AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL RAW MATERIALS FOR THE CERAMICS INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL RAW MATERIALS FOR THE CERAMICS INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA
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Date
2000-10
Authors
OPOKU, Eric Vernon
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Abstract
Opoku, Eric Vernon. An Investigation Into The Development Of Local
Raw Materials For The Ceramics Industry In Nigeria. Masters of Arts,
Industry Design. October 2000, 9 appendices, 6 tables, 6 figures, 96
pages.
The problem of this study is to examine the extent of development of
locally available ceramic raw materials. It is pertinent that enquiry is made
into the problems confronting the beneficiation raw materials for the
ceramics and related industries and to explore what the future holds for this
sub-sector of the Nigerian economy.
Being a descriptive or survey research, two types of questionnaire
were used for the collection of data about :he selected variables. Category
one was intended to collect data on the development of the locally sourced
raw materials from the mining and processing companies. Category two was
aimed at measuring the perception regarding the locally developed ceramic
raw materials from the users of the ceramics raw materials i.e. the pottery
and ceramic industries. The responses provided the knowledge and
understanding required to express a meaningful opinion about the study.
The following findings are drawn from the investigations carried out
in the course of the study:
1. There are prospects for setting up companies to mine arid process
local raw materials for the pottery and ceramics industries as well as
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other industries that use some of these raw materials for their
production.
2. The local demand for the locally processed raw materials is very high.
3. There is the possibility of setting up more pottery and ceramics
industries in most part of the federation.
4. Although the demand for the locally processed raw materials is high,
there is the need to further develop these raw materials to meet the
stringent requirement of modem day ceramics.
5. The source of initial capital for setting up the mining and processing
companies in most cases have beer through the personal savings of
the owners and other investors.
6. Lack of funds have made it impossible for the local mining and
processing companies to acquire the plant and equipment for the
proper beatification of the local raw materials.
7. In-spite of the vital role Solid Mineral Development to the Nigerian
economy: it has not received the desired patronage from the
government.
Based on the findings of this study: the following conclusions are drawn.
1. All the principal raw materials for the production of pottery and
ceramics glass etc. are abundant in Nigeria and their reserves will
last for several years.
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2. With proper beatification, these raw materials can be utilized for the
production of many functional products.
3. There are prospects for the setting up of mineral development
companies in Nigeria due to the heavy demand of raw materials
produced from the minerals
4. The source of initial capital for the setting up of the mineral
development companies has been through the personal savings of
the owners and other investors.
The following recommendations have also been made.
1. Priority must but given to the developments connected with solid
minerals.
2. The government and policy makers should need to be informed of the
broad scope of ceramics to clearly understand the importance of
developments connected to the industry.
3. Since the mining and processing companies has proven to be viable
there is the need for the banks to rethink their support for the
industry.
4. There is the need for join effort between industries and government
to collaborate more with the National Research Institutes and the
universities to finance research into the development of local ceramic
raw materials.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE
SCHOOL, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN
FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
AWARD OF MASTER OF ARTS IN INDUSTRIAL
DESIGN
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN FACULTY
OF ENVIRONMENT DESIGN AHMADU BELLO
UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
OCTOBER, 2000
Keywords
INVESTIGATION,, DEVELOPMENT,, LOCAL,, RAW MATERIALS,, CERAMICS,, INDUSTRY,, NIGERIA