Geo-Physical Surveys in Nigeria Produces Interesting Finds

An on-going aerial geo-physical survey of the country, carried out by Fugro Airborne Survey Limited at a cost of $12 million, is producing interesting finds as new mineral and new mineral sites are being discovered. According to the Director General of the Nigerian Geophysical Survey Agency (NGSA), Dr. Siyan Malomo, occurrences of Lithium, which was never known to exist in Ekiti state, southwest Nigeria, were discovered. Also occurrences of Manganese were also discovered in Kebbi, northern Nigeria (while Lithium is highly valued in the making of electronic batteries, Manganese has its inexhaustible uses in the Chemical industry). In Zamfara, Osun and Niger states, new deposits of Tantalite and Columbite have been discovered for all their uses as alloys for strength and higher melting points, in glass to increase the index of refraction, and in surgical steel, as it is non-reactive and non-irritating to body tissues. Then in Edo, Zamfara, Benue, Nasarawa and Cross River states, new Barites sites have been detected.
Bentonite has also been discovered in Edo, Jigawa, Sokoto and Borno state (both Barites and Bentonites are important chemical mud in the drilling of oil).
  Dr. Malomo has pointed out that the duty of government is to confirm the existence of these mineral sites for the world to know, but that government resources cannot be ploughed into determining their reserves. It is now left for investors to apply for the data at the NGSA, study it and apply for an appropriate mining license at the Mining Cadastral Office in Abuja. Dr. Malomo also affirmed that the Nigerian Mineral map will keep changing every six months after the completion of the first phase of the Geo-physical survey and the beginning of the second phase to be sponsored by the World Bank.
  The Nigerian mineral sector has been positioned to add real value to the Nigerian economy, as it has the greatest potential for massive employment perhaps above the Oil and gas sector.