Mineral Resources Exploitation, Processing and Utilization - A Sine Qua Non for Nigeria's...

Adaptation by Engr. Udochukwu Mark on 08/12/2011


i

MINERAL RESOURCES EXPLOITATION, PROCESSING

AND UTILIZATION – A SINE QUA NON FOR NIGERIA’S

METALLURGICAL INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

INAUGURAL LECTURE SERIES 5

Delivered at

FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OWERRI

On Wednesday, 17th

July, 2002

By

OKECHUKWU ONYEBUCHI ONYEMAOBI

B.S. (Nevada), M.S. (VPI & SU), PhD (Nottingham)

MNSE, MNICA, MSAN, COREN

PROFESSOR OF METALLURGICAL AND MATERIALS ENGINEERING

(MINERAL PROCESSING ENGINEERING)


i

© 2002

Produced by FUTO Press

Federal University of Technology, Owerri

Printed by Fylann Ltd.

40A Wetheral Road, Owerri

Phone: 083-232227


ii

This page is intentionally left blank. The inaugural lecturer’s

picture was on this page in the printed version but has been

removed due to copywright restrictions


1

MINERAL RESOURCES EXPLOITATION, PROCESSING AND

UTILIZATION - A SINE QUA NON FOR NIGERIA'S

METALLURGICAL INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

The Vice Chancellor,

Deputy Vice Chancellors (Academic and Administration),

Principal Officers of the University,

Deans of Schools and Directors of Units,

Heads of Departments,

My Lords Spiritual and Temporal,

Fellow Academic and Professional Colleagues,

Distinguished Guests and Friends of the University,

Gentlemen of the Press,

Great FUTOITES;

It gives me great pleasure to be a speaker today. I had longed for this day. This is the

day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice. I want to start this lecture by praying that God

who made it possible for me to give this lecture, bless all of you. May God take all the glory

in Jesus Name! Amen.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

It is my great delight and privilege to be the Guest speaker today 17th July, 2002. Why?

This is an Inaugural Lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, the climax of

Academics, as a Professor in my area. It is the 2nd

Inaugural Lecture from the Department of

Materials and Metallurgical Engineering of this Great University. The first was given by Prof

V.O. Nwoko, an eminent unassuming, Emeritus Professor of this University. Prof. V.O.

Nwoko gave the 3rd

Inaugural Lecture of the University when I transferred from the Federal

University of Technology Akure to FUTO as a Senior Lecturer. In Senate, I had spoken on

the need for Inaugural Lectures in FUTO. I went on Sabbatical Leave to Akure at the end of

January 2002. I was challenged by the Lectures given by Professors who were promoted after

me. I prepared this lecture during this time. I want to say with all boldness that FUTO should

have an Inaugural Lecture culture. In the Federal University of Technology Akure, people

indicate when they are ready to give their Inaugural lecture. In FUTA this year three


2

professors have given their inaugural lectures, however a decision was taken recently that

Inaugural lectures should be held quarterly in the University. I hope this academic feast will

be sustained in FUTO.

The title of my lecture as advertised is “MINERAl RESOURCES EX-

PLOITATION, PROCESSING AND UTILIZATION - A SINE QUA NON FOR

NIGERIA'S METALLURGICAL INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.” One might ask,

why this topic? It is because Nigeria has neglected its God given resources that I have

decided to talk on this topic. The lecture will enlighten the audience on the importance of

utilizing the resources God has blessed us with for industrial growth. An attempt will also be

made to present my modest academic and practical contributions in this area to date. The

lecture will he presented under the following headings:

Mineral Resources in Nigeria for Sustainable Developments

My Modest Contribution Through Research and Development

Utilization of Minerals

Conclusion and Recommendation

Acknowledgement

2.0 MINERAL RESOURCES IN NIGERIA FOR SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENTS

This lecture will be started with two stories. The first was when as a Graduate Student

in Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA, my

Department had a Seminar in 1977. My Head of Department introduced me to a British

Professor who had just given the Seminar. In the audience my humble-self was the only

black man in attendance. The British Professor was excited to know that a Nigerian

Graduate Student was present to hear him as he had just come back from Lagos as a

consultant to the Nigerian Government on its Steel Project. He said, "Your country wants to

start a Steel Project in Ajaokuta. You have the Raw Materials, etc. but you will have

problems". This statement was made in 1977. Today in 2002 do we have problems or not?

This British Professor was a prophet. We started with Backward Integration, spent billions

of money importing billets from Guinea, Brazil, Liberia etc. instead of using our raw

materials at Itakpe. The second story is one told me by a colleague some years ago when we


3

were at Lake Nwaebere. There was an expatriate Mathematics lecturer in the University we

all know very well. He told my friend that your country is blessed. You can leak oranges and

after that throw the seeds away through your window and they will germinate. In his own

country if you did that the seeds would not germinate as the land is frozen most of the time.

We are lucky in this country, as God has blessed Nigeria with many things; the country has

abundant human, mineral and material resources that would make us self-reliant if properly

harnessed. We also have a good weather.

2.10 NIGERIA'S EARLY SOURCE OF REVENUE

In the early seventies, Nigeria was regarded as a rich country. At that time, the black

gold attracted a lot of revenue into the country. As a result of oil, all efforts of past

Governments were concentrated towards oil exploration and exploitation. Revenue accruing

from the oil sector was used in developing many sectors of the economy. Other sources of

revenue such as solid minerals, agriculture etc. were neglected (Onyemaobi, 1995a).

If adequate steps were taken to diversify our economy, the effect of rise and fall of the

price of oil would have been minimal on the economy. Prior to the discovery of oil in

Nigeria, the colonial masters depended on agricultural products such as cocoa, palm oil,

cotton, and groundnuts to mention a few. In the early Sixties solid minerals produced over

twenty percent of Nigeria's revenue and was useful in development. Tin mining and

processing started in 1903 in Jos, Plateau State. Makeri Smelting Company was established

to process and smelt tin for export. Revenue from tin was used in developing that area, and

Jos attracted a lot of foreigners. Coal mining started in Obwetti Enugu in 1915. Coal

production increased to a peak of about one million tonnes per annum in 1958 (Onyemaobi,

1991a). In the early 1960’s Enugu was popularly known as "Coal City" because of the impact

of coal from the mines. Oji River power station used coal as sources of fuel (Onyemaobi,

1988a). The locomotives of the Nigerian Railway Corporation in the then Eastern Region of

Nigeria were fired by coal prior to dieselization by the Nigeria Railway Corporation. Coal

was also exported and this was a source of foreign exchange for the colonial masters and the

post-independence leaders. Homes used coal instead of firewood for cooking and recently

coal briquettes are in the market in Enugu for people who cannot afford cooking gas or

kerosene. These are not the only solid minerals in Nigeria. Galena was also developed in the


4

Abakaliki area. However, with time these minerals were abandoned for oil. In this lecture,

other minerals will be discussed and their uses enumerated. If these mineral resources are

developed like in other countries, there will be enough revenue for National development.

Nigeria's over dependence on oil will be a thing of the past (Onyemaobi, 2001 a).

2.20 OTHER MINERAL RESOURCES IN NIGERIA

Nigeria is one of the countries endowed with a full share of mineral resources. Table 1

is a partial list of other non-oil minerals located throughout the country. The table is not

exhaustive, as only some of the major minerals have been included. It can be seen that there

is a geographical spread of the minerals from the North to the South of the country. Many of

these are still to be exploited or developed.

Table 1: Some Mineral Resources in Nigeria

MINERAL

MAJOR AREAS OF

OCCURRENCE

QUANTITY OF

DEPOSIT

(TONNES)

USES EXPLOITABILITY

1. IRON ORE

Itakpe and Agbaja, Lokoja, Kogi, Birnin

Kebbi

813 Million with an average of 45% iron

content

Primary constituent

of many types

of steels and provides essential material for the

many and varied needs of

engineering

Exploitation

2. LIGNITE Abamkpa& Ogwashi-

Ukwu in Delta State, Orlu in Imo State

70 Million

It is pressed into

blocks and used as fuel

Exploitation

3.LIMESTONE Nkalagu,Nasara,

Ifon Calabar, Sokoto,

Gombe, Ukpilla.

Ewekoro

Extensive large

deposits

Used in the cement

Industry. Also used

as a metallurgical

flux

Most being

Exploited


5

4. MANGANESE Calabar, Kaduna,

Borno, Oyo Small quantities

Used as an alloy in

strengthening and

toughening steel

Investigation and

Evaluation going on

5. MAGNESITE Gongola, Adamawa Low

Refractory in steel

production as alloy Under investigation

6. MARBLE Jakuru in Kwara State,

Ukpilla in Edo State,

Plateau, Benue

100 Million

Manufacture of tiles

and abrasive in soap

industry

All being exploited

except Plateau

7. MICA Egbe in Kwara

State/Kogi Small quantities

Used electrically as an

insulator and as a filler

in ceramic products

Exploited

8.MOLYBONITE Kaduna Not yet known Corrosion protection Partial investigation

9.NICKEL Oyo, Ilesha Not yet known

Impart Toughness and

Strength Partial investigation

10. PHOSPHATE Sokoto, Ogun

Commercial

quantities

Manufacture of

phosphorus Full Exploitation

11. PYROCHLORE

(Containing 3.3%

Uranium) Kano, Jos, Sokoto Yet to be determined Nuclear Industry Yet to be determined

12.SALT Brine spring in

Nasarawa State,

Afikpo, Cross River

Yet to be determined For domestic and

industrial use Exploitation

13. FELDSPAR

(Commonly called

potash)

Egbe in Kabba,

Oshogbo, Dass, Bauchi

State

Commercial

quantities Earthenware materials Exploitation

14.FLOURSPAR

F.C.T. Abuja Not yet known

Used in enameling and

in the chemical and

glass industries

Potential investigation

15. GALENA &

SPHALERITE (ore

of lead and zinc) They are usually found

together in Isiagu

through to Abakiliki

areas and Zurak –

Plateau State

Very large Quantity

They are used as

coating material for

steels, making of dry

batteries and

photographic plates in

the case of zinc production, etc.

