Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v3 - Junior Secondary 3
Resources from non-living things
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Resources from non-living things
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Subject: Basic Science
Class: Junior Secondary 3
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 3
Theme: Learning About Our Environment
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mention solid minerals and where they are found in Nigeria; draw a map of Nigeria showing distribution of solid mineral deposits; list the importance and uses of solid minerals.
earnings (especially from exports like gold, tin, columbite), and attract investment.
Industrial Raw Materials: Iron Ore: Used to produce steel for construction (buildings, bridges), manufacturing of vehicles, machinery, tools, and household items.
Limestone & Gypsum: Fundamental for the production of cement, which is essential for all types of construction and infrastructure development. Gypsum also makes Plaster of Paris (P.O.P) and chalk.
Coal: Can be used as fuel for thermal power plants to generate electricity (though currently underutilized in Nigeria), as an energy source for industries, and in cement kilns.
Kaolin: Used in the ceramics industry (tiles, pottery), paper manufacturing (as filler), paint production, rubber, and pharmaceuticals.
Barite: A key component in drilling mud used by the oil and gas industry to maintain pressure balance during drilling operations.
Tin: Used in making alloys (e.g., bronze), soldering, and tin plating for food cans to prevent corrosion.
Gold: Primarily used in jewelry, as an investment asset, and in electronics due to its excellent conductivity and corrosion resistance.
Lead & Zinc: Lead is used in batteries, radiation shielding; zinc is used for galvanizing steel (to prevent rust), in batteries, and in alloys like brass.
Salt: Used for food seasoning, food preservation, and in the chemical industry for producing caustic soda and chlorine.
Gemstones: Used for making jewelry, ornamental items, and in some precision instruments.
Employment Generation: The mining sector, both formal and informal (artisanal), provides direct and indirect employment for thousands of Nigerians, from miners to transporters and traders. * Infrastructure Development: The availability of raw materials like limestone and iron ore supports local manufacturing, reducing reliance on imports and strengthening the national infrastructure. Drawing a Map of Nigeria Showing Mineral Distribution: A clear sketch map of Nigeria should be drawn, outlining its political boundaries. Key states with significant mineral deposits should be identified. Different symbols (e.g., small pictures, letters, or colours) can then be used to represent specific minerals and marked in their respective states. For instance, a small pickaxe symbol for iron ore in Kogi, a diamond symbol for gemstones in Plateau, or 'L' for limestone in Ogun. A legend or key must accompany the map to explain the symbols used.
Solid Minerals: These are naturally occurring, inorganic substances found in the Earth's crust, possessing a definite chemical composition and crystalline structure. They are distinguished from liquid (like crude oil) or gaseous (like natural gas) non-living resources. Nigeria is endowed with a wide variety of these minerals. Types of Solid Minerals and Their Distribution in Nigeria: Solid minerals can broadly be categorized into metallic and non-metallic minerals based on their properties and uses.
A. Metallic Minerals: These are minerals from which metals can be extracted.
1. Iron Ore (Hematite, Magnetite): Description: A rock from which metallic iron can be economically extracted. Essential for steel production.
Locations in Nigeria: Primarily found in Itakpe (Kogi State), Kaduna, Enugu, Zamfara, Kwara, and Niger States. Itakpe is home to one of the largest deposits and is crucial for the Ajaokuta Steel Company project.
2. Gold: Description: A precious, highly ductile, and malleable metallic element, resistant to corrosion.
Locations in Nigeria: Major deposits are in Zamfara, Osun (around Ilesha), Kaduna, Oyo, and Niger States. It is often exploited by artisanal miners.
3. Tin (Cassiterite): Description: A soft, silvery-white metal that is easily workable and resistant to corrosion. Often found as tin oxide.
Locations in Nigeria: Abundant in Plateau (Jos area), Kaduna, Bauchi, and Kano States. Nigeria was historically a major world producer.
