SAMPLE ANALYSIS AND RESERVE ESTIMATION OF ENEGBAKIAKPOGU IRON ORE DEPOSIT

Abstract

This research is focused on the sampling and reserve estimation of Enegbaki-Akpogu iron ore deposit. To estimate the iron reserve, ore grade information was obtained through the drilling and laboratory analysis carried out on the deposit. Samples were collected to examine their physical and chemical properties. Geometric survey was carried out to produce a topographic map on which geological and other exploration interpretations was made. The results showed that the specific gravity varies from 1.18 – 3.15. The average bulk density value and the hardness value obtained are 2378.6 kg/m3 and 2.47 respectively. The content of Al2O3 ranges between 4.39% and 17%; that of SiO2 ranges between 2.5% to 21.6%; Fe2O3 ranges between 84.62% and 46.76%. The correlation analysis carried out revealed that only percentage Fe was positively correlated with the physical properties (bulk density and specific gravity) of the selected ore samples. The result of the geometric survey showed that the thickness of the overburden varies from 0 m to 11.02 m. Hence, open pit mining method will be very suitable for the extraction of the iron ore deposit in the study area. Using geostatistcial technique, distribution maps were obtained which showed that the deposit parameters exhibit simple variation across the deposit. The surface area and the volume of the ore was calculated to be 4,024,704.294 m2 and 17,786,015.992 m3 respectively, while 43.3 million tonnes of iron ore was estimated as the reserve. The life of the mine was estimated to be between 23.6 to 27 years. This finding is an indication that the iron ores in the study area is economically viable.