Geochemical characteristics of unexplored mine tailings in Ijero Ekiti, Nigeria

Waste materials from mining tailings, often contain significant amounts of potentially valuable minerals. This study aimed at unearthing the valuable minerals in Ijero Ekiti mine tailings. The tailing samples were randomly collected in five locations of the study area. The samples were analyzed for selected physico-chemical parameters: pH values, electrical conductivity, chloride, organic matter and X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF) using standard analytical techniques. The physico-chemical parameters of tailings range in different concentration. The x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy analysis of the samples shows that the samples contain high concentrations of SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, and other trace compounds. The results of this study established that the tailings valuable minerals.