Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Geological Investigation of Alkaleri Kaolin Deposit, Bauchi State, Nigeria and the Assessment of Its Ceramic Properties
by Eze, C. L.

Abstract:
A sedimentary kaolin deposit at Alkaleri, 74 kilometres east of Bauchi town along the Bauch-Gombe road, was studied. A target area of about 216,684m2 was chosen for a detailed geological investigation. The objective of the study was to prove adequate quality reserve sufficient for the economic lifetime of a large scale ceramic plant. The results of the study will help potential investors in the ceramic industry in Nigeria in decision making as it pertains to raw material. A total of 25, 6-inch boreholes were carefully sited on a 100m2 grid. The drilling was undertaken by 4 Banka drill teams supplied by the defunct Nigerian Mining Corporation. The reserve contained under the investigated area, is 8,672,476.8 tonnes. The silica content (47.99�6.12%) alumina content (32.55�3.99), loss on ignition (12.46�1.40%) and plastic limit(36.61�11.02) of the kaolin fall within the values of ceramic-grade kaolin.A high alumina content against low ferric oxide content (3.03�2.08%) produces a modifying effect on the fired colour. The light gray natural colour of the kaolin at 1000oC produces a turns into shades of pink a colour that is generally seen as good in ceramics.The plasticity index of 60-68% obtained for Alkaleri kaolin surpasses plasticity index of 10-30% for ceramic clays. The average linear and volume shrinkage for the five samples tested are 3.73�0.99 and 10.77�2.75 respectively.The studied kaolin plots on the Casagrande plastic index-liquid limit chart as an inorganic clay and on the plastic limit-plasticity chart as a plastic kaolin.

Keywords: geological investigation; kaolin; atterberg limits; firing shrinkage; ceramic industry

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