Bentonite is clay made after the decomposition of volcanic ash, which shows a huge ability to absorb a large quantity of water and get expand to a larger volume than its normal. Bentonite is predominantly consisting of smectite minerals such as montmorillonite. It is used as a bonding material in the production of steel, iron, and nonferrous casting.

Bentonite yield shows unique properties which include good flowability and thermal stability. various applications of Bentonite are seen in different industries such as in pharmaceuticals, oil/food markets, environmental markets, construction and building industries, detergent industries, paints industries, and many others.

When making moulding sand for the production of iron, steel, and non-ferrous casting, bentonite is employed as a bonding agent. Additionally, bentonite has potent colloidal qualities, which cause it to expand several times in volume when in contact with water, creating a thick and gelatinous fluid.

Bentonite is an essential material for many applications due to its special swelling, water absorption, hydration, thixotropy, and viscosity characteristics. Due to its thixotropic qualities, better support, and lubricating capabilities for thick walls, bentonite has long been employed in civil engineering applications, notably in tunnelling applications. Additionally, bentonite's absorption qualities make it a useful substance for treating sewage. Bentonite is also often used in drilling mud for water and oil wells. Sealing borehole walls, removing drill bits, and lubricating the cutting head are the main responsibilities of the position.

Pharmaceuticals employ bentonite to absorb/adsorb processes that enable paste production. These include moist compresses, eczema anti-irritants, industrial protection lotions, and calamine lotion. Other personal care items that include bentonite include face creams, baby powders, sunburn paint, mud packs, and baby powders. These elements favourably affect the expansion of the bentonite market worldwide.

The global bentonite market size is expected to reach USD 3414.63 Million by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of seven point four percent (7.4%) during the forecast period 2022 to 2030. The demand for bentonite is anticipated to rise due to the construction industry's continuous global expansion. 

Furthermore, it is anticipated that during the forecast period, the value of the bentonite market would be driven by expanding organic farming and an increase in the number of water treatment facilities globally.

Global bentonite market, by product

Sodium
Calcium
Sulphur
Other

Global bentonite market, by application

Foundry sands
Cat litter
Iron ore pelletizing
Refining
Drilling muds
Civil engineering
Others

Marine shale units that are highly enriched in montmorillonite are found in Nigerian sedimentary basins. Notable among these are the Awgu shale in Eastern Nigerian, the Imo shale that forms a belt across Southern Nigeria, the Fika shale in the North-eastern parts, and the Dukamaje and Kalambaina formations in the North West. 

Many of sections of these formations are said to possess mineralogical compositions of more than eighty percent (80%) montmorillonite. Most of the shale are enriched in Calcium and mixed Montmorillonite, but sections abound that are enriched in sodium. Most of the occurrences are Cretaceous or Recent in age.

Bentonite clays also exist in the North-east quadrant of Nigeria (Borno, Yobe, Taraba and Adamawa) where a probable reserve of more than seven hundred million (700,000,000) tons has been indicated. Similarly, over ninety million (90,000,000) tons have been reportedly found in Afuze, Ekpoma-Igunebon road, Ovibiokhuan and Okpebho areas of Edo State. Some occurrences have also been reported in Abia, Ebonyi and Anambra States.

Clay mineral studies of the Tertiary to Recent subsurface in Niger Delta have revealed occurrences of bentonite as well as other non-swelling kaolinitic clays. Since the Niger Delta opens to the sea, there is likelihood that the subsurface Niger Delta bentonite may be enriched in sodium from the saline seawater.

Exploration efforts aimed at commercial exploitation are going on in several localities now, while some companies have actually started test mining. The table below shows the location of bentonite deposits in Nigeria.

Bentonite which is a crucial raw material input for so many industries such as construction, refining, drilling muds etc has been in the country's importation list for so many years, this has contributed in draining the nation's foreign exchange earnings.

A lot of mining activities are going on within and outside the country as new mining companies are opening up every day to tap into this lucrative sector. Based on the above bentonite has a large, growing and sustainable market in Nigeria.

The availability of bentonite in Nigeria and the wide range of industrial application enhance the attractiveness of the bentonite processing ventures. The present level of consumption is about two hundred thousand (200,000) metric tons (for oil well drilling only); much of this is sourced from the foreign market.

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