(a) Draw an outline map of Africa. On the map, locate and name, (i) one are important for the mining of each of coal, diamond and Old; (ii) one important to...
Question 1 Report
(a) Draw an outline map of Africa. On the map, locate and name,
(i) one are important for the mining of each of coal, diamond and Old;
(ii) one important town in two of the areas in (a)(i) above
(b) Highlight three ways in which the minerals in (a)(i) above are of economic importance to Africa.
(c) Outline two problems associated with mining in Africa.
Answer Details
(a) Outline map of Africa showing mineral areas and towns
Key to the map
- Coal: Witbank (Emalahleni) coalfield, South Africa.
- Diamond: Kimberley, South Africa.
- Gold: Witwatersrand, South Africa.
- Towns named: Johannesburg in the Witwatersrand gold-mining area, and Kimberley in the diamond-mining area.
(b) Economic importance of the minerals to Africa
- Gold and diamonds are exported to earn foreign exchange and increase government revenue.
- Coal supplies energy for thermal power generation, rail transport and industries.
- Mining provides employment and promotes the growth of mining towns, roads, railways and related industries.
(c) Problems associated with mining in Africa
- Mining is capital-intensive: machinery, skilled labour and modern technology are often inadequate or expensive.
- Mining causes environmental hazards such as land degradation, destruction of vegetation, open pits and pollution of water and air.
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