(a) On an outline map of Africa, mark and name (i) one area important for gold in Ghana (ii) one area important f petroleum in Libya (iii) one area importan...

As shown on the map above, the required mineral areas and towns are:

(b) Contributions of mining to economic development in West Africa

• Employment: Mining provides direct jobs for miners, engineers, drivers and administrators, as well as indirect jobs in transport, trading and construction. For example, gold mining at Obuasi and Tarkwa in Ghana employs many people.
• Foreign-exchange earnings: Mineral exports earn revenue from abroad. Ghana earns foreign exchange from gold, Guinea from bauxite, Sierra Leone from diamonds and Nigeria from crude petroleum.
• Government revenue: Governments receive taxes, royalties, licence fees and export duties from mining companies. These funds can be used to provide schools, hospitals, roads and other public services.
• Growth of towns and infrastructure: Mining encourages the development of towns and transport facilities. For example, Obuasi and Tarkwa grew because of gold mining, while mining has encouraged roads, railways, power supply and port facilities in mineral-producing areas.
• Raw materials for industries: Minerals supply industries with essential raw materials. Bauxite from Guinea is used for aluminium production, limestone supports cement manufacture, and crude oil from Nigeria supplies refineries and petrochemical industries.
• Improved standard of living: Petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, kerosene and cooking gas are important for transport, domestic use and industrial production. Mining income may also raise the purchasing power of workers and local businesses.

(c) Four environmental problems caused by mining in West Africa

1. Land degradation: Open-cast mining leaves deep pits, heaps of waste rock and uneven land. This destroys farmland and makes some land unsafe or difficult to cultivate.
2. Deforestation and destruction of ecosystems: Vegetation is cleared for mine sites, access roads, settlements and waste dumps. This destroys wildlife habitats and reduces biodiversity.
3. Water pollution: Chemicals used in mineral processing, especially mercury or cyanide in gold mining, may pollute rivers and streams. Oil spills in the Niger Delta contaminate rivers, swamps, groundwater and fishing grounds.
4. Air and noise pollution: Blasting, drilling, crushing and haulage produce dust, smoke and excessive noise. Dust may cause respiratory problems and can settle on crops and nearby houses.