NIGERIAN TIN AND ASSOCIATED ORES AND MINERALS: Nature, Geology, History, Exploration, Mining, Processing, Uses, Environment and Man.

According to Cardinal John Henry Newman (21 February 1801-11 August 1890): “A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one would find fault with what he has done” . Hence, this work, which has taken several years to complete, is still far from perfect or even as good enough as it could be but waiting much longer before publishing it or waiting for others to publish or supply requested data and information, it might never be published. It is, however, hoped that this book might generate new and important discussions, research and publications. Constructive criticisms, corrections, additional information and data would significantly improve future editions.

Despite several challenges encountered, the author alone bears full responsibility for the contents of this “initial” work. As far as possible, the book explains complex technical issues in simple everyday language whenever they are first used and a glossary of such terms is included. The publication of this work in one volume was aimed at satisfying the author’s long-standing interest and compelling urge to document the good, the bad and the ugly processes, places and peoples (3Ps) in the Nigerian tin mining industry to correct the lack of published comprehensive work on the above 3Ps. Natural and man-induced processes, events, geological environments, places, peoples, organisations, global issues, history, colonialism, etc, have significantly affected the Nigerian tin mining industry.

After introducing the nature, chemical and physical properties, and uses of tin metal, the contributions of processes, peoples, places, periods, possibilities, potentials, products, problems, and prospects associated with the origin, geology, exploration, evaluation, and extraction/mining, processing, and marketing of tin and its associated ores and minerals are discussed, so that future generations, students, professionals, policy-makers, the general public and the international community might know more and better about the many significant historical, colonial, political, socio-economic, infrastructural, environmental, social and industrial impacts of the Nigerian tin mining industry and provide answers to such basic questions as to why, what, which, how, who, when, and where tin mining took place in Nigeria.

After the introductory chapter, a reader may read the Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations chapter and the relevant sections that he/she is most interested in before reading other parts. A comprehensive bibliography as well as appendices consisting of a glossary, conversion tables, abbreviations used, and useful addresses are included at the end of the book, thereby, providing readers with new reading material, information and a reference text for teaching, research and socio-economic and policy decisions on the Nigerian mining industry.