WAEC Mining Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks

By WAEC2026 November 16, 2025 Blog, WAEC Syllabus 2026, WAEC Textbooks 0 Comments

The WAEC Mining Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks is a guide for exams that tests knowledge of mining principles, practices, rocks, minerals, and extraction methods. It also covers topics like health and safety, and may include fieldwork components. The syllabus is designed to evaluate students’ understanding of the mining business.

Contents

1 Aims and Objectives
2 Examination Guides
3 Paper 1:
4 Paper 2:
5 WAEC Mining Syllabus 2026/2027
6 FACILITIES AND MAJOR EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS REQUIRED
7 WAEC Mining Textbooks 2026/2027
8 Recent Posts

Aims and Objectives

Candidates must explain the basic concepts associated with mining
Candidates must acquire the basic knowledge of rocks and minerals
Candidate must be able to recognize the special properties and values of gems and precious minerals
Candidates must explain the methods of extraction of minerals
Candidates must explain the processing of minerals into useful products
Candidates must appreciate the importance of health, safety and environment in the mining industry
Candidates must develop the requisite skills and business attitudes to mining

Examination Guides

There will be two papers-1& 2, both of which must be taken as a composite paper in one sitting for a duration of 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Paper 1:

The first paper (paper 1) will consist of forty multiple-choice objective questions, all of which are to be answered in 40 minutes for 40 marks.

Paper 2:

It will comprise two sections, Section A and Section B, as follows:

Section A:

This will consist of 10 short structured questions covering the entire syllabus. All the questions should be answered in 40 minutes for 40 marks.

Section B:

This will consist of five essay-type questions from which candidates are to answer any three questions for 60 marks in 1 hour and 25 minutes.

WAEC Mining Syllabus 2026/2027

Topic	Subtopics
INTRODUCTION TO MINING	Meaning and branches of mining
	Terminology used in mining
	Classification and importance of minerals
	Distribution of minerals in Nigeria
	History of mining
	Mining activities in Nigeria
	Importance of minerals to man and national economy
	Minerals markets and cartels
	Mine accounting and sources of finance for mining ventures
	Aspects of Nigerian minerals and Mining Act, 2007
	Mining titles acquisition
BASIC GEOLOGY	Definition of Geology and its scope
	Relationship between Geology and Mining
	Structure of the Earth
	Relative abundance of elements in the Earth’s crust
	Economic mineral potentials of Nigeria
	Rocks and rock types (igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic)
	Rock-forming minerals
	Physical and chemical properties of rock-forming minerals
	Rock Cycle
	Weathering
	Simplified geological map of Nigeria
	Mineral map of Nigeria
	Collection and collation of geological data
	Interpretation of topographical and geological maps
	Drawing of simple geological cross-section
STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT IN MINING (BASIC CONCEPTS)	Classification of mining methods (Surface and underground mining methods)
	Choice of mining methods: Reasons for choosing surface or underground mining methods
	Surface mining methods: quarrying, open pit mining, open cast mining, alluvial mining etc
	Underground mining methods: room-and-pillar, longwall, cut-and-fill, shrinkage, block caving, sub-level etc
	Comparison of surface and underground mining methods
	Justification of choice of methods
	Prospecting stage: meaning and outlines of prospecting techniques (geological, geophysical, geochemical, remote sensing)
	Exploration stage: meaning and classification of exploration techniques (geological, geophysical, geochemical)
	Meaning of feasibility study of a mining venture
	Financial analysis in mining
	Meaning of a mine, mine development, mineral processing design, mill design, mining as actual exploitation
	Need for mineral processing, economic benefits of mineral processing
	Meaning and processes of metal extraction (e.g., smelting, hydrometallurgy, electrometallurgy)
MINING METHODS	Surface Mining Methods
	Open pit as an example of surface mines, features of an open pit mine, minerals mined by open pit method
	Open cast mine as an example of a surface mine, features of an open cast mine
	Quarrying and Dimension Stones production: Meaning, products of quarrying, uses of products, unit operations of a quarry
	Dimension stone production
	Minerals that are mined by open cast method
	Underground Mining Methods
	Features of an underground mine
	Basic concepts of underground mining methods (e.g., square setting, cut-and-fill, shrinkage, sub-level, long-hole)
	Sea-floor mining
	Moon and asteroid mining
	Materials handling equipment (e.g., conveyor belt, trucks, pay-loader, etc.)
INTRODUCTION TO MINERAL PROCESSING	Meaning of Mineral processing, comminution terms, concentration terms, mill accounting terms
	Properties of minerals employed in mineral processing (e.g., specific gravity, magnetism)
	Main operations in mineral processing (comminution and concentration)
	Products of mineral processing (e.g., concentrate, tailings, middling, dewatering, auxiliary operations, tailings disposal)
GEMOLOGY AND LAPIDARY	Meaning of gemology and lapidary
	Machines and tools in gemstone processing (e.g., faceting machine, grinding machine, polishing machine)
	Meaning and properties of gemstones
	Types of gemstones based on shape, colour, size, refractive index, etc.
	Characteristics and methods of identification of gemstones
	Quality of gemstones
	Unit of measurement of gemstones, prices of gemstones
	Marketing and prices of gemstones
HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT	Health hazards in mining
	Safety requirements/measures in mining
	Impacts of mining on the environment
	Safety equipment and apparels used in mining – personal protective equipment (PPE)
	Common diseases associated with mining industry
	Administering simple first aid, drugs/dressing material
	Guidelines for accident reporting, steps for environmental control
	Basic issues in National policy on mineral development
	Mining laws and regulations
	Environmental protection laws
	National policy on the environment

