(a) On an outline map of West Africa, show: (i) one area each in a different country, important for diamond, petroleum and gold (ii) one important town in e...

(a) On an outline map of West Africa, show:
(i) one area each in a different country, important for diamond, petroleum and gold
(ii) one important town in each area
(iii) one route from the producing area to the port of export for each mineral

(b) Describe one method of mining any one of the minerals in (a) above

(c) Highlight four problems associated with mining in West Africa 
 

Answer Details

(a)

(i)

• Diamond: The area around the town of Koidu in Sierra Leone
• Petroleum: The Niger Delta region in Nigeria
• Gold: The Ashanti region in Ghana

(ii)

• Koidu: located in the Kono District in Sierra Leone
• Port Harcourt: located in the Niger Delta region in Nigeria
• Obuasi: located in the Ashanti region in Ghana

(iii)

• Diamond: Koidu to the port of Freetown in Sierra Leone
• Petroleum: Port Harcourt to the Bonny Terminal in Nigeria
• Gold: Obuasi to the port of Takoradi in Ghana

(b)

One method of mining gold in the Ashanti region of Ghana is the underground mining method. This involves the sinking of shafts through the ground and the creation of tunnels to reach the gold ore. Miners use drilling equipment to drill holes into the rock, which are then filled with explosives to break up the rock and make it easier to extract the gold. The broken rocks are then loaded onto carts and transported to the surface for processing.

(c)

Four problems associated with mining in West Africa are:

• Environmental degradation: Mining activities can lead to soil erosion, deforestation, water pollution, and land degradation. This can have a negative impact on the environment, as well as on the health and well-being of local communities.
• Health hazards: Miners are exposed to hazardous working conditions, including toxic chemicals, dust, and noise pollution. This can lead to respiratory problems, hearing loss, and other health issues.
• Conflict: Mining activities can often result in conflict between different groups over access to resources, land rights, and control over the benefits of mining.
• Economic dependence: Many West African countries heavily rely on the revenue generated by mining. This can result in economic dependence on a single resource, leaving the country vulnerable to fluctuations in commodity prices and other economic shocks.