ME551/GEO551 Geology of Industrial Minerals Spring 2011

ME551/GEO551 Geology of ME551/GEO551 Geology of Industrial Minerals Industrial Minerals

Spring 2011Spring 2011

Commodities, Part 6Commodities, Part 6

wollastonite, dimension stone, wollastonite, dimension stone, sepiolite, summary, the future of miningsepiolite, summary, the future of mining

NOTESNOTES

Both Field reports due April 16 NO Field April 22—Good Friday NMGS Spring meeting April 15 Reschedule April 26 class to April 25

(Mon) Commodities presentation by students on

April 25 Project presentations on May 3 Final and project report due May 12

WollastoniteWollastonite

Wollastonite—introductionWollastonite—introduction Ca3(Si3O9)Ca3(Si3O9) Usually as fibric radial masses or massiveUsually as fibric radial masses or massive hardness 2.8-2.9hardness 2.8-2.9 Usually white, sometimes weak pink or Usually white, sometimes weak pink or

greengreen silky or pearly on fresh cleavagessilky or pearly on fresh cleavages Sticky surface, often fluorescent in UV, Sticky surface, often fluorescent in UV,

decomposes to silicagel in HCldecomposes to silicagel in HCl

Wollastonite—propertiesWollastonite—properties

InertInert lath or needle crystalslath or needle crystals

– reinforces productsreinforces products– promotes early release of gases in ceramicspromotes early release of gases in ceramics

high brightnesshigh brightness whitewhite low LOIlow LOI high pH (9-10)high pH (9-10) stable to about 1,120°C, hard 4.5-5.5hard 4.5-5.5

Wollastonite—usesWollastonite—uses Substitute for asbestosSubstitute for asbestos ceramicsceramics fillers and extendersfillers and extenders flux in the casting of

steel production of paints and

coatings– reinforcement– hardening

Textural coatingsTextural coatings

adhesives joint compounds refractories rubber plastics nylon phenolic molding

compounds polyesters

Wollastonite—productionWollastonite—production largest wollastonite production facility in largest wollastonite production facility in

Mexico by NYCO Minerals 200,000 tpy, Mexico by NYCO Minerals 200,000 tpy, increase world production capacity by increase world production capacity by over 30%over 30%

China and the USA (NY) account for China and the USA (NY) account for around 75% of the 500,000 tpy world around 75% of the 500,000 tpy world outputoutput

Wollastonite—geologyWollastonite—geology SkarnsSkarns regional metamorphismregional metamorphism carbonatitescarbonatites

Wollastonite—environmentalWollastonite—environmental Asbestos is found in wollastonite Asbestos is found in wollastonite

depositsdeposits

http://www.geology.neab.net/mi...http://www.geology.neab.net/mi...

Dimension StoneDimension Stone

Dimension Stone—Dimension Stone—introductionintroduction

natural rock material natural rock material quarried as blocks quarried as blocks or slabs that meet or slabs that meet specifications as to specifications as to size (width, length, size (width, length, and thickness) and and thickness) and shapeshape

ColorColor DurabilityDurability

grain texture pattern surface finish strength, ability to take a

polish

Dimension Stone—Dimension Stone—introductionintroduction

GraniteGranite limestonelimestone marblemarble sandstonesandstone slateslate alabaster (massive alabaster (massive

gypsum)gypsum) soapstone (massive soapstone (massive

talc)talc)

Igneous metamorphic sedimentary

Dimension stone—usesDimension stone—uses

rough block rough block – construction (38%) construction (38%) – monumental stone monumental stone

(26%)(26%)

Dressed stone – flagging (26%)– curbing (21%)– ashlars and partially

squared pieces (14%)

Dimension stone—usesDimension stone—uses

Dimension stone—productionDimension stone—production

Dimension stone—productionDimension stone—production

Proctor, Vermont – Proctor, Vermont – Derrick hoisting a Derrick hoisting a

15-ton block of 15-ton block of Vermont Verde Vermont Verde Antique MarbleAntique Marble

http://freepages.history.rootswhttp://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~quarries/states/vt-eb.com/~quarries/states/vt-

proctor-photos.htmlproctor-photos.html

Sawing the Vermont Verde Antique Sawing the Vermont Verde Antique MarbleMarble

http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~quarries/states/vt-proctor-http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~quarries/states/vt-proctor-photos.htmlphotos.html

