Abstract

Clay has so many valuable uses in different industries ranging from chemical filtering, cement production and paper making to pottery. This application makes clay a valuable mineral resource that can help boost a nation's economy. This study is focused on exploring for possible commercial deposit of clay within the Ugbowo campus of the University of Benin. Electrical resistivity techniques was used in this investigation with Wenner array configuration utilized in the two areas explored. Data recorded after prospecting was interpreted using the Res2Dinv software to unravel the earth resistivity models. Geologic interpretation of the survey revealed the presence of possible clay deposits at a depth of 10 m to 30 m for survey line 1, while for survey line 2, lenses of clay deposits were suspected at depths of 12.8 m to 31.9 m. Resistivity data obtained paints a picture of an area predominantly sand with some lenses of clay deposits that can be quantified as non-commercial.

Keywords: Exploration, resistivity, imaging, clay, res2Dinv.