Spatial pattern in solid minerals distribution in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the extent of solid mineral distribution in Cross River State using Geographic Information System (GIS), base map and Global Positioning System (GPS) for data collection; Z-score variate and Nearest Neighbour Analysis (NNA) for data analysis. The result of NNA indicated that solid mineral in Cross River State depicted a clustering pattern with apparent clustering observed in the Central Senatorial District of the state. Spatial pattern of mineral distribution revealed that Obubra and Ikom had highly abundant of mineral resources followed by Akamkpa; Yala, Biase, Obanliku and Boki were moderately abundant. Yakurr, Abi, Etung, Ogoja, Calabar South, Calabar Municipality, Bakassi and Akpabuyo were less abundant. The study suggested that effective mapping of solid minerals in Cross River State would facilitate exploration activity in the respective communities and put the communities in the international stage for proper utilization of available mineral deposits by multinationals.

Keywords: Solid mineral distribution, Mapping, Spatial pattern