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ABIA STATE SOLID MINERALS DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC POTENTIAL
Mineral resources are generally used as sources of raw materials in many downstream industries. These
include but are not restricted to gypsum, gold, copper, phosphate, salt, kaolin, black marble and tar
sand. These are abundantly used as feedstock for our industries. Due to the significance of these
minerals in the industrialization of a nation, they are used to measure the level of industrialization and
consequently economic development of any nation. Abia state is liberally blessed with most of these
minerals, thus making the fledgling state a potential giant of South-eastern Nigeria. Its location which is
close to Rivers state and the Export Proceeding Zone (EPZ) in Calabar makes her a favourite for industrial
ventures.
Previously, the exploration and exploitation of these minerals were done within the informal mining
sector and were uncoordinated at best. They were not based on any well-articulated long term socioeconomic, industrial and political terms. As a result, the utilization of these minerals has been minimal
and abused with its subsequent impact on Gross National Product (GNP) which is vanishing appreciably.
Consequent on the above, this publication hopes to stimulate an urgent and an effective plan be put in
place to facilitate the exploration of sold mineral deposits in various parts of Abia state with the aim of
exploiting them for downstream industries.
We believe there are many more deposits yet to be discovered. Some of the known deposits are further
expatiated below.
1. Lignite Deposits East of the Niger
The most important seams of the Niger are found near Oba and Nnewi in Anambra State as well as
Umuahia in Abia State. At the former locality, the lower seam is 2.1m thick. Nothing is known of the
lateral extent of these lignites. Lignite has also been reported near Orlu, Umuezeala in Imo State. Details
of lignite occurrences have recently been published. Amongst the solid minerals already seen in Abia
State, lignite is more abundant especially at Amuzukwu Ibeku in Umuahia North LGA.
a. The Amuzukwu Deposit: A lignite deposit which probably grades towards subbituminous coal is seen at Umuoleghe, Amuzukwu Ibeku in Umuahia. The deposit is
about 2m – 3m thick at the observed location. The deposit is overlain by a laterite
overburden and underlain by red clay which is about 1m thick and a friable high
siliceous content sand about 10m – 15m thick.
b. The Ohiya Lignite: This deposit which is located very close to the Port Harcourt-Enugu
expressway is overlain by a dark clayey material likely a weathered product of lignite.
2. Iron Stones (Fe2+) Deposit
Iron Stones Fe2+ or Fe3+ in large volumes have been found in Umuahia. Analysis of various samples from
the location showed a Fe2+ concentration of between 36% and 72%. Proper harnessing and coordination
could lead to its supply to the Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mills. A deposit with a lower concentration (15%34%) was found in Isiala Ngwa North. It is believed that extensive survey of the area may prove deposits
of better quality.
3. Lead and Zinc
Lead has been in use since the beginning of history due to the ease by which it can be obtained from its
ores. It was used in early times for making ornaments and statues. It was particularly used by the Roman
for making water pipes. Zinc metal may have been known to the ancients who made brass – an alloy of
Copper and Zinc. However, it was not until the 18th century that it was commercially made available in
Europe. Lead is extensively used in the manufacture of cable coverings, pigments, storage batteries,
solder, sheet lead and bearing metal. The modern uses of Zinc include galvanizing steel plate, the
manufacture of brass and other alloys, rubber vulcanizing and the manufacture of certain chemicals and
medicines. Deposits of Lead and Zinc ores, which are usually found together have long been known in
Nigeria but have been exploited on a small scale. Much of the Galena (Lead ore) is locally used as a
cosmetic. The mining of ores for their metal content has not been possible owing to the high cost of
transport and low price of metals. The Nigerian Lead-Zinc field extends for about 560km in a narrow belt
from Lokpanta in Abia state through Ishiagu in Ebonyi State, Benue and Plateau States to Gowona in
Bauchi state. It is estimated that there are about 30 nodes with aggregate length of about 6000m and it
is possible that other deposits could be found by surface prospecting and by geophysical and
geochemical survey. The most favourable areas appear to be in Abia State around Lokpanta and Ebonyi
around Ishiagu and Abakaliki where mining companies have prospected several nodes. Drilling has
indicated that the nodes extend in depth for hundreds of metres.
