In order to assess the plastic and thermal behaviour of the clay mineral deposits at Uhonmora, Edo State, Nigeria, the chemical, mineralogical and physical properties were evaluated. The results of the study showed that the deposits consisted of phyllosilicate minerals such as kaolinite, illite and clinochlore; other mineral present were quartz, sanidine high, geonalite, diaspore and and lepidocrocite. The clay minerals exhibited moderate swelling characteristics and medium plasticity; the linear shrinkage and apparent porosity were within the accepted values for refractory clays. It is reddish-brown colour on account of the presence of coloured iron mineral lepidocrocite. The clay minerals also exhibited good thermal shock resistance and refractoriness above 1200oC. The properties of the clay mineral deposits were reflection of the combined effects of the properties of the clay minerals and other non-clay mineral constituents. The study revealed that the clay mineral deposits studied had good refractory characteristics and can be used at operating temperature conditions above 1200oC.

The physico-chemical and mineralogical properties of a clay mineral deposit in Geheku, Kogi State, Nigeria were assessed. The results of the study revealed that the deposit consisted of phyllosilicate minerals- Illite, montmorillonite, kaolinite, halloysite, almandine; other minerals present were quartz and ramsdellite. The clay minerals exhibited good swelling property, medium plasticity, good thermal shock resistance and apparent porosity; it had refractoriness below 1200 oC. The properties of the clay reflected the combined properties of the constituent clay and non-clay minerals which recommends it for a variety of applications which requires the blend of property though the working temperature must be below 1200 oC. The clay mineral deposit colours were influenced by the minerals almadine and ramsdellite.

The lateritic iron ore deposit at Iyuku in Etsako West Local Government Area in Edo State, Nigeria was assayed chemically and mineralogically. The results of the chemical assay obtained are Fe 2 O 3 (48.20-55.63%), Al 2 O 3 (12.50-18.00%), SiO 2 (9.48-30.71%) CaO (0.36-0.41%), MgO (2.51-2.60%) moisture (1.21-1.77%) and L.O.I (4.08-8.35%). The mineralogical analysis indicates the predominant presence of goethite, haematite and halloysite, whereas, gibbsite and anatase were present as minor species.