The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arch Olamilekan Adegbite, has said more investments will pour into the mining sector of the economy with the recent boost of the geophysical survey being put in place by the federal government.
The minister made this observation on Thursday while inspecting two aircraft at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja earmarked for Airborne Geophysical Survey Activities.
This survey is meant to determine the accurate mineral locations using modern-day contemporary magnetic and radiometric methods.
Speaking on the benefits of the survey, the minister noted that the survey was critical to de-risking the sector thus making it attractive to both local and foreign investors.
He noted that the development would ultimately lead to more job creations and increased revenue for the government.
“The data gleaned from this survey will make our mining sector more attractive thus spurring both foreign and local businessmen to invest in the sector, which would create jobs, increase government revenue and spur infrastructural development,” Adegbite said.
The minister equally added that the country has a lot to gain from the survey, explaining that the benefits from the survey would transcend the mining sector into other spheres of the economy.
“The Country as a whole would benefit immensely from the data we are generating as geological information is useful for decision-making in a wide range of activities such as the construction of infrastructure projects, the development, sustainable use and protection of groundwater and environmental impact assessments amongst other uses,” he said.
Adegbite, equally advised the general public in the States and Local Governments that would be covered by this survey not to panic either as a result of the loud noise of the aircraft due to the low flying altitude maintained by the aircraft or the pattern of movement of the aircraft.
“I can assure you that the planes would be flown by an experienced pilot and there is actually nothing to be afraid of. The flights are planned and there is nothing to be afraid of”,
Indeed, the survey will be measuring minor variations in the earth’s magnetic fields and gamma radiations in the soil.
It is a passive technique that does not involve sending out any signals or sound waves into the ground and therefore remains a very safe aerial survey.
The survey is conducted by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, MMSD, through the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification (MINDIVER) Project, a World Bank assisted Project under the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.
