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Difficulty: MediumManufacturing and Industrial Development in Nigeria

The establishment and spatial concentration of major cement manufacturing complexes at Ewekoro and Sagamu in Ogun State, Gboko in Benue State, and Nkalagu in Ebonyi State demonstrate a specific principle of industrial location. Which factor primarily determined the choice of these industrial sites?

  1. Proximity to heavy, weight-losing raw material depositsAnswer
  2. B
    High market demand in adjacent densely populated metropolitan centers
  3. C
    Direct access to major coastal seaport facilities for importing clinker
  4. D
    Abundant supply of agricultural crop resins used as binding agents

Answer

The primary factor determining the location of cement plants at Ewekoro, Sagamu, Gboko, and Nkalagu is their proximity to heavy, weight-losing raw material deposits (limestone quarries).
The correct answer highlights proximity to heavy, weight-losing raw material deposits. Cement manufacturing requires vast quantities of limestone. Because limestone loses substantial weight during high-temperature processing to form clinker, locating factories directly at limestone quarry sites minimizes overall freight costs.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary raw materials used in cement manufacturing in Nigeria.
Cement manufacturing requires limestone, clay/shale, and gypsum, with limestone constituting over 75% of the total raw material mass.
Understanding the input requirements is essential for analyzing industrial orientation.
2
Apply industrial location principles (Weber's Least Cost Theory) to weight-losing materials.
Limestone loses significant weight and bulk during calcination and clinker formation. Moving raw limestone long distances incurs prohibitive transport charges compared to transporting finished bagged cement.
Weight-losing raw materials attract manufacturing plants to the source of the raw material rather than the market.
3
Correlate the physical geological sites with the plant locations.
Ewekoro/Sagamu (Ewekoro formation), Gboko (Lower Benue Trough), and Nkalagu (Asu River group) are all situated directly atop extensive limestone and marble deposits.
Validates that quarry proximity was the key location determinant.

Key Concept

Raw Material Orientation of Weight-Losing Heavy Industries
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Topics

Manufacturing and Industrial Development in Nigeria

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