The First Phase of Airborne Geophysical Survey of Nigeria has been publicly presented.

While making the presentation, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Chief Sarafa Tunji Isola said that the Survey covers Forty Four percent (44%) of the whole country.

Chief Isola said that the Airborne Geophysical Survey will generate and provide geotechnical data for both local and foreign investors interested in the development of the solid mineral resources in the country.

The Minister disclosed that the success of the event is a testimony to one of the giant strides by the present administration in its quest to stimulate private sector investment towards the development of the mining sector.

Chief Isola stated the objectives of the Airborne Geophysical Survey which include: enhancing the coverage of inaccessible areas in a shorter time at a lesser cost; fast tracking the delineation of areas of solid mineral occurrences in the country; facilitating regional mapping of rock types and the associated economic minerals and stimulating the exploration for radioactive mineral occurrences.

The Minister said that with the availability of the Phase 1 Airborne Geophysical data the country stands to derive benefits such as: increased availability of credible geosciences data for investors in the mining sector; more international and local investments will be attracted to the mining sector resulting to increased revenue generating; wealth creation and employment opportunities for Nigerians.

The Minister disclosed that Phase 11 of the project which will cover the remaining 56% of the country is on – going.

According to Chief Isola since global mining capital goes to countries with favorable investment climate, Nigeria is now in a vantage position to join the league of mining nations in the world with the on-going reforms in the mining sector.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Director General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, Professor Siyan Malomo said that the Geological Survey of any country is the bedrock of the mining industry.

Professor Malomo said that Airborne Geophysical Survey is a rapid and effective way of unraveling areas of possible mineralization which is being carried out by more than forty – five (45) countries in the world.

The Director General disclosed that the last Airborne Geophysical Survey of Nigeria was conducted between 1974 – 1976.

He said that the Federal Government awarded and funded the contract for the Phase 1 Airborne Geophysical Survey of Nigeria to Messrs Fugro Airborne Surveys Limited which successfully completed it.

According to the Director General the States covered in the First Phase include: Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Kwara, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Edo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi and Cross River.

Professor Siyan explained that the choice of the States in the First Phase was informed by the likelihood of occurrence of metallic mineralization that could be of immediate interest to investors.

The Director General of the Agency disclosed that the 56% Airborne Geophysical Survey of the remaining states in the country are being flown in the on-going second phase of the project. This phase is sponsored by the World Bank under the Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources Project and is flown by Fugro Airborne Surveys Ltd.