Investigation of the mineralogy, physical and geochemical properties of Kataeregi red anthill clay for industrial applications

Abstract Red anthill clay (RAC) sample from a deposit in Kataeregi, Niger State, Nigeria, was examined for its mineralogical, geochemical, and physicochemical properties, as well as its industrial potentials. The collected sample was prepared and analysed for particle size distribution, moisture content, bulk density, Energy Dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF), and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Results revealed that RAC contains 63.19% silica, and 17.71% alumina, with kaolinite as the dominant clay mineral alongside quartz, feldspar, and goethite. The clay exhibited a bulk density of 1.33 g/cm³ and an apparent porosity of 49.8%, that indicates its high adsorption capacity. Particle size analysis showed 38.7% fines passing through a 0.075 mm sieve. Compressive strength tests on RAC bricks demonstrated increasing strength with curing time (2.09–5.32 MPa for unfired bricks; 8.19–10.35 MPa for fired bricks at 900–1200 ℃), while thermal shock resistance tests indicated durability up to 23–28 cycles at 900–1100 ℃. These properties suggest RAC’s suitability for insulating firebricks, even though its high porosity limits high load-bearing structural applications. Further modifications are needed to enhance performance for broader uses, such as ceramics, refractories, and adsorption-based remediation in contaminated aqueous solutions.