Australian mineral exploration firm Erin Resources, through its Nigerian operating company Erin Mineral Resources, is going to invest N2.316-billion (US$20-million) in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

Chairman of the company, Mr Gbite Ageniji, said exploration activities will commence in northern Nigeria before the end of the year.

He said Erin Mineral Resources will start in the northern part of the country and move down to the western part. It will be involved with five projects in its first year.

Commodities of interest to the company include gold, nickel, diamonds, tin, copper, lead, zinc, molybdenum, uranium and iron.