20 May 2005
Lagos — Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has identified seven industrial and metallic minerals in Gombe State.
The minerals include coal, lignite, limestone, gypsum, kaolin, feldspar/quartz, brines, gemstones and lead/zinc.
Report of the Presidential Committee on Solid Minerals Development, made available in Abuja, stated that the minerals were located in all the local government areas of the state.
Coal, according to the report, is located in Akko and Bajoga local government areas; lignite in Gombe Local Government area and limestone in Bajoga, Yamaltu, Deba and Billiri.
Kaolin in Dukku and Billiri; feldspar/quartz also in Billiri while brine was located in Billiri and Akko; gemstones in Billiri and Kaltungo, while lead/zinc was found in Billiri and Shongom local government areas.
The report said the discovery still requires further investigation, detailed exploration and development.
Though the reserve estimates of the minerals are not readily available, report however, said active mining by the informal miners proved the resources were available in commercial quantities.
Except for gypsum, which was being mined by the Ashaka Cement Company, other minerals were mined by artisan and small scale miners.
The report said gypsum which was located in Nafada, Billiri and Akko local government areas of the state had a reserve estimate of 761,000 in Nafada.
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