Title: Exploration and physicochemical characterisation of Rayfield-Jos alluvial columbite deposit for effective mineral beneficiation and value metal recovery of niobium and tantalum

Authors: Nnaemeka Stanislaus Nzeh; Patricia Abimbola Popoola; Abraham Adeleke

Addresses: Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria West 0183, South Africa ' Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria West 0183, South Africa ' Materials Science and Engineering Department, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife 220002, Nigeria

Abstract: This study primarily focuses on physicochemical analysis and characterisation of alluvial columbite deposit from Rayfield-Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria; as a promising source of Nb. Samples were characterised by PSD, morphological and chemical analyses. Other physical characteristics/properties such as SG, pH, moisture content and water absorption were performed. Morphologically, analysis showed particulates mainly of irregularly shaped, sub-hedral, sub-angular and spherical particles in the microstructure; indicating the presence of mostly columbite, silica and zirconia. Chemical analysis mainly showed oxide compositions of Nb₂O₅ as well as traces of certain other oxides. This study is aimed at providing in-depth comprehension of primary characterisation data and ascertaining general characteristics and physicochemical properties for exploitation and proper/appropriate beneficiation routes. It therefore creates baseline information/data on the choice, selection as well as designing feasible suitable extraction techniques or process routes in order to harness successfully and efficiently the Nb and other value metals from the study area.

Keywords: columbite; Rayfield-Jos; niobium; tantalum; mineral; physicochemical; characterisation; beneficiation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2024.140698

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2024 Vol.15 No.3, pp.261 - 294

Received: 29 May 2023
Accepted: 18 Dec 2023
Published online: 30 Aug 2024 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article