SepioliteSepiolite

SEPIOLITESEPIOLITE MgMg44SiSi66OO1515(OH)(OH)22••6H6H22OO

http://webmineral.com/specimens/picshow.php?id=2368

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONThe “Hormite Group”The “Hormite Group”

Martin-Vivaldi and Robertson proposed in Martin-Vivaldi and Robertson proposed in 1971 this group for sepiolite and 1971 this group for sepiolite and palygorskite (attapulgite) due to their palygorskite (attapulgite) due to their complex magnesium silicate composition complex magnesium silicate composition and elongate crystalsand elongate crystals

These minerals occur in close association These minerals occur in close association with each other and more complex structural with each other and more complex structural variations may exist (Bailey, 1972)variations may exist (Bailey, 1972)

Hormite group possess a natural higher Hormite group possess a natural higher porosity and electric unbalanceporosity and electric unbalance

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

A monoclinic mineralA monoclinic mineral Hydrated magnesium silicate Hydrated magnesium silicate

mineral occurring naturally either mineral occurring naturally either in a fibrous metamorphic form or in a fibrous metamorphic form or in a sedimentary form as a clay.in a sedimentary form as a clay.

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION The structure has The structure has

tetrahedra pointing tetrahedra pointing in the direction form in the direction form 2:1 ribbons that 2:1 ribbons that extend in the extend in the direction of the a-direction of the a-axis and have an axis and have an average b-axis average b-axis width of three linked width of three linked tetrahedral chains tetrahedral chains (Singer, 1989). (Singer, 1989).

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Rectangular Rectangular channels, which channels, which contain some contain some exchangeable exchangeable Ca and Mg Ca and Mg cations and cations and zeolitic water, zeolitic water, lie between the lie between the ribbons, and ribbons, and molecules of molecules of bound water lie bound water lie at the edges of at the edges of the ribbons.the ribbons.

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONNames GivenNames Given

““Meerschaum” by Werner in 1788Meerschaum” by Werner in 1788 ““Ecume de Mer” by Hauy in 1801Ecume de Mer” by Hauy in 1801 Talcum Plasticum and Ecume the Talcum Plasticum and Ecume the

Mer by Brochant in 1802. He also Mer by Brochant in 1802. He also described low density and with described low density and with magnesium silicatesmagnesium silicates

Finally, in 1847 Glocker named it Finally, in 1847 Glocker named it Sepiolite, from the Greek, sepia - Sepiolite, from the Greek, sepia - "cuttlefish" and lithos - "stone." "cuttlefish" and lithos - "stone."

PROPERTIESPROPERTIES

Hardness: Hardness: 2 - Gypsum (Soft)2 - Gypsum (Soft) Specific GravitySpecific Gravity: 2, but fibrous dry masses : 2, but fibrous dry masses

float on waterfloat on water Cleavage: Cleavage: Perfect Perfect Color: Color: Grayish white, Yellowish white, Grayish white, Yellowish white,

Bluish green white, Reddish white, Bluish green white, Reddish white,

Gray.Gray. Diaphaniety: Diaphaniety: Opaque Opaque

PROPERTIESPROPERTIES Fracture: Fracture: Conchoidal - Fractures developed in Conchoidal - Fractures developed in brittle materials characterized brittle materials characterized

by by smoothly curving surfaces, smoothly curving surfaces,

(e.g. quartz). (e.g. quartz).

Habits: Habits: Earthy - Dull, clay-like texture with no Earthy - Dull, clay-like texture with no

visible crystalline affinities, visible crystalline affinities, (e.g. howlite). (e.g. howlite). Fibrous - Crystals made up of fibers. Fibrous - Crystals made up of fibers.

