Analyzing the chemico-mineralogical composition of the Ilekpi silicate deposit

Deposits of silicate minerals are raw materials essential in industrial uses such as glass manufacturing, ceramics, construction, and refractories. This research investigates the chemical and mineralogical composition of the deposit of Ilekpi silicate, to assess its suitability for industrial and geological characteristics. Representative silicate samples were collected from the deposit location, and evaluated using standard geochemical and mineralogical techniques, including the X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). The results showed that the deposit is predominated by silica (SiO2) with little amounts of aluminium oxides, iron oxides, and other trace elements. The mineralogical analysis revealed quartz as the most dominant mineral phase, having accessories of clay and feldspar minerals. The study indicates that the Ilekpi silicate deposit has immense potential for industrial uses, particularly in the production of glass and materials for construction. This research offers baseline data for resource assessments and sustainable application.