GEOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF FLOURITE (CaF2) MINING IN GOMBE INLIER, GONGOLA BASIN UPPER BENUE TOUGH NIGERIA
1Rabiu, M., 1Adamu, K.G.,2Abatcha, A.B and1Habibu, A.A
1Geology Department, GombeState University Nigeria.
2Ashaka Quarry, Ashaka Cement PlcGombe State Nigeria
Email:marrah201354@gsu.edu.ng
ABSTRACT
Fluorite (CaF2), also commercially known as fluorspar, is an important industrial mineral that is used as a raw material in the metallurgical, ceramic and chemical industries apart from optical and lapidary uses. It is the source of fluorine in the production of hydrogen fluoride or hydrofluoric acid, which is used as the feedstock for numerous organic and inorganic chemical compounds. Fluorite is present in a diverse group of mineral deposits ranging from epithermal to high temperature and high salinity magmatic deposits in varied host lithologies. Detailed field studies of the Fluorite occurrences have shown that Mineralization within the Inlier is structurally controlled and is localized within a deep-seated fracture zones that truncate both the Basement and Stratigraphic successions. Two major rock types coexist with Mineral veins in the area, these include Pale-grey, trough cross-bedded conglomeratic arkosic sandstones with interbedded mottled clay, Mylonitic granites and orthogneisses. The activities of artisanal miners have produced pits/gullies in the area. For the sake of environmental protection, all most all the mined-out pits and gullies produced do not undergo any reclamation and with time this can give way to deep ponds or lakes. However, if this problem goes unchecked it will result to large scale degradation of the environment