ABSTRACT
Talcose rocks from Itagunmodi and Igun areas within the Ilesa Schist Belt, southwestern Nigeria, were studied to determine their compositional affinities and industrial properties. The talcose bodies occurred as lensoid enclaves closely associated with amphibolites and quartz-mica schist. Petrographic and X-ray diffraction-aided mineralogical studies reveal that the talcose rocks are of the talc-chlorite schist variety composed predominantly of talc (average 73.63%), subordinate chlorite (average 16.08%) and accessory lizardite (average 6.5%). Total whole rock characterization of the samples using Lithium Fusion digestion revealed high mean concentrations of SiO2 (57.53%), MgO (24.84%) and Fe2O3 (7.73%) with significant enrichment of Ni, Co and Cr; and low values of Ba, Rb, Sr, V, Cu and Pb. The talc-chlorite schists plotted in the peridotitic komatiite field of the Al2O3-(FeO + TiO2)-MgO diagram. Water Absorption Capacity ranges from 6.25% - 8.20%, Loss on Ignition is 4.8% - 6.1% while Linear Shrinkage is 1.25% - 1.70% and firing colour is brown to dark-brown. The overall compositional features of the talcose rocks of the area, which were hitherto uncharacterized, show their suitability as raw materials for paint, coloured pottery, ceramic insulation, textile, rubber and plastic manufacture with varying beneficiation requirements. Their high trace element content however, makes them unsuitable for use in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.