UK Mining Firm Takes Nigeria to Arbitration Over Disputed Lithium Project
Oru Leonard
A United Kingdom-based mining company, Jupiter Lithium Ltd, has commenced international arbitration proceedings against the Federal Government of Nigeria, alleging unlawful interference with its multi-billion-dollar lithium mining project and violations of investor protection agreements.
The company filed a Request for Arbitration with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), seeking redress over what it described as the wrongful revocation of its mining licences and the obstruction of a major critical minerals project in central Nigeria.
Jupiter Lithium, a UK-registered firm, said it had spent several years exploring and developing what it claims is a world-class hard-rock lithium deposit with the potential to become a significant source of lithium for the United Kingdom’s battery and electric vehicle industries.
According to the company, the dispute arose after Nigerian authorities allegedly revoked about 70 per cent of its mining leases and failed to process additional lease applications within the timelines stipulated under Nigeria’s Mining Act. The company maintains that some applications have remained unresolved for more than two years.
The firm further alleged that tensions escalated in late 2025 when government officials reportedly removed its personnel from mining sites and allowed a Chinese-backed company to commence operations on the disputed tenements. Jupiter claims the operator did not possess the required legal mining title for the areas in question.
The company said repeated efforts to engage Nigerian authorities, including officials of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Mining Cadastre Office, failed to yield a resolution.
Jupiter is relying on protections provided under the UK–Nigeria Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), which guarantees foreign investors fair and equitable treatment, protection against discrimination, and safeguards against unlawful expropriation.
A representative of the company said Jupiter had complied with Nigerian laws and pursued dialogue before resorting to arbitration.
“Jupiter has acted in full compliance with Nigerian law and has made every effort to resolve this matter amicably. We have been left with no option but to pursue international arbitration to protect our investment and the rights afforded under the BIT,” the representative stated.
The Nigerian Government has yet to publicly respond to the claims.
The dispute comes amid increasing global competition for access to critical minerals such as lithium, which are essential for the production of electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy technologies, smartphones and other advanced technologies.
Jupiter describes its Nigerian project as one of the world’s largest lithium deposits. According to information published by the company, the project could produce an estimated 167,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate within its first two years of operation, potentially generating at least $6.2 billion in economic value.
Industry observers note that the case could attract significant attention from both the UK and the United States, which have intensified efforts to secure reliable supplies of critical minerals and reduce dependence on existing global supply chains.
Despite initiating arbitration proceedings, Jupiter said it remains open to a negotiated settlement with the Nigerian Government while preparing to pursue its claims under the bilateral investment treaty.
