Characterization 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 (gg-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.