Kogi State stands out in Nigeria as one of the most endowed in terms of human and material resources. One of the greatest economic assets of Kogi State is its limitless deposits of high quality solid minerals. As already noted, the state has the highest concentration of a wide variety of strategic solid minerals deposits in the country. The minerals are iron, ore, coal, marble, feldspar, limestone, kaolin, talc, mica, phosphate, columbite, granite, and others. This extensive mineral deposits have placed the state as a potential centre for mineral-based industries in Nigeria.

At present, apart from iron ore, most these solid minerals are yet to be exploited in commercial quantities. Additional exploratory works are still being conducted in the state to ascertain the existence of other minerals. With the wide variety of solid minerals spread across the state, it is obvious that Kogi can, indeed, provide the industrial foundation needed for the diversification of Nigeria’s economy if investment activities are stimulated.

A developed solid mineral sector is a viable alternative to petroleum as a major source of foreign exchange, rural industrialization and import substitution. Indeed, Kogi State is in a position to provide the springboard for Nigeria to launch itself into the class of the world’s industrailised economies. The untapped resources of Kogi are waiting to provide profitable rewards for investors who seek to venture into the mineral sector.
*        Iron ore:  Iron ore is found in Itakpa, Ajagbonoko Hills, Ebiya, Ekinrin-Adde, Mount Patti and several other locations in Kogi, Okehi, Okene, Dekina, Bassa, Idah, Yagba East, Ijumu and Kabba-Bunu Local Government Areas. The iron content of the ores ranges between 40 and 70 percent. Iron Ore is being presently exploited on a large scale at Itakpe by  the National Iron Ore Mining Project. The iron ore from Itakpe is to be used at Ajaokuta Steel Complex.

*        Coal: Coal is found in sedimentary formation in Okaba, Ankpa Local Government Area where there is on-going open cast mining, other deposits are located in Odu, Dekina Local Government Area and Koton-Karfe. Kogi State has a proven deposit of over 200 million metric tonnes.

*        Marble/Limestone: Extensive deposits of marble can be found at JKakura, Agbaja, Ajaokuta Itobe and Ekinrin-Adde. The Jakura marble deposits situated about 40km north-west of Lokoja has a reserve exceeding 75 million metric tonnes. This deposit is currently being exploited on a low scale for the production of marble slabs and tiles.

*        Feldspar/Quartz:  Feldspar and quartz deposits are widespread in the state especially in Osara forest, Odo-Eri, Ejiba, Egbe, Lokoja and other locations in Okehi and Okene Local Governments Areas. As at present, there are about six glass factories in the country. These factories import a large quantity of quartz and feldspar as basic raw materials. The Development of the large reserves in Kogi State will provide these factories with their necessary raw materials locally, Kogi State is reputed to have the largest deposit of this mineral in Nigeria.

*        Clay: Large deposits of high quality clay are found all over the state. Clay is used mainly in the construction, ceramic and refractory industries. The clay found in most parts of the state are suitable for burnt bricks, tiles, electrical insulators, porcelain, sanitary wares and other ceramic products. There is large local market for these products within the country.

*        Dolomite:  Dolomite deposits are spread across Kogi State. The dolomite found in Kogi State are very rich in magnesium. The deposits are located in Osara Itobe and Lokoja.

*        Tale:  Tale is the softest known rock on earth. Deposits of these mineral are found at Isanlu-Makutu, Egbe, Itobe, and Idah.

*        Cassiterite and Tantalite:  These minerals are found aouind Egbe. There are also found in Apata, Dogon-Daji, Osara, Ejiba. Takete, Isanlu-Makutu and other locations across the state. Kogi State has one of the highest concentration of this precious metallic mineral in Nigeria.

*        Mica:  Mica is found in Isanlu, Idah, Ogbom, Mopa and Egbe.

*        Gold: Alluvial deposits of gold are found along river beds at Egbe and Isanlu. Deposits are also found along the beds of River Niger.

*        Kaolin:  Kaolin deposits exist in Agbaja Plateau and Mount Patti in Lokoja. It is also found in Yagba East, Yagba West, Kabba-Bunu, Adavi, Okene, Ofun, Idah and Kogi Local Government Areas.

*        Granite:  It exists is hard rock formation in many areas of Kogi State. This rock is used generally in the construction industry and also polished as floor and wall tiles.

*        Gems and Ornamental Stones:  Precious gem and ornamental stones are found in Oka Hills in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area, Lokoja, Okene, Okehi, Ijumu, Kabba Bunu, Adavi, Ajaokuta, Yagba East and Bassa Local Government Areas.

*        Crude Oil: The Federal Government has started low level exploration of crude oil reserves at Idah Odolu, Alade and Ibaji.

Water Resources: The state is also endowed with large bodies of waters which make it suitable for commercial fish farming, particularly given the presence of the two biggest rivers in West Africa, Rivers Niger and Benue.