Mineralogy and geochemistry of the asanje iron ore deposit within the mayamaya-Hombolo belt, Dodoma region, central Tanzania
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Date
2023
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Publisher
The University of Dodoma
Abstract
The Asanje iron ore deposit is hosted in Precambrian volcano-sedimentary rocks in the Mayamaya-Hombolo Belt in Dodoma region, within the Lake Nyanza Superterrane. The iron ore extends in two parallel ridges trending northwest to southeast, each about 9 kilometres. Knowledge of deposit types, mineralogy and geochemistry of iron ore deposits in the region is missing. Mineralogical and geochemical studies were performed on the collected samples to establish the economic and industrial feasibility of the deposit.
Twenty-four samples were collected in both ridges for X-ray fluorescence, optical microscopy, and X-ray diffractometer studies to understand ores' mineralogy and geochemical impurities. The petrographic study shows that iron ore was composed mainly of hematite, goethite and quartz, with bornite and covellite as minor minerals, which were also confirmed by the XRD results. Furthermore, the XRF data shows that ridges I and II differ in mineralogical composition. The average concentrations in wt% of impurities such as SiO2, Al2O3, P2O5 and S are 37.9, 0.9, 1.2, and 0.2, respectively. By comparison, Ridge II has greater iron content (30.5–87.3 = Avg. 64.66 wt% Fe2O3t), whereas Ridge I has an intermediate iron content (20.8–78.22 = Avg. 48.68 wt% Fe2O3t). On the other hand, the values of Vanadium and Titanium present in iron ore range from 0.03 wt% to 0.25 wt% and 0.03 wt% to 2.27 wt%, respectively. The iron ore toxic elements like arsenic and galena concentrations are within the tolerable rate.
The Asanje iron ore resources findings are compared to other iron ore deposits worldwide to determine their economic potential. The comparison data demonstrate that the Asanje iron ore deposit is low to medium grade and is suitable for commercial exploitation as raw material for industrial use. More research is needed to determine overall area extension and total ore resources.
Description
Dissertation (MSc in mineral exploration)
Keywords
Mineralogy, geochemistry, asanje iron ore deposit, mayamaya-Hombolo belt
Citation
Joseph, Y. (2023) Mineralogy and geochemistry of the asanje iron ore deposit within the mayamaya-Hombolo belt, Dodoma region, central Tanzania (Master’s Dissertation). The University of Dodoma, Dodoma.