Exploitation


6

16. GLASS &

TAR SAND Okitipupa Very large Raw material Exploitation

17. GOLD

Ilesha, Waya-Kebbi

State, Bimin Gwari,

Kaduna State

Small quantities

Chiefly used for making

jewelries and other

ornamental and

household

decorations

Exploitation

18. GRANITE,

STONE Ishiagu, etc.

2.8 Million

Construction material

for roads, house, etc. Exploited

l9.GRAPHITE Niger, Zaria Not Net known Dry cell battery Partial

20.GYPSUM

Sokoto, Kebbi. Bornu,

Yobe, Anambra Not Net known

Stone glass cutting used in cement and fertilizer

industries, used for

making plaster of Paris

(POP)

Evaluation, partial

Investigation and

exploitation

21. KAOLIN

CLAY

Edo, Delta. Kogi.

Plateau, Kaduna,

Katsina, Ogun, Kano,

Sokoto. Jigawa, Kebbi

70 Million Ceramics manufacture

Partial, full evaluation

and exploitation of most

deposits

22.KAOLINITE Ozobulu in Anambra State

50 Million Refractory material Being partially exploited

23. SILICA SAND

DEPOSITS

Anambra, Benue, Edo,

Kano, Sokoto, Lagos, Ondo

Large Used in the production

of refractories Partial investigation

24. SILMONITE Oyo Low Same as above Partial investigation

25.SILVER (The

same as in

GOLD; Nigeria’s

gold contains some silver)

Same as in GOLD

Very small

quantities

Used for electroplating

and in making nozzles,

etc. it is also used in the

dairy, brewery and chemical industries

Exploited

26. SODA ASH Borno,Yobe, Jigawa Not yet known

Manufacture of soda used

in Breweries, etc.

No systematic study

Has been carried out

27. SULPHUR

Abakaliki Very small

quantities

Used in making

sulphuric acid which is

used in vulcanizing

rubber

Same as above


7

28.TALC Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Niger

Okobu – Kogi State Not yet

French chalk

Partial preliminary

investigation

29.TAUMALINE Kaduna 1.5 Million Used in high

temperature alloying Not yet exploited

30. VANADIUM F.C.T. Abuja 1 Million Alloying element that increases strength and

toughness

Under investigation

31. ILLEMENITE B/Ladi Plateau State Not vet known Resistance to wear,

useful in alloying Steel Detailed investigation

32. WOFERAMITE

(ore to tungsten)

Plateau, Bachi, Kano,

Benue Not yet known

Alloying element used

in lamp and

x-ray tubes, nuclear

reactors

Exploited

33. ZIRCON Plateau, Bauchi, Kaduna,

Ondo 1000,000

Used in nuclear power

stations for its heat and

corrosion resistance

Not yet exploited

34. BARIUM COMPOUND

Anambra, Benue, Plateau

Not yet known

Used as a paints,

pigments in

Rubber and oil

industries

etc.

Exploited

35.BARYTE Plateau, Benue and

Adamawa

500,000

in Azara

(others not yet

known)

Used as a ligament and extender for paints,

also used in the paper,

petroleum,

pharmaceutical

industries and many

other places

Mining by NMDC, Azara

only; partial preliminary

exploitation of' others

36.BAUXITE Adamawa, Taraba, Cross

River, AkwaIbom Not yet known

Extraction of

Aluminum

profiles

Not yet exploited

37.CASSITERITE

(ore of tin) Jos, Bauchi, Zaria, Kano

Yet to be

determined

as at this publication

It is used as a wrapping

material for food

products

and also as a coating material for domestic

utensil

Exploitation

38.CHROMITE

SAND

Bar Beach, Badagry,

Lagos Vary large

Glass making,

Fluorescent and bulb

tubes

Investigation and evaluation

taking place


8

39.CLAYS

Abeokuta, Okigwe,

Benin Very large

It is used for local pottery

and also in bricks and tiles

making

Exploited

40.COAL

.

Enugu, Anambra,

Benue, Plateau,

Kwara, Bauchi,

Okaba-Odagbo, Ondo,

Gombe, etc.

640 Million

Used as a metallurgical

fuel and reducing agent in

the refining of metal from

their ores

Mining is presently

going on

41. COLUMBITE

(ore of Niobium)

Jos, Nasarawa and

Akwanga in Benue

State

Major world

producer

Used as an alloying

element for hardening steel

in extraction processes

Exploited

42. DIATOMITE Bornu Emirate in

Bornu State Limited quantities

Used as an insulating

material and as an

absorbent in the

manufacture of explosive.

It is also used as a

refractory material

Exploited

43. DOLOMITIC

LIMESTONE

Igbeti in Oyo State,

Itobo in Kabba,

Kwakuti, Lafia and

Buran in Niger State

Limited quantities Used as basic refractory

material Exploited

44. BENTONITE Mben – Bornu State Reconnaissance Binder used in the

Chemical industry Detailed investigation


9

2.30 MINERAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

Britain mostly depends on the National Coal Board (NCB) for fuel to run the different

Electricity Boards. Russia and China have large reserves of Coal also used for the same

purpose. It is ironical that Nigeria has over 640 million tonnes of proven reserves of coal,

which if developed will help NEPA. The impact of the Ministry of Solid Minerals has not

been felt by all and sundry. Recently there has been a clamour for the establishment of a

Solid Minerals Development Commission (SMDC).

After this lecture was written, the author found this information, which is in line with

my presentation. Nigeria's Coal reserves have increased to 3.480 billion metric tonnes,

indicating over 50 percent increase from 1.680 billion metric tonnes reported over five years

ago. The appreciable increase in coal reserves is coming just as the House of Representatives

Committee on Solid Minerals Development has started sensitizing the private sector on the

thrust of a new national policy on solid minerals, which is aimed at creating a conducive

environment for both local and foreign investments in the sector (Udeala, 2002). According

to the report released by the Nigerian Coal Corporation (NCC) while proven reserves, stand

at 640 million metric tonnes that of inferences showed more than 2.74 billion metric tonnes.

The report reveals that the exploitation of the country's huge coal deposit would enable

Ajaokuta Steel Plant to consume not less than 200,000 metric tonnes annually. The Nigerian

coal has sulphur content of less than one percent and low ash content; it has the capacity for

direct domestic use and as industrial fuel. Nigerian coal is very attractive to both local and

foreign customers.

In 1979, the Nigerian Coal Corporation in Enugu was mechanized and a Coal

Preparation Plant was built at Obwetti by Kopex of Poland and handed over to management.

The long wall system in Onveama mines was not successful as it was abandoned because of

flooding. However, reactivation of the mine has taken place. In addition to the underground

mine in Enugu there are other deposits in Benue and Bauchi States that are developed by

surface equipment. To develop a mineral takes a long time from the time of discovery. A

mine design is undertaken by experts. During this design different criteria determine if under-

ground is to be used or an open pit method. After this, decisions have to be made


10

on what to do in order to exploit the mineral. A model widely used in the industry is the

CPM-PERT model or Critical-Path Model – Project Evaluation and Review Technique. Let

us consider a typical mine where activities start at 1 and end at node 5, but jobs 2,4,3 have to

be done as shown in figure 1.

Figure l: Specific work for a mine operation

Let be the occurrence time of event j,- 1, 2…5. Let be the duration of activity (c, j).

The objective here is to determine the earliest start time for each activity or cost of activity.

This is equivalent to determining the smallest occurrence time for event 5 subject to

appropriate constraints. Thus, the equivalent linear programming model becomes:

where can arbitrarily be set equal to zero. Notice that the above formulation automatically

guarantees that none of the variable will be negative so that there is no need to include the

constraint explicitly (Taha, 1971). In the above formulation, there are as many

constraints as the number of activities.


11

In general, for a network with N events, the linear programming model becomes:

for all defined activities (i, j).

Solving the different problems can help management determine the first, second, third

and last work to be done in mine development. There are packages that are available in

industry. Cost durations can also be incorporated into the model. Mine managers make

decisions on daily and hourly basis. These days most of the mines are

computerized/automated and faults are easily detected.

Most of the minerals development in the country are from surface pits since the beds

are shallow. Enugu Coal is the major underground operation. This makes production cost for

Enugu Coal very high. The surface pit does not require much expertise and it is easy to start

one. In the Jos/Bukuru area there are many paddocks. Many of the operators just scoop the

mineral from the ground and wash off the impurities. In limestone or other mineral

developing operations, drilling, blasting and mucking operations are carried out. The

mineral/ore is sent to a processing section to remove the concentrate from the gangue.

2.40 BITUMEN DEVELOPMENT FROM TAR-SAND

There is Tar sand in the country from which bitumen can be produced. A typical case is

the Tar sand deposit in Okitipupa, Ondo State. It will be mentioned here that if the Tar sand

deposit had been developed since the idea was initiated, the country would have been self-

sufficient in the need for bitumen. Prior to the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) it

was estimated that to extract bitumen from the Tar sand would cost over one and one fifth

billion (N 1.20 billion). A lot of this would go into the purchase of equipment and machinery.

