Mining Technology Vital For Generating Reliable Geoscience Data – Garba

Former Director General of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency, NGSA, Dr. Abdulrazaq Garba says mining technology is vital for generating reliable geoscience data.

Dr. Garba stated this at a workshop organised by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, to showcase innovative geophysical solutions to Nigerian professional bodies and regulatory agencies in Abuja.

He added that effective use of the innovative equipment will not only encourage economic development but also boost national development through creation of jobs and increase the GDP.

“You will agree with me that exploration of mining depends on data and generation of data requires use of modern technology to be able to generate all the necessary information” Dr. Garba noted.

“I will advice mining exploratory engineers to network and understand how the equipment works to see how they can apply it to what they are doing because it can encourage economic and project development that can boost national development through generation of employment and more revenue to the country” Dr. Garba stated.

On his part, the president, Miners Association of Nigeria, Dele Ayanleke said the major challenge of Nigeria’s mining industry is lack of geological data.

He noted that the government is making moves to improve its geological data generation through innovative solutions.

“The government is making a lot of efforts but if these equipment are released to the industry, it will make alot of changes as it will enhance operators and investors to be able to do their own private exploration to compliment the efforts of the government” he stressed.

Ayanleke who stressed that the release and usage of these equipment will not only help the mining association but the industry added that once it impacts the industry definitely the economy will be impacted as well.

“Presently, the government is doing a lot in terms of exploration because the major challenge of the Nigeria mining sector is lack of geological and geosciences data which is caused by lack of appropriate technology.

“When you talk of mining, it is data, once we are able to get adequate data generation, investments will come. They are saying we are richly endowed but at what level? In some other nations, they will tell you the proven reserve that they have but we have not been able to get it in Nigeria” Ayanleke emphasized.

Speaking on how to make the equipment affordable, Ayanleke said the association have been engaging the government on how to make equipment affordable for exploratory engineers in the industry.

In his contribution, the representative of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture NACCIMA, Mr. Auwal Ibrahim stated that there is an ongoing innovative collaboration with experts to make exploration equipment affordable.

“These equipment will help in getting accurate data that meets international standard data”.

“We are going to bring in innovative collaboration with experts in the field to see how these equipment can be made affordable for miners” Mr. Ibrahim added.

In his presentation, the Chief Executive Officer of the Africa and Middle East Guideline, Dr. Mustapha Abdallah, stated that the company is not only selling the instrument but also offering free training on how to use them.

“We are not just out to sell the equipment, but we will also be offering training on how to use the equipment physically or it may be done online,” Dr. Abdallah added.

Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji