FUTA Mining Engineering Postgraduate Students Embark on Field Trip to Major Gold Mining Sites in Southwestern Nigeria
FUTA Mining Engineering Postgraduate Students Embark on Field Trip to Major Gold Mining Sites in Southwestern Nigeria
UmarFarouk123 
Postgraduate students from the Department of Mining Engineering (MNE), School of Infrastructure, Minerals and Manufacturing Engineering (SIMME), Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), recently concluded a one-week field trip to notable gold mining locations across Southwestern Nigeria.
The field excursion was designed to expose students to practical aspects of the mining engineering profession and enhance their competence for both local and international practice.
The first stop was at Segilola Gold Resources, Iperindo, Ilesha, Osun State, Nigeria’s largest and most advanced gold mine. The Segilola Gold Project boasts an indicated resource of 608,000 ounces grading at 4.7 g/t, an inferred resource of 68,000 ounces grading at 4.8 g/t, and a probable reserve of 518,000 ounces grading at 4.02 g/t, ranking it among the highest grade open pit gold projects in West Africa. The students observed mining operations from extraction to processing.
The second activity involved geological mapping around the Iperindo deposit, where students examined key geological features and conducted measurements to determine the orientation of rock structures, including strike and dip.
The third exercise focused on mine surveying, during which students applied various instruments such as the Total Station, Theodolite, GPS, compass, and measuring tape to determine distances, angles, and elevations necessary for safe mining within licensed boundaries.
The fourth visit took place at an alluvial gold deposit near Ilase, Osun State, where students observed artisanal mining practices and studied gold recovery methods along riverbeds.
The final field exercise was on rock mass classification near the Segilola Gold Mine, an essential geotechnical assessment used in mine design and stability analysis.
The department appreciates Professor T. B. Afeni, Head of Department, and other lecturers for their commitment and efforts in organizing and supervising this impactful academic field trip.
