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Defining energy security – Power and Mining

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What are the technological solutions that make mines more energy efficient and able to manage their own energy security?

Thursday 24 November 2022

Johannesburg 12pm; Lagos 11am; London 11am; Los Angeles 7am: Melbourne 8pm: Nairobi 1pm; Singapore 6pm

Duration: one hour

Part 4 of the Power and Mining Digital Dialogue, brought to you by Mining Review Africa, ESI Africa and Enlit Africa will consider the following:

  • Am I using the most energy efficient technology available to me?
  • Where can I make big gains with small adjustments?

Join moderator Claire Volkwyn, head of content at Enlit Africa as she asks asks how a mine can deal with energy insecurity.

Fill in the form below to register for Power and Mining: Defining energy security

Op-Ed: An ode to mineworkers – heroes in helmets

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In 2021, the mining industry accounted for 8.2% of South Africa’s GDP. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry carried the country’s GDP, as some operations continued. But what does this take and who is at the preface of this crucial process? My recent tour to Menar’s Kangra Coal mine in Saul Mkhizeville, Mpumalanga propelled a deep sense of appreciation for the men and women in helmets.

Our tour consisted of a group of twenty seasoned journalists and students from across Gauteng, who had been chosen to attend the 2022 Menar Mining Journalism Training, to better understand the intricacies of mining for informed reporting.

After a four-hour drive from Johannesburg to Saul Mkhizeville, we were welcomed into a rigorous safety class and indemnification process. From there, we headed to the changing room, where the work began. We put on our gear: long wool socks, one-piece overall, knee-high safety boots, thick belt, helmet, rubber hand gloves, glasses, earpiece, and a face mask. The few kg’s added were equivalent to 4 hours’ worth of work at my office in Johannesburg! (It was heavy).

As we took the bus to go have our safety lights fitted, the atmosphere changed from excitement to tension. I guess this is probably why most mine workers sing on their way to their shifts- to ease the tension. In addition to the extra 10kgs I had accumulated at the dressing room, a chemical oxygen self-rescuer was fitted onto the side of our belts in case of an emergency.

Day two of Menar academy’s MJT2022 saw the trainees’ visit the Kangra coal mine in Saul Mkhizeville, Mpumalanga.

Now we were ready.

We then got to the mining site and started walking downhill toward the entrance. Lined up in silence, we all marched into the black hole…

I walked about 500m in heavy sludge that came up to the knee, depending only on the light fitted to my helmet. As we got further in, I began to see where all the magic started. Men and women were operating drill machines, some driving the mined coal toward the conveyor belt and others constantly checking for safety hazards. Greasy overalls and faces smudged in coal. It was all in a day’s work for them. The experience was both daunting and exciting.

As we finally headed out after the tour was done, I asked one of the officers who had accompanied us what made him jump out of bed every morning to spend 10 hours underground, where there’s minimal to no lighting, no glass walls and pot plants- where there was no coffee machine!

He turned and pointed to the coal that was being spewed out from the conveyor belt while a truck was loading it, and said “That has kept me coming back to work for the past 20 years.” I was inspired.

From that day, my perspective shifted.  Having a glimpse of the daily demanding activities of a mineworker, propelled a great sense of respect in me. We must also appreciate the new technology that allows miners to work in safe environments. LED lighting, proximity detections systems (PDS), netting, bolting, remote VR-led inspections and drilling all come in handy for these tough conditions.

Miners needn’t go on strike for a decent salary. They should not have to struggle to make ends meet. In fact, these are some of the workers that need to be treasured the most. If anything, I hope for a day where there will be a national day of mine workers in South Africa, that will serve as a constant reminder of the bravery, agility and service of these great men and women who risk their lives to keep the country going.

While mining output and exports are catalysts to the growth of an economy, it is always important to remember those at the helm of production.

Prioritise the UK Border to Keep Trade Moving, Logistics UK Warns

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he publication of Public Accounts Committee report“EU Exit: UK Border Post transition” shows that government needs to place an urgent focus on arrangements at the nation’s border if trade and passenger traffic is not to grind to a halt from this summer onwards. As Sarah Laouadi, the organisation’s head of European policy explains, while the logistics sector has made huge strides in preparation for new border arrangements, there is still much to do to keep the UK trading with its closest business market.

