Geophysical Data Interpretation Standards for the Nigerian Solid Minerals Sector

This study examines the state of geophysical data interpretation standards in the Nigerian solid minerals sector and develops recommendations for improving technical quality and comparability of geophysical survey outputs submitted to the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. The Nigerian solid minerals sector has experienced significant investment growth under successive government mining promotion initiatives, but the geophysical surveys conducted in support of exploration and resource estimation activities are subject to inconsistent quality standards. This study analyses 35 geophysical survey reports submitted to the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development between 2018 and 2023 for various commodities and states. Reports are evaluated against an assessment framework drawing on AusIMM, JORC code requirements for geophysical data quality reporting, and PDAC standards for technical reports. Assessment criteria include acquisition parameter documentation, data processing transparency, interpretation methodology justification, uncertainty reporting, and recommendations adequacy. Key informant interviews with Ministry of Solid Minerals technical staff, mining company geophysicists, and academic reviewers supplement the documentary analysis. Findings reveal that only 28 percent of reviewed reports provide sufficient acquisition parameter documentation for independent reproduction of the data processing. Interpretation uncertainty is reported quantitatively in only 12 percent of reports. Methodology justification for interpretation approaches is absent in 54 percent. The Ministry's current technical review process lacks geophysics specialist capacity to evaluate submitted reports adequately. The study concludes that a comprehensive geophysical reporting standard is urgently needed for the Nigerian solid minerals sector and recommends adoption of an adapted JORC-type standard with mandatory minimum content requirements for geophysical technical reports.

Keywords: geophysical standards, solid minerals, mineral exploration, Nigeria, reporting requirements.