Monrovia-Apart from the famously known natural endowments of iron ore, gold, diamond and few others, another positive side of Liberia has been shown in the discovery of additional but new mineral deposits, making it a country with plenty mineral deposits.
Monrovia-Apart from the famously known natural endowments of iron ore, gold, diamond and few others, another positive side of Liberia has been shown in the discovery of additional but new mineral deposits, making it a country with plenty mineral deposits.
In his state of the nation address before travelling to Tanzania for another international engagement intended to change Liberia’s prospects, President Joseph Boakai provided new astonishing insights into the country’s mineral resource potential.
President Boakai, upbeat by the news of Liberia’s new mineral credentials, said it is a representation of what he called the most comprehensive scientific investigation conducted in over five decades.
The President announced that the country has discovered lithium, neodymium, silver, nickel, zinc, uranium, chromium, lead, tin, cobalt, niobium (coltan), tantalum, manganese, copper, zirconium, and monazite, amongst others.
According to research, Lithium is used to treat mania that is part of bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness). It is also used on a daily basis to reduce the frequency and severity of manic episodes.
It is a type of medicine known as a mood stabilizer. It’s used to treat mood disorders such as: mania (feeling highly excited, overactive or distracted).
Also, research shows that the most important use for neodymium is in an alloy with iron and boron to make very strong permanent magnets.
“This discovery, in 1983, made it possible to miniaturise many electronic devices, including mobile phones, microphones, loudspeakers and electronic musical instruments,” it is said.
For silver, it is used for jewelery and silver tableware, where appearance is important.
Also, silver is used to make mirrors, as it is the best reflector of visible light known, although it does tarnish with time. It is also used in dental alloys, solder and brazing alloys, electrical contacts and batteries.
It is noted that uranium “enriched” into U-235 concentrations can be used as fuel for nuclear power plants and the nuclear reactors that run naval ships and submarines. It also can be used in nuclear weapons.
For tantalum, it is widely used to manufacture heat exchangers in the construction sector, charge carriers for furnace construction, medical implants, and capacitor components for the electronics industry. Its corrosion resistance makes it invaluable in numerous chemical applications.
At the same time, it is researched that Niobium or coltan is used in alloys including stainless steel. It improves the strength of the alloys, particularly at low temperatures. Alloys containing niobium are used in jet engines and rockets, beams and girders for buildings and oil rigs, and oil and gas pipelines.
Zirconium which is mainly used in nuclear power is indispensable in the production of nuclear energy, particularly as a cladding for long cylindrical fuel rods inside nuclear reactors.
The People’s Republic of China, according to the President, played extensive role in the new mineral discoveries.
He extended gratitude to China for funding this important project.
President said the Ministry of Mines and Energy has already analyzed the data from this survey, and the results indicate a significant shift away from the country’s previous sole focus on iron ore, diamonds, and gold.
In order to properly manage these new magnates, the President said he has instructed the Ministry of Justice to act lawfully and promptly to address claims concerning the Mount Blei Iron Ore deposit in Nimba County.
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