It should be emphasized that the Ministry of Solid Minerals should as a matter of priority

look into the development of the Tar sand deposit in Ondo State so that the perennial

shortage of bitumen would be a thing of the past. Some years ago, the author was part of a

team of consultants who worked on the development of the Tar sand (Onyemaobi, 1995b).

2.50 PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL DEVELOPERS

Many people would be employed in the process and revenue from the products would


12

help sustain the Nigerian economy. The by-products could also be exported to earn foreign

exchange. The mineral resources in Table 1 have been left in the hands of private

entrepreneurs or illegal miners. They should have been developed to sustain the economy as

it is done in countries like Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra

Leone and Zambia.

There has been a running battle between Government and illegal miners in Ilesha.

Millions of Naira are lost yearly through the activities of the unscrupulous individuals.

Deaths also occur because of lack of standards. It is not only gold in Illesha, where this takes

place; the activities of miners not approved by government are also widespread in the

northern part of the country. Minerals are smuggled through the boarders to other parts of the

continent without paying royalties to the Government.

2.60 STRATEGIC MINERALS

Iron-Manganese Niobotantalate ore (Fe, Mn) (Nb, Ta)5O6 is known to occur naturally in

certain locations in the Jos-Bukuru and Benue valley areas of the North. This ore is the major

source of two of the most strategic metals in the chemical and metallurgical industries, i.e.

Niobium (Nb) and Tantalum (Ta). Nigeria is known to account for about three-quarters of the

world production of niobite. Niobum metal is best known in connection with HSLA (High

Strength Low Alloy) Steel, heat resistant alloys in aerospace vehicle engines and supersonic

air crafts (Onyemaobi et al, 1999c). To date the ore is not fully developed. It is apparent that

if full-scale development and processing of the ore are carried out, the product will be useful

in biomedical engineering and manufacture of chemical equipment used in surgery. It is also

used in steel making, electronic components mainly tantalum capacitors, and high

temperature applications will gain from the development of tantalum ores. Private

entrepreneurs can plough some of their funds into the development of the solid mineral

sector. Products from this sector can be used as refractories, ingots, metal powders and

alloys. This will reduce the flight of foreign exchange that is used in the importation of the

above. At present, some of these ores are exploited and shipped abroad. The establishment of

the processing section is imperative for sustainable development. There are some of the by

products from the processing plant that are very useful in this era of information technology.


13

2.70 IRON AND STEEL SECTOR

Nigeria has toyed with steel production since the 1970's. A nation that controls steel

controls the world. Many advanced countries dump cheap subsidized steel into the third

world. Three rolling mills were established in Oshogbo, Jos and Katsina in addition to

Ajaokuta Steel Complex Limited(ASCL) and Delta Steel Complex (DSC), Aladja. Ajaokuta

is to be fed with super concentrates from Itakpe, Kogi State. The quality of ore from Itakpe is

of low Fe content and there is no coking coal in Nigeria. The Iron Ore from Itakpe is not

suitable for Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) of DSC. The Itakpe deposit has a reserve of about

300 million metric tonnes (Onyemaobi, I989a; Uwadiale, 1989; Onyemaobi, 1991a and

Bassev 2001). The Nigerian Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMC) has over the years

produced iron ore concentrate and stock piled it for onward transmission to Ajaokuta for the

Blast Furnace (BF) Operations. It is envisaged that NIOMC would supply Ajaokuta Steel

Company 2.15 million tonnes of the iron concentrate annually while DSC would import

1.5million tonnes for its Direct Reduction Process (Bassey, Olich and Ovwata, 2001).

However in between the line Government decided to import billets from abroad. This

has gulped Billions of Naira. We know the effect on our economy. The government should

have used the research findings at National Metallurgical Centre, Jos, the Universities and

other Research Centres that had worked on upgrading of Itakpe Iron Ore for Steel

Production.

2.80 EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MINERALS

It is ironical that most of the equipment required in this subsector are imported from abroad.

To develop a mine heavy machinery like Bulldozers, Scrapers, Power Shovels, Compressors,

Jack Hammer Drills, Trucks etc. are used. After the exploitation of the ore, the mineral is sent

to a processing plant. In this place, crushers and grinding mills reduce the ore to smaller

sizes before processing and smelting. However, if we take the case of the Lead-Zinc deposit

in Ishiagu, the ore is exploited and sent abroad for processing. The country in this way loses

a lot of money by this method. A partial list of equipment that is required for the processing

of Galena include; Jaw Crushers, Belt conveyors, Rake Classifiers, Ball mills, Den er sub-

flotation cells, Thickeners, Wifely pumps to mention a few (Taggart, 1942). As Engineers,

some of this equipment can be designed and fabricated locally. This will reduce our


14

dependence on importation since a lot is said these days of transfer of technology or adapting

things to suit our environment. Development of mineral resources is capital intensive.

Souring of capital is an area that militates against mineral development. Also, the time lag

from discovering of a mineral to development should be considered. This is important in the

development of mineral resources (Onyemaobi, 2001 and Ajayi, 2001).

2.90 FINANCING OF CAPITAL FOR MINERAL DEVELOPMENT

It was mentioned in the preceding paragraph that development of solid minerals is

capital intensive. However, the National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND) is

available for entrepreneurs in the solid mineral sector. This fund came into existence in 1989

to provide medium and long-term loan to small and medium scale industries (Abboba, 1996).

Many operators have benefited from the fund. As of 1996, NERFUND had financed a

total of 39 projects in the solid minerals sector. The activities range from the extraction of

kaolin, granite, columbite, tin and production of ceramic wares. A total of N2.7 billion had

been disbursed in this sector. It is apparent that for development of the mineral resources in

this country, capital can be sourced from NERFUND. However, it is saddening to note that

the minerals in the country are not developed because of lack of funds, location, get rich

quick syndrome, ignorance and governmental policy. The few who are in the field know that

it is a rewarding venture.

2.91 ECONOMIC GAINS IN MINERAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

Some years ago, the Federal Government banned the importation of gypsum by the

cement factories. There was a lot of opposition to this policy but within seven months of this

ban the cement companies had more than 120,000 tonnes supplied to them (Mshela, 1996).

This carne to about N800, 000,000 recycled within the country. Kaolin, Barytes, Feldspar,

Gold, Marble and Tin are of economic importance. The Nigerian Mining Corporation, Jos

has opened some open pits to develop these minerals. People are employed in this sector.

This has reduced unemployment in those states and it is beneficial to the economy. Nigeria

has toyed with the steel industry for a long time. Advanced work has taken place in the iron-

ore deposit at Itakpe, Kogi State. Super concentrates have been produced to feed Ajaokuta


15

Steel Mill and Aladja. The Railway line when completed is to be used to move iron ore

concentrates to the plants in Ajaokuta and Aladja. There are economic, social and political

gains if the iron ore sector is developed. A lot of money has been pumped into this sector.

The economy of the country is passing through a hard time. External debt by now is

projected to be about $29.45bn and the servicing is about $2.5bn and recently the external

reserves dropped to $9.7bn. Total dependence on oil, debt servicing and corruption have

made Nigeria one of the poor countries in the world. However, as shown in Table 1, Nigeria

is blessed with mineral resources that if they are harnessed will bail us out of the present

predicament. The demand for Nigerian coal is improving. More coal could be produced,

exported and some for domestic consumption. China depends a lot on her coal fields. The

development of coking coal from Lafia-Obi or Bauchi Coal field, and coal briquettes from

Okaba should be intensified by research in different places. It is apparent that the

development of the minerals should be accelerated and activities of the miners monitored.

There is no reason why this sector should not be developed.

3.0 MY MODEST CONTRIBUTION THROUGH RESEARCH AND

DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Vice Chancellor, Sir, I now want to go into my contributions, to the mineral

resources exploitation, processing and utilization for the metallurgical industry. However,

before we continue this lecture, a joke will be shared which we all know very well. A

Governor in the Second Republic was asked by a Journalist if there are minerals in his

State. His reply was "YES" and went on to name Coke, Sprite, 7-UP etc. as minerals that

are found in his State. At this point, let us define the keyword in this lecture - "Mineral"

A mineral is an ore found in or on the earth's crust (inorganic, organic, metallic,

nonmetallic) that can be exploited at an economic value. The partial list of common

minerals found in Nigeria is presented in Table 1.

3.10 EXPLOITATION OF COAL

Coal was first discovered in Nigeria in 1909 and the first drift was opened in 1916 at

Obwetti, Enugu under the Nigeria collieries (Onyemaobi 1988a, Onyemaobi 1992a,

Onyemaobi 199la). The coal industry and the Nigerian Railways were jointly managed but in


16

the late twenties, the coal industry was separated from the Railways and became the

Government Collieries. Extensive Geologic work carried out in 1960 by the Geological

Survey Department revealed that Nigeria has large coal reserves. The coal reserves can he

conservately put at 649 million tonnes out of which at least 22 million tonnes are cokable.

Almost all the above coal is bituminous and anthracite does not exist.