FACILITIES AND MAJOR EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS REQUIRED

Spring balance : 2
Fire extinguishers : 1
Sand and water bucket : 1
Specific gravity test apparatus(pycnometer) : 2
Model of open pit mine : 1
Model of underground mine : 1
Samples of common rocks and minerals e.g. limestone, cassiterite : 5
Samples of gemstone : 5
Globe : 1
Petrological microscope : 2
Binocular microscope : 2
Magnifying glass : 10
Topographical maps : 5
Geological maps : 5
Chart of periodic table of elements : 1
Thermometers : 5
Electronic balance : 1
Beakers : 5
Cylinders : 5
Petri dishes : 5

WAEC Mining Textbooks 2026/2027

Damisa, E. O. A. (2010): Introduction to Mining. published by Spectrum Books Ltd.
Gregory, C. E. (1983): Rudiments of Mining Practice. Trans Tech Publications, Zellerfled- Germany.
Damisa, E. O. A. and Tsaro, G. D. A. (2011): Introduction to Mineral Processing. Published by Spectrum Publishers.
Davou, D. D. (2012): Introduction to Geology. Published by Spectrum Publishers.
Mallo, S. J. and Nwude, B. O. (1998): Introduction to Shaft Sinking.
Mallo, S. J. (1998): Minerals and mining on the Jos Plateau. Published by ACON, Jos.
Hartman, L. M.(2002): Introduction to Mining Engineering.
Fred, B. G & Laurence J. D.(2006): Mining and its impact on the environment.
Wills B. A. & Munn, T. N. (2006): Wills Mineral Processing Technology. Published by Elsevier.
Fuestenau, M. C. & Han, K. N. (2003): Principles of Mineral Processing, Published by Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration.
Hartman, L. M. (1992): SME Mining Engineering Handbook, Vol. 1 & 2, Second Edition.
Littleton, Colorade: Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Inc (SME).
Mukerjee, P. K. (2005): A Textbook of Geology. Kolkuta. The World Press.
Chermcoff, S. & Whitney, D. (2007): Geology: An Introduction to Physical Geology. Fourth Edition. Pearson International. New Jersey.

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