Coal,
the black diamond that ignited the industrial revolution in 13th
Century Europe, is still relevant in contemporary industry for heating,
power generation, cement manufacture, steel production, etc. It is the
largest source of energy for the generation of electricity worldwide
and, quite fortunately; it is also one of the numerous solid mineral
resources with which Nigeria is endowed.
Coal mining began in Nigeria in 1915 and
played a major role in the nation’s economy. By 1958/59, the coal
industry had a workforce of 8,300 employees and about one million tonnes
of coal was manually produced period.
It was coal energy that powered the
Nigerian Railway, the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria as well as the
Nigerian Cement Factory at Nkalagu in the 50s and 60s.
These were strategic moves that set
Nigeria on the way to industrialisation until the advent of petroleum,
which saw Nigeria relaxing into a mono economy. It is now auspicious
that Nigeria revives this industry and defines its role in the nation’s
energy mix – not just in words, but in deed.
Globally, the demand for coal is very
high; it is considered one of the essential economic and energy minerals
and ranks with petroleum and gas in importance. It has over 400
incidental products, including nearly all those derivable from
petroleum. These by-products are vital raw materials for chemical
process industries such as cosmetics, paint, fertilizer, etc.
The fact that it shares similar
by-products with petroleum also makes it a viable alternative to
petroleum. Therefore, just as we have tried in this nation to explore
all the potentials of our petroleum and petrochemical resources, coal
and the derivable coal-chemicals should be given the chance to
contribute to the fortunes of this great nation.
Coal is applicable in the manufacture of
coal briquettes (compressed fuel blocks) as a viable substitute for
kerosene, charcoal, gas and firewood. Large scale production of
smokeless coal briquettes will be particularly useful in remote parts of
the country, where firewood is commonly used.
It will constitute a more
environmentally friendly alternative to firewood; with added benefits.
It will also be less wasteful, less tedious and less time consuming.
Besides, the intense heat generated from coal briquettes positions it as
a cheap and viable industrial fuel. All these possibilities create a
huge investment market for the production of coal briquettes.
This writer once spoke with a
manufacturer of coal briquettes in Kaduna about 10 years ago. He said
his business made a significant progress within a short time with suya men, and other managers of local food joints as his major customers.
He sourced his raw materials from Kogi
State at the time. However, he faced a setback a few years later because
the government (Federal Government is the ‘landlord’ over the nation’s
mineral resources) came with a hazy ownership regime over the mine site
that made it difficult for him to continue. However, that hurdle aside,
the prospects of this area of foray is very high.
By-products from coal carbonisation
plants are mainly tar, coke and gas; all of which have various
applications in the industry. Coal tar for example, is resistant to oil
spillage and skidding and remains a reliable material for construction
of roads and airport tarmacs.
Coal plays a major role in electricity
generation. Coal-fired plants currently fuel 41 per cent of global
electricity. From Nigeria’s proven and inferred reserves, we have enough
coal resources to support medium to large power stations to generate
electricity.
According to the World Coal Association,
global coal consumption has grown faster than any other fuel, with Asia
accounting for about 67 per cent of global demand since the year 2000.
China and the United States, which use coal to power their steel plants,
are the biggest producers and exporters of steel today. It is believed
that this trend will continue in the foreseeable future.
Coal is considered to be the cheapest
fuel and has provided an alternative for oil since the Middle East
crisis. The oil market is often affected by the political climate and
this has driven developed countries to seek alternatives and so far,
coal is highly favoured.
China for example, relies on coal to
meet 85 per cent of its local energy demand, while also using it to
develop agriculture among the rural population.
Nigeria currently sits on an estimated
two billion tonnes of coal in reserves with several unexplored areas.
The distribution of the reserves is such that, if developed, no part of
the country will be left behind.
The deposits stretch from Abia State
through Enugu, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Yobe to Bornu states.
Another belt of lignite (brown coal) stretches from Akwa-Ibom State
through Imo, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Ondo to Ogun states. Thus, interested
investors need not be hindered by location.
The global demand for energy is
constantly increasing with population and technology; countries with
more than one source of energy have the ability to sustain their own
industry and to tap into the international market.
Nigeria is one of such countries. Our
over dependence on oil has thus far hindered us from investing in other
promising sectors of the economy. Now is the time to reverse this trend.
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