Report: 2021 Bauxite Exploration in Orin-Ekiti and Mambilla
Activities of the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration in bauxite exploration continued earnestly in 2021 on two major resource locations, Orin-Ekiti, Ido-Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State. The bauxite in this area was observed to occur below a thick lateritic cover ranging from 1m to 4m. The chemical analysis shows 32.57% - 53.11% Al2O3, 30.81% - 44.20%SiO2 and12.72% - 30.93%Fe2O3, while the mineralogical analysis showed gibbsite as the major mineral phase with LOI above 20.
Figure 1: Topographic Map of Block 4, 5 and 7 Showing Pits Location
XRD Result Showing Major Mineral Phase
Typical Pit Excavated at Block 6 of Orin-Ekiti Bauxite Project
Works carried out in 2021 included detailed geological mapping of Blocks 4, 6 and 7 on Scale 1:5000 involving excavation of 205 pits (ranging from 3m – 7m) and 27 trenches (1m x 50m) with 199 samples collected and subjected to geochemical and mineralogical analysis.
At Mambilla, the Block 7 Bauxite occurrences were divided into three sections; 7A, 7B and 7C to ease mapping activities. Works on Block 7A and 7C have been completed comprising topographic profiling on scale 1:5000; ground geophysical Survey including resistivity profiling and imaging; and detailed geological mapping on scale 1:5000. A total of 145 pits (100mx100m) and 20 trenches (20mx1mx1m) were excavated with 362 samples collected for geochemical and mineralogical analysis.
Figure 2: Topographic Map of Mambila bauxite Deposit, Block 7C Showing Pit Locations
Figure 3: Topographic Map of Mambila Bauxite Deposit, Block 7AShowing Pit Locations
Figure 4: Topographic Map of Mambila Bauxite Deposit, Block 7A and 7C Showing Pit Locations
Figure 5 : Geological Map of Mambila Bauxite Block 7 (Nguroje Are)
Furthermore, geotechnical studies were carried out involving the excavation of fifty-seven (57) pits and seven (7) trenches with field and in-situ testing. Thirty (30) samples were collected for laboratory tests and analysis. While results are being awaited, a preliminary resource of block 7A and 7C has been estimated to be around 16,500,000 metric tons.
These are just two examples of locations where the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency are currently sourcing for steel raw materials in a bid to shore up the proven deposits in Nigeria and prepare for the mining and industrial revolution that is set to take over the count
