Geological Characterization of Azara Barite Mineralization, Middle Benue Trough Nigeria

Abstract

The Azara Barites Mineralization in The Middle Benue Trough Occurs as Vein Infilling Materials associated with Lead-Zinc Lodes. A Fracture Formed as Single Linear Structures with thickness of  generally not more than 0.5m. The Geological Characterization of The Azara Barite Deposits which Include; Geotechnical, Petrological And Geochemistry Were Studied Within The Four (4) Selected  Veins Samples: V1 N (08⁰20’40.6’’) E (009⁰ 17’21.3’’) V 12 N(08⁰21’59.0’’) E(009⁰21’13.6’’) V13 N(08⁰21’44.0’’) E (009⁰21’14.6’’) V17 N(08⁰22’27.1’’) E(009⁰ 17’31.7’’). Soluble Alkaline Earth Metal Test (100mg/L) Indicate Presence of Calcium or  Magnesium which is Good for  Drilling Fluid, Hardness Capacity of  the Veins Mineralization ranges From 3.0 to 3.5 with an average Specific Gravity of 4.2. this classify the Veins as a High Grade Barite. Fluid Performance was Measured based on Yield Point and Plastic Viscosity which is high even at aging and at high Temperature. Quantitative Mineralogical Analysis reveals Barite as the Main Mineral with an  average  of 92 Wt.%   and Quartz as an associated Minerals with average  of  8wt.%.The Mineralogy revealed a Mineralization with One of the purest Veins and less  Number of Impurity, the Colour Index  Criteria also classify the Veins to be Melanocratic (60-90).The Elemental Composition of the Veins show  classes of Major Elements with average weight Percentage of greater than 1% (Sio_2, SO_3, Bao _, Sro,) also  reveal  the Veins Are Oversaturated Based on The Composition of Sio₂ And Metaluminous Group ( K₂O+Na₂O+Ca2>Al₂O₃>Na₂O+K₂O) With Modal Minerals Of Feldspar and Normative Minerals of Anorthite + Diopside. These have contributed to the grade and value of Azara Barite Mineralization Veins  and its Purity and Quality for Exploration Purposes.

Keywords: Barite, Mineralization, Quartz,Benue Trough,Petrology,Veins,Azara