Author(s)

Oumar Keita¹, Mory Diane²

¹Department of Hydrology, University of Nzérékoré, Nzérékoré, Guinea.
²Guinea Bauxite Company, Kamsar, Guinea.

The Sangarédi bauxite deposit in the Republic of Guinea contains several bauxite types depending on their litho-genetics. For rational and sustainable exploitation, determining the physical and mechanical properties of these different bauxite types is essential for mining companies. This paper presents a model for the physico-mechanical characterization of Sangarédi bauxites according to their litho-genetic type. Eight pits were drilled, and samples were collected from different layers at different depth intervals for each bauxite type. Physical and mechanical characterization tests were then carried out on 27 samples to determine the following parameters: water of absorption (%), compressive strength (kgf/cm²) and dynamic tensile strength (kgf/cm²). The effect of depth of sampling on these physico-mechanical parameters was evaluated. An average value of the parameters was made for each bauxite type. The results showed that the physico-mechanical characteristics of bauxites depend on the depth of sample collection, and the average value of the parameters constitutes the representative values of the bauxite type. Finally, a comparative study of the average value of the physico-mechanical parameters of the different bauxite types was carried out.

Bauxites, Litho-Genetics, Physico-Mechanical, Compressive Strength, Dynamic Tensile Strength

Keita, O. and Diane, M. (2024) A Model of Physico-Mechanical Characterization of Sangaredi Bauxites and Related Rocks Taking into Account Their Litho-Genetic Type. Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering, 12, 281-298. doi: 10.4236/jmmce.2024.126018.