As a result of demand in coal by the power plants and the Nigerian Railway

Corporation, production increased to over one million tonnes by 1950. This boom did not

continue because of the change from coal to diesel by the Nigerian Railway Corporation and

oil by the power plants. The Collieries were shut down between 1967and 1970 during the

Nigerian crisis. When hostilities ceased in 1970, the mines were reactivated, and production

started. The Nigerian Government agreed with a Polish firm KOPEX to mechanize the coal

faces using long wall system in Enugu. The impact of mechanization since then has not been

felt as flooding made it impossible for management to meet the initial objective of increased

production. Onyemaobi (1978, 1990) investigated the optimal dimensions of coal production

using four different objectives of average unit cost, internal rate of return (IRR), Profitability

index and present value of average unit cost. The two main variables, production and cost

were analyzed into different parameters. Production cost equations were developed and the

four different objectives were expressed in the form of equations. A sensitivity analysis of

the results was made by changing initial investment, project life, cycle time and cost of

capital. By the use of analysis of minimum average unit cost, the optimum dimension of the

long wall coal mining face was found to be in the range of 137m to 168m. Figure 2 shows

flow chart for the computer program. The results are very useful, as the increase in the use of

coal requires the development of the abundant coal reserves in Nigeria and the re-

mechanization of the existing mines by long wall system. The future challenge is not only to

increase coal production but also to increase coal recovery and productivity, improve health

and safety conditions, and minimize environmental disturbance from the production

processes (Onyemaobi, 1991)


17

(a) Macro flow chart for average unit cost, (b) macro flow diagram of main routine (optimal

dimensions)

Fig 2: Flow-chart for computer program

In 1991 the coal imported into the UK from Onyeama was taken to Swansea in a 6300

dwt ship having been transported from Port Harcourt where there is a facility for ships up to

11,000 dwt. Principal market for the Nigerian coal is the domestic sector, although Deca

Associates, the UK importers do anticipate demand from smaller cement works. Sulphur

content of the coal is low, at 0.7% with ash at about 8%. The expected monthly total for

exported coal is 25000t, but in the long term as much as 200mt could be exploited according


18

to the Nigerian Government. Port Harcourt would be the port from which shipments would

be made, thereby fulfilling the original purpose for which it was built. UPDATE (Onyemaobi

1991).

The problem of flooding was also considered (Onyemaobi, 1988a). Equipment and

machinery were abandoned at Onyeama mine which were badly corroded. Flooding

hampered production and both money and man-hours were lost. In a later part of this lecture,

the cost of corrosion on National Economy would be briefly given (Onyemaobi and

Amachaghi, 1998a). After coal is exploited it has to be cleaned or washed. A coal preparation

plant was also built in Enugu but abandoned some years ago.

3.11 CLEANING OF NIGERIAN COAL

In a study on the characterization and utilization of Nigerian coal for the Nigerian

Metallurgical Industry it was found that the volatile matter content in dry and dry ash free

basis are 36.31 % and 46.28% respectively, Onyemaobi and Dowo (1992a). These are close

to published data of 36.4% and 46.40% respectively (NCC 1986). The high volatile matter

shows it cannot be used for feedstock for metallurgical coke production since it is non-

coking. However it could be blended with anthracite from abroad or used for power plants,

cement industries or exported for foreign exchange. Also efforts are currently going on to

design and manufacture efficient coal stoves to be used by middle or low income households

(Achi 1991). This would help the government policy on afforestation. Another area where

Enugu coal is utilized is in the roasting of maize, yam, plantain, "suya" (Local Barbecue).

This usage is in the fast food sector that is patronized by most Nigerians.

3.12 PELLETIZATIONSTUDIES

Brookes and Onyemaobi (1982) studied handleability and production of large quantities

of coal fines and offered one possible solution, i.e. pelletization (see plate 1). Unsuccessful

attempts were made to relate basic results to ash of the feed material. They suggested that a

more realistic dependent variable would be the hydrophobicity of the coal surface.

Onyemaobi over the years continued the studies of Pelletization, Contact angle,

Kinetics, Handleability, Agglomeration Size Distribution, Strength and Hydrophobicity of

coal fines (Onyemaobi, 1983; Onyemaobi, 1989; Onyemaobi, 1990b; Onyemaobi, 1990;


19

Onyemaobi, 1991b and Onyemaobi, 1991c). The results were interesting and affirmed that

there was no relationship between moisture content and ash content as widely believed.

Batch balling tests were conducted on the coals using a 0.5m disc (plate 2) at moisture limits

obtained from exploratory balling tests, Brookes and Onyemaobi (1982). The results revealed

that the growth kinetics followed a particular trend of increasing growth with time and

moisture content (Figure 3). Four definite regions of growth were distinguished namely:

nuclei formation, nuclei compaction and growth, ball growth and equilibrium regions. After

growth had commenced the agglomerated size distributions were very narrow and no

material appearing in the minus 4mm range. The modes of pellet growth were similar to

results of (Kapur and Fuerstenau, 1964 and Sastry and Fuerstenau, 1977). See figures 4 and

5.


20

Plate 1: Pellets

Plate 2: Balling Disc


21

Fig. 3: Growth Curves for Coal


22

Fig. 4: Growth Curves (after Kapur and Fuerstenau)


23

Fig.5: Formal representation of mechanism of size change (after Sastry and

Fuerstenau)


24

The level of free moisture is confirmed as being critical to the growth rate and strength

of pellets. The size-strength relationship followed the form where Y is the

strength, D = size of pellets, K is a constant, n varied between 1.09 and 2.30. Contact angle

tests were made using suction potential method and the results were high because the

surfaces had been altered as a result of froth flotation. It is now suggested that solid surface

characteristics, in particular hydrophobicity, may exert more fundamental influence

(Onyemaobi, 1991c).

3.20 FLOATABILITY OF ISHIAGU LEAD/ZINC AS RAW MATERIALS

FOR SMELTER

Mr. Vice Chancellor, Sir, another area that has occupied my research interest is in

processing of Ishiagu Sphalerite. In this era of raw materials substitution, attempts should be

made to help our local smelters. A survey of use of zinc in Nigeria indicates that although

there is demand for it as roofing materials, the price is prohibitive to the common man. The

net effect is that most builders especially in the Western part of Nigeria use Asbestos, Adex,

etc. which would not be allowed in developed countries because of the risk of cancer

(Onyemaobi, 1990). Zinc production in Nigeria is very low even though the country is

blessed with vast deposits of sphalerite. This can be processed, and put into ready use. Niger-

ia's lead/zinc deposits are almost localized in cretaceous sedimentary rock within the Benue

trough. The ore extends for about 600km in a narrow belt from South of Abakiliki, Ishiagu to

Gombe. This is currently being exploited by private entrepreneurs and shipped overseas. In

many commercial deposits lead sulphide and sphalerite occur together, and hand sorting is

carried out before shipping. The chemical and mineralogical composition of the ore are

shown in Table 2. The zinc sulphide is associated with other minerals that can be put into use

locally if processed in the country. (Onyemaobi, 1989b, 1990b; Onyemaobi and Anyakwo,

1996a). In the series of the above studies, xanthate was the main collector. Onyemaobi

(1990b) found out that the results of recovery at different pH show that the point of zero

charge (PZC) is at pH 9.5. The results using fuel oil as a substitute show that it can float

sphalerite as well. The practical implication of this is that fuel oil can be used in the absence

of the other reagents that are not in the country. The Chemistry of Xanthate is widely known

by workers in this field.


25

The hydrolysis of Xanthate is acidic:

and the decomposition of Xanthatic acid is:

While hydrolysis decomposition is:

The oxidation to dixanthogen takes form:

1)

2)

The Xanthate is protonated and it reduces the recovery after the most negative redox

potential of point of zero charge (PZC). The flotation recovery was high and the grade of the

concentrate improved from the initial analysis of the ore (Figures 6 and 7). Various collectors

were used and it was found that Potassium Amyl Xanthate (KAX) with Dep Na2SO3 gave the

highest recovery. Since sphalerite, which is abundant in the country, is exploited and

exported abroad, and roofing sheets are expensive, one method of overcoming this shortfall

is by using fuel oil as a collector. The product from this work has a long way before usage as

it has to undergo some metallurgical processes such as smelting and refining. It is possible to

float that material without activation by copper and Figure 8 gives the route for the final

product. There are small lead recycling plants e.g. Makeri Smelting Company, Jos and Exit

Battery Industry, Ibadan that recycle lead, making the country not wholly dependent on

imports from developed countries. Usually the demands of these industries in terms of raw

materials are not adequately provided and their goods are delayed while waiting for imports

from abroad. This helps to retard industrial growth. Processing of these ores in Nigeria will

among other things help in solving the aforementioned problems


26

Table 2: Mineralogical Composition of Sphalerite using X-ray Analsis

Compound PbS ZnS SO2 FeS Cu.FeS FeCO3

Composition (Wt.%) 45.84 30.63 9.96 5.49 4.38 3.63

Fig. 6: Recovery and rate data for Ishiagu sphalerite

Fig. 7: Dependence of % grade of Zn on pH


27

3.30 RECYCLING OF LEAD

The cost of batteries has gone up over the years. Some years ago a 45Ah lead battery

cost about four hundred Naira but today Solite 60 Ah sells for about four thousand Naira.

Many reasons have been advanced for such increase. In the preceding section, it was

mentioned that lead recycling is practiced by some industries. Onyemaobi (1995b) studied

the production process for lead recycling from lead Battery Scraps. Figure 9 shows the flow

sheet for secondary lead smelting. The major chemical impurity of the lead produced is

antimony and in secondary recycling pure lead of 99.95% is produced. This is utilized in lead

batteries, oxide pastes, grids, bridges and terminals.

3.40 IRON ORE BENEFICIATION

The role of iron in nation building is well known. Iron when alloyed with other elements is

about the most important construction material. The cost per kilogram of iron in any country

is a measure of the standard of living of that nation (Onyemaobi, 1990a).

