AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL RAW MATERIALS FOR THE CERAMICS INDUSTRY

(A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA)

By

Author

Presented To

Department of Environmental Design

ABSTRACT
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 vi 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. vii 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.