TITLE:
Mineralogical Characterization of Kuru Cassiterite Ore by SEM-EDS,XRD and ICP Techniques
AUTHORS:
Martin Ogwuegbu, Gerald Onyedika, Jiann-Yang Hwang, Asuwaji Ayuk, Zhiwei Peng, Bowen Li, Ejike E.N.O., Matt Andriese
KEYWORDS:
Cassiterite, Mineral phase, ore, characterization
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.10 No.9,
July
20,
2011
ABSTRACT: The morphology and elemental characteristics of Kuru Cassiterite ore deposit was performed
by the combination of different instruments. This is vital to obtain accurate mineralogical,
surface properties and compositions of the ore. Mineral particles were prepared on epoxy
resin, polished and analyzed by a SEM coupled with an EDS. X- ray diffraction showed that
the ore contained different minerals of cassiterite, coffinite, siderophyllite,ilmenite, qartz,
rutile, manganocolumbite, zircon, tilleyite and monazite. Further quantitative analysis using
inductive coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry gave the elemental analysis as
follows; Sn (28.0%), Si (5.5%), Fe (5.16%),Ti (3.51%), Al (2.48%), Y (1.06%), and Nb
(2.53%). The other trace elements found include Mn, K, Na, Mg, La, Ce, U and Ca. The
ICP-OES data was correlated with the XRD data obtained using the Guassian Pro 8.1 origin
software and it showed significant correlation.