How to Find Silica Sand Aggregates in Nigeria

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Nigeria is home to some of the most diverse and spectacular landscapes in the world. The country is also blessed with a natural abundance of minerals, including silica sand—one of the world’s most abundant sources of this mineral. The high availability of silica sand in Nigeria has led to the country being one of the top suppliers of this mineral on a global scale. However, as a result of the quality and quantity available, there has been an increase in demand for this resource among local construction companies—a trend that is expected to continue growing exponentially over the next few years. This article will cover everything you need to know about silica sand aggregates in Nigeria as well as how you can identify suitable deposits locally so that you can begin sourcing these materials as soon as possible.

What is Silica Sand?

Silica is one of the most common minerals found on earth. It is a component of sand which is a natural resource. The sand is crushed to form silica sand, which is an important component in construction. Silica sand is used in many industries, including the following: – Building and construction materials- Ceramic and glass manufacturing- Chemical production- Iron and steel manufacturing- Other industries Silica sand is used for a variety of purposes. It is often mixed with other substances to create a composite for specific applications. For example, it can be mixed with concrete to make it stronger or with water to make a wet slurry that can be used to separate minerals from ore. Silica sand is also used to make abrasive blasting materials, dry sand for casting molds, glass, ceramic, and other substances.

Why is Silica Sand Used in Construction?

Most construction projects in Nigeria rely heavily on silica sand for their concrete mix designs. This is because the sand’s high silica content makes it a great material for bonding together other materials and structures. Some of the other benefits of using silica sand aggregates in construction are as follows: – Silica sand has high compressive strength, which makes it suitable for a wide variety of applications. – Silica sand has good resistance to impact and abrasion. This makes it a suitable material for constructing roads and other surfaces where heavy traffic and lots of wear and tear are expected. – Silica sand is porous, which makes it suitable for use in constructing foundations, especially where groundwater is present. This porous quality also makes it suitable for use in building materials, such as concrete and cements, that require water to bind the materials together.

Where to Find Silica Sand in Nigeria?

As mentioned earlier, silica sand is abundant in Nigeria and can be found in many parts of the country, both in the northern and southern regions. However, some areas have a higher concentration of this mineral than others. Some of the top places to look for silica sand in Nigeria include: – Akwa Ibom State: This is one of the top places to find silica sand in Nigeria. The sand available in this state is of high quality due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. – Cross River State: This is also another great state to source silica sand in Nigeria. This region is known for producing some of the highest-quality silica sand in the country. – Lagos State: This is a state known for sourcing high-quality silica sand for use in construction projects throughout the country.

How to Identify Good Quality Silica Sand Aggregates?

Before sourcing silica sand from any of the local deposits in your state, it is important to inspect the material to make sure it is suitable for use in construction projects. Some of the attributes that you should look out for in good quality silica sand aggregates include: – Good colour: Silica sand with a good colour is often of good quality. It should not be white in colour but more of a golden brown. The colour can vary depending on the origin of the sand. – Absence of impurities: Silica sand with a high level of impurities is not suitable for use in construction and is of low quality. It is important to inspect the sand to make sure it is free of impurities, such as stones and other debris. – Correct grain size: Silica sand aggregates with a grain size that is too small are not suitable for use in construction projects. They are usually used in industrial applications, where a finer grain size is required. – Correct moisture content: Silica sand must be kept at the correct moisture content in order to be used for construction projects. It should not be too dry or too wet. There should be just enough water in it to bind it together.

The problem with silica sand in Nigeria.

Most silica sand deposits in Nigeria are mined through opencast methods, which have led to the degradation of the surrounding environment. This has also led to water contamination in many areas, which has had a negative impact on the surrounding communities. In addition, silica sand is mined using simple hand tools, which means that the extraction process is very labour-intensive. This makes the sand’s production and transportation very expensive, which can push the price of the sand up. The high demand for silica sand in Nigeria has also led to some unscrupulous individuals importing sand from other countries, such as India, to meet the demand of local construction companies. This has led to a number of problems, including the fact that the imported sand is not suitable for use in construction projects in Nigeria due to its hardness.

Concluding Words: Finding and using silica sand aggregates locally.

The best way to source silica sand aggregates locally is by looking for deposits in your state. You can do this by conducting a simple Google search for “silica sand in [location]”. This will help you identify suitable deposits in your area. Silica sand is a very common mineral, which means that it can be found in many places. However, you should make sure that the sand is suitable for use in construction projects before sourcing it. You can do this by assessing the sand’s colour, impurities, grain size, and moisture content. If the sand meets the necessary characteristics, it should be suitable for use in construction projects.