Enugu State is one of the Igbo- speaking states in Nigeria. It was named after its capital city—Enugu, which means “the top of the hill”.
It is located in the south-eastern region and is bounded by Abia State and Imo State to the south, Ebonyi State to the east, Benue State to the northeast, Kogi State to the northwest, and Anambra State to the west.
Enugu State is made up of 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and is mainly inhabited by the Igbos and few Idoma/Igala people. Its inhabitants are mainly engaged in farming, trading, and services with a smaller population in manufacturing activities.
List of mineral resources in Enugu
Coal
Popularly known as “the coal city”, Enugu has large deposits of coal. Coal was first discovered in Nigeria at Udi Ridge (Enugu) in 1909 by Albert Kitson—a British mines engineer while searching for Silver deposits.
Coal deposits can be found in Enugu, Okaba, Inyi, and Eziam.
Limestone
Enugu has limestone deposits in Odomoke, Ngbo, and Nkanu.
Gypsum
This is used in the fertilizer, textile, paper, and construction industries. It is also used in common household items such as toothpaste & shampoo. Gypsum deposits are found in Aninri, Awgu, and Oji River areas.
Clay minerals
Clay minerals such as Kaolin, smectite, illite, etc can be found in Enugu East, Enugu South, Ezeagu, Isi-Uzo, Nkanu West, Nkanu East, and Uzo-Uwani LGAs.
Iron ore
Iron ore is used for the production of steel and other products such as medicine. Its deposits can be found in some areas in Agwu, Nkanu West, and Nsukka LGAs.
Other resources are:
- Iron ore
- Oil shale
- Natural gas
- Glass sand
- Alum
- Laterite
Major towns
- Enugu (State capital)
- Nsukka
- Agbani
- Oji-River
- Agwu
- Udi
Agricultural resources
- Cashew
- Rice
- Cocoyam
- Yam
- Maize
- Cassava
- Oil Palm