ABSTRACT
This research focused on the geochemical extraction of Tantalum from Tantalite ore sourced from Okpella in Northern Edo State, Nigeria. The study involved a detailed characterization of the ore, encompassing the determination of its mineral composition, physical properties, and anionic behavior using standard analytical techniques. The analysis identified a predominant presence of Tantalum oxide (Ta2O5) at 41.72%, along with significant amounts of niobium oxide (Nb2O5) at 11.98%, titanium dioxide (TiO2) at 10.02%, iron oxide (Fe2O3) at 17.94%, magnesium oxide (MgO) at 6.00%, silicon at 4.66%, manganese dioxide (MnO2) at 2.75%, and Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) at 1.52%. Additionally, impurity elements such as calcium, potassium, chromium, sodium, phosphorus, tin, tungsten, and thorium were also identified and evaluated. The physical properties of the ore exhibited high ignition resistance (LOI 2.39%), low alkalinity (6.48), a grey coloration, specific gravity ranging from 7.2 to 8.0, and varying particle sizes for each constituent element.
