MINERALOGY, GEOCHEMISTRY AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES OF NARAGUTA CLAY ON THE JOS PLATEAU, NIGERIA.
MINERALOGY, GEOCHEMISTRY AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES OF NARAGUTA CLAY ON THE JOS PLATEAU, NIGERIA.
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Date
2000-10
Authors
OBAJE, SOLOMON OMALE
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Abstract
In this study a detailed investigation was carried out into the
mineralogy, geochemistry and industrial properties of Naraguta clay on the
Jos Plateau, Nigeria located within latitudes 8°51" and 8°54"N and
longitudes 9°57" and 1()°()()"E. Visually, the clays arc classified as reddishbrown
and greyish. Microscopic study of the samples reveals the presence
of muscovite, quartz grains, feldspar and biotite in various proportions. The
mincralogical studies show that the clay minerals present in the samples of
both clay types are illite, smectite, kaolinite, chlorite, vermiculite,
halloysite, palygorskite and montmorillonite, while quartz and opaque
minerals are the non-clay components.
The samples contain high percentages of Si02, K20/Na20 and Fe203
content (> 3.0%) contributed to the reddish-brown colour of some of the
clays. These together with the mineralogy indicate that the clays probably
originated from silica-rich rocks such as migmatite and granite that are
abundant in the study area. The two clay types can easily be distinguished
by their liquid and plastic limits. The average values of the liquid limit falls
in the range of 49.67% for the reddish-brown clays and 47.63% for the
greyish clays; the plastic limit is 29.48% for the reddish-brown clays and
33.19% for the greyish clays. The average plasticity index is 20.20 for the
reddish-brown clays and 14.62 for the greyish clays. These results indicate
that the brick products from these clays will have tensile strength and
toughness. The average specific gravity of these clays (2.04 - 2.38g/cm3)
suggests that the clays are made up of mixed clay minerals and heavy
minerals like iron oxide. The assessment of the industrial suitability of
these clays based on their physical properties indicates that they have
sufficient mouldability and reddish-brown tones when fired. Also, the
atterberg limits and linear shrinkage values of these clays are within the
ranges of various industries such as the Naraguta Bricksworks Factory and
the Nigerian Mining Corporation Bricks Products Limited.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Geology, Faculty of Science,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria in partial fulfillment of the
award of the Master of Science degree in Mineral Exploration.
OCTOBER 2000.
Keywords
MINERALOGY,, GEOCHEMISTRY,, INDUSTRIAL,, PROPERTIES,, NARAGUTA,, CLAY,, JOS PLATEAU,, NIGERIA.