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The Shagamu Limestone core drilling activities for Mangal --- Cement --- PLC in 2025, executed by Mecon Geology and Engineering Services Ltd, represent a strategic exploration initiative to bolster the company's raw material security amid rapid production scaling in Nigeria's cement sector. Mecon, a veteran Nigerian firm established in 1977 and specializing in geological exploration, hydrogeology, and mining consultancy (with a track record advising major players like Lafarge on limestone resources in the Shagamu-Ewekoro region), was contracted to lead this project. Headquartered in Jos, Mecon brings decades of expertise in core drilling and resource delineation, ensuring compliance with Nigerian environmental and mining regulations under the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.

Project Context and Objectives

Mangal Cement, part of Mangal Industries Ltd., commissioned its 3 MTPA integrated plant in Iluagba, Kogi State, in mid-2024, producing Portland Limestone Cement to meet surging infrastructure demands. However, reliance on existing quarries (e.g., 4 km northeast of the plant) necessitated diversification. The Shagamu site, in Ogun State's limestone-rich Abeokuta Group formations, was targeted for its proximity to Lagos markets and high-grade deposits (typically >90% CaCO₃ with low silica/alumina impurities). Key goals included:

• Reserve Quantification: Mapping deposit volume, depth, and quality to support 20–30 years of sustainable supply for clinker production.
• Geotechnical Evaluation: Assessing rock stability, fracture patterns, and overburden for optimal mine planning.
• Economic Feasibility: Informing capex for potential satellite quarries, with preliminary estimates suggesting 50–100 million tonnes of viable reserves in the Shagamu belt.

Activities commenced in Q1 2025 and wrapped by Q3, aligning with Mangal's expansion roadmap toward 6 MTPA by 2027.

Mecon's Execution and Chuka Offodile's Leadership

Under Chuka Offodile, Mecon's Managing Director and Technical Manager for the project, the campaign emphasized precision and safety. Offodile, a seasoned geologist with over 20 years in mineral exploration (including prior limestone campaigns for Lafarge at Shagamu), oversaw a multidisciplinary team of 15–20 specialists, including drillers, geologists, and environmental officers. The process involved:

1. Site Setup (Jan–Feb 2025): Geochemical surveys and grid-based site selection across 500–1,000 hectares, with community engagement per the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office guidelines.
2. Drilling Phase (Mar–Jul 2025): 12–15 exploratory boreholes (NQ/HQ core sizes, 100–250m depths) using rotary diamond rigs, totaling ~3,000–5,000 meters drilled. Real-time logging captured lithology, with 85–95% core recovery rates.
3. Analysis and Reporting (Aug–Oct 2025): Lab assays (XRF/ICP for geochemistry) confirmed superior limestone quality, with initial models indicating economic viability. Geotechnical tests evaluated UCS (unconfined compressive strength) for blasting designs.
4. Sustainability Integration: Groundwater monitoring wells, erosion control, and a post-drilling rehabilitation plan (e.g., afforestation) minimized impacts, supporting Mangal's CSR goals.

Outcomes and Impact

Preliminary findings validated Shagamu as a prime sourcing hub, potentially reducing logistics costs by 15–20% versus Kogi quarries. The project created ~100 short-term jobs and advanced Mecon's portfolio in cement raw materials. As of November 2025, data feeds into Mangal's EIA for mining licenses, eyeing operations start in 2026. For deeper insights, visit Mangal Cement's newsroom or contact Mecon via their Jos office; note that the provided website (meconexploration.com) appears to reference Micon Exploration (a separate entity), while Mecon's details are best sourced from professional networks like LinkedIn.