Chukwuamaka Daniella KOSONYEME

Five (5) marble samples from Igue and Environs in Southern Nigeria were obtained with the aim of qualifying the marble using XRF as well as XRD techniques and determining its economic importance. The major element composition of the marble deposit shows it has a mean chemical composition of CaO (91.14 wt. %), MgO (0.64 wt. %), SiO2 (4.17 wt. %), K2O (0.16 wt. %), Al2O3 (2.57 wt. %) and Fe2O3 (0.40 wt. %), respectively. The modal composition of the marble is, Calcite (65.1 %), Quartz (14.74 %), Orthoclase (7.66 %), Lime (6.5 %) and Illite (5.96 %). The results of the analysis revealed that the Igue marble is highly calcitic in composition. The ternary plot tends towards CaO and CaCO3 which confirms the former. Subject to beneficiation, Igue marble can be used for cement production. Igue marble is also used for sculpture, tiles, chips and decorative purposes. It is suggested that detailed trace element analysis should be carried out on the marble.