OLALEYE BOLUWAJI MURIANA
Publication
Evaluation of some engineering properties of granitic rock types were carried out in selected quarries in Ekiti and Ondo states, Nigeria. The Rock Quality Designations (RQD); Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS); and Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV) of the rocks were determined both in the laboratory and on the field using international standard procedures. Subsequently, relationships were established between the determined rock strength parameters. From the results of the investigation, the granite rocks from the study areas were quantitatively evaluated and classified into different strength categories. The RQD of the rocks varies between 65.11% and 89.19% which reveal that the rocks range between fair and good in quality. The UCS varies from 65.65 MPa to 105.38 MPa which indicate that the rocks range from medium to high strength. The ACV varies from 21.99% to 28.31%. The result showed that the higher the RQD and UCS values, the lower the ACV. It was equally established that there are strong relationships between the values of RQD, UCS and ACV. The work will serve as additional database and help in optimizing the engineering design processes involving the use of the determined rock properties before and during excavation of the rock type.
Current exploitation practice of Ilorin clay deposits in Nigeria has been investigated to be largely dominated by female artisans (old and young) who depend solely on crude implements such as sticks, spades and baskets with resultant premature abandonment of mined out pits. Exploratory pits were dug to probe the profile of the deposits in the two locations (Sobi and Oloje) and the borehole data of the deposits were used to produce isopach map of the deposits. Several equipment combinations were considered for the exploitation of the deposits. Stripping by bulldozer was favoured to be most appropriate.
Kinematic analyses of planar discontinuity sets in a limestone deposit in Western Nigeria were carried out to ascertain the degree of slope stability. Discontinuity orientations in the rock mass were mapped using compass clinometers. Kinematic analyses of the discontinuities were carried out using DIPS software. The results of the investigation revealed evidence of potential slope failures from the two joint sets identified in the study area. From the result of the analyses, face 1 of the limestone quarry is susceptible to both plane and wedge failures as all the geometrical conditions associated with the occurrence of such failures were noticeable. However there was no indication of any toppling failure from the analyses. Face 2 of the limestone quarry is not susceptible to wedge failure, but some part of it (40%), faces the risk of plane failure while up to 50% of it faces the risk of toppling failure. It can be concluded that analyses of discontinuity orientation in relation to cut face direction in rock excavation is essential for mine planning to forestall mine accidents.
In this work, the permeability characteristics of Nigerian coal seams were determined and these properties were used to investigation the applicability of water infusion in the coal seams to solve coal-mining problems. The experimental work was conducted with Triaxial Compression Machine adapted for the permeability test comprising of Hoek cell, a self-developed water piston, pressure gauge and an overhead water tank. The results of the investigation showed that the permeability measurements of the coals were consistent at the different sites and locations of the coal mines. It also revealed that the difference in coal seam permeability was relatively small in Nigeria.
The solid mineral resources of Nigeria were collated and the investment potentials in the solid mineral sector of the country reviewed. The work revealed that the Nigeria nation is endowed with varieties of solid minerals commodities and also has all it takes to move to the cadre of major mineral players of the world and transform the country into an economic giant. Also the mineral policy, which is made liberal by the government of Nigeria, must be well publicized to arouse the interest of both indigenous and foreign investors in the solid mineral sector, as the need for the growth of the local industries is inevitable. There is the need for Nigeria to go into bilateral agreement with other countries producing solid minerals commodities to facilitate rapid and sustainable industrialization of the country. It is envisaged that the Nigerian government through policy pronouncement and actions will rekindle the hope that the sector would again take its pride of place in Nigeria’s socio-economic re-engineering and reconstruction.
