A geological study of clayey laterite and clayey hydromorphic material of the region of Yaoundé (Cameroon): a prerequisite for local material promotion

A geological survey carried out in the Yaoundé (Cameroon) region has revealed the presence of homogeneous clayey laterite in the upper part of a laterite cover on interfluves, thickest on hills (780–800 m altitude) where ferricrete is absent, and clayey heterogeneous hydromorphic material in valleys. We present in this paper the physical, mineralogical and geochemical properties of these occurrences and discuss their potential as raw material for pottery, manufacture of bricks and tiles. These clayey raw materials are mostly made up of fine particles (ranging from 55 to 60% clay + silt in the clayey laterite, more than 70% clay + silt in the clayey hydromorphic material). Their chemical composition is characterized by silica (<60% SiO₂), alumina (<35% Al₂O₃) and iron (ranging from 3 to 14% Fe₂O₃). Their main clay minerals are disorganized and poorly crystallized kaolinites. The average limits of liquidity (44.56% versus 91.58%) and limits of plasticity (22.4 versus 45.93) revealed that clayey hydromorphic material has the greatest plasticity. The studied raw materials are suitable for making pottery as well as the manufacture of bricks and tiles. However, the high iron content in the clayey laterite (between 11 and 12% Fe₂O₃) prevents their efficient use in the manufacture of ceramics.