This is one major reason why Nigeria has joined the Steel race. Nigeria has vast deposits of

iron ore located in Toto, Agbaja, Itakpe, Muro Hill etc. The Itakpe iron ore is the one

currently developed and will serve as the main source of raw material for the steel

complexes. The Itakpe iron ore is in the low to medium grade metamorphic rocks and not

fully banded together. The iron content is between 34.47% (Aderibigbe, 1982). The Ajaokuta

Steel Complex requires one hundred percent of its ore concentrate from Itakpe of a grade of

64%. It is apparent that before usage the ore has to be beneficiated from the original compo-

sition to upgrade it to meet the requirements of the major uses.

Onyemaobi (1988b, 1990a, 1991a and 1998a) beneficiated Itakpe iron using sink and float

method, magnetic separation and froth flotation. The results of sink and float analysis

produced 66.34%Fe (0.370mm), 66.68%Fe (0.26mm) and 66.73% (0.18mm). The magnetic

separation results were 66.7%Fe for the magnetic concentrate and non-magnetic tailings

11.20% Fe. The froth flotation result at pH 7.8 has 66.40%Fe. Another interesting result was

reverse flotation where the ore was enriched to 67.30% Fe and recovery of 84.00% Fe. The

concentrate is ideal for pellet production usable by the different Steel plants.


28

Fig 8: Flow sheet for Ishiagu Sphalerite ore

Fig 9: Flow sheet for Secondary Lead Smelting

ORE

EXPLOITATION

COMMUNITION

CONCENTRATION

REFINING


29

However, the removal of phosphorus is still a problem and research should be intensified to

do this.

3.50 BARYTE BENEFICIATION

The Mineral baryte (barium sulphate) is one of the major sources or barium and its

compounds whose many uses are nearly hidden among the technical complexities of modern

industrial processes and products. It is extremely important it the petroleum industry where

80% of the world's production of 44 million tons in 1973 was consumed by that industry in

the form of heavy fluid which is circulated in rotary drilling. The remaining 20% went

chiefly to the production of barium chemicals. In Nigeria, baryte is used mainly for drilling

fluids by the petroleum industry. The increasing trend for its demand in the country is most

likely to continue up to the end of this century so long as the economic activity in the

petroleum sector is maintained. With an envisaged increase in the use of baryte particularly

for drilling purposes, it has become necessary to carry out some studies on the beneficiation

and recovery of baryte. Nwoko and Onyemaobi (1997), Onyemaobi and Nwoke (1996),

Onyemaobi and Nwoko (1998) did extensive studies on beneficiation of Azare Baryte and

Azare Baryte Tailings. Table 3 shows the size analysis and assay of Baryte, while Table 4

shows the results of gravity concentration using a mineral jig. Table 5 shows results of

magnetic separation. The aim of beneficiation is to produce a higher-grade ore or concentrate

in order to facilitate subsequent extraction process. The results of size analysis show a higher

distribution of Baryte in the coarse range (-1180+500micron). Using Gaudin – Schuhmann

(Figure 10) analysis, the results could be given as (

)

where Y is the cumulative

fraction or percent passing particle size x with x usually the normal or effective aperture size

of the screen; k is the size modulus and m the distribution. The values of k and m are 0.027

and 0.085 respectively (Nwoko and Onyemaobi, 1997). Magnetic separation results gave an

assay of 96.71% for the concentrate. The barium sulphate distribution from the jigging

operation as 98.95%. The slight increase from 95.07% to 98.95% after jigging operations is

considered significant since the new value conforms to the minimum requirement of 94% to

98% barium sulphate by the chemical, paint and petroleum industries.


30

Table 3: Size and Assay Distribution of Azare Baryte

Size in micron Wt. % Cum. Wt.%

retained

Cum.

Wt.%

passing

Assay

Ba%

SO4

Analysis

Assay

BaSO4

Ba

Distr.

BaSO4

Distr.

-1180+I000 9.73 9.73 90.27 57.70 40.33 98.03 9.94 10.03

-1100+710 23.39 33.12 66.88 57.50 40.19 97.69 23.81 24.03

-710+500 24.56 57.68 42.32 56.20 39.28 95.48 24.44 24.69

-500+355 13.08 70.76 29.24 56.00 39.14 95.14 12.97 13.09

-335+250 8.41 79.17 20.83 56.20 39.28 95.48 8.37 8.45

-250+180 8.98 88.15 11.85 55.90 39.07 94.97 8.89 8.97

-I80+125 3.79 91.94 8.06 56.30 39.35 95.65 3.78 3.81

-125+ 90 4.39 96.33 3.67 56.00 39.14 75.14 4.35 3.49

-90+63

2.54 98.87 1.13 57.50 40.19 97.69 2.59 2.61

-63 1.13 100.00 43.00 30.07 73.07 0.86 0.89

Head calculated 100 56.48 40.30 95.07 100.00 100.00

Table 4: Result of Gravity Concentration of Azare Baryte using a Mineral Jig

Product Weight,% BaSO4, % assay BaSO4, % distribution

Concentrate 80.11 98.95 95.87

Tailing 19.89 17.19 4.13

Head (calculated) 100.00 82.69 100.00

Table 5: Result of Magnetic Separation of Azare Baryte

Product Weight,% BaSO4, %

Concentrate 99.94 96.71

Tailing 0.06 -

Head (calculated) 100.00 95.07

Onyemaobi and Nwoke (1996) introduced the concept of efficiency of separation. They

found that efficiency ranges between 0.686 and 0.874 and this increases with pH. The

efficiency is highest at the optimum pH 10 beyond which any further tests would be

prohibitive in terms of costs of reagents and no increase in recovery (Figure 11).


31

Efficiency of Recovery for Barite:

Where

= Barite Recovery (%)

= Barite Content in Concentrate (%)

=Barite Content in Feed (%)

Fig. 10: Gaudin – Schuhmann plot for Azare baryte

Fig. 11: Correlation between Efficiency and pH


32

3.60 DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL CLAY MATERIALS

No country develops strictly on importation of goods. Our major seaports are jammed

with imports like cars, spare parts, machinery and tools that could have been fabricated

locally. Recently industrialists in Nnewi etc have been fabricating spare parts. These spare

parts are fabricated using high temperature furnaces that require refractories as linings. Most

of the refractories consumed in this country are sourced from abroad. There are many clay

deposits in Nigeria that could be used as refractories. Another area that has interested me of

late is the use of local clays as refractory materials. Omotoyinbo, Onyemaobi and Borode

(2000), Onyemaobi, Omotoyinbo and Borode (1997), Onyemaobi (1998), Onyemaobi.

Omotoyinbo and Borode (2000) have worked on the suitability of various clays as furnace

linings. The results of the studies can be summarized as:

1) The chemical analysis of the different clays tested and also blended indicate that

they are suitable as alumino-silicate refractory materials.

2) The refractory of the blends was 1600°C, 1500°C and 1450°C. The blends were

higher than pure clay materials from the same locations.

3) The blends had a thermal shock or spalling resistance of 30 cycles.

4) However the linear shrinkage of the tested blends was low.

5) The compressive strength (Optimum) was 3.75 x 104 KN/M

2 at 90°C.

6) In one of the studies a 15:15:20:50 ratio gave the best refractory properties.

The results gave far reaching implications that local clays are also useful as refractory

materials for iron blast, reheating and glass melting furnaces.

Engineering properties of Amuro-Okigwe fired clay Bricks for Building work were also

investigated (Onyemaobi, 1997). Red clay is one of the most common burrow materials in

Nigeria. When red clay is fired, different types of reactions take place involving loss of

hydroscopic, hydrated water etc. There are many brick making factories in Nigeria. As a

result of the economic situation in Nigeria these factories operate at less than fifty percent

capacity. The Federal Government’s new housing policy has to be supported by looking for

alternative materials instead of sandcrete blocks.

Results of recent studies on the fired clay bricks show that:

1) The firing of Amuro bricks should be in the range of 750 - 1050°C.


33

2) The chemical composition has a high silica content of 47.50%, Al2O3 of 17.09% and

Fe2O3 of 10.97%. The Na2O content of 10.17% is a probable cause of high shrinkage.

3) The modulus of rupture is appropriate for building and is comparable to ASTM

standards.

4) The bulk density of 1.77 – 1.94g/cm3 is good as a building brick. The water absorption

is appropriate as a building material; for example the ASTM standard is 19 while that

obtained was 16.52.

5) The saturation coefficient maximum obtained was 0.75 compared to ASTM standard

of 0.80.

It is concluded that a revitalization of bunt bricks for housing should he encouraged. Burnt

brick bungalows have a beauty that cannot be compared to painted sandcrete block houses.

3.70 MY OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS IN ANOTHER AREA OF INTEREST

In an earlier paragraph it was mentioned that equipment abandoned underground have

corroded. Batteries that are made from Lead-Zinc corrode, steels and galvanized iron sheets

corrode etc. As a result of this I felt like doing some work in the area of corrosion. Our oil

industry has spent a lot of money preventing corrosion. According to Wall Street Journal,

September 11, 1981 cost of corrosion to oil and gas is nearly 2 billion dollars (Onyemaobi

and Amachaghi, 1998). It is sad to loose such a colossal sum to corrosion. Although

corrosion cannot be prevented, it can be minimized. The cost of corrosion to our economy

cannot be quantified especially when youths also help to vandalize the pipe lines. In the

series of studies undertaken under corrosion, the different modes of corrosion, causes and

remedies were elucidated (Onyemaobi, Owa and Anyakwo, 1996; Onyemaobi and

Amachaghi, 1998a; Onyemaobi, Ohiaeri and Umezuruike, 1999; Onyemaobi and Ohakosim,

1998; and Onyemaobi, Amachaghi and Akalonu, 1999). The results can be summarized for

brevity as:

1) In the case of steel in sulphite solutions the steels were susceptible to general

corrosion in sulphite medium with Hg2+

ions, followed by S2–

ions. However this

medium shows some inhibitive properties as the quantity of S2–

ions present increases

(Onyemaobi, Owa and Anyakwo 1996).


