ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE EXPLORATION AND EXPLOITATION OF SOLID MINERALS I N NIGERIA: A STUDY OF TIN IN JOS AND COAL IN ENUGU

Abstract

The discovery phase of a mine's operation through the closing phase can all have significant detrimental
consequences on the environment. Nigeria has a variety of minerals, and the environment may be impacted
by their discovery or utilisation. This essay's goal is to assess the environmental impact of mining for tin and
coal in Enugu and the Plateau, respectively. The coal mines in Enugu are utilised to represent places with
closed mines, whereas the Jos field in Plateau State is utilized as an instance of investigation for zones with
active miners. A field survey, direct mapping of mining operations, evaluation of the effects of exploration
and exploitation, documentation analysis, and observations are all part of the technique employed for this
study. Evaluation of the environmental effects of mining for coal and tin is included in the outcomes. It is
hoped that Nigeria would be able to implement and enforce some minimal environmental criteria for the
exploration and extraction of solid minerals as a result of the study's findings. Best management techniques
could also be implemented for recovering surface mines.