The Federal Government has engaged the technical assistance of the British Natural Environmental Research Council, for the geochemical mapping of the nation's mineral resources.

The council is expected to employ the expertise of British Geological Survey (BGS), to provide the needed technical assistance for the mapping project.

The scheme is a fall-out of the Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources Project (SMMRP), being implemented by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, with the $120 million (N14 billion) credit, obtained from the World Bank.

In a statement signed by the Head, Press and Public Relation Office of the ministry, Mr. Clinton Oni, BGS will implement the exercise jointly with its Nigerian counterpart and the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA).

The project is expected to cover two cells of the country's territory within a period of two years, after which NGSA will take over, to conduct a remaining part of 42 cells, while most of the contractors would be made up of local outfits.

"The deliverables from the project will include geochemical maps of the distribution of 47 elements, training of at least 60 geoscientists, development of geochemical mapping manual, preparation of work program and cost estimate for geochemical mapping of other cells not covered by this contract."

"The contractor will also conduct an audit of laboratories in Nigeria and recommend improvement and upgrade where necessary," the statement added.

Besides, the production of baseline data on the distribution of 47 metallic elements on the terrestrial landmass of Nigerian territory would be explored in the exploration for mineral resources, through the location of regional anomalies of metallic elements currently enjoying boom in the commodity markets.

In order to create indigenous capacity for geochemical mapping, the bulk of the field geologists would be sourced mainly within the NGSA and the Nigerian Universities.

Primary beneficiaries of the project include mining investors, NGSA, Nigerian universities, research centers, exploration companies and other technical staff of the ministry and other relevant agencies.

When completed, the source explained that the geochemical information would also be used for baseline environmental studies, particularly at a period when substantial portion of the land and waters are still in near original state.

This would broaden data on the soil for agriculture land such as potash, phosphorus and other elements, defining the inorganic aspect of soil nutrients and providing information on soil characteristics and pattern of distribution in Nigeria.

By Florence Oretade