Characterisation of Tin, Iron and Zircon ore samples from selected mines in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Nigeria using X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis

This study characterised tin, iron, and zircon ore samples from three mining sites (Palama, Zalua, and Gumau) in Toro Local Government Area, Bauchi State, Nigeria, using wavelength-dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (WDXRF) analysis. Nine representative ore samples (three per site) were collected, prepared, and analysed to determine their oxide compositions and impurity profiles. The results revealed that SnO₂ concentrations ranged from 30.259 wt.% (Gumau) to 74.926 wt.% (Palama), corresponding to elemental Sn of 23.817–58.966 wt.%; Fe₂O₃ concentrations ranged from 36.145 wt.% (Gumau) to 38.744 wt.% (Zalua), corresponding to elemental Fe of 25.266–27.082 wt.%; and ZrO₂ concentrations ranged from 38.352 wt.% (Zalua) to 57.010 wt.% (Gumau), corresponding to elemental Zr of 28.380–42.187 wt.%. Major impurity oxides identified included SiO₂ (up to 38.120 wt.%), TiO₂ (up to 42.632 wt.%), and Al₂O₃ (up to 7.838 wt.%), while minor impurities included MnO, MgO, and HfO₂. When compared with London Metal Exchange (LME) and ASTM international export-grade specifications, all samples fell below minimum requirements for direct export: tin ores contained 23.82–58.97 wt.% elemental Sn versus the 99.85% standard; iron ores contained 25.27–27.08 wt.% elemental Fe versus the 62.0% minimum; and zircon ores contained 28.38–42.19 wt.% elemental Zr versus the 62.0–66.0% ZrO₂ minimum. The unusually high TiO₂ content (36.1–42.6 wt.%) in the iron ore samples suggests ilmenite or titaniferous magnetite assemblages rather than conventional iron ores. These findings demonstrate that substantial beneficiation is required for these ores to meet international standards. The study provides critical baseline data for mineral processing and industrial utilisation of these Nigerian ore deposits.