SOME INDUSTRIAL MINERAL DEPOSITS IN NIGER STATE OF NIGERIA AND THE INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Physical mapping and geochemical characterization of some industrial mineral occurrences in Nigeria’s geopolitical State of Niger have been undertaken as a basis for assessing their economic quantities, modes of occurrence and physico-chemical characteristics as raw materials for mineral-based industries and industrialization. Physical mapping-surveys have been carried out on clay, marble and talc deposits. Economic deposits of clay have been mapped at Mashegu, Kutigi and Lemu, marble and clay at Kwakuti and talc at Kagara. All the mapped industrial minerals occur in economic quantities, although the exact reserves have not yet been measured. The clays at Kutigi have high content of kaolinite (on the basis of XRD examination) while those at Lemu and Mashegu have been diminished by high silica content (XRD and XRF measurements). The marble deposit at Kwakuti is highly calcitic (very lowly dolomitic) with significant content of Cu, Pb, Zn, and Ba traces; the associated clays at the same locality have
high alumina content and a significant content of Zr traces. The content of iron oxide (Fe2O3) in the talc at Kagara and clays at Lemu and Mashegu may constitute obstacles in their industrial applications. The clays at Kutigi have the required economic quantity and chemical parameters for exploitation as raw materials for a ceramic/sanitary ware industry while those at Mashegu
and Lemu are more suited for pharmaceutical industry. The marble deposits at Kwakuti can support a large size cement factory with raw material supply for 35 years (at presently mapped occurrences; additional reserves may be booked with time). The large talc deposits at Kagara can support an equally large cosmetic factory.