4. Columbite: Description: A black mineral that is an ore of niobium and tantalum. It is dense and metallic.
Locations in Nigeria: Often found alongside tin deposits, primarily in Plateau (Jos area), Kaduna, Bauchi, and Kano States.
5. Lead (Galena) and Zinc (Sphalerite): Description: Lead is a heavy, soft, and malleable metal. Zinc is a bluish-white, lustrous metal that is corrosion-resistant. They often occur together.
Locations in Nigeria: Significant deposits in Ebonyi (Abakaliki is famous), Benue, Cross River, and Nasarawa States.
B. Non-Metallic Minerals: These are minerals that do not yield metals when processed.
1. Coal: Description: A combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, primarily composed of carbon. A major fossil fuel.
Locations in Nigeria: Found in large quantities in Enugu (Nigeria's "Coal City"), Benue (Okaba), Kogi (Kabba), Gombe, Nasarawa, and Delta States. Historically important for electricity generation and railways.
2. Limestone: Description: A sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate. Essential for cement production.
Locations in Nigeria: Widely distributed in Ogun (Ewekoro), Benue (Gboko), Kogi (Obajana), Cross River, Sokoto, Edo, and Ebonyi States. These locations host major cement factories.
3. Kaolin: Description: A soft, white, clay mineral.
Locations in Nigeria: Found in Plateau, Kaduna, Bauchi, Katsina, Borno, and Ondo States. Used in various industries.
4. Gypsum: Description: A soft sulfate mineral, often used in cement and plaster.
Locations in Nigeria: Significant deposits in Benue, Gombe, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Adamawa States.
5. Barite: Description: A relatively soft, heavy mineral composed of barium sulfate.
Locations in Nigeria: Found in Nasarawa, Benue, Cross River, Taraba, and Plateau States. Crucial for the oil and gas industry.
6. Salt: Description: (Sodium Chloride) While commonly obtained from seawater, Nigeria also has inland brine deposits.
Locations in Nigeria: Primarily from brine lakes/springs in Ebonyi (Okposi, Uburu), Benue, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States.
7. Gemstones: Description: Precious or semi-precious stones (e.g., Tourmaline, Sapphire, Emerald, Amethyst) used in jewelry.
Locations in Nigeria: Predominantly in Plateau, Kaduna, Bauchi, Oyo, and Nasarawa States.
Importance and Uses of Solid Minerals: Solid minerals play a multi-faceted role in Nigeria's economy and daily life: Economic Contribution: They generate revenue for the government through royalties and taxes, contribute to foreign exchange earnings (especially from exports like gold, tin, columbite), and attract investment.
Industrial Raw Materials: Iron Ore: Used to produce steel for construction (buildings, bridges), manufacturing of vehicles, machinery, tools, and household items.
Limestone & Gypsum: Fundamental for the production of cement, which is essential for all types of construction and infrastructure development. Gypsum also makes Plaster of Paris (P.O.P) and chalk. * Coal: Can be used as fuel for thermal power plants to generate electricity (though currently underutilized in Nigeria), as an energy source for industries, and in cement Teacher Activities: Introduction & Review: Begin by reviewing the concept of resources from non-living things (linking to previous lessons on crude oil, natural gas, etc.). Introduce "solid minerals" as another crucial category.
Definition and Classification: Explain what solid minerals are, providing examples. Guide students to understand the distinction between metallic and non-metallic minerals.
Mineral Identification and Location: Present a large, clear political map of Nigeria. Systematically introduce major solid minerals (e.g., Iron Ore, Gold, Tin, Coal, Limestone) one by one, pointing out their specific locations (states) on the map. Use visual aids like pictures of the raw minerals or products derived from them.
Discussion on Importance and Uses: Lead a discussion on the economic importance and various uses of each mineral, linking them to local industries, construction, and everyday items. Encourage students to contribute examples from their own observations.
Map Demonstration: Demonstrate on the board how to draw a basic outline map of Nigeria and how to appropriately mark specific mineral deposits using symbols and a legend. Emphasize clarity and neatness.
