GEOCHEMICAL, MINERALOGICAL, AND PETROGRAPHICAL STUDIES OF IRONSTONES AROUND MOUNT PATTI, SOUTHERN BIDA BASIN, NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR QUALITY ASSESSMENT, PROVENANCE AND ENVIRONMENT OF DEPOSITION
Abstract
The mineralogical composition, geochemistry, and depositional environment of the ironstone exposed on Mount Patti in the southern Bida Basin of Nigeria were assessed using integrated geochemical, mineralogical, and petrographic techniques. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and transmitted light microscopy were used in geochemical, and petrographical investigations of fourteen representative ironstone samples. Average chemical analysis results showed that the concentrations of SiO2 (5.93 wt%), TiO2 (0.09 wt%), Al2O3 (10.76 wt%), and Fe2O3 (77.47 wt%) were as follows. The ironstone may be found in a shallow marine environment or non-marine environment if the concentrations of CaO, Na2O, K2O, MnO, and CuO are less than 0.40. This assertion is supported by the absence of sulfur oxide (SO3) in the examined samples and the bivariate plot of SiO2 versus Al2O3 and triangular plot of Fe-Mn-(Cu+Zn). Low levels of CaO and the absence of CO3 indicate that the environment is oxidizing. The iron's grade was calculated and found to be approximately 54.180%, which has been classified as low grade. The study also revealed that the ironstone contains a high amount of gangue materials (Al2O3 and P2O5), its silica (SiO2) content is within permissible limits, and it is devoid of harmful materials like sulfur. Based on petrographic studies, the floating contact displayed by the framework grains indicates that the iron cements were eodiagenetic in origin. Although it can be used more effectively as cast iron, sufficient beneficiation (to remove excess silica) can make it useful for iron and steel production.
References
Abimbola, A. F. (1997). Petrographic and paragenetic studies of the Agbaja Ironstone Formation Nupe Basin, Nigeria. Journal African Earth Sciences, 25, 169–181. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0899-5362(97)00096-1
Adamu, L. M., Rufai A., Alege, T. S., 2018a. Sedimentology and Depositional Environment of the Maastritchtian Mamu Formation, Northern Anambra Basin, Nigeria. Adv. App. Sci. Res., 9(2), 53-68.
Adamu, L. M., Rufai A., Atabo, N. O., Alege, T. S., 2018b. Sedimentology and Depositional Environment of the Mid-Maastritchtian Ajali Sandstone in Idah and Environs, Northern Anambra Basin, Northcentral Nigeria. J. Apl. Geo. and Geophy., 6(1), 38-51.
Adamu, L.M., Obaje, N. G., Ngozi, O. P., Umar, M. U., 2020. Integrated Geochemical and Multivariate Statistical Examination of Source Rocks in the Sokoto and Anambra Basins, Nigeria: Implications for Hydrocarbon Prospectivity. Pet. Sci. Eng., 4(2), 39-50. doi: 10.11648/j.pse.202004011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pse.20200402.11
Adamu, L.M., Obaje, N.G., Adeoye, J.A., Oladimeji, R.G. and Yusuf, I. (2023). Trans-Saharan seaway connection between the South Atlantic and the Tethys Sea during the Coniacian–Turonian: Evidence from bibliographical synthesis, field mapping, and seismic interpretation. Geosystems and Geoenvironment, 3(2), 100243. doi:10.1016/j.geogeo.2023.100243 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geogeo.2023.100243
Alege, S. T., Adamu, M. L., Odoma, A. N., 2020. Sedimentology, Lithofacies, Palynofacies and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Campano-Maastrichtian Successions within the Southern Bida Basin, Nigeria. Min. J. Geos. (MJG)., 4 (2), 122-142.
