An established and well managed solid minerals sub-sector will accelerate economic, social and political growth of Nigeria by provision of gainful employment and a rise in national income earnings far exceeding the petroleum sector. In addition, solid minerals will provide local raw materials for industries and bring vital infrastructure and wealth to rural areas.
Records as it that the solid mineral industry in Nigeria contributes about 0.3% of the Gross Domestic Product {GDP} and this is due to the fact that investment opportunities in the sector tends to be focused on the mining { with the use of crude implements} and trading of the minerals in there crude form.
This not only leads to low output but a great lost in revenue which could have been derived when the minerals are processed thereby adding value and create employment opportunity for our teeming population.
Through various processes, minerals can be refined and one of such processes is beneficiation.
Beneficiation is a variety of processes where by extracted ore from mining is separated into mineral and gangue through mechanical means, the former suitable for further processing or direct use.
For instance, through beneficiation technology low grade tin ore of 5% concentration can be increased to high grade tin ore of 50% or more concentration and sold at a much higher price.
Tin ore {Cassiterite} is the second –easiest ore to mine. It is mined from tin veins. Cassiterite is a tin oxide mineral, SnO2. It is generally opaque but it is translucent in thin crystals. Its luster and multiple crystal faces produce a desirable gem. Cassiterite has been the chief tin ore throughout ancient history and remains the most important source of tin today.
Most sources of cassiterite today are found in alluvial or placer deposits containing the resistant weathered grains.
Tin mineralization in Nigeria is within the Younger Granites of Jos Plateau. They are two types: primary deposits found as disseminations in the biotite granite and pegmatites and placer deposits found among gravel pockets in both ancient and modern stream channels.
Most of the tin today is recovered from the placer formations by stripping and open pit mining. Ore grade is high (about 1.5 kgm-3) and beneficiation is by gravity or magnetic floatation or a combination of the two.
Associated gangue minerals include magnetite (Fe3O4), ilmenite (FeTiO3), Zircon (ZrSiO4), thorite (ThSiO4) and monazite (Le, La, Y, Th(PO4)). Gem quality beryl and semi-precious gem quality topaz are also associated with the cassiterite.
The international standard specification of tin ore 5 % is given below
TYPICAL ASSAY – QUALITY SPECIFICATION:
On dry basis Guaranteed (% by weight) Rejection
Tin ore (Sn) 5% up（including5%） 5% below
Cu ≤0.30% ＞0.30%
Sb ≤0.30% ＞0.30%
F ≤0.10% ＞0.10%
Bi ≤0.10% ＞0.10%
As ≤1.50% ＞1.50%
Pb ≤1.00% ＞1.00%
Radioactivity <200CPMby“inspection alert” >200CPM
Tin is the smallest of the base metals in terms of production volume with less than 300,000 tonnes produced annually, compared with some 20 million tonnes of aluminium produced annually.
The shift in environmental legislation regarding the banning of lead in solder has come to the rescue of the tin market as tin had had a torrid time since the mid-1980’s when prices rose to levels that caused manufacturers to switch to other raw materials. However, with a consumer economy emerging in China and gathering pace in other parts of asia, demand for electronics and hence solder should lead to strong tin demand in the years to come. In addition as China’s rural population moves into the cities, more food will need to be packaged and this should benefit tin demand. Tin demand has started to recover, in 2004 demand reached 315,000 tonnes, up from 275,000 tonnes in 2000.
Supply is still running below the level of demand, with 2004 production forecast to be 285,000 tonnes.
This supply shortfall is a healthy development as during the 1990’s and early 2000’s stocks had built up to levels that were keeping tin prices below the cost of production. The supply deficit is now drawing down these stocks, which will make the market more responsive to market forces in the future.
It is important those low grade tin ore are beneficiated in order to derive more value from them and an opportunity for interested investors to set-up tin ore beneficiation plant in Nigeria.
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At Foraminifera Market Research {www.foramfera.com}, we provide bespoke and up to date market research reports for start-ups and those already in business.
Our reports are designed to assist start-ups to understand the legal and financial requirements of starting the business, the market trends vis-a-vis demand and supply, competition, risk identification and mitigation strategies.
You can order our detailed feasibility report on the milling, packaging and export of tin ore in Nigeria by clicking on the link below.
Report Title: TIN ORE MILLING AND EXPORT IN NIGERIA; THE FEASIBILITY REPORT.
Report Code: FORA/2013/022
Tin Ore Mining in Nigeria
Report Title: TIN ORE MINING AND PROCESSING IN NIGERIA, THE PRE-FEASIBILITY REPORT.
Report Code: FORA/05564-807/2015/TINOREMININGINNIGERIA/82108210
Tin Ore Export in Nigeria
Report Title: TIN ORE EXPORT IN NIGERIA
Report Code: FORA/08/2011/041
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