MINERALOGY OF NAHUTA CLAY KURRA SHEET 189 NE

The present study investigates the mineralogical composition of Nahuta clay,which forms part of the Ropp Complex located in Barkin Ladi Local GovernmentArea of Plateau State, Nigeria. Detailed geological mapping and laboratoryanalysis were conducted to determine the clay’s mineralogical characteristics usingX-ray diffraction (XRD). The results revealed that the Nahuta clay consistspredominantly of kaolinite, with minor quantities of smectite, montmorillonite,microcline, muscovite, and quartz. Kaolinite occurs in higher proportions relativeto other clay minerals, indicating that the deposit is dominantly kaolinitic. Fieldobservations also identified weathered basalt and granite as the principal associatedrock types within the study area. These findings suggest that the Nahuta claydeposit has undergone significant weathering processes typical of tropicalenvironments.Keywords: Mineralogy, Nahuta clay, Kaolinite, Ropp Complex, Barkin Ladi, Xray diffraction (XRD), Plataeu State, Weathering process, Basalts and Graniteassociation, Mineralogical composition.