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Physicochemical properties of talc ore from Pout-Kelle and Memel deposits (central Cameroon)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2018

C. Nkoumbou ,
F. Villieras ,
O. Barres ,
I. Bihannic ,
M. Pelletier ,
A. Razafitianamaharavo ,
V. Metang ,
C. Yonta Ngoune ,
D. Njopwouo  and
J. Yvon
C. Nkoumbou*
Affiliation:
Equipe de Géologie Economique et Environnementale, Département des Sciences de la Terre, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Yaoundé I, B.P. 812 Yaoundé, Cameroon Laboratoire Environnement et Minéralurgie, Nancy-Université, CNRS, B.P. 40, F-54501 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy Cedex, France
F. Villieras
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Environnement et Minéralurgie, Nancy-Université, CNRS, B.P. 40, F-54501 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy Cedex, France
O. Barres
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Environnement et Minéralurgie, Nancy-Université, CNRS, B.P. 40, F-54501 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy Cedex, France
I. Bihannic
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Environnement et Minéralurgie, Nancy-Université, CNRS, B.P. 40, F-54501 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy Cedex, France
M. Pelletier
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Environnement et Minéralurgie, Nancy-Université, CNRS, B.P. 40, F-54501 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy Cedex, France
A. Razafitianamaharavo
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Environnement et Minéralurgie, Nancy-Université, CNRS, B.P. 40, F-54501 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy Cedex, France
V. Metang
Affiliation:
Equipe de Géologie Economique et Environnementale, Département des Sciences de la Terre, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Yaoundé I, B.P. 812 Yaoundé, Cameroon
C. Yonta Ngoune
Affiliation:
Equipe de Géologie Economique et Environnementale, Département des Sciences de la Terre, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Yaoundé I, B.P. 812 Yaoundé, Cameroon
D. Njopwouo
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Physico-chimie des Matériaux Minéraux, Département de Chimie Inorganique, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Yaoundé I, B.P. 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon
J. Yvon
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Environnement et Minéralurgie, Nancy-Université, CNRS, B.P. 40, F-54501 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy Cedex, France
*
*E-mail: charles.nkoumbou@ensg.inpl-nancy.fr or nkoumbouc@yahoo.fr
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Abstract

Physicochemical properties of representative samples from talc deposits discovered at Pout-Kelle and Memel in Cameroon have been investigated using a variety of techniques. The data allow the study of the mineral crystal-chemistry, chemical and modal compositions, grain size distribution, textures and surface heterogeneity, and morphometric characteristics. As a result, we found that talc (platy or round, Fe-rich) prevails (65–90%) over Cr-chlorite (7–26%), halloysite, chromite, rutile, brucite and magnesite. Chemically, talc ores are made up of SiO2, MgO, Fe2O3 and minor Al2O3. Mode values range from 50 to 55 μm at Memel and from 30 to 90 μm at Pout-Kelle. Specific surface areas measured by BET and t-plot methods range from 1.3 to 2.5 m2/g. The large values of morphometric characteristics are indicative of high crystallinity and platiness. Potential uses of these talc ores in the rubber, plastics and paper industries require beneficiation processes. Interestingly, the Memel deposit and most zones of the Pout-Kelle deposit are free of needle-shaped crystals, an advantage for environmental safety.

Keywords

talc orephysicochemical propertiesindustrial usesPout-KelleMemelCameroon
Type
Research Article
Information
Clay Minerals , Volume 43 , Issue 2 , June 2008 , pp. 317 - 337
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2008

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