Chemical composition and industrial characterization of the Dutsen Bundot feldspars, Dass, Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The Dutsen Bundot is a north-south trending hill located in the Bundot area of Dass town, Bauchi State. It is underlain by diorites, syenite, biotite granite, and pegmatite dykes and veins composed of feldspar and quartz. Most of the pegmatitic intrusions occur within the diorites, and they were surveyed and sampled for mineralogical and chemical analyses in order to establish their suitability for use as an industrial mineral. The feldspar is mainly a perthitic microcline crystal with characteristic crosshatch twinning, while orthoclase occurs only as an accessory. The feldspars are potash rich with an average of 13.66% K2O, and an interpretative normative composition of microcline (average 75%). These properties met the standard requirements of commercial K-feldspar in current use. The Dass feldspar deposit is therefore recommended for industrial application as a raw material in the glass, ceramic, paper and plastic industries