Assessment of Industrial Potential of Kaolinite Clays from Bauchi, Ne Nigeria

Clays around Bauchi North-Eastern Nigeria, we reinvestigated in order to determine their suitable in different industries. Minerological, chemical and geotechnical compositions were determined in order to ascertain their quality. This was achieved by using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Fluorescence (X-RF) and atterberg limits using the (BS 1377) method. Based on plasticity classification chart, the clays were classified as silty clays with medium plasticity, X-RD reveals that the clays are kaolinite (48.35-90.37wt%) with minor quartz, anatase, muscovite, microcline and hematite, while XRF shows predominance of SiO2 (47.60-56.20%) and Al2O3 (23.60-36.4%) which also support the kaolinite nature of the samples, and also shows they are aluminosilicates. Based on the different qualities, the clays are said to be useful in different industries like ceramics, paper, paints and bricks