Particle size analysis data showed that the materials were generally fine with a D80 value between 380 and 1280 µm. Results of chemical analysis indicated the Al2O3 content of the 33 selected samples to be between 34.0 and 58.6%, whilst the Fe2O3 content varied between 10.9 and 17.2%. Table 1 presents results for 15 selected samples from the tailings dam. Gawu (1997) reported that his investigations indicated that the main components in the bauxites of Awaso, according to chemical analysis, were Al2O3and Fe2O3 and that, apart from silica and titania as minor components, the other components were in trace quantities. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the mineral phases present to be gibbsite, kaolinite, goethite, haematite and rutile. The diffraction pattern of a sample from the old slime dams is presented in Fig. 1.