By Sanda Yusuf
Kogi State is located in the Central Region of Nigeria. Created on 27th August, 1996, Kogi State has a land mass area. approximately 30,354.74 Square kilometers, the lands Geological properties is characterized by Precambrian Rock, Sedimentary Rock, and Volcanic Rocks (Igara hills). This unique State is bordered by 9 States ,which gives its a strategic position in the Nigeria’s economy System. The economic activities of these 9 States influences and affects Kogi state directly or indirectly. The State is driven by Mining, Agriculture and Manufacturing activities.
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Kogi state has a long history of Solid Mineral Raw material extraction as the 1st Capital of the Nigeria dating back to the Colonial Era. The State diverse and Rich Mineral deposit were 1st exploited by the British Colonial Authorities, who extracted Tin, Columbite and other Minerals, but all these mining activities declined after Nigeria got her independence, but in recent years a resurgence of interest in the sector has resurfaced.
The state is richly endowed with diverse Solid Minerals, these minerals have been deposited for over Millions of Year, making Kogi state a Significant Player in the Mining industry and in the economy of Nigeria. The state is blessed with 32 Solid Minerals resources.
This Article provides a comprehensive 360-degree overview of the Solid Mineral Raw Material in Kogi State. The State’s rich geological heritage and diverse mineral deposits makes it an important player in the country’s Mining sector.
MINERAL RESOURCES FOUND IN KOGI STATE
| SOLID MINERALS | LOCATION | INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION |
| 1. Amethyst | Adavi,Okene,Bassa,Yagba West,Lokoja | For ornaments. |
| 2. Beryl | Adavi,Lokoja,Mopa Moro,Yagba East | For ornaments. |
| 3. Bismuth | Adavi and Yagba West | For medicine, cosmetics, casting, used in instrument for measuring magnetic field strength, use in flows copy. |
| 4. Brine | Bassa | For chemicals and food. |
| 5. Cassiterite (Tin Ore) | Yagba East, Kabba/Bunu, Mopa -Moro, Ofu, Okehi. | Canning, soldering, coating, tin plate bronze, dyeing, printing and metal containers. |
| 6. Chromite Sand | Dekina. | Production of Ferro-alloys, used in foundries stainless steel. |
| 7. Clay | All over twenty-one L.G.A of the state. | Brick making, clay pipes pottery, ceramics, building materials, floor and wall tiles, furnace lining, electrical insulators proclaim, sewer pipes sockets, switches. |
| 8.Coal | Ankpa, Dekina, Omaha, Olamaboro, Idah, Kogi, Ibaji, Igala-mela /Odolu. | Locomotive fuel, electricity generation, explosive domestic and individual uses smelting, chemicals. |
| 9. Columbite | Yagba East,Yagba West, Kabba/ Bunu, Mopa -Moro, Ofu, Ajaokuta, Okehi. | Alloys, Niobium metal, dental and surgical equipment, electrical for welding. |
| 10. Dolomite | Adavi, Bassa, Kogi, Ofu. | Glass, paints, lime, cement, ceramic, iron ore, and steel, refining, bleaching powder, calcium carbide chemicals and pharmaceuticals products, fertilizer, filler in rubber, plastics, soap, detergents. In agriculture for livestock concentrate and land fertility. Building and furnishing, such as flooring, wall cladding Palladian, monumental and ornamental items. |
| 11. Feldspar | Adavi,Okene, Ijumu,Ogori-Magongo, Lokoja, Yagba- West | Glass, Pyrex, pottery, ceramics, fillers, in glass and paints. |
| 12. Garnet | Bassa | For ornamentals and abrasives. |
| 13. Gas | Ibaji, Igala-mela /Odolu | Petrol, energy production. |
| 14. Gemstone | Yagba-East, Ijumu, Kabba/Bunu, Adavi, Okene, Ajaokuta, Lokoja, Bassa and Dekina | Jewellery, ornaments and abrasives. |
| 15. Gold | Yagba-East, Yagba- West, Kabba/Bunu, Mopa-Moro | Jewellery ornaments. |
| 16. Granite | All over Western part of Kogi state, Lokoja, Okene, Okehi, Ijumu, Yagba-East, | Road and building construction, office and home furnishing. |
| 17. Iron-Ore | Okehi, Adavi, Lokoja, Bassa, Dekina and Ijumu, Yagba- West. | Industrial machines, alloys, oxides, tools, civil and construction works, ship building, rails, automobiles, air craft, office and house hold products. |
| 18. Kaolin | Lokoja, Yagba- West, Yagba-East Kabba/Bunu, Adavi, Okene, Kogi, Ofu, Ankpa | Chalk, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, fillers in papers, paints, adhesives, and plastics |
| 19. Kyannie | Yagba-East, Kabba/Bunu, | Used in refractoriness and ceramics products, electrical insulators and abrasives. |
| 20. Manganese | Mopa -Moro, Yagba-East, Yagba- West, Lokoja | Steel making as deoxidizer and Ferro-alloys and in chemical industry. |
