Environmental Costs of Exploiting Solid Minerals in Nigeria: A Review

Mining of solid minerals has been a long time primary activity in Nigeria. The paper has reviewed a number of related works and discovered that mining of metallic minerals, particularly tin, columbite, iron ore and lead as well as mineral fuel like coal is on the increase in recent times. Those who engaged in mining the mineral resources actually do so, with the sole aim of improving their socio-economic condition through exploiting the products hence government gives support because exportation helps to boost the country’s economy and image among comity of nations. The once beautiful landscape of Nigeria suitable for agriculture has now become, not only disfigured but has even lost its ecological outlook as a result of extensive and intensive mining activities. The paper has found out that the indiscriminate mining has led to the destruction of vegetation, soil, arable land, pollution of water sources and constitutes death trap to both human beings and animals. The paper has concluded by recommending such measures as embarking on organized tree-planting to stabilize tip-heaps of overburden, conversion of open ponds into fish ponds in order to augment the dietary requirements of the teeming population and the need for companies to prepare and forward statements of EIA to government before mining license could be issued for mining operation. The need for government to strengthen the existing minerals and mining Act of 2007 and the creation of solid mineral commission has also been advocated.