ABSTRACT
MINERALOGICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF FELDSPAR DEPOSITS FOR CERAMIC APPLICATIONS IN THE DAGBALA AREA, AKOKO-EDO, SOUTHERN NIGERIA
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Geology (PJG)
Author: Fadiminiyi Gbenga Stephen, Aladin Anthony Ese and Maju-Oyovwikowhe G.E
This is an open access journal distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
DOI: 10.26480/pjg.02.2024.83.89
Feldspar minerals are essential industrial minerals that have varied applications depending on their mineralogical and chemical compositions. This project aims to evaluate the geochemical properties of Feldspar deposits around Dagbala area to determine their suitability for ceramic production. The study combines field and laboratory analysis of the samples collected. Fieldwork was carried out in Dagbala area, Akoko-Edo, Southern Nigeria, where ten (10) rock chip samples were collected from six different locations during the dry season. The chemical and mineralogical properties of the Feldspar materials were determined using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis. The major mineral phases identified in the Feldspar samples from the studied areas were Muscovite, Quartz, Plagioclase, Albite, Microcline/Orthoclase, and Zircon. Geochemical analysis of the Feldspar deposits showed that they contained high Silica, SiO2 (72.71 – 74.97%; average: 73.11%) and Alumina, Al2O3 (15.05-15.16%; average 15.12%) with significant amounts of Potash (K2O) content (3.53 – 8.20%; average: 7.00%) and Soda (Na2O) content (3.37 – 5.56%; average: 4.94%), which are essential oxides for ceramic production. The ceramic suitability of these materials was assessed using the Bureau Indian Specification (BIS) and data from relevant literature. The results revealed that these raw materials are suitable for the production of ornamental ceramic ware.
Pages | 83-89 |
Year | 2024 |
Issue | 2 |
Volume | 8 |