Feldspar is one of such non metallic mineral resources which can be found in Nigeria and in some African countries like South Africa and Morocco. Feldspar are formed in rocks and Nigeria is a country with numerous rock deposits, thus Feldspar deposits can be found in Ajaokuta LGA in Kogi, Abia, Ogun and Ondo State.
Feldspar is regarded as the most abundant group of minerals which can be found on the earth's crust. It is a tectosilicate mineral and tectosilicate minerals constitute about 72-75% of the earth crust and are one out of many silicate minerals which are rock-forming minerals which also constitute about 85-90% of the earth crust.
It has a colourless or pale-coloured crystals appearance and contains aluminosilicates of potassium, sodium, and calcium.
Feldspars are formed from magma as a crystallize veins in igneous and metamorphic rock, most feldspars are deposited as sodium feldspar, potassium feldspar and mixed feldspars.
Generally, the method through which feldspar can be extracted or mined is simple when compared with other mineral resources mining methods. It is mostly mined through open pit method where it is deposited but in cases where the deposits of the feldspar in the rock is firm coupled with the small size of the quarry, hand drilling method is used but in larger quarries, the method of steam drilling is most efficient.
In Nigeria, Africa and in most parts of the world, feldspar is highly valued because of its important uses in the agricultural industries including the paint and paper industries, rubber and pharmaceutical industries and much more.
The mining of feldspar is commercially viable because of its numerous uses and there many companies in Nigeria that engage in the extraction, processing and production of this mineral such as Stonehill Nigeria Limited, Onshore Frontiers Limited and lots more.
Uses of Feldspars
Feldspar is regarded as the most abundant group of minerals which can be found on the earth's crust. It is a tectosilicate mineral and tectosilicate minerals constitute about 72-75% of the earth crust and are one out of many silicate minerals which are rock-forming minerals which also constitute about 85-90% of the earth crust.
It has a colourless or pale-coloured crystals appearance and contains aluminosilicates of potassium, sodium, and calcium.
Feldspars are formed from magma as a crystallize veins in igneous and metamorphic rock, most feldspars are deposited as sodium feldspar, potassium feldspar and mixed feldspars.
Generally, the method through which feldspar can be extracted or mined is simple when compared with other mineral resources mining methods. It is mostly mined through open pit method where it is deposited but in cases where the deposits of the feldspar in the rock is firm coupled with the small size of the quarry, hand drilling method is used but in larger quarries, the method of steam drilling is most efficient.
In Nigeria, Africa and in most parts of the world, feldspar is highly valued because of its important uses in the agricultural industries including the paint and paper industries, rubber and pharmaceutical industries and much more.
The mining of feldspar is commercially viable because of its numerous uses and there many companies in Nigeria that engage in the extraction, processing and production of this mineral such as Stonehill Nigeria Limited, Onshore Frontiers Limited and lots more.
Uses of Feldspars
- Is used for their alkali content and alumina in industries.
- Used in production of floor tiles, shower basins and tableware.
- Is a raw material in ceramics and glassmaking such as glass for drinking, protection glass and fiberglass for insulation.
- It is sometimes used as a filler and extender in paint, plastics, and rubber.