Comparative Analysis of Economic and Profitability of Artisanal Gold Mining in Part of Niger and Osun States, Nigeria (Published)
Comparative analysis of economic and profitability of artisanal gold mining in part of Niger and Osun states was carried out to assess the cost of production, assess the production rate of alluvial and elluvial gold deposits in the study areas, determine the concentrates of alluvial and elluvial gold deposits in the study areas, compare the concentrates of alluvial and elluvial gold deposits in the study areas and determine the level of profitability in the study areas. The concentration of alluvial gold deposits was carried out using FAS – 121 Au Fire Assay, 50 g Fusion, AAS Trace Level analytical method while that of the elluvial gold deposits was carried out using FAS – 425 Au Fire Assay, 50 g Fusion, Gravimetric analytical method. The cost of production for alluvial gold deposits in Osun state were computed to be N30,000.00, N38,000.00 and N27,000.00 at Isereyun, Samuaye and Okere Oloja Villages respectively while that of elluvial gold deposits in Niger state were computed to be N125,000.00, N98,000.00 and N95,000 at Tutugo, Paiko and Bosso Villages respectively. The comparison of gold concentration in the two states shows that the elluvial gold deposits in Niger state has higher concentrates than the alluvial gold deposits in Osun state which could be due to the fact that elluvial deposits are mostly host rock for gold deposits. The level of profitability in alluvial gold deposits in Osun state ranges from 300% and 400% after the cost of production while that of elluvial gold deposits in Niger state ranges 300%, 400% and 500% after the cost of production. With the level of profitability of the alluvial and elluvial deposits, it can be observed that the profitability for all locations were close but there were differences in the cost of production.
Keywords: Gold, Mining, Nigeria, Profitability, artisanal, fire assay
Prediction of Gold associated Mineral worth: An application of mathematically driven artificial neural network technique (Published)
The elemental composition of other associate minerals existing with gold is a significant asset that defines the amount of additional economic contribution that can be obtained from the gold tailings. The elemental composition is a needed factor in increasing the economic value of gold run-off and getting a clear estimation for the quantity of value-added elements in each tonne of gold sand scooped during the separation process. In this study, the artificial neural network (ANN) modeling technique was used to develop an economic worth prediction model for 10 gold-associated minerals. The developed models have a 1:7:10 architecture and were trained using the ANN Bayesian regularization training algorithm. According to the root mean square error values, the results revealed that the predicted values of the associated minerals are closer to the measured values. Also, the developed model prediction performance was found to be appropriate for the estimation of gold-associated mineral economic benefits based on the high coefficient of determination and variance account. The model performance evaluation results show that the developed ANN models are suitable for economic estimation of gold-associated mineral worth.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Gold, Mining, Nigeria, machine learning algorithms, mineral economics
Statistical Investigation of the Relationship between Gold and Associate Minerals: A case Study of Kagara Area of Niger State Nigeria Soil (Published)
In the Kagara region of Niger State, north-central Nigeria, an investigation was conducted into the gold occurrence and availability of other economic-benefit associate minerals. 39 samples from the study area were subjected to fire assay analysis and multi-element analysis to determine the gold and other mineral recovery in the case study formation. Statistical examination Methods of Pearson correlation and R-mode varimax rotated factor analysis were used to interpret the results. The analysis revealed that the recovered gold (Au) had a grade between 0.01g per tonne and 0.19g per tonne. Li was also identified as the associate mineral with the lowest quantity, with a range of 1-20% and a mean value of 8.49%, whereas Manganes displayed some skewness with a minimum value of 156 and a maximum value of 3080 ppm. According to the Pearson correlation analysis, Lithium and Magnesium have a moderately positive correlation, indicating that they come from the same source. In addition, Mo and Ni have a strong positive correlation whereas Au and Na have a weak positive correlation. The factor analysis performed on the gold and associated mineral occurrences revealed that the deposit had been significantly altered by both environmental and mineralization factors in the study area’s soil. Importantly, the study demonstrates that an associated mineral with gold has substantial economic value. Considering the capital and operating costs required for the exploration and exploitation of gold-bearing soil and rock, it has been determined that the refining of other associate minerals to improve the cost-benefit ratio is highly advantageous.
Keywords: Factor analysis, Nigeria, gold occurrence, mineral economics, soil geochemical data, statistical analysis
Evaluation of Architectural and Other Safety Measures Against Bomb Blasts in Market: An Avenue to Improve Security in Nigeria (Published)
Nigerian markets have been facing the problem of bomb blasts and they occur mostly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and northern part of the country. Thus, conducting a research in FCT market became necessary, since it is located in Nigeria; the aim was to evaluate the architectural and other safety measures against bomb blasts in the market, in order to generate guidelines to improve security in Nigeria. 419 sales points were studied and questionnaires were administered to 419 buyers in the market via random sampling method, in order to obtain the primary research data. Focus group discussions that were made up of five buyers were organised in conjunction with direct observation schedule in the market to also obtain the primary research data. The secondary research data were gotten from the reviews of relevant literatures to this study. Tables and photographs were used to analyse the data of this research. Among the findings from this research are: there are no adequate architectural design against bomb blasts in the market, and the vehicles that are gaining access into the market are not well checked against bomb blasts. Among the recommended guidelines are: adequate architectural design against bomb blasts should be provided in Nigerian markets, and the security personnel should be properly checking the incoming vehicles against bomb blasts in markets in Nigeria.
