Challenges of Harnessing and Development of Solid Mineral Resources in Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the challenges of harnessing the potential solid mineral resources in Taraba State. The State is blessed with several solid mineral resources that are widely distributed across its length and breadth. The absence of legislation and poor law enforcement in the mining sector not only deprived the nation of the enormous wealth available from this sector, but also put the health and lives of millions of people in jeopardy. The study used both primary and secondary sources of data. The researchers visited several mining sites to see some of these solid minerals. The study revealed that some of the solid mineral resources found in the state include Gypsum, Marble, Feldspar, Sapphire, Laterite, Salt, Zircon, Barytes amongst others. Some of the challenges revealed by this study are lack of reliable and adequate data that would convince individuals and organizations that these solid minerals are available in commercial quantities, high exchange rate, lack of capital investment in solid mineral sector, inadequacy of adequate and qualified manpower and lack of modern technology to process the solid minerals into finished or semi-finished products. The paper therefore recommended that adequate data showing the quantity and quality, availability, and locations of these solid minerals should be fully made available by Government, community participation, provision of modern technology to process the solid minerals from semi-finished and finished products should be provided by the concerned authorities and private sector participation should equally be encouraged.

Keywords: Challenges, harnessing, solid, minerals, Taraba State