“Our industry has made huge strides in preparing for new border and customs arrangements with the EU since the Withdrawal Agreement was signed,” she says, “but the imposition of new import checks this summer and introduction of new border processes could have a significant impact on the ability of UK businesses to trade effectively in the future.”

“The new EES passport checking system needs urgent attention, as it currently would require drivers to leave their vehicles and cross live traffic lanes in ports and terminals to undergo passport checks. Not only would this create safety risks, but it will have a severe impact on the time it takes to cross the border and knock-on effects on traffic flows on both sides of the Channel. As we know, independent modelling has previously shown that a two-minute delay at the border could create up to 29 miles of queuing traffic and while some friction is unavoidable after the UK’s departure from the EU, the potential time that the new system would take could be disastrous for the UK’s highly interconnected supply chains. And with passenger volumes due to rise as the summer approaches, this delay would impact consumers as well.”

As Ms Laouadi continues, the industry has made huge strides in preparing for new import checks on goods coming from the EU, despite the pressures placed on the sector by Covid-19. “Businesses moving goods from the EU to the UK have been working hard to prepare for the new EU import requirements, but there is still much to be clarified by government. While government seems to be confident that all planned Border Control Posts (BCPs) will be built and staffed in time for July – albeit with interim arrangements and temporary facilities in certain cases – our main concern is the lack of details about the type of commodities that will be accepted at each location, which is crucial for businesses to rearrange their routes and operations if necessary.”

“This information should be available by now. The operational changes we are talking about cannot be delivered at the last minute. We would like the UK Government to show leadership on this to bring together all involved parties including the operators of BCPs and deliver the information the logistics industry needs to successfully navigate the next stages of import controls.”

Most important for trade, according to Ms Laouadi, is to achieve the ambition to move from the “Day one arrangements to the best possible border procedures. The 2025 border strategy has the potential to reduce the costs of trading, which did increase for EU imports and exports as a result of EU Exit procedures; it will also equally benefit UK businesses trading with the rest of the world. The speed at which these border reforms are introduced is crucial.”

“There is no doubt the transformations proposed by government in its Border Strategy have great potential, but we believe some of these should be delivered even before 2025. Our sector is at the heart of every facet of the UK’s economy and now is the time for government to give UK importers and exporters the conditions to thrive.”

Research and Development for the Haulage Industry to Support Businesses

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The HMRC Research and Development Tax Scheme was created to encourage business innovation and stimulate the economy, through supporting firms to bring new products and services to market. Yet, due to time constraints, lack of awareness and doubts around eligibility or the legitimacy of the incentive, there are thousands of companies that are not currently taking part in the scheme, particularly within the haulage industry.  

Research and Development Specialists Ltd (RDS), an expert in helping companies to navigate the Government scheme, is reaching out to firms in the haulage sector, after numerous successful claims for similar businesses; most of which had commissioned custom-built IT systems that made them eligible to claim.  

RDS helped to recover £292,782.51 for Leicester-based haulage specialists Pall-Ex Group Limited, after it identified that the development of a new overarching internal system aimed at creating universal cohesion to their global operations qualified for tax relief. 

Here, Mark Joyner of Research & Development Specialists LTD (RDS), based in the North of England attempts to demystify R&D in a bid to reach more haulage firms that could benefit from a cash influx of hundreds of thousands of pounds.  

“We’ve had great success within the haulage sector,” begins Mark. “Data automation is often a key priority for larger haulage firms, as is the need to coordinate and execute interdepartmental tasks on a global scale.  

“We often find companies working in this space will invest in bespoke IT systems due to the complexities of their business. The research and development related to this then makes them eligible for tax credits, but that’s not widely known. Lots of companies are missing out.” 

What is R&D? 

Research and development (R&D) tax credits are a valuable government incentive that rewards UK businesses for investing in innovation. It is a powerful source of funding for businesses looking to grow and develop new products, services, procedures, and internal systems. 

There is a misconception that to qualify for R&D tax relief then a business must employ people in lab coats and be undertaking scientific research, but that is not the case. Any type of research and development could qualify.  