PROPERTIESPROPERTIES

Luminescence: Luminescence: None. None. Luster: Luster: Earthy (Dull) Earthy (Dull) Streak: Streak: white white

USESUSES

Drilling mudDrilling mud Industrial Absorbants (Fuller’s Industrial Absorbants (Fuller’s

Earth)Earth) Pet Litter absorbantsPet Litter absorbants Agricultural carriersAgricultural carriers Pharmaceutical applicationsPharmaceutical applications CeramicsCeramics

USESUSES

FertilizersFertilizers PlasticsPlastics Mastics Mastics CatalystsCatalysts Bleaching earthsBleaching earths Pipes, ornamental carvingsPipes, ornamental carvings Binder for molecular sievesBinder for molecular sieves

USES:Fuller’s EarthUSES:Fuller’s Earth Made up of a unique natural mixture of Made up of a unique natural mixture of

montmorillonite, palygorskite and sepiolite, montmorillonite, palygorskite and sepiolite, it's the most absorbent natural mineral it's the most absorbent natural mineral known to man. known to man.

A green, blue or yellowish-brown clay with a A green, blue or yellowish-brown clay with a high adsorptive capacity, used to decolour high adsorptive capacity, used to decolour fats and oils, to remove grease from fabrics, fats and oils, to remove grease from fabrics, as a filter and as a base for paper and as a filter and as a base for paper and cosmeticscosmetics

Fuller’s earth is mined in many parts of the Fuller’s earth is mined in many parts of the United States, Georgia and Florida being the United States, Georgia and Florida being the leading producers, and in England near leading producers, and in England near Reigate, Nutfield, and Bath..Reigate, Nutfield, and Bath..

PRODUCTIONPRODUCTION SPAINSPAIN: Dominates the world sepiolite : Dominates the world sepiolite

production, the largest producing operation is at production, the largest producing operation is at Vicálvaro in Madrid, where approximately 360 kt Vicálvaro in Madrid, where approximately 360 kt were produced in 1988. Other locations are were produced in 1988. Other locations are Toledo, Torrejón el Rubo, Lebija, Almería and Toledo, Torrejón el Rubo, Lebija, Almería and MaderueloMaderuelo

UNITED STATESUNITED STATES: Small quantities are mined : Small quantities are mined near Lathrop Wells, NV, 160 km northwest of Las near Lathrop Wells, NV, 160 km northwest of Las Vegas, in the Amargosa ValleyVegas, in the Amargosa Valley

TURKEYTURKEY SOUTH AFRICASOUTH AFRICA FRANCEFRANCE

PRODUCTIONPRODUCTION



SUBSTITUTESSUBSTITUTES

PalygorskitePalygorskite BentoniteBentonite

GEOLOGYGEOLOGY Sepiolite requires alkaline conditions and high Si and Mg Sepiolite requires alkaline conditions and high Si and Mg

activities for stability (Singer, 1989). It is also loosely activities for stability (Singer, 1989). It is also loosely associated with low latitudes and semi-arid climates. associated with low latitudes and semi-arid climates. Most major deposits were originally formed in shallow Most major deposits were originally formed in shallow seas and lakes as chemical sediments or by the seas and lakes as chemical sediments or by the reconstitution of smectites, in open oceans by the reconstitution of smectites, in open oceans by the hydrothermal alteration of volcanic materials, and in hydrothermal alteration of volcanic materials, and in calcareous soils by direct crystallization (Callen, 1984). calcareous soils by direct crystallization (Callen, 1984).

Occurs in veins in calcite and in alluvial deposits formed Occurs in veins in calcite and in alluvial deposits formed from weathering of serpentine masses, chiefly in Asia from weathering of serpentine masses, chiefly in Asia Minor.Minor.

Tertiary age lakes in an evaporite sequence.Tertiary age lakes in an evaporite sequence. Pleistocene saponite deposits.Pleistocene saponite deposits. Associated MineralsAssociated Minerals include albite, calcite, diopside, include albite, calcite, diopside,

fluorite,fluorite, microcline, monteregianite, pectolite, phlogopite, microcline, monteregianite, pectolite, phlogopite, quartz, richterite,quartz, richterite, sodalite and steacyite sodalite and steacyite