34

2) The corrosion resistance of aluminum in different media in order to simulate polluted

atmosphere, acidic, alkaline and marine environments, where aluminum alloys are

normally exposed while in service revealed that sodium hydroxide environment as

most corrosive followed by hydrochloric acid. Increase in temperature and

concentration increased the corrosion rate except in nitric acid in which increase in

concentration passivated the alloy the more. However increase in purity of the alloys

decreased the corrosion (Onyemaobi and Ohakosim, 1998; Onyemaobi, Ohiaeri and

Umezurike, 1999), and

3) In the case of localized corrosion of different aluminum alloys the corrosion rate for

various alloys increased with increasing percentage of NaCl but after a critical value

decreased. Corrosion rates also followed the order of heterogeneity of the different

alloys the higher the pitting factor the lower the corrosion rate (Onyemaobi,

Amachaghi and Akalonu, 1999). It is concluded that corrosion can be minimized by

applying different corrosion prevention methods.

4.0 UTILIZATION OF MINERALS

Although this part of this inaugural lecture has been listed under Table 1, brief mention

will be made here. The picture (Plate 3) shows some of the products of processed ore. Steel

produced from iron ore provides essential material for the many and varied needs of man.

Okorie (2000) put it this way recently "Of all industrial input materials, steel is ranked as the

most important, with aluminum coming second. Based on this, the level of production and

consumption of steel by a nation have become generally regarded as reliable indicators of the

extent of industrialization, quality of life, military alertness, and economic well-being of the

nation". It is widely known that the influence of steel will spread to a large number of

upstream and downstream spin-off industries. At the downstream side, there will be

consumption of steel in the construction, agricultural, fabrication, machinery and equipment,

transportation, automobile, foundry, consumer good, packaging and defence industries

(Onyemaobi, 1995a and Okorie, 2000).

Zinc roofing sheets are produced from our Lead/Zinc deposits at Ishiagu. Batteries used

in cars are also from processed sphalerite, phosphates are used for fertilizer for agriculture.

Gold from Ilesha is for making jewelries etc.


35

Plate 3: PICTURE OF UTILIZATED MINERALS


36

Kaolin clay is for manufacture of ceramics. What about glass? Every home makes use of

glass. Aluminum pots are made from Bauxite. Coal is used for heating and cement clinker.

Tantalum, tungsten and titanium form the group of high melting point metals which are used

as additives to high temperature alloys for the nuclear and spacecraft industries (Tobins and

Oforka, 2002).

Utilization of exploited and processed minerals is a sine qua non for the Metallurgical

industry. There are many ferro and non-ferro minerals that are currently exploited by

individuals and smuggled out of the country. The current attitude where these minerals are

exported to the West, they do the processing and then send the final product to us should be

discouraged. The over dependence on oil is not good for the economy. It is apparent from

this lecture that the country has many minerals that can make Nigeria a giant of Africa if they

are properly harnessed and utilized for industrial growth

5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

In this inaugural lecture, I have attempted to highlight the mineral resources

exploitation, processing and utilization - a sine qua non for Nigeria's metallurgical industrial

development. The processing and use of mineral resources for the development of the

country which has been my area of research for the past 25 years have also been discussed.

Although we talk of foreign investors, we have enough mineral resources to make

Nigeria self- reliant. The over dependence on oil has not helped the country. Nigeria can he

sustained from revenue from the mineral sector. Most of the minerals that are located all

over the country are needed in the advanced countries and are sources of foreign exchange

if properly harnessed. They can reduce the inflationary trend in the country and

unemployment. There is no reason why a. bag of cement that cost N20.00 (Twenty Naira) in

1988 should cost N600 in 2002 when limestone, the major source of raw material for

cement making abounds in the country. The cost of iron rods will drastically go down if the

steel mills come on stream. Ghana, Ivory Coast, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa and

Liberia depend on mineral resources for existence. The economy can be sustained if

adequate steps are taken to develop the solid mineral sector. It is in the light of these that I

wish to make some recommendations which I believe would move the country forward

towards achieving sustainable environment for man, plants, metallurgical and other


37

industries.

1) The activities of illegal miners, unpatriotic Nigerians and neglect of solid minerals

should be stopped by enforcing laws that make it punishable to smuggle solid

minerals out of the country.

2) The Raw Materials Development Centre Abuja should make data available that are

useful in minerals utilization.

3) The Ministry of Solid Minerals should he reorganized. It should establish R and D

Department (if not already done), to work hand in hand with the Nigeria

Metallurgical Development Centre, Jos.

4) The research findings in Nigerian Metallurgical Development Centre and those

mentioned in this lecture should be put into immediate use.

5) A Mineral Processing Plant and a Smelter should he built in Ishiagu for the processing

and smelting of Galena, Sphalerite etc as suggested by me in one of my papers years

ago.

6) Nigeria's proven deposits of many several nonferrous and ferro-alloy minerals such as

tin and columbite, talc. silver, gold, nickel, coal and others referred in Table 1 should

be exploited, processed and utilized for the good of all and sundry.

7) The attitude of few, greedy and powerful Nigerians who smuggle these minerals out of

the country should change. When they are shipped out of the country royalties should

be paid to government. The tax collectors must be honest, patriotic and not steal

government money.

8) The Southern part the country especially the South East is blessed with minerals. The

government should establish a well-equipped Mineral Processing Laboratory and if

possible a mini smelting plant in this region. The laboratory should have an Atomic

Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). This should he established at the Federal Univ ersity

of Technology Owerri bearing in mind its unique location and the contribution of staff

to research in this area. This will also help the Bentonite project of the government.

9) Mini processing plants should he established by individuals in this area. There are

many essential concentrates in the minerals useful for our industrial growth.

10) The foundries in this locality should make use of local clays as furnace


38

linings. Utilization of local clays will help the Metallurgical industry.

11) The Ezinachi Burnt Brick factory should be reactivated to produce burnt bricks that are

affordable to the generality of the public.

12) The research findings in iron ore should be put into use immediately. The completion

of the Rail line from Itakpe to Warri and Ajaokuta should be accelerated so that super

concentrates are used to produce billets. Iron rods and sheet metal should be affordable

and the raw materials starved industries would operate at optimum capacity. The steel

plants should be completed immediately. Honest men should be put at the hem of

affairs. Nigeria has spent so much money on Ajaokuta and Delta Steel Projects. It

seems the prophecy by the Professor I mentioned earlier is coming to pass.

13) Uranium deposits in Sokoto and Yobe States should be exploited, processed and

utilized. This would put Nigeria into the Atomic Age. Iraq, Israel, India and Pakistan

are feared by the Western nations because of their nuclear capability. Our Uranium

should be put into immediate use.

14) Titanium, tantalum, niobium – important alloying elements abundant in Jos area –

should be processed. This will help the metallurgical industry and the country at large.

15) Aluminum smelting should recommence, as aluminum is very important to the

economy of the country.

16) In the advanced countries, money is invested in research. However, Nigerians are only

ready to import finished goods from abroad. The time has come for Nigeria to invest,

promote and encourage research in the mineral sector. The mistakes of the past

governments in Ajaokuta and Delta Steel should not be repeated. Some of the

developments abroad could not have been possible without huge financial commitment

in Research and Development. It is hereby recommended that Entrepreneurs,

Government (both Federal and State) should make special funds available for

establishment of Research Centres in the area of Mineral Processing and Utilization.

17) I am appealing to rich individuals and Corporate bodies to endow Chairs in Mineral

Processing Engineering in the Universities in the Six Geo Political Zones of the

Federation.


39

Finally, Mr. Vice Chancellor, Sir, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen as you leave this

lecture, think of Mineral Resources, Exploitation, Processing and Utilization. The Limousine

you drive, the clothes you wear, the GSM phone you handle, the food on your table, the

mansion you live in, the TV set, the computer, the aircraft, household appliances, electrical

packaging, machinery equipment, Bulldozers, Scrappers and all other Construction

Machinery, Electrical Cables, NEPA Transformers, the Rig for Oil Drilling and Water

Boreholes to name a few; are from minerals that have been processed and utilized. Who

made these? The Bible has the answer. "In the beginning, God created the heaven and earth"

(Gen 1:1, KJV). That means that God is the first Professor in Mineral Processing Engineer-

ing.


40

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I will like the audience to bear with me as I might follow the format of my FUTA

Inaugural Lecturers in this part of the lecture. For promotion cometh neither from the east or

from the west, nor from the South. But God is the judge: He putteth down one and setteth up

another (Psalm 75:6,7). God has been good to me. I grew up as a poor boy at Nbawsi but

today have been able to give this lecture. In those days in Primary School, I did not know

what the future held. I never imagined that one day I would be addressing a University

audience as a university Professor. It is a privilege and I give God all the glory.

God spared my life in Owerri on Easter Sunday 1969 when my Sergeant tripped on a

booby trap at Emekuku. I could have died that day and gone to hell. After the war (1970) I

met Jesus, was Born Again in Enugu and life changed. God has helped me so far and I am

grateful to Him. I want to thank my mother’s friend Mrs. Damaris Onyewu from Egbu who

encouraged my mother, Mrs. Eunice Onyemaobi to send us to secondary school. In those

days at Nbawsi only the rich were able to go to secondary schools. I want to thank my

teachers at St. George’s Primary School, Nbawsi and my lesson teacher at St. Anthony's

School, Nbawsi. I will mention a few of them, Sir Udumagala, Mr. Elekwachi, Mr. Onwuka,

Mr. Dureke, Miss Opa. Thank you for laying the foundation. To some of my classmates in

St. Georges School who challenged me: Dr. Captain Major, Miss Salome Onwuagha, Dr.