4. Phosphate
Phosphate is an important plant food; the chief source, rock phosphate occurs in great quantities across
the USA and islands in the Indian Ocean. Phosphate is formed by chemical precipitation in a sedimentary
environment. It occurs in Abia, Ogun and Sokoto in Nigeria. Chemical analysis has shown that Nigerian
phosphate has over 30% P2O5. Phosphate is an important raw material in the manufacture of fertilizer.
Presently, the Geological Survey of Nigeria is carrying out intensive exploration works to evaluate
qualities of the local phosphate deposits.
Location
Ogun
Abia
Average P2O5 Content of Some Nigerian Phosphate Deposits
Wt % of P2O5 content
Source of Data
Granular Phosphate
Nodular Phosphate
31.40
31.50
Geological Survey of
Nigeria
31.40
32.00
Do
35.00
Do
35.42
Integrated
Fertilizer
Development Centre
36.25
Chemical Society of
Nigeria Bulletin
35.10
Geology Department,
Unity
Manchester,
England
5. Clay
Clay is one of the earliest utilized substances by man. It played an important role in ancient civilizations.
Records were preserved in brick monuments, pottery and others in the form of inscriptions on clay
tablets. In domestic life, clay is still extensively used in pottery, earthenware, china, cooking ware,
plumbing fixtures, tiles, porcelain ware and ornaments. Industrially, clay can also be used to build bricks,
tiles for floors, roofs, walls, drains, sewer pipes and as an ingredient for making cement. In the electrical
industry, it is used to make conduits, sockets and insulatory switches. It is used on a large scale for
making refractory ware such as fire brick, furnace firing lining, chemical stone ware, crucibles, retorts
and saggars. From a practical point of view, the most important physical properties of clay include,
plasticity, shrinkage, fusibility, and colour. Clay is found almost everywhere in Nigeria, though not always
in sufficient quantity or quality for industrial purposes.
Clays have a variety of uses. It is used in the concentration industry for the production of different bricks
and floor tiles. It could also be used in the electrical industry for conduits, sockets, insulators and
switches. There are clay deposits in virtually every part of Abia State. Exploitation of clay needs to be
intensified for the production of bricks owing to the rising cost of cement. Clay deposits dominate the
solid minerals found in Abia State. In discussing these deposits, the different locations shall be taken one
after the other taking cognizance of type, name, tentative deposit estimate, location, present level of
work, geophysical work done (if any) and other explanatory work that could be done. Proximity to
market is also investigated and noted. Excellent clays that could be put to a variety of uses are found in
South-eastern Nigeria and have been investigated by the Geological Survey of Nigeria. Good quantities
of clay are found in Abia State.
a. The Ohiya-Ubakala Deposits: Several grades of clay deposits are present here.
Prominent amongst them are Kaolin and Bentholitic clay. Observed samples were silica
rich, whitish kaolin and non-siliceous fine grained compact kaolin both whitish and
pinkish in coloration. These deposits are about 20’ thick in some locations and as high as
30’ in depth. Their lateral extent is much covering the east of Ohiya to Nsukwe to the
south near Umunwanwa to the southwest. A dark grey clay, possibly bentholitic in
nature is observed. The Ohiya-Ubakala deposits are remarkably accessible being
situated along the Port Harcourt-Enugu expressway. Even when the deposits stretches
from Ubakala to Umunwanwa, it remains accessible through the Apumiri/Nsirimo
junction of the Port Harcourt-Enugu expressway. These deposits are in Umuahia South
LGA.
b. The Umuojika-Agbaozu Uzuakoli Deposit: This deposit is characteristically fine grained,
compact and non-siliceous kaolin with both whitish and pinkish coloration observed.