GEOLOGYGEOLOGY EXAMPLE: Vicálvaro DepositEXAMPLE: Vicálvaro Deposit

MININGMINING

Open pitsOpen pits Stripping done with scrapers, Stripping done with scrapers,

draglines or bulldozersdraglines or bulldozers Mined with shovels, backhoes, Mined with shovels, backhoes,

small draglines or front end loaderssmall draglines or front end loaders Clay transported by trucks to the Clay transported by trucks to the

processing plantprocessing plant

PROCESSINGPROCESSING

General ProcessingGeneral Processing: : - Crushing - Crushing - - Drying Drying - Classification - Classification - - PulverizationPulverization


http://books.smenet.org


Special Purposes ProcessingSpecial Purposes Processing: : - Extrusion and addition of 1% or - Extrusion and addition of 1% or 2% of 2% of

MgO (improve viscosity for drilling MgO (improve viscosity for drilling

mud uses) mud uses)

- High heat drying (improve sorbent - High heat drying (improve sorbent

properties) properties)

- Ultra fine pulverization (pharmaceutical - Ultra fine pulverization (pharmaceutical

applications) applications)

SUMMARY AND SUMMARY AND DISCUSSIONDISCUSSION

What is the importance of industrial What is the importance of industrial minerals?minerals?

What commodities have the most What commodities have the most material mined?material mined?

What commodities have the highest What commodities have the highest value?value?

http://www.bgs.ac.uk/mineralsuk/planning/industrial.html



Development of the minerals cycle and the need for minerals(MMSD)

Development of the minerals cycle and the need for minerals(MMSD)

CommodityCommodity

US US production production 2009 mt2009 mt

World production World production 2009 mt2009 mt

consumption consumption 2009 mt2009 mt Price 2009Price 2009

World World reserves 2009 reserves 2009

mtmt

CuCu 1,190,0001,190,000 15,800,00015,800,000 1,660,0001,660,000 $2.3/lb$2.3/lb 540,000,000540,000,000

AuAu 210210 2,3502,350 170170 $950/oz$950/oz 47,00047,000

REOREO 00 124,000124,000 7,4107,410 variesvaries 99,000,00099,000,000

BeBe 120120 140140 140140 $120/lb$120/lb 15900+15900+

SbSb 00 187,000187,000 22,40022,400 $2.3/lb$2.3/lb 2,100,0002,100,000

AsAs 385385 52,50052,500 3,6003,600 $0.92/lb$0.92/lb 1,070,0001,070,000

BiBi 100100 7,3007,300 1,0201,020 $7.4/lb$7.4/lb 320,000320,000

Ga Ga 00 7878 2020 $480/kg$480/kg 1,000,0001,000,000

Ge Ge 55 1414 55 $950/kg$950/kg 450+450+

TeTe WW WW $145/kg$145/kg 22,00022,000

cementcement 71,800,00071,800,000 2,800,000,0002,800,000,000 73,800,00073,800,000 $100/mton$100/mton

Summary and discussionSummary and discussion

How has the mining industry changed How has the mining industry changed with time?with time?

USGS Circ 1221

Eyde, 2001

Summary and discussionSummary and discussion

What is the future of mining?What is the future of mining?

NMA The future begins with

mining

Other issuesOther issues Resource availabilityResource availability

– QualityQuality– Meet the demandMeet the demand

Climate changeClimate change– Carbon sequestrationCarbon sequestration

Lack of trained engineers and geologistsLack of trained engineers and geologists Land use—before, during, after miningLand use—before, during, after mining Dealing with increasingly complex Dealing with increasingly complex

regulatory and permitting issuesregulatory and permitting issues Sterilization of resourcesSterilization of resources

Other issuesOther issues Public perceptionPublic perception Educate public Educate public

Mining is the foundation to our way of Mining is the foundation to our way of lifelife

Mining companies spend more on Mining companies spend more on cleanup/defense then on educationcleanup/defense then on education– http://www.riotinto.com/documents/Media-http://www.riotinto.com/documents/Media-

Speeches/IM18.pdfSpeeches/IM18.pdf California—Got Milk campaignCalifornia—Got Milk campaign

– Imagine a world without milkImagine a world without milk

Documents

ME551/GEO551 Geology of Industrial Minerals Spring 2011