Petrochemical Characteristics and Industrial Features of Talcose Rock in Ijero-Ekiti Area, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Talc bodies occurring in association with mafic and ultramafic rocks, gneisses, quartzite, and schistose rocks of Ijero-Ekiti area were investigated with a view to determining their compositional characteristics and industrial potentials. The talcose rocks which outcrop as rounded crudely lensoidal bodies, averagely extends for about 3km along the strike and 200 m wide. They vary in colour from white to greyish and in places from light brown to light green. Petrographic studies indicate that the talc bodies are dominated by talc (ca. 38.70%), tremolite (ca. 27.50%), chlorite (ca. 16.70%) with subordinate actinolite (ca.8.9%) and anthophyllite. (ca.6.8%) Mean chemical composition show that SiO2 (ca. 56.03%), MgO (ca. 27.74%), Fe₂ O₃ (ca. 7.11%), Al₂ O₃ (ca. 2.25%) and CaO (ca.2.61%) constitute the major oxides composition. Generally, Na₂ O, K₂ O, Cr₂ O₃ and P₂ O₅ altogether account for less than 1% of the bulk composition. Results of physical parameters: Water Absorption Capacity (ca. 12.28%), loss on ignition (ca. 3.81%), pH (8.06), Fired shrinkage (ca. 1.86%) and Petrochemical characteristics indicate that the talcose rock is essentially low grade and is suitable as raw material for use in the manufacture of only rubber, and textiles, if appropriately beneficiated. Compositionally however, it falls short of requirements as raw material for paints, pharmaceutics, paper and refractory industries.

Keywords: Talcose, Composition, Physical, Chemical, Beneficiation, Industries