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.
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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.
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