Some examples of an IT development for the haulage industry that would qualify as R&D would include: 

  • The engineering of unique scripts to aid in data automation and data migration from legacy systems to a superior/new system
  • The design and subsequent engineering of a unique platform capable of streamlining global processes
  • The continuous testing, trialling and modifications of systems architecture in efforts to achieve superior functional capability within the overall deliverable
  • The engineering of machine-based intelligence to aid in resolving invoicing inefficiencies, accurate data segmentation and interdepartmental report generation   
  • The integration of global internal systems into the customs database to ensure all departments adopted a proactive stance to the import/export changes presented by BREXIT

Which businesses can claim?

Any UK limited business can claim. There are no restrictions on the type or size of business although there are different types of R&D scheme depending on whether you fit HMRC’s guide as being an SME or large company.  

For the SME scheme, a company must employ less than 500 people and have a turnover of less than £85m or a balance sheet total of less than £73m. An SME’s eligible R&D costs receive an additional 130% deduction when calculating the taxable profit. 

Eligibility is focussed on the research project rather than the type of business. Typically, an R&D claim can be submitted for a business’s current and previous financial year.

Some R&D project criteria to be aware of… 

The project must relate to your company’s trade, and you must be able to explain how the project: 

  • Looked for an advance in science and technology. 
  • Had to overcome uncertainty. 
  • Tried to overcome this uncertainty. 
  • Could not be easily worked out by a professional in the field.

Does the project have to be successful?

No, there is no rule that says you need to have a finished product or service brought the market. The research/development phase is enough for you to qualify.

How do I claim the money?

For profitable businesses, the benefit is applied as a reduction in corporation tax. If a claim is historical, the monies will be claimed back as a repayment of overpaid corporation tax.  

For companies operating at a loss, the R&D claim will increase the loss arising. This loss can then be set against prior and future profits of the company, or it can be turned in to a cash repayment by using a process HMRC calls ‘surrender’, whereby the business takes a slightly lower benefit percentage for the ‘cash now’.

Bridgestone and Webfleet to Showcase Tyre and Mobility Solution

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Bridgestone and its globally trusted fleet management solution, Webfleet, will be at IAA Transportation 2022 to showcase its diverse portfolio of premium tyres, tyre-centric technologies and advanced mobility solutions designed to improve efficiency, sustainability and convenience for fleets.

Together, Bridgestone and Webfleet are on a mission to move the world towards a sustainable future of mobility. IAA Transportation 2022, which will take place in Hannover, Germany from 19th to 25th September, will give fleets a unique opportunity to learn more about the products and data-driven mobility solutions Bridgestone and Webfleet can offer them to enhance their performance.

Beyond its premium tyre portfolio, Bridgestone will also showcase Fleetcare. A new and unique integrated tyre and fleet management solution, Fleetcare delivers enhanced efficiency and reduced operating costs to fleets thanks to a complete package from a single mobility partner.

Fleetcare combines Bridgestone’s premium tyres and tyre management solutions with Webfleet fleet management solution to help fleets fast-forward their business. Supported by proven technologies, Fleetcare is customisable to the unique needs of each fleet and aims to reduce total cost of ownership, increase customer satisfaction, save time, support compliance, maximise safety and security and enhance sustainability.

As part of its Fleetcare offering, Bridgestone will also unveil its new dedicated and off-the-shelf solution for small and medium truck & bus, commercial vans and passenger car fleets at the show.

Through new solutions like Fleetcare, Bridgestone showcases its ability to be the right partner to help fleets effectively navigate both the complex demands of their operations and the many possible mobility solutions a fleet can deploy on their growth journey.

Webfleet gives fleet customers the data-driven insights and tools they need to improve their fleet and mobility performance and take advantage of the new opportunities arising from the connected world. With Webfleet’s products and solutions, users can take action to reduce fuel consumption, increase safety, go electric, increase productivity while staying compliant with tacograph regulations and much more.

As a sustainable solutions company and a leading partner for fleets, Bridgestone has a strong commitment to making businesses more efficient and sustainable through its portfolio of premium tyres, tyre-centric technologies, and advanced mobility solutions that include Webfleet.

