CHARACTERIZATION OF GUJENI IRON ORE DEPOSIT, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.
CHARACTERIZATION OF GUJENI IRON ORE DEPOSIT, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.
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Date
2015-11
Authors
SALAWU, Aishat Ometere
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Abstract
The characterization of Gujeni iron ore was carried out in the course of this research work.
The iron ore deposit is located in Gujeni village, Kagarko Local Government Area,
Kaduna State. The Samples were taken from four different pits 1, 2, 3 and 4 at 100m apart
and at 3m depth. The four samples were mixed together to form composite sample. The
composite sample was crushed, pulverized, analysed and characterized using XRF, XRD
and SEM/EDS techniques. The result of the chemical analysis revealed that the composite
sample contained 48.6%Fe, 0.2%Mn, 12.01%Ti, 2.06%P, 0.2%S, 6.0%Si, 4.4%Al on the
average. Physical properties of the ore such as specific gravity, density and electrical
conductivity were determined and the values are within the standard values specified for
iron ores. Mineralogical analysis showed that the ore contained the following minerals in
major quantity; haematite, goethite, rutile while, manganese oxide, zincite, zirconium and
silicate minerals are present in minor quantities. The SEM/EDS analysis results revealed
that the iron bearing minerals are separated from other minerals contained in the ore by
smooth boundaries hence, they can be liberated from other associated minerals simply by
crushing and grinding. Petrological results revealed that the structure of the iron bearing
minerals are in the form of plates and river line which are the characteristic of haematite
and goethite. Particle size/mineral assay analyses revealed that the various mineral phases
are evenly distributed in all the various sieve size fractions(+355µm to -50µm). The
liberation size of the iron bearing minerals was found to be -250+180µm, containing the
highest percentage assay of iron (48.80%Fe). The work index of the ore was found to be
13.96kWh/t and classified as a type B ore with soft medium texture. The results obtained
are compared with that of the literatures cited. Gujeni iron ore may be another potential
source of iron ore deposit that can be beneficiated and supplied to iron and steel making
industries in the country.
Description
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
METALLURGICAL AND MATERIALS ENGINEERING,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA,
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN METALLURGICAL AND MATERIALS
ENGINEERING.
Keywords
CHARACTERIZATION,, GUJENI IRON ORE DEPOSIT,, KADUNA STATE,, NIGERIA