Benefits of cassiterite mining by artisanal miners in Jos Plateau, Nigeria

Abstract

The obtained results from an interactive session with artisanal miners at Bisichi (Kara II) and Kuru-Jentar as well as sampling active and inactive mine pits at the visited mine site prove that a maximum number of 4 bags of cassiterite is mined per day from each lotto pit which is equivalent to ₦660,000 (using the 2018 price of ₦165,000 per processed 50 kg of tin). Samples of cassiterite gotten from the study area show a high percentage of tin (Sn) after X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis was conducted on it. Also, the visited mine pit is 3 ft in diameter, the shaft is 30 ft and an adit of 25 ft. Conclusively, the Nigerian Government stands the chance of having financial stability if she seizes the opportunity by ensuring that the mining sector is improved and, also, by forming cooperatives that would be involved in collating the various products made. Taxes paid to these cooperatives will serve as another source of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the nation. Financial grant can be disbursed through these cooperatives to encourage the use of mechanized mining, but if nothing is done, the economy of Nigeria will continue to dwindle leading to a financial crisis.