By Chisom Ibemere
Sphalerite is the most important ore of zinc and is found in association with other mineral deposits in the Middle Benue Trough located in the central region of Nigeria. Some of the specific locations where it has been found include Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba states.
In Africa, Sphalerite has been found in several countries including Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Madagascar, and South Africa. However, the mineral is not widely mined for commercial purposes in Africa.
Sphalerite is a mineral that is commonly found in hydrothermal veins, sedimentary rocks, and contact metamorphic deposits. It can be found in many countries like the United States, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Peru, and China.
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Sphalerite is a zinc sulfide mineral that often occurs with other sulfide minerals, such as galena (lead sulfide) and pyrite (iron sulfide). It is also often associated with other minerals like fluorite, barite, quartz, and calcite.
Sphalerite is an important ore of zinc, which is used in the production of brass, galvanized steel, and zinc oxide. It is also used in batteries, as an additive in rubber and plastic production, and as a pigment in paints and coatings.
Sphalerite has a hardness of 3.5-4 on the Mohs scale and a specific gravity of 3.9-4.1. It has a resinous to metallic lustre, and its colour ranges from yellow to red-brown to black, depending on the amount of iron present. Sphalerite is also known for its unique property called triboluminescence, which is the emission of light when the mineral is subjected to friction or pressure.
The global value of sphalerite varies with the fluctuations in the price of zinc. In 2021, the price of zinc reached a 10-year high due to increased demand from the construction and automotive industries. As a result, the value of sphalerite as a source of zinc has also increased. In 2020, the global market for zinc was valued at $37.4 billion, and it is projected to reach $47.0 billion by 2025, with sphalerite being one of the main sources of zinc.