Beyond the fine-grained variant, a more coarse-grained species is observed mixed up
with gange materials is also noticed. This location is also characterized by a landslide of
the overlying laterite which in most cases is large. Within this collapsed overburden of
laterite lies disseminated lumps of laterite varying in size. The actual depth of the kaolin
could not be determined by mere field inspection as a result of the hazardous landslide
in the area. Only occasional minor and local extraction of the kaolin has been reported
by the residents. There is no evidence of meaningful activity noted here. A more
detailed exploratory activity is required to ascertain the economic extractability of the
deposit. The deposit is accessible through the Methodist College road, Uzuakoli in
Bende LGA.
c. The Agbara- Kamanu, Ogbuebule Oboro Deposit: The major clay mineral of economic
interest observed here is kaolin. Both the pinkish non-siliceous and whitish siliceous
species are present here. The deposit is fairly extensive judging from the outcrop
present in the large valley north of Ogbuebule along Ikot-Ekpene road, Oboro in
Ikwuano LGA. The location is accessible by road.
d. The Amuzukwu-Ibeku Deposit: The clay mineral here is reddish and underlies the lignite.
The clay mineral which is largely kaolinite is only about 1m thick at observed locations. It
is possible that a greater thickness may be observed at other locations. A more detailed
subsurface investigation or exploration is therefore recommended. This deposit is
underlain by sharp sand of about 10-15m in thickness. Amuzukwu-Ibeku is located
within Umuahia North LGA.
e. The Nunya-Ofeme Deposit: The deposit stretches along the Port Harcourt-Enugu
expressway from Nunya town to Ofeme community. The clay mineral observed here is
kaolin and it is pinkish in colour. This deposit most likely grades into a more ionized
deposit at the Ofeme road express junction. These deposits are easily accessed through
the Port Harcourt-Enugu expressway. Ofeme is in Umuahia North LGA.
f.
The Umuagu-Amaogugu Deposit: There is gradual graduation from the ionized deposit
at Ofeme to a less iron-rich clay deposit in Amaogugu. The ionization is maximized at
Umuagu-Okaiuga deposit. These deposits are located along the old Okpara road from
Okaiuga (Umuahia) to Okigwe.
g. The Nkata-Alike Deposit: These deposits are non-ionized and tend to be bentholitic in
nature. They are not very siliceous and are fine-grained. Expectation are that more
bentholitic clay may be adjoining the deposit at the Okaiuga-Ibeku areas located in
Umuahia North LGA.
h. The Ebem-Asaga Ohafia Deposit: A large clay deposit of kaolin is observed in this area
covering part of Ebem and Asaga communities. The deposit is of two kinds namely the
whitish siliceous and the pinkish non-siliceous species. The location is very accessible
through the Ebem-Asaga road. It is located at the left of the hill slope between Ebem
and Asaga. It is possible that the surrounding hills underlie this deposit. Of large
occurrence are also deposits of sharp sand resulting from weathering activities on the
kaolin. It is located in Ohafia LGA.
6. Kaolin
Kaolin is a residual deposit that is formed during weathering. During this process, some elements such
as Sodium, Calcium and Potassium are transported away while other entities such as Silica, Manganese,
Aluminium, Iron, and many other minor elements are concentrated in the residuum. Kaolin could be
used for the manufacture of ceramics, paper, paint and pharmaceuticals depending on physical
properties such as crystallization, colour and degree of purification. It could also be used as a filler in
various manufacturing industries.
7. Glass (Silica) Sands
Silica sands or glass sands as they are industrially called constitute a major industrial and manufacturing
material. Silica sands as the name implies are silica rich sand deposits. In Abia State, the major glass sand
deposits occur in Azumini-Ndoki in Ukwa East LGA along the Blue River course. This river, though taking
its rise from the far away Aba/Umuahia area, cuts across a highly silica rich sandstone in Azumini-Ndoki.
This location constitutes a dredging site for the International Glass Industry (IGI), Aba. The IGI has its
sand extraction and milling plants in this location. The silica-rich sand deposit is the main source of raw
materials for the production of glass sheets by the above industry.
