Characterisation and processing of some selected Nigerian solid mineral samples using short-lived nuclides of Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA)

Abstract

Two Nigerian iron samples, siderite and iron pyrite were analysed for minor and trace elements using short-lived nuclides of neutron activation analysis (NAA) technique. Results obtained showed that siderite contains traces (µgg^-1) of aluminium and manganese, while zinc was found to be a major element (34.4%) of iron pyrite along with traces of aluminium, manganese, samarium, chromium, barium dysprosium, copper and sodium. Due to the short life span of the nuclides, iron the major element in these ores could not be determined using NAA, so classical analytical techniques were used. It was found that iron pyrite contained 55.97% Fe and siderite contained 63.19% Fe. Other parameters like ash content, acid insoluble ash, moisture content, density were also determined. The results also show that iron pyrite and siderite have high contents of iron tat may be exploited for production of iron salts and reagents for use in the laboratory.