| 21. Marble (Limestone) | Yagba-East, Yagba- West, Lokoja, Kabba/Bunu, Ijumu, Okene, Ofu. | Glass, paints, lime, cement, iron and steel, refining, bleaching powder, calcium carbide, chemical and pharmaceutical products, fertilizer, filler in rubber, plastics, soap and detergents. In agriculture for livestock concentrates and land fertility. building and furnishing, such as flooring, wall cladding Palladian, monumental and ornamental items. |
| 22. Mica | Yagba-East, Yagba- West, Lokoja, Mopa -Moro, Okehi, Ogori. | Electrical and heat insulators equipment used as filters in plastics, paints, ceramics, and wall papers, Christmas tree snow and decoration. |
| 23. Petroleum | Ibaji, Igala-mela/Odolu. | Kerosene, petrol, diesel-oil, lubricant and candle wax. |
| 24. Precious Quartz | Lokoja, Ijumu. | For ornaments. |
| 25. Quartz | Lokoja, Yagba-East , Okehi, Adavi Okene. | Glass, lenses, refractory materials, porcelain oscillation plates, building construction. |
| 26. Radioactive Minerals | Kabba/Bunu | Energy production. |
| 27. Rurile/ Limonite | Yagba-West, Adavi. | Used as refractory in ceramics, paints, plastics and welding electrodes. |
| 28. Sand Stone (Silica Sand) | All over the state. | Road and building construction, ceramics. |
| 29. Talc | Yagba-East, Mopa-Moro. | Paints, ceramics, cosmetics, paper, textiles and rubber. |
| 30. Tantalite | Yagba-East, Lokoja, Kabba/Bunu, Mopa-Moro, Ajaokuta, Ofu, Okehi. | Alloys, tantalum, metal, dental and surgical equipments, electrodes for welding, air craft components. |
| 31. Tourmaline | Yagba-East, Kabba/Bunu, Mopa-Moro, Ajaokuta, Ijumu. | Therapeutic, hair straightness and natural insecticides. |
| 32. Zircon | Bassa. | Used in foundry, paints, bricks, chemicals, alloys and gas gemstones. |
The Solid Mineral Sector is characterized by
A.) Artisanal and Small Scale mining.
B.) Limited Large Scale mining operations
CHALLENGES FACING SOLID MINERAL SECTOR IN KOGI STATE
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1.Inadequate Funding: Insufficient Capital to explore and Exploit Mineral deposits.
2.Poor infrastructure, lack of access roads and Electricity and water supply.
3.Environmental challenges: deforestation, pollution a d Health Risk (Hazards)
THERE ARE NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOLID MINERAL SECTOR
1. Diversification of economy: Solid minerals can contribute significantly to the state’s GDP.
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2. Job creation: Mining operations can generate employment opportunities.
3. Export earnings: Solid minerals can generate foreign exchange earnings
THE LONG TERM PROSPECTS AND RIPPLE EFFECT OF SOLID MINERALS SECTOR IN KOGI STATE
1. Increased investment: Attracting local and foreign investment to the sector.
2. Improved regulation: Effective laws and enforcement to ensure sustainability.
3. Infrastructural development: Upgrading infrastructure to support mining activities
RMRDC, in Kogi State is strategically positioned to boost the Usage of our Local Raw Material for industrialization and Development of Kogi state economy and the nation at large.
These Deliberate strategies are:
- A collaborative effort to work with Mining Companies to compliment the efforts of both Federal and State Government in the achievement of a sustainable development of the Solid Mineral Sector e.g.
- Visit to Kaolin Mining site at Ojuwolijo at Ofu LGA to strategize modalities on the awareness and publicity of the solid mineral in the state and Nigeria.
- The State Coordinator’s visit to Coal mining site at okaba, Ankpa LGA for siting and onward steps for a comprehensive partnership
- A visit to the Feldspar mining site in Ofu LGA.
B. RMRDC, strategically put in place an in-depth analysis and information system that can promote the utilization of Solid Mineral minerals and their location.
C.) RMRDC, has critically identified the challenges and massive opportunities abounding in the Solid Mineral Sector in Kogi State.
D.) RMRDC, offers professional advisory counsel and best recommendations to investors for a sustainable future development and Growth of the Mining sector through utilization of Solid Mineral Raw Materials
In conclusion, the Solid Mineral sector in Kogi State has a rich history, diverse Mineral deposits, and significant potential for growth. Addressing the challenges and leveraging the opportunities will be crucial to unlocking the sector’s full potential and contributing to the state’s economic development and Nigeria industrialization.
