The Characterization of Talcose Rocks by X-Ray Diffraction in Tegina Sheets 142, North Central, Nigeria

The identification of mineral in talcose rock requires definitive analytical methods due its similar structure in silicates and associated minerals. The used of microscopy and X-ray diffractometry have been found useful, practical for both exploratory and determinations of mineral matrixes in talcose rock in the study area.

Talcose rock, migmatite gneiss, granitic gneiss, meta-arkose rock, amphibolite, banded gneiss, phyllite, porphyritic granite, fine-medium grained granite, granodiorite and pegmatite constitute the major rock types in the study area. The major minerals present in the porphyritic granite, fine-medium grained granite, migmatite gneiss, meta-arkose rocks and pegmatite were quartz, biotite, plagioclase and microcline, while epidote dominated as accessory mineral. Talcose rock contains talc, chlorite, magnesite, anthophyllite with magnesite and quartz forming the accessory minerals. X-Ray Diffraction of the talcose rock also revealed talc as major mineral. Other constituent minerals of the talcose rock are chlorite, tremolite, actonlite, magnesite, and magnetite while spinel and quartz are the accessory minerals.