Aspect of the specialty metals potentials of pegmatites in western Oban Massif, SE Nigeria: A preliminary geochemical approach

Abstract

Minerals in general and rare-metals in particular are of invaluable importance in the development and industrialization of any nation. This is true as they could affect a nation’s national income, employment ratio, Gross National Product, and its entire economy. The study area (western Oban Massif-SE Nigeria) was investigated for its specialty metals bearing potentials because of (1) its geology, which is similar to other specialty metals bearing areas of the world; (2) past works, which points to the area as a likely source of economic deposit of such metals; and (3) the soaring cost of these rare metals in the light of recent upsurge in global information/telecommunication technology. Results from the study, show that only cesium (Cs) and beryllium (Be) show minute signs or indications of enrichment if properly harnessed. Thus these metals should be studied in details to ascertain their economic potentials. The rocks are too deficient in the other rare-metals (lithium, zirconium, strontium, tantalite, niobium, tungsten, gallium, and chromium) to warrant further analysis.