Yusuf I., Obaje N. G., Adedosu T. A., Adeoye J. A., Adamu L. M., Tsado F. and 1Gana E. Y. (2023). Geology, Sedimentological and Hydraulic Conductivity of Ajali Potential Reservoir Sandstone Exposed Around GRA in Idah, Northern Anambra Basin. FUDMA Journal of Sciences (FJS), 7(6), 290-297. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2023-0706-2129
Adeleye, D. R. (1973). Origin of ironstones, an example from the Middle Niger Vallley, Nigeria. Journal Sedimentary Petrology, 43, 709-727. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1306/74D7284C-2B21-11D7-8648000102C1865D
Adeleye, D. R. (1974). Sedimentology of the fluvial Bida Sandstone (Cretaceous) Nigeria. Sedimentary Geology, 12, 1-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0037-0738(74)90013-X
Adeleye, D. R. (1976). The geology of the Middle Niger Basin. In C.A. Kogbe (Ed), Geology of Nigeria, (pp. 283-287). Lagos, Elizabethan Pub. Co.
Adeleye, D. R. & Dessauvagie, T. F. J (1972). Stratigraphy of Niger embayment near Bida Nigeria. In T.F.J. Dessauvagie & A.J. Whiteman (Eds), Proceedings of the Conference on African Geology (pp. 181- 186). Ibadan, Ibadan University Press.
Adeniyi, J. O. (1985). Ground total magnetic intensity in parts of the Nupe Basin and the adjacent basement complex, Niger State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Applied Science, 3, 67–78.
Agunleti, Y. S. & Salau, S. L. (2015). Geochemical study and exploration potential of the Oolitic- Pisolitic ironstone deposit of Agbaja Formation southern Bida basin Northcentral Nigeria. International Journal of Innovation Science, Engineering and Technology, 2(5), 527-533.
Izge J., Hassan H. & Ayok J. (2020). Geology, Petrography, and Mineralogy of Agbaja Formation: an Insight into the Petrogenesis of Ironstone Deposits. Science Forum (Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences), 20, 360 – 370. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5455/sf.74083
Braide, S. P. (1992). Syntectonic fluvial sedimentation in the central Bida Basin. Journal of mining Geology, 28, 65-73.
Chard, J. (1995). Making Iron and Steel: The Historic Processes, 1700-1900 Ringwood, NJ: North Jersey Highlands Historical Society.
Dobbins, M. S., & Burnet, G. (1982). Production of an iron ore concentrate from the iron-rich fraction of power plant fly ash. Resources and Conservation, 9, 231-242. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0166-3097(82)90078-5
Du-Preez, J. W. (1956). Origin, classification and distribution of Nigeria laterites. In Proceedings on 3rd Conference on African Geology, 13~223-234. University of lbadan Press, Ibadan.
Imrana, A. & Haruna I. V. (2017). Geology Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Koton-Karfe Oolitic Iron Ore deposit, Bida Basin, Kogi State, Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific and Technology Research, 6, 20-35.
Jones, H. A. (1958). The oolitic ironstone of Agbaja Plateau, Kabba Province. Records of the Geological Survey of Nigeria, 20-43.
Jones, H. A. (1955). The occurrence of oolitic ironstones in Nigeria. Their origin, geological history and petrology. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation. Oxford University, Oxford, UK.
Kennedy, B. A. (1990). Surface Mining, Society for Mining Metallurgy and Exploration Inc. Port city Press. Baltimore, Maryland.
King, L. C. (1950). Outline and distribution of Gondwanaland. Geological Magazine, 87, 353-359. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0016756800077311
Kogbe, C. A. (1978). Origin and Composition of the Ferruginous oolites and laterites of NW Nigeria. Geologische Rundscheu, 67, 262-274. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01802810
Kogbe, C. A., Ajakaiye, D. E. & Matheis, G. (1983). Confirmation of rift structure along
the middle- Niger Valley,Nigeria. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 1, 127-131.
Ladipo, K. O. (1988). Paleogeography, Sedimentation and Tectonics of the Upper Cretaceous Anambra Basin, south-eastern Nigeria. Journal of African Earth Science, 7, 865–871. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0899-5362(88)90029-2
Ladipo, K. O., Akande, S. O. & Mucke, A. (1994). Genesis of ironstones from middle Niger sedimentary basin, evidence from sedimentological, ore microscope and geochemical studies. Journal of Mining and Geology, 30, 161–168
Ladipo, K. O., Akande, S. O. & Mucke, A. (1988). Depositional environments, ore microscopy and origin of the Agbaja oolitic ironstone: Abstract. Vol. NMGS, 15.
