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ABSTRACT Sixty nine (69) samples of loose sand and hardpan on top of Ajali Formation in Auchi and Fugar and Bawa Hill (Lokoja Bassange) were studied for physical, chemical and mineralogical compositions. This is to establishu the roles of mineral dissolution, precipitation, transformation and mass transport processes related to formation of characteristic cementing layer-hardpan sequences in the Formations. The analyses were carried out at the laboratories of Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Hannover-Germany. Particle size distribution and density were carried out with pycnometer- CAMSIZER and SediGraph. Measurements of pHGEOLOGY and Electrical Conductivity were taken to achieve an understanding of the geochemical reactions in the system. Total elemental composition was determined with X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) while layers were analyzed in detail by ED-XRF M4-Tonardo along profiles to visualize the chemical development of mobilized and precipitated material over time. Paste extraction was analysed with Inductively Coupled Plasma –Quadri Mass Spectrometer and Inductively Coupled Plasma –Optical Emission Spectrometer. The bulk mineralogy of all the samples were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD) for detailed characterization, identification and quantification of primary and secondary crystalline and amorphous phases as well as for textural relationships. Particle size distribution for the loose sand showed that they are well sorted, medium to coarse grained. The pH of the formations ranges from 4 to 6 indicating a weak acid environment, electrical conductivity was low in Fugar 3.76 Lf (µS/cm) and Auchi 7.97Lf (µS/cm) but high in Bawa Hill 39.2 Lf (µS/cm). The concentrations of extratant were generally below detection limits in most of the samples in Auchi and Fugar and show positive values only for K, Mg, Mn, Na, Sr and Zn except in Bawa where it showed appreciable values for some elements, Ca= 889-2153 (µg/L), Al= 64-368
