Ibukunoluwa Samuel ADEOLA

Current Research

Diagnostic evaluation, geochemical characterization, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of Makhanda's Kaolinite ore types with selected Western Cape deposits

This study is aimed to diagnostically evaluate the clay deposits that characterize Makhanda's kaolinite ore-type sediments (South Africa) using their physio-chemical properties and mineralogical compositions. In addition, to postulate a comprehensive geochemical classification of both the Makhanda's and Western Cape clay deposits based on the critical paleo-environment reconstruction of the different geological clay occurrences.

The specific objectives of this research include:

1. Determining the geochemical characteristics of the clay deposits at Makhanda kaolinite type, both at the Eastern and Western Cape regions.

2. Evaluating the economic potential of the different clays in both the Eastern and Western Capes provinces.

3. Correlating the physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of the clay deposits with clays from other regions in light of economic viability.

Determining and reconstructing the paleo-environments of Makhanda's kaolinite type, in both Eastern and Western Cape provinces, using stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen as paleo-environmental and paleo-climatic proxies. Moreover, this research also entails investigating the purity of the kaolin ore types in Makhanda and different kaolin deposits in the Western Cape, especially with respect to the effect of quartz, oxides, and carbonate presence in comparison with their corresponding calcined or beneficiated products, respectively. In addition, the corresponding effects of these various impurities, with respect to the mechanical properties of the Kaolinite Clay in both Makhanda and selected Western Cape kaolin deposits, provide secondary information on a) water retention/swelling; b) mechanical strength/response under conditions of varying water content; and c) cohesiveness with varying carbonate content.