Geochemical Assessments of Owa-Kajola Marble, Southwestern Nigeria.
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Date
2020
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Abstract
Extensive deposit of dominantly calcitic marble occurs around Owa-Kajola, Sheet 224 (Osi) NW, south-western Nigeria.
Geological field mapping on scale 1:10,000 showed that the marble is intercalated with variably migmatized gneisses, pelitic to
semi-pelitic schists, amphibolite, and quartzite, all of which are intruded by late- to post- Pan African granite and pegmatites.
Geochemical investigations of the marble were done with a view to ascertaining its industrial applications for national
development. Results show that the marble, for which there is no published work, is white, with well-interlocked sub-hedral to
euhedral crystals, and medium- to coarse-grained. The physical properties also indicate that it can be used in the production of
scouring soap, glass, tooth paste, rubber, polished stones, and lime. The relatively low MgO content against CaO, Slica-Alumina
Ratio, Silica Modulus, and the Total Alkali content make the deposit adequate for cement production. The combined high CaO
and the low P (<0.1%) and S (<0.5%) make the deposit applicable in the steel industry but the low dolomite content may
disqualify it for being used as refractory lining in metallurgical engineering. The amounts of the components of marble such as
CaO, MgO, SiO2, P2O5, Fe2O3, Na2O and K2O are within the tolerable limits for the production of Portland Cement while the low
levels of P(0-0.1), Pb (<5ppm), U (<0.4ppm) and other deleterious elements make such an industrial venture environmentalfriendly.
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Keywords
Marble, Owa-Kajola, geochemical, applications, cement.