Format:
Lit.Hinw.
ISSN:
0145-2258
Content:
Gold mining in Nigeria began in 1914 in the north, where it reached a peak in the 1930s. In the 1940s, gold mining started in western Nigeria, particularly in Oyo Province. This essay highlights the development of the gold industry in western Nigeria and the attempts by the State to control the major participants in order to derive revenues, check the diversion of farmers to other sectors of the economy, and assist large foreign companies, in particular the United African Company, in their mining activities. The gold industry served two highly competitive markets, an export market, controlled by foreign business, and a domestic market, dominated by the demand of the Yoruba elite for gold ornaments. The 'illicit' trade in gold, both in its raw state and in smelted form, was regarded as the greatest problem of the industry by both the government and big business. As goldsmiths were the link between miners, smugglers and buyers of gold, they became the primary target of government policy. The measures taken by the government to control the goldsmiths were not successful because of the high local demand for gold ornaments and the lucrative character of illegal mining operations. (Documentatieblad/ASC Leiden)
In:
African economic history, Boston, Mass. : [Verlag nicht ermittelbar], 1976, (1992), 20, Seite 27-50, 0145-2258
In:
year:1992
In:
number:20
In:
pages:27-50
Language:
English
