Rapid analysis with energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for bauxite investigation on the Mambilla Plateau, North Eastern Nigeria

Bauxite exploration involves routine analysis of a large number of samples for a wide range of elements. In Nigeria, though geological field exploration for bauxite started almost three decades ago very little has been achieved, mainly due to the non-availability of facilities for evaluating the dozens of suspected bauxite deposits scattered around the country. In this regard, a procedure for the rapid, accurate and precise measurement of a number of important elements in bauxite has been developed based on the newly acquired radioisotope based EDXRF spectrometer. Elements and oxides analyzed are Al₂O₃, SiO₂, TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, K₂O, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb and Pb. The richest bauxite sample has concentrations of 48.08, 18.90, 1.26, 7.71 and 1.93 wt% for Al₂O₃, SiO₂, TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, and K₂O, respectively. The other values in ppm are Mn (3 0 2), Co (5 3 2), Cu (45), Zn (51), Ga (41), Rb (32), Sr (2 2 2), Y (32), Zr (8 4 9), Nb (89) and Pb (72). The measurement errors in terms of accuracy and precision are less than 5% and 10% and 5% and 15% for major and trace elements, respectively. Statistical correlation analysis carried out on the results shows the most significant relationships to be the negative correlations of alumina with silica, iron oxide and titanium. This is believed to be related to the processes of formation of bauxite, with the Si and Fe–Ti being removed as Al was being enriched.