5. (U) Action request for Department of Commerce. There appears
to be the potential for minerals development in Kaduna
State. Does USDOC know of any U.S. companies which might
be interested in exploring this possibility, or have
expressed interest in solid minerals exploration and production in
Nigeria?
JETER