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ABSTRACT
1.Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Statement
The contribution of solid minerals to the Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) and Foreign Exchange earnings of the country
has been on the decline since the discovery of the Oil Minerals
(Crude Oil) and its commercial exploitation in the late 1950s.
The unwholesome reliance on the mineral has not only led to
the progressive neglect of other sectors of the economy such as
Agriculture, Mining, Manufacturing etc. but has also led to
structural imbalances in the economy, with the effect becoming
manifest in the 1990s.
To address this problem the Government has decided to
explore other viable alternatives that have hitherto been
neglected in order to diversify the revenue base of the country.
The solid minerals sub sector is a viable alternative in this
regard and there are indications that if properly harnessed, the
sector has the potential of contributing substantially to the
revenue earnings of the country in the 21stΒ
