GEOCHEMICAL

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.

Five (05) clay samples were obtained from various locations in Uzebba and its environs with the aim of ascertaining its mineralogical and geochemical compositions, qualifying the clay samples and determining its economic potentials. The results obtained showed the predominance of SiO2 (62.23 to 77.48 wt.%), Al2O3 (13.50 to 18.88wt.%), Fe2O3 (0.83 to 13.83 wt.%), TiO2 (2.15 to 3.05 wt.%), CaO (0.20 to 1.05wt.%) with traces of MnO (0.02 to 0.03 wt.%), P2O5 (0.03 to 0.23 wt.%) and K2O(0.87-0.39wt.%), respectively. The mineralogical results showed that quartz was predominant in all the samples (51.00 to 64.00%) followed by Orthoclase (4.20 to 20.00%) and Kaolinite (11.00 to 16.80%). From the results obtained it shows that the Uzebba clay is kaolinitic in nature. The clay minerals found in the study area is suitable for ceramic, glass, paint, paper and refractory bricks production.