Comparison of some physicochemical characterisation of columbite and tantalite samples from different locations in Nigeria

Abstract

A detailed physicochemical characterization of columbite and tantalite samples from different locations in Nigeria has been undertaken. Parameters such as moisture content, loss of mass on ignition, pH, and the specific gravity of columbite and tantalite samples from different locations were determined and compared. The results showed that the moisture content of columbite samples obtained from Kwara and Plateau States are 1.0 and 0.53 %, respectively, while the percentage of moisture content of tantalite samples obtained from Kwara, Kogi, Kaduna, and Nasarawa States are 0.37, 0.30, 0.67 and 1.00 %, respectively. The percentage loss of mass on ignition of columbite samples obtained from Kwara and Plateau States and tantalite samples from Kwara, Kogi, Kaduna, and Nasarawa States are 6.1, 3.6, 7.7, 2.4, 4.4 and 4.3 %, respectively. Values of 2.40, 3.76, 3.65, 3.37, 2.07 and 1.96 were obtained as the specific gravities of columbite samples obtained from Kwara and Plateau States and tantalite samples from Kwara, Kogi, Kadun a, and Nasarawa States, respectively, and finally, the mean pH for each of columbite and tantalite samples was approximately 7.6