Geology, Mineralogy and Chemical Composition of Residual Clay Occurrences in Tungan Gade, Cuchi, Tufa and Mallam Karo Areas of Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

The present study is necessitated as a result of industrial demand for clay as raw material for ceramics and refractory. Four residual clay occurrences in the Basement Complex of north western Nigeria were investigated to examine their mineralogical and chemical characteristics. The study area falls within the north western Precambrian Basement Complex comprising granite, schist and gneiss. Combine AAS and XRD techniques were employed in the determination of the chemical and mineralogical composition of the clay occurrence. The residual clays in the study area are differentiated into white, gritty and yellowish brown variety, with the thickness ranging between 5 and 10 meters. Mineralogical results indicates kaolinite as major clay mineral and quartz as major non-clay mineral. Chemically, silica content values of the white residual clay of Tunga Gade and Tufa ranges between 47.80% and 50.01% while the brownish varieth of Kuchi and Mallam Karo is between 53.90% and 55.90%, alumina content of these clays is between 29.62% and 36.27%. Presence of goethite in Kuchi and Mallam Karo clays is responsible for its yellowish brown color. The SiO2 and low NaO, Fe2O and MgO could yield good material for the manufacture of refractory. Field evidence suggested that the clay is formed in-situ with average thickness of 5-10 meters. Reserve estimation and industrial properties are recommended as follow-up investigation.