Rising Fuel Prices Accelerate Switch to Electric Vehicles

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Half (50%) of UK businesses reliant on fleets to operate have accelerated their transition to electric vehicles (EVs) as spikes in fuel prices continue to hammer diesel-powered vehicle users, according to new research from Samsara, the pioneer of the Connected Operations Cloud.

The research, which sought the views of 1,500 operational leaders including 200 in the UK, also reveals 84% of those in the UK’s industrial, manufacturing, and logistics industries see increasing the sustainability of their operations as a “high” or “critical” priority — and 61% will up their investment in sustainability measures in 2022.

The full study, presented in a new 2022 State of Connected Operation Report, reveals an eagerness among UK leaders to make a measurable impact on decarbonisation. Around four in 10 (38%) have already implemented a formal sustainability programme, with a further 59% planning to do this in 2022 to curb emissions.

The figures for the UK echo industry-wide moves across the globe to embrace a shift towards sustainability within industrial, manufacturing, retail, and service supply chains. Key priorities for sustainability programmes over the next five years include:

  • 81% plan to hire leadership personnel to drive forward sustainability initiatives
  • 86% plan to invest more in technology to support more sustainable operations
  • 89% will develop KPIs and quantitative performance targets for sustainability initiatives
  • 87% intend to market their sustainability efforts to customers

“These findings are unequivocable. The logistics and road haulage industry is committed to embracing environmental sustainability, which has been brought into sharp focus with skyrocketing fuel prices and customer pressures. We’re seeing a strong appetite to move to mixed fuel, combining compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric or complete EV adoption,” said Philip van der Wilt, VP & General Manager, Samsara, EMEA.

“Business leaders are turning words into action, putting investment in EVs and environmental sustainability as priorities for 2022. Organisations are setting concrete goals and investing in technology to deliver more sustainable operations,” added Philip van der Wilt.

Bridgestone Launches Its Fleetcare Solution

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Bridgestone, a global leader in tyres and sustainable mobility solutions, launches Fleetcare, an integrated tyre and fleet management solution designed to fast forward business for fleets.

An evolution of Bridgestone’s Total Tyre Care, Fleetcare combines Bridgestone’s best-in-class tyre range and tyre management solutions with fleet management solutions from Webfleet, Europe’s number one telematics solution for fleets. With Fleetcare, fleet owners have now the opportunity to reduce their total cost of ownership thanks to a complete package from a single mobility partner.

Tailored to the unique needs and requirements of individual fleets

Fleets demand maximum efficiency, convenience and sustainability as they enter the future of mobility, and Bridgestone’s portfolio of solutions is rapidly evolving to meet these demands and create new social and customer value.

Bridgestone’s new integrated tyre and fleet management solution, Fleetcare, provides a host of benefits to fleet customers, including total cost of ownership reduction, maximised customer satisfaction, time saving, regulatory compliance and increased sustainability, safety and security.

Fleetcare also delivers unique business benefits through IoT and data driven insights and services. It is developed for managers of commercial fleets who are looking for a comprehensive and modular solution package that adds cost control and automation into their daily work, enabling better decision making.

Available now, Fleetcare revolutionises the fleet market by offering both tyre and fleet management solutions with integrated and connected data and reporting available under one agreement and delivered by one single partner. Thanks to the use of combined tyre and vehicle data, Fleetcare provides smarter and more predictive maintenance solutions, resulting in optimised performance and increased convenience.

‘Listening to the changing needs of customers’

Commenting on this launch was Mark Tejedor, Vice President Commercial Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA: “Cost-efficiency, convenience and sustainability are the three big priorities for fleets right now. When utilising many service providers, it is always a challenge to get the maximum effect on each of those priorities. We understand this is a key pain point for fleet owners and operators, which is why we’ve evolved Total Tyre Care into Fleetcare, an integrated solution for all tyre and fleet management needs.

“Through the launch of Fleetcare, we’re providing a unique and modular solution that addresses so many key business needs, from cost to compliance, from safety to sustainability. Fleetcare will help fast forward the businesses of our fleet customers thanks to the synergies between our proven fleet management and tyre management solutions. This launch is just the start, with more exciting innovations on the way.”

