Date of Award
5-2025
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science - Geology
Department
Geology
First Advisor
Dr. Melinda Faulkner
Second Advisor
Dr. Julie Bloxson
Third Advisor
Dr. Alyx Frantzen
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Robert Friedfeld
Abstract
The Saline Mining District of central Arkansas once led U.S. alumina production and hosts extensive bauxite and nepheline syenite deposits. With the depletion of highgrade ore, renewed interest in bauxite stockpiles has focused on critical mineral potential. Previous X-ray Fluorescence studies have identified critical elements in significant concentrations, including uranium (U), thorium (Th), gallium (Ga), molybdenum (Mo), and lanthanides (Ln). This study examines five stockpiles (SP1, Clay, SP2, SP3, and SP4) in Section 20 of the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) Saline County bauxite mine, using Xray Diffraction (XRD) on 25 samples to characterize mineral phases and compare them with preliminary X-ray fluorescence (XRF) data. Gibbsite and kaolinite dominate the mineralogy, with gibbsite showing strong positive correlations with zirconium (r = 0.76) and niobium (r = 0.72). Siderite, a minor mineral phase, appears associated with niobium, zirconium, and titanium, suggesting trace metal affinity. A strong inverse relationship between gibbsite and kaolinite (r = -0.96) indicates differing formation pathways. Anatase and rutile show weak correlation (r = 0.16), implying variable titanium mobility. These findings highlight geochemical heterogeneity and may guide future critical mineral exploration, provided technological and economic conditions support resource development.
Repository Citation
Sezibera, Andrew Kaze, "Characterization of Residual Mineral Content of Bauxite Stockpiles in Saline County, Arkansas: An XRD Analysis Approach" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 595.
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/595
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
