Instrumental analysis and characterization of mineral ores from Yale, Upper East Region, Ghana

Abstract

Ore samples from underlying rocks (9 - 30 m beneath surface) of the Yale area (Upper East Region, Ghana) were analysed by instrumental techniques for the mineral contents. The three techniques applied in analysing the ores were Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and Powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The presence of Ca, Mn, Cr and Cu was confirmed in all the ore samples. The AAS data showed that Ca, Mn and Mg were the main elemental components of the ore samples. About 90.9 % of the ore samples contained more than 5000 mg/kg of Mn, 45% contained no less than 6000 mg/kg of Ca and same proporti-on contained no less than 2000 mg/kg of Mg. The INAA data also indicated a high concentration of Mn (3323 mg/kg) in the ore samples, as well as significant amount of Cr (average concentration of 291.27 mg/kg), and show-ed that Ti was the dominant elemental component in all the samples (average concentration of 6625.3 mg/kg). XRD analysis revealed the presence of oxides of Ca, Mn and of Cr in the ores, thus confirming the INAA and AAS data. The INAA data also showed that the Au content in all ores was between 0.67 - 2.67 mg/kg, which can be considered to be commercially significant. The findings updated the previous data on the mineral ore contents, and confirmed the mining prospects of the locality.

Keywords: Instrumental Techniques, INAA, AAS, XRD, Mineralogy