Mineralogy and Petrography of Palaeocene Limestones of the Ewekoro Formation, Dahomey (Benin) Basin, Nigeria

Abstract

Palaeocene limestone strata freshly exposed by quarry activities at the Dangote Cement Ibese, Nigeria, were examined and sampled. The recovered samples were subjected to qualitative lithologic description, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses and thin-section petrography in order to determine the mineralogical characteristics and carbonate microfacies. Results show that calcite dominates the mineralogy. Three (3) carbonate microfacies identified from petrographic observations are wackestone, packstone and mudstone. Various diagenetic processes such as cementation, neomorphism, micritization and compaction have affected the limestone unit. The results obtained suggest that the studied limestones are deposited in a shallow marine environment and are considered suitable for cement production.