ASSESSMENT OF OXIDE PROPERTIES OF CLAY DEPOSITS FROM ANAMBRA GEOLOGICAL BASIN FOR THEIR SUITABILITY AS CERAMIC RAW MATERIALS

• Alfred, V. A

  West African Ceramics Ltd, Near Niger Bridge, Ajaokuta, Kogi State, Nigeria

• Saliu, M. A

  Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

• Omoegun, S.O.

  Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

• Odeyemi, O. Y.

  Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Many ceramic companies that use clay as their chief raw material are springing up across the country. There is need to continuously explore for clay deposits to feed these industries. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry was used to analyse the oxide contents of fifteen clay samples obtained by pitting and trenching methods from Abia, Imo and Anambra States in the Anambra geologic basin of Nigeria. The depth and in situ characteristics of the clay deposits were also evaluated. Four samples taken at Nsukwe in Abia state have deposit thicknesses varying from 0.8 m to 1.5 m with light pink, brown and black colours. Three samples taken from Ikwuano in Abia state have deposit depths from 0.5 m to 1.2 m and are grey to brown in colour. Four samples taken from Okigwe in Imo state have deposit thicknesses of about 0.5 m to 1.0 m along a single stratum. The colour is mostly greyish. Four samples taken from Ozubulu in Anambra State have deposit thickness from 0.7 m in some areas to 2.4 m within a single stratum. An average of ten oxides were identified in the four locations. SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ were the dominant oxides. SiO₂ mean values of 55.9%, 48.3%, 63.5% and 63.9% were recorded for Nsukwe, Ikwuano, Okigwe and Ozubulu respectively. Al₂O₃ mean values of 25.92%, 31.45%, 11.13% and 12.45% were recorded for Nsukwe, Ikwuano, Okigwe and Ozubulu respectively. Our findings show that there is no single deposit in the region that has a suitable set of oxide contents required in the manufacturing of ceramic products. A blend of the material mix would achieve a desirable raw material mix for ceramic raw material.

1. Alfred, V. A, West African Ceramics Ltd, Near Niger Bridge, Ajaokuta, Kogi State, Nigeria

   Department of Mines and Raw Material Research

2. Saliu, M. A, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

   Department of Mining Engineering

3. Omoegun, S.O. , Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

   Department of Mining Engineering

4. Odeyemi, O. Y. , Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

    

   Department of Mining Engineering

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