Amadike Ezeibe, Mr. Job Onwuaghara, Mr. Friday Ikonne and Mr. Amos Eze, I say thank

you.

In 1962 I carried my box to Government Secondary School, Afikpo for a journey of

over seven years. Mr. Marriot offered me a Secondary Scholarship (Form 1 to Upper Six).

Mr. Ema and Bassey (Mantisa) my Mathematics teachers. Mr. Ndu (my Biology Teacher),

the Mathews, my Physics and Chemistry Teachers, Mr. Onyeaghala, my English Teacher; I

thank all of you. Dr. Hinco Ohiaeri, my House Captain in 1966, your philosophy has helped

me over the years. I appreciate those boys in those days who bullied me when I erred as a

fag. Thank you. I will not forget Late Dr. G. Akabogu (Egbe), our Principal from Umuahia

who helped build Afikpo in those days.

I am grateful to late Sister Yinka Ajayi who made sure my Federal Government

scholarship form that was missing in Lagos was found. You were a mother, a friend and a

sister to me. Without your effort my name would not have appeared for the Federal


41

Government Scholarship in 1974. I am indebted to the Federal Government of Nigeria that

gave me the Scholarship. My Professors and classmates in University of Nevada, Reno were

wonderful. I am grateful to Professor Ross Smith who introduced me to Mineral Processing,

and gave me the position of Graduate Research Assistant in 1977. I will also remember Prof.

Scheid, Prof. Linz and Prof. Hubbard who helped me in those days in Nevada.

My special thanks go to mother Ruth Ashwell (late), late Uncle Lloyd Ashwell, late

Rev. Wallace, Rev. Bob Hanlin. Rev. Reul Green, Bob Green and others of the Apostolic

Faith Church, Portland who made my stay in the United States of America interesting. I also

appreciate my Supervisor Prof. E. Topaz for my Master’s Degree. He encouraged me to

persevere in life.

When I came back to Nigeria in Dec. 1978, I was employed by late Prof. E.K.

Ohiakor and Dr. B.I.C. Ijioma now, Prof. B.I.C. Ijioma (Ekpoma) at the Federal Polytechnic

Akure. Late Prof. E. Obiakor encouraged me, helped and facilitated my getting a Staff

Development to do a Ph.D. in University of Nottingham, UK. Messrs Olu Ajayi and E.

Akibamini signed my guarantors forms. Late Bro. P. Akomolede was good to me in those

days at Akure. Rev. E. Aina, Late Rev. T.G. Oshokoya and Late Rev. J. Soyinka prayed for

me in those days. I also thank Revs. Soji Oni. Soji Olamijulo and Rev. Paul Akazue. I will

not forget Bro. G. Alao and Cpl. C. Ononiwu my present Landlord in Akure.

In the UK, I appreciate the help of my Ph.D. Supervisor, late Dr. G.F. Brookes, you

sharpened my research interest and I wish you were here today to know that “Okey” is now

a Professor. Our team under “Gerald” was wonderful; many of us are Professors now and for

this I give the glory to God. Rev. V. Okusanya my London Pastor was kind to me. Thank

you. I will not forget my friend late Davy Chukwudinma and Bro. and Sister Akinwumi who

lodged us in London. Bro. and Sister Abdulahi, I thank you for your help in those days.

Sister and late Pa Ladende, I am grateful for your hospitality in London. I also thank the rest

of the Apostolic Faith Church in London who helped me during my sojourn in London.

I met wonderful friends in FUTA in 1986. These are Professors T.I. Francis (late), the

founding Vice Chancellor, L.B. Kolawole, E.A. Adeyemi, and O.C. Ademosun. These

people helped me. I have other friends in FUTA who have been good to me, Dr. Borode

(Tunde), Engr. Bade Omotinybo, Engr. Adewuyi, Dr. Ray Osemenam, Prof.C.O. Adegoke,

Dr. O. Ojo, late Dr. S. Adepoju, late Prof O.T. Adepoju, my first Dean in SEET (FUTA), I


42

thank you. I will not forget Mr. Ukut and others in FUTA who typed my papers while in

FUTA. I also thank the authorities of FUTA who have allowed me to spend two Sabbatical

leaves in my former Department where I was the first Coordinator.

My movement from FUTA to FUTO was one good thing that happened to me in life.

Mrs. Nkoli Onyechi was the School Officer when I was interviewed; Prof. Duru was the

Dean and Prof. V.O. Nwoko was the Head of Department. To all these people who helped

me I say thank you. Prof. Ejike was the Acting Vice Chancellor, you might have forgotten,

you were used in those days to make me get used to Ibo land. I want to appreciate all the

good friends in FUTO. Dr. C. Anyakwo, Dr. L. Aririatu, Dr. E. Anyanwu, Dr. G. Onyeze,

Mr. A. Ogbonna, Mr. C.S Nwobodo, Mr. M. Okoro. Dr. J. Ovri, Engr. G. Nwandikom, Mr.

M. Mbakwe, Dr. J. Iwuagwu, Engr. A. Orumuyi, Prof. Mrs. B. Anyanwu, Rev. Fr. Prof. L.

Asiegbu, Prof. C. Asiabaka, Mrs. Ohazurike, Mr. S. Ofoegbu, Dr.J. Ononiwu, Mrs Oguguo,

Miss J. Anyanwu, Engr. E. Okafor, Dr. O.R. Owen, Mr. Nkata, Prof. K. Osondu and the CIS

Staff etc. all have to be appreciated.

There are special people to be mentioned here. Prof. C.O.G. Obah, Prof. Mike Iloeje,

Prof. G. Ojiako, Prof. C.C. Ntamere, Prof. L.C. Ogude, Mr. M.E. Onye, Dr. K. Ibe, Dr.

O.Oguoma, Prof. M.E. Enyiegbulam. Prof. B.A. Nwachukwu, Prof. M.A. Nwachukwu,

Prof. A. Udedibia. Mrs. U. Ogundu (SAAT), Prof B.N. Onwuagba, Prince J.A. Faleye.

Chike Ezenwa. Mrs. Ahiarakwe, Mr. Nwokocha. Prof P.B.U. Achi, Prof A. Nduka. Prof E.

Banigo. Dr. Joe Uzuegbu, Prof. J. Ejimanya, Mr. M. Okoye. Prof. M. Nwufoh, Prof J.

Obiefuna, Prof. O. Okorafor, Prof Osuji, Prof. M.O.E. Iwuala. Prof. O. Duru, Mr. J. Anufulu

and my senior in Afikpo, Engr. Prof. C.I. ljioma, I am very thankful for the various roles

they have individually played in making me what I am today. Lastly, I appreciate the present

V.C., Prof. Jude Ejike Njoku for his humility and hard work, a man God has placed to run

the affairs of FUTO now.

I would not be in Owerri if God had not used Rev. S. Nnodim to let me apply to

FUTO. Many of my Brothers and Sisters have prayed for me over the years. These are Late

Rev. S. Okorie, Late Rev. O Machie, Late Rev. W. Totty, Rev. N.N. Ufere, my Overseer,

Rev. O.Olamijulo, Rev. J. Emelike (Oteh). May God bless all of you. My present Pastor,

Rev. E. Ukadike you also should be acknowledged and many of my friends too numerous

to mention. I also acknowledge Dr. Juliet Orlu.


43

I post-humously appreciate the simplicity of the life of my limber, Mr. John

Onyemaobi II, and also my father in-law, Late Pa Elijah Efughi. After my dad and his

brother, John Onyemaobi I, departed this world the one left in our kindred is Rev. Canon

Anyanwu. May He continue to live for Jesus. I want to appreciate my immediate and

extended family, Chief A. Onyemaobi, Lolo M, Mr. Joe Onyemaobi, Engr. Chinedu

Onyemaobi, Mrs. Joy Izuazu and the husband, Mrs. Uche Onyemaobi and Mrs. Oluchi

Onyemaobi. The Brothers and Sisters of our wives are equally important to me. All my

relations in Avutu-Obowo are also acknowledged. I especially appreciate the following

people from Obowo who have been of help to me: Chief S. Anyanwu, Dr. Goddy Eke, Dr.

Ndu Eke, and Dr. C. Osuagwu.

Today is a day of special joy to me. It is said that behind a successful man is a

woman. I wish to appreciate my wife.

I met Mrs. Gloria A. Onyemaobi in the Church in 1973. I appreciate her humility,

patience and sacrifice. In Proverbs 31:10-31 the Bible describes a virtuous woman. Mrs.

Gloria Onyemaobi, B.Sc. (UNN), M.Sc. (London) is one. I appreciate her and may God

bless her richly. Our four children: IK Onyemobi (FUTO), Ijeoma (IMSU), Oluchi who has

just finished SSS from FGGC, Owerri and Kelechi (FGGC) Owerri have been wonderful.

Please forgive me if I did not mention your name. I want to end this lecture like a friend did

in Akure recently. Finally of making many books, there is no end, and much study is a

weariness of the flesh, let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his

commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes12:12-13.

Mr. Vice-Chancellor, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am done with my lecture

and thank you for listening. May God bless you and grant you safe journey. JESUS IS

LORD and is Coming Back to take the Righteous. Are you ready for the coming of the

Lord?


