By Kolawole King
Chief Executive Officer, Augustina Impex Limited
📍
Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Zircon Sand is increasingly becoming a critical industrial
mineral on the global stage, with applications spanning ceramics, foundries,
refractories, electronics, and the nuclear energy sector. While many associate
zircon production with Australia and South Africa, Nigeria is fast
emerging as an untapped source of high-quality Zircon Sand with
excellent commercial potential.
At Augustina Impex Limited, we are proud to be among
the few companies actively involved in the sourcing, processing, and export
of zircon sand from Nigeria to global markets.
Zircon Sand (ZrSiO₄) is a naturally occurring mineral used
primarily as an opacifier in ceramics and in casting molds for the foundry
industry. It is also used in the production of zirconium-based chemicals and
fused zirconia, and it plays a critical role in nuclear energy due to its heat
resistance and low neutron absorption properties.
In Nigeria, zircon sand deposits are often found as a
byproduct of tin and columbite mining in areas such as:
- Jos
and Barkin Ladi (Plateau State)
- Nasarawa
State
- Kogi
State
- Bauchi
and Gombe States
These regions are rich in alluvial and placer deposits,
where zircon occurs alongside other heavy minerals like monazite, ilmenite, and
rutile. With artisanal and small-scale miners already extracting tin and
columbite, the recovery of zircon sand offers an additional revenue stream
and export potential.
Nigeria holds a competitive edge in the zircon trade due to:
- Untapped
reserves in mineral-rich belts
- Low
cost of production compared to global suppliers
- Proximity
to major ports like Lagos (Lekki Port) and Port Harcourt (Onne Port)
- An eager
labor force and expanding infrastructure
Furthermore, as international buyers seek diversification
of supply chains, Nigeria is well-positioned to meet emerging demand in
Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
🔹 Applications of Zircon Sand
Zircon’s utility spans across various industries:
- Ceramics:
Used in tiles, sanitary ware, and tableware as an opacifier
- Foundries:
For casting molds and coatings due to its thermal stability
- Refractories:
Essential in the manufacture of high-temperature bricks and linings
- Glass
& Electronics: In specialized optical and electronic glass
products
- Nuclear
Energy: As a zirconium alloy component in nuclear reactors
At Augustina Impex Limited, we specialize in:
- Sourcing
zircon sand from verified artisanal and small-scale miners
- Testing
and grading material through certified Nigerian laboratories
- Packaging
and exporting in jumbo bags or 50kg sacks
- Facilitating
transactions with foreign buyers and investors
Our operations are fully licensed by the Nigerian
Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and we provide complete export documentation
including:
- Full
Corporate Offers (FCO)
- Certificates
of Origin
- Certificates
of Analysis
- Commercial
Invoices and Packing Lists
- Export
Permits
We currently offer zircon sand grades with 40–50% ZrO₂
content, and our products are available at competitive FOB prices from
Nigeria's seaports.
We are actively seeking joint venture partners,
equipment financiers, and long-term buyers who are interested in:
- Expanding
local mineral processing
- Establishing
regional collection centers
- Investing
in direct procurement operations
- Entering
long-term offtake agreements
With rising global demand and local supply capacity, zircon
sand represents one of the most lucrative mineral export opportunities in
Nigeria today.
As the global industrial and energy sectors continue to
grow, zircon sand will remain a key raw material. With abundant
reserves, low production costs, and an increasingly supportive regulatory
environment, Nigeria stands on the verge of becoming a significant player in
the global zircon market.
Augustina Impex Limited is ready to lead the
way—connecting Nigerian zircon to the world.
For inquiries, partnership discussions, or sample requests,
please reach out to us:
Chief Executive Officer
Augustina Impex Limited
📱 WhatsApp: +2349060904274
📧 Email: augustinaimpex@gmail.com
🌐 Website: www.augustinaimpex.com.ng
🔗 Alternate Site: https://augustinaimpex.wixsite.com/augustina-impex-limi
