Nigeria is blessed with abundant mineral resources and most of these remain untapped. The country is so blessed with solid minerals and in large quantities too. Due to presence of oil in the country as well the government has not devoted enough time to the solid mineral sector although it has started by declaring its intention to support investors in this sector. This it has done by streamlining the process of acquisition of mining title and setting aside solid mineral support fund for investors in the sector.
Feldspars (LiAlSi3O8 – NaAlSi3O8 – CaAl2Si2O8) are a group of rock-forming tectosilicate minerals that make up about 41% of the Earth‘s continental crust by weight. Feldspars crystallize from magma as veins in both intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks and are also present in many types of metamorphic rock. Feldspars are also found in many types of sedimentary rocks
The feldspars group members are all closely allied in form and habit due to a similar structure. The feldspar group is divided into two distinct varieties: (1) the orthoclase or alkali which is rich in potassium and sodium (alkali elements), moonstone, orthoclase, and amazonite are the main members of this group; (2) the plagioclase feldspars (also known as soda-lime feldspars) that constitute an isomorphous series between albite, the sodium aluminum silicate, NaAlSi3O8, and anorthite, the calcium aluminum silicate, CaAl2Si2O8. Labradorite and aventurine are the main members of this group.
For the following reasons feldspar family members are widely used in jewellery industry, (1) they provide a great choice of natural colors (2) they come in large sizes (3) they provide beautiful optical effects. The feldspars are often described as having a schiller, opalescence or adularescence. These terms all refer to the shimmering effect that appears to sit just below, or above the surface of the stone when it is placed or moved under a light. Moonstone is well known for this especial optical effect, in which reflected light causes a blue or white schiller
APPLICATION AND USES
Feldspar is a common raw material used in glassmaking, ceramics, various construction works and to some extent as a filler and extender in paint, plastics, and rubber. In glassmaking, alumina from feldspar improves product hardness, durability, and resistance to chemical corrosion. In ceramics, the alkalis in feldspar (calcium oxide, potassium oxide, and sodium oxide) act as a flux, lowering the melting temperature of a mixture. Fluxes melt at an early stage in the firing process, forming a glassy matrix that bonds the other components of the system together
EXPORT OF COPPER
Feldspar ore can be exported after sorting into size and packaging. Packaging is usually in 50 Kg since the price is quoted in Metric tons. 1000/KG makes 1 ton and this helps in easy containerization of the goods since most shipping company prefer to carry 20 tons in 20 feet container. In shipping mineral ores, 20 feet container is usually preferred because of the weight of the ores.
The sorting of the ore simply refers to the breaking down of the ore into the desired sizes as agreed with the buyer. Sizes usually range from 0-50-100 mm and care must be taken while this is being done because if the product is not broken to the desired size, it might lead to a reduction in price or rejection of goods.
In the export of the Feldspar ore, some of the cost to consider includes cost of the ore at the site, cost of transportation to site of crushing/loading {in case the mining site is not accessible to trucks}, cost of crushing, cost of packaging, cost of loading it to the truck, cost of transportation to Warehouse/port, cost of analysis, cost of freight, agent fee, and miscellaneous. All these cost will be worked out for any potential investor so that you can have a better view of the return on investment
REFINING
Feldspar is the name given to a group of minerals distinguished by the presence of alumina and silica (SiO2) in their chemistry. This group includes aluminum silicates of soda, potassium, or lime. An investor that is mining Feldspar may decide to refine same and produce the various minerals from the ore. This facility do not exist in the Nigeria presently thus it presents a fantastic investment opportunity for a savvy investor to take advantage of, such investor will refine the copper ore and then sell copper concentrate to local and international buyers. This fetches more return on investment even though the investment is huge
MARKET
Export of crude Feldspar ore is good business but refining it to the point it is ready to be used is better although it requires enormous investment so also is the return on investment. Global Feldspar consumption is steadily increasing, and currently stands at some 20.9 million metric tons 2017 report. Forecasts for global Feldpar demand show the same trend. The leading Feldspar consuming countries were China, Russia, india and Germany. Demand for Feldspar worldwide is expected to grow largely because of increased consumption in China, which is being driven by growth in the construction, Glass making and other related businesses
REQUIREMENT AND CONDITIONS FOR MINING IN NIGERIA
There are two options available to a company or an individual to enter into the mining industry in Nigeria.
- Through the acquisition of an existing mining Lease from the original owner. Approval must be obtained from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development for such a purchase.
- Fresh mining lease
Procedure for Mineral Title Licences/Leases and Permits:
Duly completed application form
Coordinates of the area of application
Certificate of incorporation
Attestation
Letter of consent from landowner(s)/occupier(s)
Types of minerals
Work programme/pre-feasibility report
Evidence of payment
Technical capability
Financial capability
In order to encourage investment in the solid minerals industry in Nigeria, Government is offering the following incentives
- 3-5 years Tax Holiday
- Deferred royalty payments
- Possible capitalization of expenditure on exploration and surveys
- Extension of infrastructure such as roads and electricity to mining sites, and provision of 100% foreign ownership of mining concerns.
The mining industry in Nigeria is regulated by the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act of 2007, National Minerals and Metals Policy 2008 and Nigerian Minerals and Mining Regulations 2011.
CONCLUSION
Business Advisory Network ‘BAN’ will work with you and assist you to process mining lease from the federal government. We will help you source for a site with rich mineral content. Mining is a technical field although the financial reward is enormous; therefore to succeed you need experts to guide you to avoid fatal mistakes that will erode your capital.
Other things BAN can do for you include but are not limited to helping you to determine the grade of Feldspar ore at the site, source market for your mined minerals, both locally and internationally. BAN will also help you arrange security at your mining sites.