Characterization of Wasagu manganese deposit

Abstract

In this work, characterization of low grade manganese ore was attempted. The low grade ore deposit is located in Wasagu/Danko Local Government Area of Kebbi State, North Western Nigeria. The work involved chemical and mineralogical characterization of the ore. Results of chemical analysis using X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF) revealed that the manganese ore contains 38.67% Mn on the average. Mineralogical characteristics of the ore determined using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) revealed that the ore is predominantly spessartite with quartz and hematite as minor minerals while others are in trace amounts. Additionally, manganese, oxygen and iron are found to be the most abundant element in the ore from the EDS result.