Abstract
Consistent building of mineral database is very crucial to ascertaining the natural resources potential of a nation which may be valuable towards its development. Essentially, the study aimed at establishing the spatial extent and average thickness occurrence of the kaolin deposit in part of Ikere-ekiti, south western Nigeria using geophysical method. Seventy seven VES measurements and two parametric soundings were made. The data were processed and interpreted using IPIwin - a forward modelling software. The evaluated geoelectric parameers were used for the generation of maps(2D and 3D) depicting the mineral occurrence variation. Three-five subsurface layers were depicted within the study area with layer resistivity ranging from 1 to 7250 ohm-meters and layer thickness that range from 0.2 to 48 meters. Layers with a resistivity range of 1-150 ohm meters have been identified as the kaolin layers. Average thickness of the kaolin layer range from 0.8 to 46 meters. Overburden thickness were found to range from 0.3 to 44 meters.The lateral extents of the kaolin occurrence in the study site have been delineated by electrical geophysical sounding method. The obtained information may serve as database for detail exploration and exploitaion programme towards harnessing the reosurces.
Highlights
The dwindling global oil price few years ago resulted in depletion of foreign exchange earnings, loss of job, inflation and even recession in Nigeria
Layers resistivity range from 1 to 7250 ohm-meters and layer thickness range from 0.2 to 48 meters.The geoelectric parameters on the columna section from depth of about 1.0 meter to 7.5 meters depth on figure 6a seem to correlate with the same layer on the logged pit which was recorded as kaolin
Layers with a resistivity in this range of value have been identified as the kaolin layers
Summary
The dwindling global oil price few years ago resulted in depletion of foreign exchange earnings, loss of job, inflation and even recession in Nigeria. Residual deposits (kaolin inclusive) are widely distributed on the Precambrian Basement of Nigeria. The main chemical components of clay are silica and alumina, with alkali, iron, calcium, zinc and magnesium ions as important accessory elements. They contain groups of crystalline substances known as non-clay minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and mica [1]. Kaolin (Al2Si2O5(OH)4) belongs to the group of clay minerals that contains atoms of silicon, aluminum, oxygen and hydroxyl groups as the main constituents. It has other elements such as phosphorus, Potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, etc. Members of the kaolin family include dickite, nacrite, allophone, and hallosite [2]
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