THE IMPACT OF MINING ACTIVITIES ON LAND VALUES IN KURU JANTA, BARKIN LADI, L.G.A OF PLATEAU STATE

THE IMPACT OF MINING ACTIVITIES ON LAND VALUES IN KURU JANTA, BARKIN LADI, L.G.A OF PLATEAU STATE

ABSTRACT

This project work seeks to assess the impact of mining activities on land values in Kuru Janta Barkin Ladi LGA of plateau state. The data used for the study were obtained through primary and secondary source of data the primary data were obtained through interviews observation as well as administration of questionnaire. A total of 90 questionnaires were administered to the resident of the Kuru Janta using purposive sampling techniques. The data analysis’ shows that mining activities illegally carried out with the concomitant effect of deteriorating and hindering further effective use of the land, this further review that land values are generally low due to the poor mining methods used, however investors seize the opportunity to invest in fish farming in the abandoned mined pits (pound) the study recommend effective surveillance on illegal mining activates by the plateau state ministries of mine and solid minerals. Similarly NGOs the government and the community should join hand in campaigning against illegal mining will encouraging those with proper mining techniques to operate, so that the community can enjoy the benefit.         

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Mining is a common practice in Nigeria which mean digging the ground in search of minerals. Some state even have their development hinged on the mining of minerals underneath their lands. The problem of the activities in the country however is the inattention of the miners and the government to proper mining practice which makes life difficult for the people and equally effects value. Just as it is, every state in the county has one or more of these minerals. Plateau state is rich in Tin and other minerals. Tin mining in the state  was discovered around 1700 to 1750 in Kuza near the river. Within 1976 – 1977 tin mining began to develop in local villages and trade occurred with those who came from Tripoli and across the Sahara. The would be melted and made into rods. Then there were thirteen indigenous black’s smelters in Naraguta. While on the other side of Delimi River the Berom ethnic group mines same of the ethnic Hausa traders. It become popular during the industrial revolution in Europe of the 18 centuries. Around that time Clepparton from Britain traveled three months across the Tran Sahara in Naragute. In 1908 as the need for Tin increases because of its use for making ammunitions, British bought land for money from the leaders of the community to mine Tin. By 1943, Tin on the Jos was at its peak, there were 80,000 African workers. Up to 1960, Jos was the sixth largest producer of Tin in World, 22km of land was taken out by tin mining which is only 4$ of the plateau. Mining began to decrease as substitution from rubber was gotten.

Apart from extracting tin in the rivers, Tin is also extracted by digging down the ground to a depth. In most cases after the extraction, the ground is left unfilled as such distorting the land profile. This is what is called mining activities that have become a problem over the years.

Land value is the degree of importance or usefulness that a parcel of land has which can be measured in monetary terms. Willam (196) further added that important and usefulness differed from place to place as many factors determines that land value cannot be well understood if land on its ownis not brought to light.

According to Adegoke (2005) land can mean different things to different people, depending on their outlook and interest at a particular time”. But for clear meaning let us adopt the definition of Henry George (2008) who see land as “the habitaton of man, the store-house upon which he must draw for his needs the material to which his labour must be applied for the supply of all his desires.

Jos Plateau has experience a lot of activities on land, both natural and man made from agricultural activities of all kinds, flooding, to mining activities of different kinds, the most common one is tin which is mined at commercial quantity. These activities have direct impact on land value which is the target of this project. People have worked over the years on the effect of such activities on land value. For example Ugly and Usman (2008) wrote on the effect of Tin Mining on land and property values, it attribute and trigger for development. Effect of mining activities on land value not been given adequate research coverage. There is a need to examine and assess the negative and positive effects of mining holes in land and proffer solutions where necessary which constitutes the problem of this research. It is particularly expected that the existing gap in knowledge will be filled by this work.

1.2     STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

Mining is one of the major operations or activities on land with the sole purpose of extracting minerals and other precious stones hidden under the ground. It has its disadvantages as it encourages agents of degradation to further wear away the top soils. The land easily becomes derelict and very unsuitable for arable agriculture. Although in some cases, the ponds created as a result of the mining activities are used for irrigation as well as fish farming. However, in most cases, these ponds created, are left open and unused, in any form. Generally lands in such mining areas do not attract much values when they are offered for sale with open competitive markets. Thus the crux of this researcher is to assess the impacts of such mining activities on land values in Kuru Janta (Heipang) district of Barkin Ladi.

1.3     AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to assess the impact of mining activities on land value in Kuru Janta (Heipang), Barkin Ladi L.G.A of Plateau state. In order to achieve the aim stated above the following objectives were purposed.

1. To examine the state of the land before mining
2. To identify methods of mining in the study area
3. To assess the impact of mining activities on the land in Kuru Janta.
4. To assess the effects of the mining activities on land values in the study area.
5. To proffer solutions towards enhancing land values in kuru Janta.

1.4     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What was the state of land before mining?
2. What are the methods of mining in the study area?
3. What is the impact of mining activities on the land in Kuru Janta?
4. What are the effects of mining on land values in the study area?
5. What are the solutions towards enhancing land values in Kuru Janta?

 1.5     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is hoped that at the end of this research, the report will serve as a guide to the general public especially the dwellers of Kuru Janta who are directly or indirectly involved in mining. The report is also expected to be useful to the government and non governmental organization (NGOs) who are interested in the development and conservation of our mineral resources. The project will also create a better awareness on the impact of mining activities on land especially to the ignorant farmers, the state government will also find materials in this research which will assist them to update their information on the mining in this century in respect of land value. It is hoped that this report will be an addition to the very many research project in the library of Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa for the benefit of future students.

1.6     SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study was restricted to the impact of mining activities on land values in Kuru Janta (Hiepang District) in order to bring the research to a manageable size and to  also avoid complication. Again the research cover only agrarian land with emphasis on tin mining.

1.7     OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

Land: The habitation of man, the store-house upon which he must draw for his needs, the materials to which his labour must be applied for the supply of his desires.

Mining: The process of getting precious or metal from under the ground.

Value: The degree to which someone or something is important, useful, in other words, to state how much something is worth.

Impact: It is an influence or effects on something or some one which can be positive on negative.

1.8     HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY AREA

Kuru Janta is a settlement in Hiepang district in Barkin Ladi L.G.A of plateau state about 33km south-west of job dominated by the a type of Boron Ethnic group. The case study is uniquely formed to give a type of feature that is good for location of strategic institution such as the Airport, schools and inland deport, the climate of Kuru Janta is typical of Jos Plateau. It is characterized by two distinct seasons: the dry and rainy season.

The dry and the rainy seasons are very critical in determining the different types of features observed in the area. The active humidity, dry and  dusty winds commonly called “harmattan”. This often result in poor visibility, hence putting life to risk. The dry season spans between November to March.

However, for the past few years, this trend has drastically changed due to global warming. The rainy season spans between April and October, and attains it peak towards the end of August.

Mining in Kuru Janta started around 1760 since then agrarian lands have been given way to mining. The questions always asked is why is it that way? It is believe that at the end of those studies question will be answer.