Likkason, O. K. (1995).Application of trend surface analysis to gravity over middle Niger Basin. Nigeria. Journal Mining and Geology, 29, 11-19.
Marden, R. W. (1982). Iron-bearing rocks of Precambrian and their mining development. In Zhou, A. (Ed.), The development of potential of Precambrian mineral deposits, 75 – 86 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-027193-4.50010-3
Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. (2010). Iron ore exploration opportunities in Nigeria.
Mucke, A. (1994). Post-diagenetic ferruginisation of sedimentary rocks (sandstone, oolitic ironstone, kaolinsand bauxite) including a comparative study of the redding of red beds. In: Development of Sedimentology and Diagenesis, 4 (Edited by Wolf, K. and Chilingarian, G. V.), 361-423. Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Mucke, A. (1993). Post – diagenetic ferruginization of sedimentary rocks (sandstones, oolitic ironstones, kaolins and bauxites) including a comparative study of the reddening of red Beds. In: Development of sed., Diagenesis, 4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0070-4571(08)70444-8
Mucke, A., Ogunbajo, M. I. & Shekwolo, P. D. (1994). The Phanerozoic ironstones of the Bida Basin, Nigeria: Their mineralogy and genesis, Abstract. Vol., NMGS.
Murat, R. A. (1972). Stratigraphy and palaeogeography of Cretaceous and Lower Tertiary in Southern Nigeria. In: African Geology (Edited by Dessauvagie, T. F. J. and Whiteman, A.) 251-266. University of lbadan Press, Ibadan.
Natural Resources Canada, (2012). Modified 03/11/2015-http://www.nrcan.gc.ca.mining-mineral/market/commodity-review/2012/1574.
Obaje, N. G., Musa, M. K., Odoma, A. N. & Hamza, H. (2011).The Bida Basin In northcentral Nigeria: sedimentology and petroleum geology. Journal of Petroleum and Gas Exploration Research, 1, 001-013.
Obaje, N.G. (2009). Geology and Mineral Resources of Nigeria, Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences 120, Springer-Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg 2009, 72 - 97. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-92685-6
Ojo, O. J. & Akande, S. O. (2012). Facies Analysis and Paleo environments of the Upper Cretaceous sediments in the Share - Lafiagi area, northen Bida Basin. Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), 10, 111-126.
Ojo, S. B. & Ajakaiye, D. E. (1989). Preliminary interpretation of gravity measurements in the Mid-Niger Basin area, Nigeria. In: Kogbe, C.A. (Ed.), Geology of Nigeria. Elizabethan Publishers, Lagos, 347–358.
Okosun, E. A., Goro, A. I., Olobaniyi, S. B., Shekwolo, P. D. & Nwosu, J. E. (2007). Stratigraphyof the Bida Formation, Bida Basin, Nigeria. Borno Journal of Geology, 4(2), 21-37.
Oresajo, M. O. (1979). Petrology and Geochemistry of Bassan-Nge Ironstone, M.Phil. Thesis, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Russ, W. (1930). The Minna-Birnin Gwari belt. Reports of Geological Survey of Nigeria, 10-14.
Tattam, C. M. (1943). A review of Nigerian stratigraphy. Reports of Geological Survey of Nigeria
Tsepav, M. T. & Mallam, A. (2017). Spectral Depth Analysis of some segments of the Bida Basin Nigeria, Using Aeromagnetic Data. Journal of Apply Science Environmental Management, 20(7), 1330-1335. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v21i7.19
Udensi, E. E. & Osazuwa, I. B. (2004). Spectral determination of depths to magnetic rocks under theNupe Basin, Nigeria. Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) Bulletin, 17, 22–27.
Whiteman, A. J. (1982). Nigeria:its petroleum geology resources and potentials Graham and Trotman, London, UK. 176, 2 - 238 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7361-9
Zaborski, P.M. (1998). A review of Cretaceous system in Nigeria. African Geosciences Review (5) 385-485
Copyright (c) 2024 FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
FUDMA Journal of Sciences
