Kaolin & Kaolinitic Clay Deposits

               Kaolin is the rock mass, which is composed of a clay mineral that has the following main properties:

1- Low in iron content.

2- white or nearly white in color.

3- kaolin forming clays are hydrous aluminum silicates (2H2O-Al2O3-2SiO2).

4- chemically inert over a relatively wide pH Range.

5- Soft and non-abrasive.

6- Low thermal or electrical conductivity.

Average chemical analysis of Kaolin (wt%)

Occurrences

                        Kaolin is present in different localities as the following:

I-West Central Sinai:

Main Locations: between longs. 31o- 34 o , lats. 28 o - 30 o

<!--Farsh EL Ghazlan

<!--Musaaba Salama

<!--Taiyba

<!--Nagb Budra

<!--Wadi Abu Natash

<!--EL-Dehessa

<!--Wadi Kabrit

<!--Dereib Agrab

<!--EL-Tieh

<!--Abu Regim

<!--EL-Shallal

<!--Umm Alagan

<!--Gabal Hazbar

<!--EL-khaboba

<!--Abu Naskar

<!--Wadi EL Eseila

<!--Wadi Sidra

<!--EL- Qor

<!--Abu Djeimat

1-Farsh EL Ghazlan

LOCATION: 20 KM SOUTH ABU ZENIMA

RESERVES:          proved       probable         possible              total

                                109.400       ---------         --------            109.400

XRD analysis:

                                 Kaolinite       Quartz       Accessory minerals

                                     58%              30%                     12%

Chemical analysis (wt%)

Plastic properties:

           Plasticity:     22.6 - 23.9         Coefficient: 26.6

Drying properties:

           drying  shrinkage:Linear: 2.25-3%

Firing   properties:

            Firing shrinkage: Linear: 5% at 1500 c

            Fusion temperature >or= 1730 c

            Firing  color: dark creamy

            Virtification rang: 1250>=1500c

            Total contraction at 1500c: 7.25 % and after cooling: 5%

          Whiteness of raw kaolin : 64.36

          Whiteness of fired at 1400c : 62.1

          Bulk density (g/cm3): 2.07

          Water absorption % at 1500c : 9.87  

2- Musaaba Salama

LOCATION: Eastward of ABU ZENIMA

RESERVES:          proved       probable        possible          total

                                207.ooo      239.500           --------           442.500

XRD analysis:

                                 Kaolinite       Quartz       Accessory minerals

                                     77%              5%                     18%

Chemical analysis (wt%)

Plastic properties:

           Plasticity:                                        Coefficient: 23.7

Drying properties:

           drying  shrinkage:Linear: 3.5%

Firing   properties:

            Firing shrinkage: Linear: 11.7% at 1500 c

            Fusion temperature (equivalent) > 1730 c

            Firing  color: creamy

            Virtification range: 1250>=1500c

            Total contraction at 1500c: 17.25 %  and after cooling:11.7%

          Whiteness of raw kaolin : 66.98 %

          Whiteness of fired at 1400c : 64.32

          Bulk density (g/cm3): 2.52

          Water absorption % at 1500c : 3.23

3-Taiyba

LOCATION:

RESERVES:          proved       probable        possible          total

                                   -----            -------               ------              ---

    XRD analysis:

                                 Kaolinite                   Quartz                Accessory minerals

                                Main minerals             some                           some

emical analysis (wt%)

Plastic properties:

           Plasticity: 30.3

Drying properties:

           drying  shrinkage:Linear: 1.8-6.6 %

Firing   properties:

            Firing shrinkage: Linear: 14.1 % at 1400c

            Fusion temperature :             Firing  color: No defective colors

            Virtification range:

          Whiteness of raw kaolin :

          Whiteness of fired at 1400c :                      Bulk density (g/cm3):

          Water absorption % at 1400c : 18.6

4-Nagb Burda

LOCATION: 26 km south east of Abu Zenima

RESERVES:          proved       probable        possible          total

                                 34.500         69.100            81.600          185.000

    XRD analysis:

                                 Kaolinite                   Quartz                Accessory minerals

pure                          traces                           ------

Chemical analysis (wt%)

Plastic properties:

           Plasticity: 25.3

Drying properties:

           drying  shrinkage:Linear: 2.3 to 6.7 %

Firing   properties:

            Firing shrinkage: Linear: 16.1 % at 1300c

            Fusion temperature :                  Firing  color: slight grey shade

            Sintering at more than 1400c

          Whiteness of raw kaolin :

          Whiteness of fired at 1400c :                      Bulk density (g/cm3):

          Water absorption % at 1300c : 7.1

5-Abu Natash

LOCATION:

RESERVES:          proved       probable        possible          total

                                   -----            -------            ------             ---

XRD analysis:

                                 Kaolinite                   Quartz                Accessory minerals

                                     pure                         traces                           ---

Chemical analysis (wt%)

Plastic properties:

           Plasticity: 22.9

Drying properties:

           drying  shrinkage:Linear: 2.3-6.7 %

Firing   properties:

            Firing shrinkage: Linear: 12.8-14.3 % at 1400c

            Fusion temperature :              Firing  color: No defective colors

            Sintering at more than 1400c

          Whiteness of raw kaolin:

          Whiteness of fired at 1400 c :      Bulk density (g/cm3):2.54

          Water absorption % at 1400 c:   4.4-7.1

6-EL- Dehessa

LOCATION: South Abu Zenima

RESERVES:          proved       probable        possible          total

              &nb