This project aligns with the Bridgestone E8 Commitment that serves as the axis to drive management while earning the trust of future generations. The Bridgestone E8 Commitment consists of eight Bridgestone-like values starting with the letter “E” (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease, and Empowerment) that Bridgestone will commit to creating together with employees, society, partners and customers to realise a sustainable society.

Fleetcare aligns with “Ecology: Committed to advancing sustainable tyre technologies and solutions that preserve the environment for future generations”, “Efficiency: Committed to maximising productivity through the advancement of mobility”, “Economy: Committed to maximising the economic value of mobility and business operations”, “Energy: Committed to the realization of a carbon neutral mobility society”, “Extension: Committed to nonstop mobility and innovation that keeps people and the world moving ahead”, and “Ease: Committed to bringing comfort and peace of mind to mobility life”.

Tevva Motors Signs Deal for Its Hydrogen Electric Trucks

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In the break of a surging demand for hydrogen electric trucks, Tevva Motors has signed a deal with Canadian firm Loop Energy. As part of the two-year agreement, the firm will supply £9.9 million worth of fuel cell systems in 2023.

Announcing the deal this week Loop Energy said that the “significant surge in order volume in 2023 increases Loop Energy’s confidence that it will meet and exceed its previous purchase order guidance. The growth in order volume indicates the commercial mobility sector’s willingness to adopt hydrogen fuel cell technology as a zero-emissions solution.”

“The market for zero-emissions commercial vehicles continues to develop quickly, and this supply agreement with Tevva puts Loop Energy on the path to not only technology leadership, but fuel cell market leadership. This is amongst the largest fuel cell product supply agreements in recent years. The contract with Tevva is indicative of the surge in interest we see in Europe for hydrogen-electric vehicles and the fuel cells that power them,” Ben Nyland, Loop Energy president and chief executive, added.

“Tevva is quickly establishing itself as a leader in the zero-emission commercial vehicle market in Europe, and we are looking forward to providing the fuel cell systems they need to succeed.”

Tevva unveiled its first hydrogen electric truck alongside Loop Energy at the inaugural RTX Show in Warwickshire last week. The manufacturer is forecasting that the first of its trucks will hit the road this year.

“Development of our hydrogen electric truck platform has been extremely encouraging, and we are seeing growing demand for our product line,” commented Asher Bennet, Tevva founder and chief executive.

“Loop Energy continues to show it can support our production targets and provide a fuel cell solution that will deliver lower costs and improved performance to our customers. As a result, we are moving closer to our corporate goal of reducing 10 million tonnes of global transportation CO2 emissions by 2030.”

Superior Builds World’s Largest Telescopic Stacking Conveyor…Again!

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Superior Industries, Inc., a US-based manufacturer and global supplier of bulk material processing and handling systems, recently completed design and manufacturing work on what they’re considering to be the world’s largest telescopic radial stacking conveyor.

The brand-new TeleStacker® Conveyor model is a 48-inch-wide by 210-feet-long telescoping conveyor (1220mm x 64m). It’s capable of building 425,000 ton stockpiles (315,000 cubic yards). Superior says the record-breaking stacker will be used to unload dry bulk ships along the Atlantic Coast in Florida.

Operators at the port will take advantage of the TeleStacker Conveyor’s PilePro™ Automation. This user-friendly, Superior designed and supported system automatically controls the stacker’s actions while building partially or fully-desegregated stockpiles. Some popular features include pile volume reporting, maintenance triggers and diagnostics screens.

In 2022, Superior is celebrating 25 years of manufacturing its famous TeleStacker® Conveyor. During that time, the conveyor has earned a reputation as the best tool for defeating costly material segregation while bulk stockpiling. Superior says it manufactures about a dozen standard sizes and is always willing to customize every inch of the conveyor for premiere performance in any application.

Nigeria’s Economic Status And The Mining Sector

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It’s indisputable that Nigeria’s mining sector is presently in a moribund state, despite the government’s diversification mantra.

Mining is usually referred  to as the extraction of valuable minerals cum other geological materials from the earth crust, usually from lode, vein, ore-body, seam, reef, or placer deposits.

These deposits constitute a mineralized package that is of economic interest to the prospective miner. Ores obtained via mining activity are gemstones, limestone, coal, oil shale, metals, dimension stone, clay, gravel, potash, and rock salt, among others.