Group Activity Facilitation: Divide students into small groups. Assign each group a set of 3-4 solid minerals to research their locations and uses. Provide each group with large sheets of paper for drawing a map and listing findings.
Guidance and Support: Circulate among groups, providing clarification, assisting with map drawing, and correcting misconceptions.
Wrap-up: Summarize key points, reinforce the national importance of solid minerals, and prepare for assessment.
Student Activities: Recall and Brainstorm: Participate in the review of non-living resources and brainstorm initial ideas about solid materials found in the ground.
Note-taking: Listen attentively and take comprehensive notes on definitions, types of minerals, their locations, and uses as explained by the teacher.
Map Observation: Actively observe the teacher pointing out mineral locations on the Nigerian map, identifying familiar states.
Group Discussion and Research: Work in assigned groups to discuss the assigned minerals. Refer to notes or supplementary materials provided by the teacher to identify locations and uses.
Map Drawing and Annotation: Within their groups, students will draw a sketch map of Nigeria on the provided paper. They will then mark the locations of the assigned minerals using appropriate symbols and create a clear legend.
Presentation: Each group will present their findings to the class, showing their map and explaining the uses of the minerals they researched.
Q&A: Ask questions for clarification and participate in class discussions. The teacher should guide students through these questions, providing support and clarification before revealing solutions.
Question: Identify a solid mineral primarily found in Kogi State and describe its main use in Nigeria's industrial sector.
Solution: Mineral: Iron Ore.
Main Use: Iron ore is crucial for the production of steel at facilities like the Ajaokuta Steel Company. Steel is then used extensively in construction (e.g., building frameworks, bridges), manufacturing of machinery, tools, and vehicle components, which are vital for Nigeria's industrial development and infrastructure.
Commentary: This directly addresses Performance Objective 1 and 3 by linking a mineral to its location and a specific industrial use.
Question: Limestone and Gypsum are two non-metallic minerals critical for a major Nigerian industry. Name this industry and mention one state where each of these minerals can be found.
Solution: Industry: Cement production industry.
Limestone location: Ogun State (e.g., Ewekoro), Benue State (e.g., Gboko), or Kogi State (e.g., Obajana).
Gypsum location: Gombe State, Benue State, or Sokoto State.
Commentary: This question tests knowledge of specific mineral uses and locations, aligning with Performance Objective 1 and 3, focusing on an industry vital to Nigeria's economy.
Question: Imagine you are planning to set up a small-scale jewelry business in Nigeria. Which metallic solid mineral would be most essential for your business, and in which three Nigerian states would you likely source this mineral?
Solution: Essential Mineral: Gold.
States for Sourcing: Zamfara, Osun (around Ilesha), Kaduna, Oyo, or Niger State (any three of these).
Commentary: This question applies knowledge of a specific metallic mineral to a real-world business scenario, directly addressing Performance Objective 1 and 3.
Economic Development and Revenue Generation: Solid minerals are a significant source of income for Nigeria. For instance, the ongoing efforts to diversify the economy away from crude oil revenue highlight the potential of solid minerals like gold, tantalite, and barite to generate foreign exchange and create wealth. This directly impacts the funding available for national projects like roads, schools, and hospitals.
Industrialization and Job Creation: The presence of minerals like limestone and gypsum directly supports the thriving cement industry in Nigeria (e.g., Dangote Cement, BUA Cement). These companies not only produce vital construction materials but also create thousands of direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians, from miners to factory workers and distributors. Similarly, the potential for a revived Ajaokuta Steel Company relies heavily on local iron ore deposits, promising job creation and reduction of steel imports.
Community Impact and Entrepreneurship: Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) of minerals like gold, gemstones, and columbite provides livelihoods for many rural communities across states like Zamfara, Osun, and Plateau. While often associated with challenges, this sector fosters local entrepreneurship, skills development (e.g., traditional gold smelting, gemstone cutting), and trade, contributing to the local economy and cultural heritage. This also brings to light the need for sustainable and regulated mining practices to protect the environment and health of these communities.