by crossriverwatch admin
The preparation of the Cross River State Government for the non-oil sector economy has started yielding results with the latest being the discovery of Rutile metal in the state.
Rutile is a precious metal resource that has huge commercial value and is used as pigment in paint production, water proof agents, as well as for the manufacturing of strengthen-metal for aircrafts; with its titanium as coating for bullet proof special glasses.
In an interview with newsmen in Calabar, Special Adviser on Mineral Resources Engineer Effiong Bassey said, “with this discovery, Japanese Government has already requested to partner the Federal Government of Nigeria to carry out a geo-physical survey on the Rutile metal in Cross River State”.
Bassey expressed optimism that more mineral resources will soon be discovered in Cross River State, stressing that the State economy is very bright with lots of opportunities which when optimized will be capable of improving the state revenue base.
According to him, a formal request has been made by the Government of Japan to the Federal Government for the collaboration, and that when all formalities are completed, Cross River will benefit immensely from the process.
He said, “If Rutile metal is found in commercial quantity in the State, employment opportunities will be boosted, revenue generation will increase, career opportunities will open for youths, expansion in export and trade relations will also be enhanced”.
KNOW MORE ABOUT RUTILE METAL:
Rutile is a common accessory mineral in high-temperature and high-pressure metamorphic rocks and in igneous rocks, that has brought high value and strong expectations for growing applications of titanium dioxide through titanium metal production.
With its physical and chemical properties rutile metal represent a material for new technological and environmental innovative applications.
It’s the best corrosion resistant metal; it has double strength of steel and has less weight. It has a high refractive index bringing superior light scattering and high reflectivity and brightness. The high opacity results in strong color coverage and tinting behavior.
In large enough quantities in beach sands, rutile forms an important constituent of heavy minerals and ore deposits. Miners extract and separate the valuable minerals—e.g., rutile, zircon, and ilmenite.
The main uses for rutile are the manufacture of refractory ceramic, as a pigment, and for the production of titanium metal. Areas of usage are aerospace, defence, automobile, construction, offshore, healthcare, chemical industry, power and sporting goods. Rutile is also widely used as a welding electrode covering.
Finely powdered rutile is a brilliant white pigment and is used in paints, plastics, paper, foods, and other applications that call for a bright white color.
Nanoscale particles of rutile are transparent to visible light but are highly effective in the absorption of ultraviolet radiation.
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