ABSTRACT:

Investigation of the occurrence and chemical composition of gypsum deposits at Cham and its environs from outcrop sections of the Jessu Formation in the Yola Arm of the Upper Benue Trough have been carried out. The studies show that the gypsum occurs displacively within grey to black parallel laminated shale as thin laminae (1-3mm) along the shale laminae and disc9ntinuously along minor fractures within the shale beds indicating diagenetic occurrence in the host shale. Chemical analysis of the gypsum reveals that the percentage purity ranges from 81.07 - 95.05% indicating high grade and suitable for industrial use (construction, medical, agriculture, etc).