Evaluation of the Integration of Indigenous Knowledge in Mineral Exploration in North East Nigeria

Indigenous communities in North East Nigeria possess traditional ecological knowledge, including observations of surface mineralisation indicators such as soil colour anomalies, vegetation changes, and spring water chemistry, that may complement formal mineral exploration methods. This study evaluates the potential and documented instances of indigenous knowledge integration in mineral exploration programmes in Gombe, Bauchi, and Yobe states. A qualitative research design was employed, incorporating focus group discussions with 18 traditional community groups, structured interviews with exploration geologists operating in the region, and analysis of field notes from community-geologist interaction records. A framework for assessing the reliability and explorative value of indigenous mineral indicators was developed through expert consultation. Findings indicate that indigenous mineral indicators reported by community informants show statistically significant spatial correlation with known mineralised zones in 61 percent of documented instances, suggesting genuine explorative value. However, the systematic integration of this knowledge into formal exploration programmes is rare, with only two of nine exploration companies interviewed reporting any structured approach to indigenous knowledge collection. Language barriers, scepticism among geologists, and absence of a formalised integration methodology are identified as primary obstacles. The study recommends a standardised protocol for community geological knowledge documentation and advocates for its inclusion in mandatory social baseline studies required for exploration licences. Keywords: indigenous knowledge, mineral exploration, North East Nigeria, community geology, Gombe State.