MINERALOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF LITHIUM-BEARING PEGMATITES. A CASE STUDY ON ALEGUN-OLEYO AREA IN IBADAN, EGGON AREA IN NASARAWA AND UGBOGBO AREA IN IGARRA, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Five (05) pegmatite samples were obtained from Alegun-Oleyo in Ibadan, Igarra in Edo state and Eggon in Nasarawa, southwestern and northwestern Nigeria respectively with the aim of identifying and comparing the mineralogical characteristics of the lithium-bearing pegmatites. Generally, these pegmatites are very coarse grained, with a grain size of more than 1cm. The results of the mineralogical analysis using X-ray diffractometer reveals the presence of Anorthite (15-38%), Quartz (18-44%), Orthoclase (11.7-29%), Albite (12.1-47.3%), Muscovite (1.1-9.1%), Amblygonite (3.6-6%), Petalite (0.7-8%), Spodumene (9%), Lepidolite (3-5%). IB1 contains spodumene. IB2 contains petalite and lepidolite. IB3 and IG1 contain amblygonite and petalite. NS1 contains petalite and lepidolite. The lithium ore minerals constitute 28% of the modal composition of the samples. The percentage of lithium ore minerals in the samples is sufficient for the extraction of lithium for economic purposes.