(a) On an outline map of Africa, locate and name, outside Nigeria, (i) two areas important for the mining of gold (ii) two areas important for the mining of...

(a) Outline map of Africa (areas outside Nigeria)

• (i) Two areas important for gold mining: the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg area) of South Africa and the Ashanti/Obuasi area of Ghana.
• (ii) Two areas important for petroleum: Libya (Sirte Basin) and Algeria (Hassi Messaoud, Saharan fields); Angola (Cabinda) is also acceptable.
• (iii) Two areas important for copper: the Copperbelt of Zambia and the Katanga (Shaba) region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• (iv) One important mining town for each mineral: gold - Johannesburg (or Obuasi); petroleum - Hassi Messaoud (or a Libyan oil terminal); copper - Kitwe/Ndola (or Lubumbashi).

(b) Four contributions of minerals to the economy of African countries

• Foreign exchange earnings: export of minerals (gold, oil, copper) brings in large amounts of foreign currency.
• Government revenue: royalties, taxes and profits from mining fund national development.
• Employment: mining and related industries provide jobs and raise incomes.
• Industrial raw materials and energy: minerals feed local industries and petroleum supplies power for the economy.
• Infrastructural development: mining areas attract roads, railways, electricity and new towns.

(c) Three problems associated with mining in Africa

• Environmental damage: mining causes land degradation, deforestation, pollution of water and air, and abandoned pits and heaps.
• Over-dependence on a few minerals: economies tied to one or two minerals suffer badly when world prices fall (price fluctuation).
• Shortage of capital and skilled labour/technology: heavy investment and expertise are needed, and many countries rely on foreign firms that repatriate profits.
• Exhaustion of deposits, poor working conditions and accidents, and displacement of communities are further problems.