44

REFERENCES

Taggart, A.F., (1942), Handbook of Mineral Dressing, John Holley and Sons, New York, pp

2-184

Kapur, P.C. and Fuerstenau, D.W., (1964), Kinetics of Green Pelletization, Trans. AIME,

Vol. 229, pp 348-355

Taha, H.A., (1971), Operations Research, An Introduction, Macmillan Publishing Co, New

York, pp 383-384

Sastry, K.V.S. and Fuerstenau, D.W., (1977), Kinetics and Process Analysis of the

Agglomeration of Particulate Materials by Green Pelletization, Proc of Int. Symp. On

Agglom. 2nd Atlanta, GA, Ed. K. V.S. Sastry et al., pp 381-402.

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1978), Optimization of Longwall Panel Dimensions, MSc. Thesis, V.P.I.

and S.U, B’Burg, VA, USA.

Aderibigbe, A.A., (1982), Scope and Role of Metallurgical Engineering in the Iron and Steel

Industry, Nigerian Engineer, 17 (1), pp 37-39

Brookes, G.F. and Onyemaobi, O.O., (1982), Disc Pelletization of Coal Fines. J. Chem. E.

Jubilee Symposium. London, G22 – G29.

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1983), The Effect of Free Moisture on the Pelletization of Froth Floated

Coals, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Nottingam. UK.

Nigerian Coal Corporation, Enugu, (1986), NCC Information on the Coal Industry, Book

Prepared by NCC. 1-19.

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1988a), Problems Encountered in Dewatering a Nigerian Coal Mine,

Third International Water Congress, Melbourne Australia, pp 41-47

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1988b), Beneficiation of Itakpe Iron Ore. A Preliminary Studs on Itakpe

Iron Ore.


45

Uwadile, G.G.O., (1989), Upgrading Nigeria Iron Ores, Minerals and Metallurgical

Processing, August, pp 117-122.

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1989a), The Effect of Hydrophobicity on Pelletization of Coal. Ni,,.

J.Tech.Res, pp 115-120

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1989b), Floatability of Ishiagu Galena as Raw Materials for Smelters,

Nigerian Journal of Applied Science, Vol. 8, pp 93-101.

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1990a), Treatment of Itakpe Iron Ore for Recovery of Products Usable

for Steel Production, Technical Report. URC, FUTA, 12 pp.

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1990b). Pelletization of Various Coal Fines: Kinetics and agglomeration

Size Distribution (ASD). Ife Journal of Techn, Vol. 1, No. 2 pp 41-48

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1990c), Optimal Determination of Longwall Panel Dimensions for Coal

Mining, Mining Engineering Journal, Vol. 71, pp 61 -66

Onvemaobi, O.O., (1990d), The Effect of Moisture on Strength of Pellets from Floth

Floated Coals, Mining Science and Technology, 11, pp 287-297.

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1990e), Evaluation of Flotation Performance of Nigeria's Sphalerite

(ZnS) W/o activation by Copper, Ife Journal of Techn. Vol.2. No. 2 pp 21-25

Achi, P.B.U., (1991), The Design and Manufacture of an Efficient Coal Stove. National

Conf. on Technological Progress in the Third World Countries, ASUTECH.

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1991a), Beneficiation Performance of Itakpe Iron Ore. National

Conference of Techn Progress in the 3rd World, Enugu, 18 pp.


46

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1991b), Coal Production Problem at Onyeama Mine, Colliery Guardian,

Vol. 239, No. 5, July, pp 145-149

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1991c), Contact Angle Measurement on Treated Particles Using Suction

Potential Method, Nigeria Engineer. Vol. 26, No. 2, pp 63-74.

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1991d), Factors Affecting the Pelletization of Froth Floated Coals,

Powder Technology, Vol. 64, No. 3, pp 191-198

Onyemaobi, O.O., and Dowo, S.A., (1992a), Characterization and Utilization of Nigerian

Coal for the Nigerian Metallurgical Industry, AJST, Series A, Vol. 10, No. 2. pp 10-13.

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1995a), Appropriate Usage of Materials for Improved Agricultural and

Food Production, Proceedings NSAE, Vol. 17, pp 341-345

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1995b), Preliminary Feasibility Study of Okitipupa Tar Sand.

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1995c), Production Processes for Lead Recycling from Lead Battery

Scraps, NSE Technical Transaction, Vol.30, No. 3, pp 1-7.

Abbaoba, M.I., (1996), Financing of Solid Minerals Enterprises, Proceedings of the

National Symposium on Strategies for the Development of Solid Minerals for National Self-

Reliance and Economic Growth, Kaduna Polytechnic, pp 28-35.

Mshela, P.D., (1996), Private Entrepreneurship in the Solid Mineral Sector of the Nigerian

Economy in Ref Ahbaoba 1996, pp 7-12.

Onyemaobi, O.O., and Anyakwo, C.N, (1996a), Factors Affecting the Performance of

Nigeria's Lead and Zinc Ores for Industrial Usage, JSFT, 3 (1), March, pp 293-303.


47

Onyemaobi, O.O, Owa, A.F. and Anyakwo, C.N., (1996b), The Effect of Sn2+

, Hg2+

, and

S2–

Ions on Corrosion of Steel in Sulphide Solutions, JSET, Vol. 3, No.1, pp 480-490

Onyemaobi, O.O., and Nwoke, M.A.U, (1996), Recovery of Barites from Tailings of Azare

Processing Plant. NSF Technical Transactions, Vol. 31. No 4. pp 67-75

Nwoko, V.O. and Onyemaobi, O.O., (1997), Beneficiation Study on a Nigerian Baryte Ore

for Industrial Use. J. Mater. Sci, Technol. Vol. 13, pp 76-78

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1997), Engineering Properties of Amuro-Okigwe Fired Clay Bricks for

Building Work. NSF Technical Transactions, Vol. 32, No.1.pp 32-40

Onyemaobi, O.O., Omotoyinbo, A. and Borode, J.O., (1997), Effect of Porters Clay and

Additive on the Moulding Properties of Igbokodu Silica Sand, GJPAS. Vol. 3. No.3. pp 341-

352.

Onyemaobi, O.O., and Amachaghi, A.O., (1998), The Effect of Corrosion on the National

Economy. Proc of Nat. Corrosion Conference, PH, pp 73-79

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1998a), Assessment of Laboratory Concentrator Performance of

Nigeria's Iron Ore for Steel Production. JSET. Vol. 5, No. 1 (March). pp 1026-1037.

Onyemaobi, O.O., (1998b), Assessment of Physical Characteristics of Ezinachi Okigwe

Clay as Furnace Lining. JSET, Vol. 5. No. 1 . pp 898-907.

Onyemaobi, O.O., and Nwoko. V.O. (1998), Separation Performance of Nigeria’s Arare

Barite Ores by Froth Flotation, Nigeria Society of Chemical Engineers. Vol. 12-14, pp 24-31

Onyemaobi, O.O. and Ohakosim. E.C. (1998), Some Factors Affecting Corrosion

Resistance of Aluminum Alloys, Nigerian Corrosion Journal. Vol. 1. No.1, pp 45-60

http://l.gjpas.vol.3.no.3.pp/


48

Onyemaobi, O.O., Amachaghi, A.O., and Akalonu, I.O. (1999), Localized Corrosion of

Aluminum Alloys. Proc.of Sccond Int. Corrosion Conf. pp 62-70

Onyemaobi, O.O., Ohiaeri, K.E. and Umezurike, A.A., (1999), Corrosion of Diff.

Aluminum Alloys. Nig Corrosion Journal (NCJ).Vol.2, pp111-118.

Ogbonna, A.I., Nwakudu, S. and Onyemaobi, O.O., (1999), Strategic Mineral Deposits in

Nigeria: The Neglected Case of Niobotantalates. Proc of the Nig. Metallurgical Society, 16th

Annual Conf., pp 59-66.

Okorie, B.A., (2000), Metallurgical Industry and National Development; Keynote Address,

at FUTO 2000. Annual Conf. of NAMMES, 8 pp.

Onyemaobi, O.O., Omotoyinbo, J.A, and Borode, J.O., (2000a), Suitability of some Clays

as Refractory Materials, NJEM, Vol. 1. No. 3. pp 14-18.

Omotoyinbo, J.A, Onyemaobi, O.O., and Borode. J.O, (2000b). Development of Selected

Local Clays as Refractory Materials Suitable for Surface Lining, JSET, Vol. 7. No. 3, pp

2503-2511

Onyemaobi, O.O., (2001). Sustainable National Mineral Resources Development. Proc. of

Engr. Conf. and AGM. 5th-9th Nov, pp 12-25.

Ajayi, J.A., (2001), Sustainable Infrastructural Development, Proceedings of NSE AGM, pp

157-165.

Bassey, E.N., Olich, R.A., and Ovwata, E.I. (2001). Development in Iron Ore Sourcing for

Sustainable Production of Direct Reduced Iron in Nigeria, Proceedings of NSE, Nov.5-9. pp

107-114.

Tobins, F.H., and Oforka. N.C. (2002), Recovery of Tantalum and Niobium from Jos Tin

Slag, NJERD, Vol. 1, No. 1. pp 1-6.

Udeala, S. (2002), Vanguard, May 22, p.3.


i

Date post:	28-Jul-2015
Category:	Documents
Upload:	udochukwu-mark
View:	870 times
Download:	2 times

Mineral Resources Exploitation, Processing and Utilization - A Sine Qua Non for Nigeria's...

Documents