X-ray fluorescence: An accessible and effective technique for evaluation of hazards and economic potential associated with important mineral deposits in Nigeria

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) was evaluated as a technique that can facilitate identification of potential environmental hazards associated with mining and ore processing as well as provide quantitative evaluation of the economic potential intrinsic to a mineral deposit. Four different geological samples were analyzed using energy dispersive XRF to demonstrate the utility of the technique. The samples were obtained from Dutsen Wai, Birnin Gwari, Dan Sadau, and Talata Mafara, Nigeria. Wolframite, molybdenum, lead and copper ore were analyzed respectively. Wolframite ore contained 61.93% WO3, molybdenum ore contained 16.0% MoO3, lead ore contained 83.1% PbO, and copper ore contained 23.26% CuO. Key words: Geochemistry, hazards, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Nigeria, mining, lead.