Mining is required to obtain essential commodities that cannot be possibly grown via agricultural processes, or created artificially in a factory or laboratory. Mining of stones and metals has been a well-recognized human occupation since the prehistoric era.

Modern days mining processes involve prospecting for ore bodies, analyzing the profit potential of the proposed mine, extraction of the desired materials, and final reclamation of the affected land after the mine is closed.

The economic importance of mining cannot be overemphasized. In Ghana, for instance, the country’s mining sector is a very vital segment of its economy, and has played a significant role in its socio-economic development since the colonial period. Historically, the Ghanaian mining sector’s contribution to the country’s gross foreign exchange – particularly gold – has only been paralleled by its cocoa sector.

Not only do the products power the family car as well as heat the family home, the manufacturing sector, high tech industries, and even the better known resource industries, are all dependent – in one way or the other – on the mining industry.

The mining industry will continue to be an important support to the economy of any country that embraces it. Aside from boosting Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it encourages high rates of employment opportunities and equally thrives to ensure that the number of entrepreneurs in the country is increased tremendously.

In spite of the ongoing boom in the sector, Nigeria still lags behind. It’s shocking to note that notwithstanding the unquantifiable solid minerals the country is blessed with, mining presently accounts for barely 0.3 per cent of the country’s GDP, due to the influence of its vast petroleum resources.

The country’s domestic mining industry is conspicuously underdeveloped, leading to importation of minerals such as, but not limited to, iron-ore and salt, that could be domestically produced with ease. It’s a shame that the only material that’s overtime mined across the country is sand.

Rights to ownership of mineral resources is held by the Federal Government (FG) who grants titles to interested organizations to explore, mine, and sell mineral resources, but the business has hitherto been relatively unpopular.

The Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration began a process of selling off government-owned mining corporations to private investors in 1999. It’s pathetic and disheartening to acknowledge that till date, those firms are ostensibly lying moribund.

On assumption of duty, perhaps piqued by the ongoing devastating physiognomy of Nigeria’s mining sector, the President Mohammadu Buhari-led government strongly assured the teeming Nigerians that the administration would rejuvenate the industry.

Little wonder the government recently approved a sum of N12.7 billion solid minerals exploration contract. Yet at the moment, pathetically no serious and practical impact has been recorded, probably owing to lack of policy direction.

It’s therefore high time Nigeria started mining the available solid mineral deposits abound in the country – to include tale, gypsum, lead, zinc, bentonite, gold, uranium, bitumen, coal, rock salt, gemstones, kaolin and barite – all which are highly lucrative and of great economic value. This can only be actualized by deploring the required techniques tactically as well as imbibing viable policies into the system.

Surface mining and subsurface (underground) mining are the available two major forms of mining. The target minerals are generally divided into two categories of materials namely, placer deposits and lode deposits. The former comprises valuable minerals contained within river, gravels, beach sands, and other unconsolidated materials, whilst the latter are those found in veins, layers, or in mineral grains widely distributed throughout a mass of actual rock.

Both classes of deposits could be mined by either of the aforesaid mining types. Moreover, in-situ leaching is another technique mainly used in mining rare earth elements cum soluble minerals like uranium, potash, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and sodium sulfate. Of all, surface mining is at the moment much more common and viable.

However, it’s pertinent to comprehend that mining, likewise petroleum drilling, is associated with various environmental factors. These include erosion, formation of sinkholes, and loss of biodiversity, coupled with contamination of soil, ground cum surface water by chemicals from mining processes.

In some cases, additional forest logging is done in the vicinity of mines to create space for the storage of the created debris and soil. Basic examples of pollution from mining activities include coal fires, which can last for years, producing severe amounts of environmental damage.

These menaces, as outlined above, can be properly controlled through the effort of the concerned law enforcement agency by implementing stringent environmental and rehabilitation Acts as well as functional policies.

Now that diversification is apparently the only way to revive Nigeria’s troubled and epileptic economy, the governments at all levels ought to endeavour to take the bull by the horn towards ensuring that the mining industry is accorded a well-deserved attention.

Taking into cognizance the impact the said sector stands to create on the country’s economy at large, it’s needless to state that its exploration is long overdue, thus feasible policies and actions are seriously needed.