PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND MINERALOGICAL PROPERTIES OF A CLAY MINERAL DEPOSIT IN GEHEKU, KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

The physico-chemical and mineralogical properties of a clay mineral deposit in Geheku, Kogi State, Nigeria were assessed. The results of the study revealed that the deposit consisted of phyllosilicate minerals- Illite, montmorillonite, kaolinite, halloysite, almandine; other minerals present were quartz and ramsdellite. The clay minerals exhibited good swelling property, medium plasticity, good thermal shock resistance and apparent porosity; it had refractoriness below 1200 oC. The properties of the clay reflected the combined properties of the constituent clay and non-clay minerals which recommends it for a variety of applications which requires the blend of property though the working temperature must be below 1200 oC. The clay mineral deposit colours were influenced by the minerals almadine and ramsdellite.