WHITE CLAY DEPOSITS AT DIFFERENT AREAS OF MADHABPUR AND BAHUBOL UPAZILA, HABIGONJ DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

A detail geological investigation was carried out in order to explore white clay deposite at 10 square kilometer areas of Madhabpur and 0.5 square kilometer areas of Bahubal Upazilas in Habiganj District of Bangladesh using hand auger and shallow drilling method. The whole surveyed area was identified for white clay deposits from qualitative as well as quantitative aspect. These deposits were marked at depths from 0.2 meter to 8.0 meter below the surface. Average thickness of white clay at Madhabpur and Bahubol area are 4.0 meter and 5.0 meter, respectively. The estimated reserve of white clay at Madhabpur area is about 68 million tons and that at Bahubal area is 2.8 million tons. Geological investigation suggests that the source rock near Tripura ranges was weathered, transported and deposited as feldspathic sandstone surrounding the present deposition of white clay. Later the sandstone was exposed and much of its feldspar content were weathered to the clay mineral (Kaolinite). Along with white clay peat, peaty clay, sticky clay and silica sand were also observed at depths ranging from 1.5 to 8 meter. Collected white clay samples are yellowish grey to light grey in color and highly compact in dry condition but pasty in wet condition. The dry white clay is soapy to feel, slakes in water, moderately sticky and plastic in nature. Al2O3 content ranged from 25.51 to 27.61% while average SiO2, and Fe2O3 content were found 54.58 and 3.872% respectively. Considering the physical and chemical properties the white clay of the studied area can be considered as moderate to good in quality. This white clay can use in ceramics and other industries. Therefore, this deposit of white clay may help to meet the current national demand and consequently to increase the economic growth.