LOCATIONAL ANALYSIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GYPSUM DEPOSITS IN NORTH-WESTERN NIGERIA AS RAW MATERIALS FOR VARIOUS INDUSTRIES.

Abstract

Gypsum mineral is a critical raw material in the manufacture of cement, Plaster Of Paris (POP) and in many other industries. Nigeria has a few cement factories which provide significant job opportunities for Nigerians. As a developing country, Nigeria is a huge construction site for the development of several infrastructures. Gypsum deposits in North-Western Nigeria have been selected for study as a basis for sourcing of suitable gypsum deposits as raw materials for Nigerian industries/manufacturing companies and projects through beneficiation optimization as may be necessary. Wurno and Kalambaina are the locations of the mapped and analyzed Gypsum mineral deposits in Sokoto State. The geochemical data shows that SiO₂ ranges from 0.2% to 0.9%, Al₂O₃ from 1.35% to 2.55%, Fe₂O₃ from 0.04% to 0.15%, MgO from 0.23% to 4.71% , CaO from 38.98% to 43.08%, and SO₃ from 52.8% to 55.21%. The mapped Gypsum mineral occur in economic quantity when juxtaposed against the geochemical characteristics (qualities), the studied gypsum has an average of 92.62% of purity and therefore graded as High grade  gypsum mineral deposit which constitutes huge raw materials for various industries. Investors are invited to use the results obtained in this study to establish cement, fertilizers, paint, paper, textiles, and chemical industries in North-western Nigeria. This will result in the industrialization, economic growth, employment generation and positive social transformation of the region. The results will contribute immensely to sourcing of high grade raw materials for the Nigerian cement and other industries that consume gypsum. The results will as well lead to expansion of capacities of presently operating cement factories, establishment of new/additional cement factories, revival of solid mineral mining and establishment of mineral-based industries. These will culminate in employment generation, wealth creation, poverty reduction and women and youth empowerment in sustainable physical environments.