Evaluation of Solid Mineral Logistics Chains in Nasarawa State Using Network Analysis

Nasarawa State, situated in Nigeria's North Central zone, possesses significant deposits of solid minerals including baryte, limestone, and coal, yet the logistics chains linking extraction sites to processing facilities and export points remain inefficient, constraining the sector's economic contribution. This study applies network analysis techniques to evaluate and optimize the solid mineral logistics network across Nasarawa State. A directed weighted graph is constructed representing extraction sites, processing plants, storage depots, and transport nodes, with edge weights reflecting transportation cost per tonne per kilometre adjusted for road surface conditions. Data on mineral flow volumes, transport costs, and node capacities are obtained from the Nasarawa State Ministry of Solid Minerals and interviews with licensed mineral processors. Critical path and shortest path algorithms are applied to identify bottlenecks and minimum-cost routing plans for three primary mineral commodities. Maximum flow analysis is conducted to assess network throughput constraints. Results reveal that three transport links between extraction zones and the nearest state processing facility are operating above capacity during peak extraction periods, creating bottlenecks that delay delivery by an average of four days. The minimum-cost flow solution reroutes approximately 35 percent of baryte flows through an underutilized secondary corridor, reducing average transport cost by 21 percent. Recommendations include targeted road rehabilitation on identified bottleneck links and establishing a logistics coordination committee for the sector. Keywords: network analysis, solid mineral logistics, Nasarawa State, transportation optimization, bottleneck analysis