CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Exploitation
of mineral resources has assumed prime importance in several developing
countries including Nigeria. Nigeria is endowed with abundant mineral
resources, which have contributed immensely to the national wealth with
associated socio-economic benefits. Mineral resources are an important source
of wealth for a nation but before they are harnessed, they have to pass through
the stages of exploration, mining and processing (Adekoya, 2003; Ajakaiye,
1985). Different types of environmental damage and hazards inevitably accompany
the three stages of mineral development. It is the purpose of this paper to
present in a nutshell the negative effect on the environment of the activities
involved in harnessing the minerals in Nigeria. An attempt will also be made to
examine the possible precautions and remedies that can be applied in order to
mitigate the effect of adverse environmental impact of mining activities.
Some
mineral resources, notably, cassiterite (tin), columbite, tantalite,
wolframite, lead, zinc, gold and coal have been exploited on a commercial scale
since early part of the last century and have made significant contributions to
the revenue and socio-economic development (Kogbe and Obialo, 1976). Other
minerals like monazite, xenotime, zircon, thorite and molybdenite have also
been produced in lesser quantities and exported. Relatively more recently, oil
and gas (starting from 1957), limestone, marble and rock aggregates have been
playing an increasing role in the national socio-economic development and
growth because they generate appreciable internal revenue and/or foreign
exchange earnings. They have, in fact, overshadowed other economic minerals by
generating over 90% of the export earnings, more than 50% of the national
revenue. At present, many of the minerals are at different levels of
exploitation. To a large extent, the scale of operations involved in
exploration, mining and processing of a mineral determines the intensity and
extent of environmental degradation. Thus in general, a greater damage is
witnessed in the localities where tribute workers do only manual winning of
minerals. For example, large-scale mining of tin and associated minerals in the
Jos Plateau has resulted in a high degree of degradation of arable land,
vegetation and landscape, as well as other environmental problems. Other
localities affected by large-scale environmental damage are the Niger Delta as
a result of oil and gas exploration and exploitation; Sagamu, Okpilla, Ewekoro,
Ashaka and Gboko owing to quarrying of limestone and the establishment of
Portland cement manufacturing company; and in Enugu as a result of coal mining.
1.2 Statement of the problem
A
common negative effect of mining minerals from the earth’s surface is the
destruction of its natural landscape, creating open space in the ground and
generating heaps of rock wastes that cannot be easily disposed. These phenomena
are amply demonstrated in several parts of Nigeria, where commercial mining or
quarrying had occurred in the past or is currently taking place.
Some
socio-environmental problems are sometimes created as a result of certain
peculiarity of the mineral industry. Since minerals are exhaustible and
irrenewable commodities, the life of a mine and, consequently, the mining
activities in a place have a limited time. The stoppage of mining activities
imposed by depletion of the available reserves often leads to migration of
people from the mining areas to other places.
1.3 Significance
of the study
Mining
operations normally upset the equilibrium in the geological environment, which
may trigger off certain geological hazards such as landslide, subsidence,
flooding, erosion and tremors together with their secondary effects. Some cases
of subsidence and instability associated with draining of oil and gas from the
subsurface reservoir have been reported in the Niger Delta.
This
study will be of immense benefit to the government of Nigeria. It will provide
a framework for the critical evaluation of the impact of resource exploitation
and how it impacts on the residents of Niger delta crude oil region.
It
will also benefit other researchers, forming a basis for further research on
the subject in future.
1.4 Objectives
of the study
The objectives of this research include
but not limited to;
1.
To
determine if there is significant relationship between
resource exploitation and environmental impact.
2.
To ascertain the impact of resource
exploitation on the
Niger delta region of Nigeria.
1.5 Research
questions
The
following research questions will be considered in this study:
1.
Is there a significant relationship
between resource exploitation and environmental impact?
2.
Does
resource exploitation have any significant impact on the Niger delta region of
Nigeria?
1.6 Research hypotheses
Ho:
There is no significant relationship between resource
exploitation and environmental impact.
Hi:
There is a significant relationship between resource
exploitation and environmental impact.
Ho:
Resource exploitation has no significant impact on the Niger delta region of
Nigeria.
Hi:
Resource exploitation has significant impact on the Niger delta region of
Nigeria.
1.7 Limitations of the study
The study was carried out to investigate the
environmental impact of resource exploitation on crude oil mining areas in
Niger delta region of Nigeria. The study is delimited to the residents of crude
oil mining areas in Niger delta region. This is because of her representative
nature of all crude oil mining areas in Nigeria, proximity to the researcher, time and financial constraints.
1.8 Scope of the study
This
study is limited to crude oil mining area in Niger delta region of Nigeria.
Therefore the study is restricted to the impact of resource exploitation on
Niger delta region of Nigeria.
1.9 Definition
of terms
Resource: This refers to something that a country has and can use to increase its
wealth.
Exploitation:This is the use of something in order to get an advantage from
it.
Resource
Exploitation:This is the use of resources for economic growth,
sometimes with a negative connotation of accompanying environmental degradation.
Environmental
Impact:This is an analytical process that systematically examines the possible environmental consequences of the implementation of projects,
programmes and policies.
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