Solid Mineral Resources: Alternative Source of Revenue for the Nigerian Economy
The mining of solid minerals in Nigeria accounts for only 3% of its GDP, due to the influence of its vast oil resources. The domestic mining industry is grossly underdeveloped and that necessitate the need to import mineral resources that could be produced at home such as bitumen, iron ore, salt etc. The Nigeria government is presently controlling the sector but given rights to corporate organizations to mine and sell mineral resources. This paper tries to expose the potentiality in solid mineral resources as viable alternative to the petroleum sector, which production in Nigeria is unpredictable and the crisis in the region that produce the oil make unreliable as source earning for the country. This paper further shows areas where full private ownership or in partnership with federal, state or local communities can be encouraged, so as to fully developed the sector and generate a reasonable foreign exchange for the government and serve as an input to other sectors of the Nigerian economy. The study intends to provides additional sources of revenue for the government in view of the crisis in the oil producing region of the country and the study further show the available revenue generating options available to the government of Nigeria.
Problems and Strategies for Exploration of Solid Mineral Resources in Nigeria
Evidence revealed that mineral resources are available in large quantities and distributed across the country but the strategies for exploration has been the major obstacles to the success in Nigeria. This paper therefore, studies the problem and strategies for exploration of solid mineral resources in Nigeria. The objectives of the study is to examine the problems of solid mineral in Nigeria, the strategies for exploration of solid mineral in Nigeria and the way to attract investors to the sector for optimal exploration. Based on the findings of this study, the problems of solid minerals in Nigeria are inadequate basic infrastructural, illegal mining, unfavorable laws in the sector, high capital outlay, inadequate professional in the sector and many more. The strategies that can be used for exploration of solid mineral in Nigeria should includes resource control policy, exploration of mineral resources should be private sector, the tenure of the private miners should be secured and the establishment of fund to protect the environment should be provided. The study therefore conclude that there are many problems causing the hindrance of the progress of the sector in generating revenue to the country but the strategies mentioned in this study can be used to achieve success in the sector and make it viable for investors to come in and develop the sector for optimal benefit to the nation at large. Keyword: Solid Mineral, Mining, Mineral Resources, Investors.
Principles of engineering geology
This book discusses basic principles as well as the practical applications of geological survey and analysis. Topics covered include the mechanical and physical response of rocks, rock masses and soils to changes in environmental conditions, and the principles of groundwater flow. The core of the book deals with the collection of geological and technical data, its subsequent analysis, and application to design. The combination of rigorous and detailed discussion of theory and well-illustrated examples made the book an indispensable reference source and ideal course book for both geologists and civil engineers.