Characterization of Baryte from Torkula and Kaseyo of Guma Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Samples from the baryte mineral deposit at Torkula and Kaseyo of Guma  local  government area, Benue, Nigeria were analyzed for their physical, chemical and mineralogical properties, such as hardness, specific gravity etc. The elemental  composition was determined by the use of x-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and  mineralogical analysis was done by the use of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The chemical analytical results indicate the following range of values for the oxides; SiO2 (15.55 % - 15.60 %), Fe2O3 (0.27 % - 0.29 %), BaO (71.46 % - 70.87 %), TiO2 (1.60 % - 1.58 %), CaO (0.09 % - 0.10 %), P2O5 (0.01 % - 0.01 %), K2O (0.03 % - 0.04 %), MnO (0.06 %  -  0.05 %), MgO (0.03 %  -  0.04 %), Na2O  (0.07 % - 0.07 %), Cu2O (0.05 % - 0.06 %), RbO (0.07 % - 0.06 %), ZrO (0.08 %), Cr2O3 (0.1 % - 0.12 %), Al2O3 (1.31 % - 1.28 %). The mineralogical analysis shows the presence of calcite, albite, hematite, quartz, kaolinite and montmorillonite. Quartz and kaolinite were predominant. The baryte from both Torkula and Kaseyo were considered good grade for use as drilling mud when compared with the American Petroleum Institute (API) standards. They also compare reasonably well with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard for applications in glass, pharmaceuticals, paint and chemical production. However, the baryte will require a beneficiation process to reduce the concentration of the silica (SiO₂) content.