Citation: Odaudu U.S., Ekule A.A., Idachaba M.K., Nuhu A.A., and Abdul C.I. (2022) Evaluation of Architectural and Other Safety Measures Against Bomb Blasts in Market: An Avenue to Improve Security in Nigeria, International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology Studies, Vol.10, No.3, pp.68-82
Keywords: Guidelines, Nigeria, Security, bomb blasts, markets
Evaluation of Architectural and Other Safety Measures Against Bomb Blasts in Market: An Avenue to Improve Security in Nigeria (Published)
Nigerian markets have been facing the problem of bomb blasts and they occur mostly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and northern part of the country. Thus, conducting a research in FCT market became necessary, since it is located in Nigeria; the aim was to evaluate the architectural and other safety measures against bomb blasts in the market, in order to generate guidelines to improve security in Nigeria. 419 sales points were studied and questionnaires were administered to 419 buyers in the market via random sampling method, in order to obtain the primary research data. Focus group discussions that were made up of five buyers were organised in conjunction with direct observation schedule in the market to also obtain the primary research data. The secondary research data were gotten from the reviews of relevant literatures to this study. Tables and photographs were used to analyse the data of this research. Among the findings from this research are: there are no adequate architectural design against bomb blasts in the market, and the vehicles that are gaining access into the market are not well checked against bomb blasts. Among the recommended guidelines are: adequate architectural design against bomb blasts should be provided in Nigerian markets, and the security personnel should be properly checking the incoming vehicles against bomb blasts in markets in Nigeria.
Keywords: Guidelines, Nigeria, Security, bomb blasts, markets
Engineering and Design Pedagogy in Nigeria (Published)
Of recent there have been more changes in instructional systems formats, new theories and contending issues on the changing trends in classrooms dynamics. New informational values, goals and objectives which have led to diverse strategies and technologies of teaching and learning are numerous and varied. Some forces (internal and external must have prompted these measures out of sincere concern or out of the realities on ground. These forces have been very imposing, symbolic and unique. Unfortunately, most classroom teachers especially in developing countries like Nigeria are yet to prove their worth in terms of serious input into the use of new instructional media (strategies, materials and tools) in the classrooms. This is regrettable and should not be so. There have been several factors which include lack of training, inadequate financial and material resources, conservative traditions and inappropriate. Design and Engineering. Pedagogy draws heavily from several disciplines such as Economics, Political Science, Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology. Pedagogy can be seen as the theory and practice of existing educational policies and practices, establishments and systems, seeing the world from every side and angle based on exploration, entrapments and expectations. Design and Engineering Pedagogical practices in Nigeria have been shrouded with skepticism and very many unexplained questions some described as ridiculous and difficult, complex and inappropriate. Teaching is not always on what happens in the classrooms or solely on theoretical realms, but also on making the concepts and material relevant to the people, environment and the forces of nature.
Keywords: Design Pedagogy, Engineering, Instrumental system Format, Nigeria
Assessment of Functional and Environmental Indicators in the Performance of Buildings in Federal Universities of South East Nigeria (Published)
The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the extent to which functional and environmental measures/indicators are expressed in the performance of Educational buildings in Universities of South East Nigeria and recommend measures for improved understanding and practice. Literature review was used to provide a clear understanding of the constructs of functionality and environmental performance in buildings. A questionnaire relating to the diverse contents of these constructs was developed and administered to a convenient sample of staff and students of some Federal universities under investigation. Data generated from the questionnaire were analysed using Excel and statistica; Version 9.0. The study suggests that majority of the respondents (staff and students) were generally dissatisfied with the functional and environmental performance of their building facilities. Information about the design and use of specific buildings were imprecise and therefore not usually identified in the institutions studied. The functionality and environmental concerns of most of the building spaces such as classrooms, offices and residential accommodations were found to be poor. Hence, the interaction between users and building spaces did not add value to learning and working experiences. The findings point to the conclusion that functional efficiency and environmental performance goals seem not have been explicitly expressed in the design of most buildings investigated. The study points to the need for designers and facilities managers in these institutions to acquire skills on critical aspects of building performance evaluation, particularly, the recognition of environmental and functional concerns/indicators as means of meeting the increasing demand for higher quality by stakeholders in the education sector.
Keywords: Assessment, Buildings, Environmental, Functional, Nigeria, Performance, Universities
Appraising the Influence of Cultural Determinants of Construction Workers Safety Perception and Behaviour in Nigeria (Published)
Health and safety has been a source of concern to the performance of construction sector in Nigeria. The high rate of accidents and injuries occasioned by workers acts and perceptions attests to this concern. This paper assesses the cultural factors that influence the behaviour and perceptions of construction workers towards safety in South-East Nigeria. It provides a framework for incorporating cultural elements in issues relating to construction business. The study employed the survey research method for the investigation. Structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of site operatives and management staff involved in construction projects in the study area. Responses were analyzed using SPSS 16.0; mean score index and standard deviation to ascertain the influence of cultural elements on workers behaviour and perceptions. The study revealed that five cultural dimensions affect the way construction workers perceive and act towards safety. Respondents agreed that three dimensions (collectivism, uncertainty avoidance and long term orientation) promote safe behaviours and perceptions of workers, while power distance and masculinity promote unsafe behaviours and perceptions towards safety in construction. The study advocates adequate consideration of workers cultural values and beliefs in every construction business, especially those that promote safe behaviours and perceptions in the construction process.
Keywords: Behaviour, Construction workers, Cultural Determinants, Nigeria, Safety Perception