Theory question 109
Geography of Africa(a) Draw an outline map of Africa. On the map, locate and name, (i) one are important for the mining of each of coal, diamond and gold; (ii) one important town in two of the areas in 9(a)(i) above (b) Highlight three ways in which the minerals in (a)(i) above are of economic importance to Africa. (c) Outline two problems associated with mining in Africa.
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(a) Coal: Enugu (Nigeria), Witbank (South Africa), Hwange/Wankie (Zimbabwe); diamond: Kimberley (South Africa), Kasai/Mbuji-Mayi (DR Congo), Sierra Leone (Koidu), Botswana (Orapa); gold: Witwatersrand (Johannesburg), Obuasi/Tarkwa (Ghana).
(b) Foreign exchange; government revenue; employment; raw materials and energy for industry (coal for power and steel); growth of towns and infrastructure; attracts investment.
(c) Land degradation and pollution; lack of capital and technology; exhaustion of deposits; fall in world prices; poor transport; smuggling and illegal mining; labour unrest and mining accidents.
Give a named area and town for each mineral.