IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 22, Issue 8, Ver. 8 (August. 2017) PP 37-43 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845. www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0837-2208083743 www.iosrjournals.org 37 | Page Gold Minning and the Development of Towns: A Study in the History of Minna, 1910 -2015 Salihu Ibrahim 1 Ahmed Zaharuddin Sani Ahmed ibn Sabri, Ph. D 2 1 (School of Languages, Philosophy and Civilization, Ahwang Had Salleh Graduate School Universiti Utara, Malaysia) 2 (School of Languages, Philosophy and Civilization, Ahwang Had Salleh Graduate School Universiti Utara, Malaysia) Corresponding Author: Salihu Ibrahim ABSTRACT: Gold is one of the mineral wealth that nature has deposited for mankind beneath the earth. Its significance is recognized and respected by all generations and every society, be it primordial or industrialized. The working of gold is a herculean task but, a minute find can easily change ones social strata in the society. Gold mining have played very significant role in the development of settlements, empires and kingdoms by attracting population and enhancement of the economy. This paper sheds light on the history of gold mining in Minna during the colonial years and the post-colonial era; it specifically try to explain how gold mining in the area contributed to the historical development of Minna town. The research employed the qualitative method in the approach using both primary and secondary data. It shows that such mineral deposits like Tin, Diamond and Gold are harbingers of population. The work concluded that in view of the present search for where to employ the youths gold mining can solve the problem if properly looked in to. Keywords: Gold, Mining, historical, development, Minna town. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 31-07-2017 Date of acceptance: 14-08-2017 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. INTRODUCTION Towns emerge or grow due to different factors; from antiquity these include availability of fertile land, forest for wood and deposit of such mineral as iron ore, Tin, diamond and gold [16]. Minna located in Central Nigeria area is one of the settlements in the country that possess gold deposit which has attracted the attention of prospector since the early years of colonial rule. Mining activities in general attracted population, but gold in particular have been over the ages responsible for the emergence, expansion and development of human settlements as studies have shown of Brazil [7]. In California the 1848 discovery of gold on American River attracted people from all directions to the area which resulted in the growth and expansion of the settlement [29]. Johannesburg in South Africa owes its emergence and growth to the discovery of gold in 1884 which within a short period raised population from 6000 to 102,000 [33]. Over the ages gold has remained the leading element sought by man. The ancient Egyptian civilization exhibit high level use of gold as it was found in most of pyramids [36]. Gold mining and trade occupied a very significant part of the history of ancient West African states of Ghana, Mali and Songhai [7]. It played important role in the development of States and societies in the Northern Nigeria area. The staff of office a stick that its head is gold plated is the symbol of authority of the Kings, Emirs and even the Sultan. Most of the royal regalia are usually made of gold including the decoration of the royal horses. Most importantly, it was used as a medium of exchange and popularly also for ornamentation. During the Colonial era gold mining was a very serious venture that attracted Europeans and other nationalities and peoples from different part of Nigeria to Minna [31]. It provided employment to the people which enable them pay the repugnant colonial taxes in addition to uplifting their social status in the society. Thus, gold mining in Minna during colonial era in many ways boosted the population of the town. In recent times gold mining activities have assumed a renewed interest and vigor in most parts of north central Nigeria area for instance in Zamfara State villagers took to its mining as solution to poverty [4]. As global economic meltdown hits harder on the people, gold mining business provided investors some financial relieve as its price sky rockets thus making life better for prospectors [4]. Similarly, in Minna it was the need for man to survive the realities of his day that resuscitated the gold mining activities which have since colonial time been abandoned. It is rewarding for people to go into prospecting for gold as it provides their daily bread. Despite the poor attitude of government to the sector it provides employment for large number of citizens; it is