 Talc |
| Over 40 million tonnes deposits of talc have been
identified in Niger , Osun, Kogi, Ogun and Kaduna states.
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council
(RMRDC)'s 3,000 tonnes per annum catalytic Talc plant
in Niger state is the only talc plant in the country.
The talc industry represents one of the most versatile
sectors of the industrial minerals of the world. The
exploitation of the vast deposits would therefore satisfy
local demand and that for export. |
| |
| Gypsum |
| Gypsum is an important input for the production of
cement. It is also used for the production of Plaster
of Paris (P.O.P) and classroom chalks. A strategy for
large-scale mining of gypsum is urgently required to
sustain the existing plants and meet the future expansion.
Currently, cement production is put at 8 million tonnes
per annum while the national requirement is 9.6 million
tonnes. About one billion tonnes of gypsum deposits
are spread over many states in Nigeria. |
| |
| Iron
Ore |
| There are over 3 billion metric tonnes of iron
ore in deposits found in Kogi, Enugu and Niger States
as well as the Federal Capital Territory . Iron Ore
is being mined at Itakpe in Kogi State and is already
being beneficiated, up to 67 per cent of iron. The
Aladja and Ajaokuta Steel complexes are ready for
consumer of billets and other iron products for down-stream
industries. |
| |
| Lead/Zinc |
| An estimated 10 million tonnes of lead/zinc veins
are spread over eight states of Nigeria . Proven
reserves in three prospects in the east-central area
are 5 million tonnes. Joint venture partners are
encouraged to develop and exploit the various lead/zinc
deposits all over the country. |
|
| Bentonite
and Baryte |
| These are the main constituents of the mud used
in the drilling of all types of oil wells. The Nigerian
baryte has specific gravity of about 4.3. Over 7.5
million tonnes of baryte have been identified in
Taraba and Bauchi States. Large bentonite reserves
of 700 million tonnes are available in many states
of the federation ready for massive development and
exploitation. |
| |
| Gold |
| There are proven reserves of both alluvial and
primary gold in the schist belt of Nigeria located
in the south-western part of the country. The deposits
are mainly alluvial and are currently being exploited
on a small scale. Private investors are invited to
stake concessions on these primary deposits. |
| |
| Bitume |
| The occurrence of bitumen deposits in Nigeria is
indicated at about 42 billion tonnes; almost twice
the amount of existing reserves of crude petroleum.
Analytical results suggest that this potential resource
can be used directly as an asphalt binder. Most bitumen
used for road construction in Nigeria is currently
imported. |
| |
| Coal |
| Nigerian coal is one of the most bituminous in the
world owing to its low sulphur and ash content and
therefore the most environment-friendly. There are
nearly 3 billion tonnes of indicated reserves in 17
identified coal fields and over 600 million tonnes
of proven reserves. |
| |
| Rock Salt |
| The national annual demand for table salt, caustic
soda, chlorine, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydrochloric
acid and hydrogen peroxide exceeds one million tonnes.
A colossal amount of money is expended annually to
import these chemicals by chemical and processing companies
including tanneries and those in food and beverages,
paper and pulp, bottling and oil sector. There are
salt springs at Awe ( Plateau State ), Abakaliki and
Uburu ( Ebonyi State ), while rock salt is available
in Benue State . A total reserve of 1.5 million tonnes
has been indicated, and further investigations are
now being carried out by Government. |
| |
| Gemstones |
| Gemstones mining has boomed in various parts of Plateau,
Kaduna and Bauchi states for years. Some of these gemstones
include sapphire, ruby, aquamarine, emerald, tourmaline,
topaz, garnet, amethyst; zircon, and flourspar which
are among the world's best. Good prospects exist in
this area for viable investments. |
| |
| Kaolin |
| An estimated reserve of 3 billion tonnes of good
kaolinitic clay has been identified in many localities
in Nigeria . |
| |
