The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development is set to determine the “accurate” positioning of the country’s solid mineral titles.

The project is meant to develop the mining cadastre system and position the mineral titles in the country correctly.

It will also help to minimise conflict and investment risks as well as meet international best practices.
A document from the ministry obtained to the News Agency of Nigeria today in Abuja, stated that the project would be implemented in collaboration with the Surveyor-General of the Federation.
It added that the geodetic project would be for 13 months, beginning from May this year and would be financed by a credit facility obtained from the International Development Association.

According to the document, “The geodetic triangulation of Nigeria was established between the 1950s and 1960s, however, only six points were measured with high accuracy Global Positioning System.’’
It is estimated that for Nigeria with 923.768 sq km the measurement of around 40 points would be sufficient. The six points measured before are Maiduguri, Gusau, Yola, Ugboha, Argungu and Minna, the document stated.

It noted that the ministry would also work with a local consultant to offer technical assistance aimed at improving Nigeria’s geodetic network. The network will cover the cartographic (map incorporating diagrammatic statistics) gaps, using geological satellite images.
This, the document said, would help to reinforce the technical capacity of management of the mining titles in the ministry.

According to the document, the geodetic project will increase government’s long-term institutional and technical capacity to manage Nigeria’s mineral resources in a sustainable way.
The project will also establish a basis for poverty reduction and rural economic renewal in selected areas of the country.

These objectives would be achieved through the development of non-farm income generating opportunities through small scale and artisanal mining to fully diversify from oil revenue, the document added.

According to the document, the geodetic project will improve Nigeria’s competitiveness to attract private investments through the strengthening of governance and transparency in the administration of mining rights and activities.