The Federal government yesterday raised hopes of a major break-through in the country's effort developing alternative mineral resource aside from oil and gas, when it revealed the discovery of gold to the depth of 3,000 meters with an estimated two million ounces in the Western part of Nigeria.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke who disclosed this at the presentation of the World Bank-sponsored Nigerian Airborne Geophysical Survey Data phase II in Abuja, said the import of the latest development is that Nigeria may well be on her way to joining countries like Ghana in supplying gold to the world market. According to Madueke, a coring done last year by the small mining companies, to the depth of 3,000 meters, has proved more than 300,000 ounces, with 2 million ounces estimated,
“ The importance of this fantastic piece of news is probably best appreciated within the context of the knowledge that Nigeria has gold schist belts in the western half of the country that are very similar to those of Ghana”, she said. She said surveys have shown that Nigeria is richly endowed with a range of solid minerals which if properly managed and exploited may in the near future become the engine of our national economic growth.
She said the Ministry has decided to place special focus on seven of the minerals which includes, bitumen/tar sand with estimated reserves of 27bn barrels of oil equivalent, coal (2.7 billion tonnes), iron ores (3 billion tonnes), limestone (2.23 billion tonnes), barytes (14 million tonnes) and lead/zinc sulphides one million tonnes) .
Madueke described the completion of the geophysical survey phase II as something that would facilitate mineral exploration, ground water prospecting, pollution and geo-hazard monitoring.
“The survey also measures the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRIM) which provide detailed information on terrains, vegetations, landforms, settlements, roads and drainages. The data is therefore extremely useful in security surveilance and development planning”, she said.
The Minister further said plans are underway geological, mineral and geo-chemical mapping of the country with a view to providing all the necessary data needed to adequately tap the mineral resources to our economic advantage.
She said the Ministry is putting in place a genstone certification process, adding that it has reached aggreement with internationally renowned Nigeria-born Jeweler to design a Jewelry line, using exclusively Nigerian gemstones.
This line of Jewelry will be launched for the international and domestic market in March this year, she said.
Earlier, the geologist involved in the preparation the survey data, Prof. Collins Reeves said a mechanism will be put in place to enable interested scientists to study, interpret and analyse the geophysical survey data and that the outcome of their study will be made public next year.
He said the experience of Brazil could be helpful in Nigeria quest for effective utilization of solid mineral resources.
all wat humans nd the "environmentally-carefree" ppl think abt is...destroy the earth in the name of looking for mineral resources, witout putting into consideration, consequences of their actions.
Its a good development, but as we knw dat naija has a very poor resource management record, our fingers will be crossed to see if the government can conserve the environment, instead of being greedy
2.0.
Posted: at 29-01-2010 11:36 PM (15 years ago) | Addicted Hero
God has blessed Nigeria. We are going to be the largest owners of gold in the world. They discovered a lot of other minerals too that will put us on top of the entire world.
We need good management so that our citizens can partake in our wealth.
Please pray for Nigeria so that we do better. Pray for our leaders that the life and concerns of Nigerians become their paramount goal.
We give God glory that Nigeria has been given a second chance with these latest discoveries of new minerals in abundance.
God bless Nigeria.
Posted: at 30-01-2010 07:17 AM (15 years ago) | Gistmaniac
ebonyxxx at 30-01-2010 02:33 PM (15 years ago) (m)
Re: Gold Discovered In South West « posted : Today at 07:13:14 AM »
why are we celebrating this? The only people with cause to celebrate are the swiss bankers! lol.
THAT IS THE TRUE TALK!!! BUT I DON'T BLAME THE SO CALL RULERS AND THE LEARNED ONCE A SLAVE IT WILL TAKE A GODS GRACE TO ACT LIKE A FREE MAN
BIBLE SAYS THOUGH THE ISRAELITES WENT OUT OF EGYPT A FREE MAN BUT IN THEIR HEART THEY STILL SEE THEMSELVES AS SLAVES NO WONDER OUT OF 600000MEN ONLY 2 MAKES IT TO THE LAND OF CANNAN.
OR HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE RATIONALE BEHIND THE ACTIONS OF NIGERIANS ELITES? WHEN A MAN STOLE LOADS OF MONEY AND TOOK IT TO ANOTHER COUNTRY THEIR OWN COUNTRY IS IN DISARRAY AND THE LOOTED MONEY IS BEING USE TO DEVELOP OYIBO LAND.
SLAVE WILL ALWAYS ACT AS A SLAVE. NO MATTER HOW WELL READ HE/SHE IS
GOLD AGAIN? WELL TIME WILL PROVE ME RIGHT
Posted: at 30-01-2010 02:33 PM (15 years ago) | Upcoming
Re: Gold Discovered In South West « posted : Today at 07:13:14 AM »
why are we celebrating this? The only people with cause to celebrate are the swiss bankers! lol.
THAT IS THE TRUE TALK!!! BUT I DON'T BLAME THE SO CALL RULERS AND THE LEARNED ONCE A SLAVE IT WILL TAKE A GODS GRACE TO ACT LIKE A FREE MAN
BIBLE SAYS THOUGH THE ISRAELITES WENT OUT OF EGYPT A FREE MAN BUT IN THEIR HEART THEY STILL SEE THEMSELVES AS SLAVES NO WONDER OUT OF 600000MEN ONLY 2 MAKES IT TO THE LAND OF CANNAN.
OR HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE RATIONALE BEHIND THE ACTIONS OF NIGERIANS ELITES? WHEN A MAN STOLE LOADS OF MONEY AND TOOK IT TO ANOTHER COUNTRY THEIR OWN COUNTRY IS IN DISARRAY AND THE LOOTED MONEY IS BEING USE TO DEVELOP OYIBO LAND.
SLAVE WILL ALWAYS ACT AS A SLAVE. NO MATTER HOW WELL READ HE/SHE IS