8. Granite
Besides clay, the granite deposits constitute an important part of all structural and building materials
that abound in Abia State. Large economic deposits have been identified in Uturu, Isuikwuato LGA and
Lokpaukwu, Umunneochi LGA. Extensive quarrying activities have been carried out in parts of these
areas by several operators. A good number of chippings, crushed rocks or stones, constitute building
stones and aggregates which have come to be the main stay of the industry.
9. Salt
Chemical minerals constitute an important raw material in most industries. Of these chemical minerals,
salt in the form of brine springs have been identified in Abia State. In most cases, maximum exploratory
work has not been carried out to determine the extent of the deposits. In Lokpaukwu, Umunneochi LGA
for instance, an underground percolation of an ancient well has been found to contain high
concentrations of salt. High concentrates have been identified in Alayi and Okai Item both found in
Bende LGA. Extensive work has been carried out on the Alayi deposit. It was found that the Alayi deposit
is very economical due to its size and relative shallowness. This makes solution mining most economical
and profitable. Not much needs to be done on this deposit and we believe that this deposit can become
a much sought after deposit in Nigeria.
10. Copper
Traces of other chemical minerals like Copper have been identified in Abia State. Though these have not
been proven to be of commercial significance, their presence is of great industrial impact. Presence of
Copper has been indicated in Ohafia. There is a probable occurrence of Copper and chalcopyrite in the
Uturu-Umuchieze axis of Abia State.
11. Limestone
Limestone is another important mineral deposit found in Abia State. Owing to the low price of
limestone, the mining of such must be done under favourable conditions. Such conditions include
accessibility, presence of high relief and proximity to utilizing industries among others. Large quantities
of limestone have been identified at Arochukwu, Bende and Ohafia LGAs. Extensive geological and
geographical work have been done in parts of these deposits especially at Ozu-Abam, Ndi Okorie, Ndi
Ebeleagu Oduenyi and Ohafia LGA. Deposits of interest have been discovered in parts of Umuchieze. The
proven deposit is well in excess of 101 million tonnes. It is believed that this figure can be further raised
upon additional exploration.
12. Marble
Marble is a high crystalline metamorphosed limestone. It is usually dense, hard and found in association
with dolomite. Black marble has been found in Ugwunagbo, Obingwa and Isiala Ngwa LGAs as well as
Uturu in Isuikwuato LGA.
13. Gold
We got a hint of massive gold in Ohafia and Bende LGAs as well as Ihechiowa in Arochukwu LGA. In the
course of drilling for water, a group of geologists stumbled on some chippings which showed
characteristics similar to gold. Further analysis proved positive for gold for two boreholes in Ohafia and
Bende. The extent of the gold deposit has not been ascertained due to financial constraints. However, if
the analysis is proven to be true, the deposit may turn out to be the largest in Nigeria. There is therefore
an urgent need for further investigation for the benefit of the state as well as the country in general.
STRATEGIC EXPLORATION PROGRAM
Exploration is highly capital intensive as such, it might be difficult attracting private investors who will be
willing to explore these deposits. It is therefore imperative that if these deposits are to be exploited, the
State or Federal Government will need to carry out extensive exploratory activities to determine the
extent, quantity and best method to mine these deposits. This makes exploration exclusively the
prerogative of the State or Federal Government which can either consult or employ private firms or
claim sole ownership or better still go into partnership.
With detailed geological survey, providing full data and creating awareness on the location of the raw
materials, the government would have provided and answer to self-reliance leading to investment
opportunities as well as the establishment of small, medium and large scale enterprises.
Exploration is the fulcrum on which all other activities based on solid minerals rest. Availability of
accurate geological data will further enhance the production of a handbook through which local and
foreign investors may be traced.
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The geological document so obtained can now be made available to interested governments and private
investors. Since a lot of investment opportunities abound in the solid minerals sub-sector in Abia State,
the Government will obviously be laying down a solid base for economic development if it will
commission a comprehensive survey of solid minerals in the State. This will serve as a data bank for the
State’s industrial development plans. It will be expected that by identifying these areas of economic
mineral deposits in Abia State and by opening up sound economic mining activities and investments,
capital will flow into basic social amenities such as housing, drinking water, employment, access roads
amongst others.