There are nine major mineral resources in Anambra state, but crude oil is most likely to fetch the state its highest revenue following an official designation of Anambra as an oil-producing state on September 2, 2021.
Although the decision of the Federal Government to designate the state an oil-producing area was taken at the RMAFC’s 139th plenary session held on July 27, 2021, it was made official in September of the same year.
Here is the list of mineral resources Anambra State is blessed with:
- Glass-Sand,
- Gypsium,
- Clay,
- Lignite,
- Iron-ore,
- Lead/Zinc,
- Salt
- Phosphate
- Limestone,
Anambra’s Path to oil-producing status
The journey of oil discovery in Anambra state started long time ago, but the major steps were notably felt in 2006, when Orient Petroleum Refinery (OPR), was made in Aguleri area.
By June 2002, Orient Petroleum Resource Ltd (OPRL) was licensed by the Federal Government to build a private refinery with a capacity of 55,000 barrels per day.
In 2012, following the efforts of Governor Peter Obi and other stakeholders of Orient Petroleum, Anambra State became an oil-producing state.
In 2012, the MoU between Anambra State and the OPR paid off as the company discovered oil in the Anambra River basin. It took nine years after the first crude oil was found for FG to recognise the state as an oil-producing state.