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The aim of this chapter is to use geochemistry to determine the economic potential of marble from
Ikpeshi area. Nigeria has a variety of rich solid minerals and rocks such as marble which if fully
exploited will boost the economic potentials of the country. Forty five (45) marble samples were
collected and subjected to petrographic, physical analyses and geochemical analysis using the
inductively coupled plasma –mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Geochemical data indicated that the
marble deposits at Ikpeshi has variable geochemical characteristics; some have low dolomite CaMg
(CO3)2 (1.35-7.44%) and high calcite CaCO3 (82.78-95.61%) while the Golden Girl quarry has
moderate dolomite (41.38-41.42%) and moderate calcite (61.03-61.58%). Physical tests indicated
high tensile strength (17.342-31.550MPa), compressive strength (259.515-3892.73MPa) and shear
strength (44.70-68.51MPa), respectively. Petrographic studies revealed that the marble contains
calcite, dolomite, quartz, opaque mineral, actinolite, lead, feldspar and chlorite at various proportions.
Based on these characteristics, the marble from Ikpeshi is suitable as raw materials for manufacture
of lime, drugs, toothpaste, paper and paint. It is also important in the production of livestock feed,
electrical insulators, flooring tiles and terrazzo chips. The marble is unsuitable as a raw material for
the production of cement unless blended.