Evaluation of laboratory methodologies for froth flotation of feldspar and kaolin

This report describes work carried out to establish and evaluate methodologies for the laboratory froth flotation of feldspar and kaolin. One of the main aims was to ascertain the feasibility of separating glass-grade feldspar from granite quarry dust and [meso As part of this, a method for HF-free froth flotation of feldspar was evaluated. This work was carried out as part of the ongoing 'Maintenance of capability in Mineral Sciences' project, 75C

Mineralogical characterisation and processing of some industrial minerals from Uganda

This report describes the mineralogical characterisation and processing of several industrial minerals collected by Dr DJ Morgan in October 1991 during a visit to Uganda (Visit report WG/91/31R). The industrial minerals included raw materials (see Table 1) from African Ceramics Ltd (Mutaka kaolin, feldspar and ball clay) and samples collected by the Geological Survey and Mines Department Uganda (the remaining kaolin, talc and diatomite). The aim of this study was to assess their quality for various applications, especially ceramic manufacture. This work was carried out as part of the DDA/BGS project "Minerals for Development"

Evaluation of some ceramic clays from Zambia

This reports details the technical evaluation of ceramic clays collected during visits to Zambia in 1990 and 1991 by the author (Clive Mitchell). The clay samples included: Choma kaolin (Southern Province), Twapia kaolin (Copperbelt Province), Kapiri Mposhi kaolin (Central Province), Masenche clay (Northern Province), Leula clay, Misenga clay and Chikankata clay (Southern Province). The Choma kaolin was asessed to be an excellent source of ceramic-grade kaolin. The Twapia and Kapiri Mposhi kaolin are not suitable due to poor fired clour. The Masenche, Leula and Misenga clays were assessed to only be suitable for craft pottery or structural clay products such as bricks and tiles. The Chikankata clay has potential for use in the manufacture of clay stoves however further testing is required to confirm its suitability for this use

Mineralogical appraisal and beneficiation tests on some industrial minerals from Zambia

In March 1990, a visit to Zambia was made by D A Briggs of the Mineralogy and Petrology Group on behalf of the British Geological Survey/Overseas Development Administration project "Minerals for Development". The visit, which was described in Technical Report No. WG/90/15R, aimed to establish contact with the Geological Survey Department and other organisations concerned with minerals in Zambia to offer assistance in the field of mineral resource development. This primarily involved discussions with Mr N J Money and Mr J G G Tether, respectively Director and Deputy Director of the Geological Survey . department and their colleagues. The Ministry of Mines and the Mineral Exploration Department (Minex) of the Zambia Industrial and Mining Corporation and other bodies were also involved in the discussions

Recovering the lost gold of the developing world : bibliographic database

This report contains a library of 181 references, including abstracts, prepared for Project R 7120 "Recovering the lost gold of the developing world" funded by the UK' s Department for International Development (DFID) under the Knowledge and Research (KAR) programme. As part of an initial desk study, a literature review of gold processing methods used by small-scale miners was carried out using the following sources; the lSI Science Citation Index accessed via Bath Information and Data Services (BIDS), a licensed GEOREF CD-ROM database held at the BGS's Library in Keyworth and IMMage a CD-ROM database produced by the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy held by the Minerals group ofBGS. Information on the search terms used is available from the author

UK Frac Sand Resources

Although still just a glimmer in the gas man’s eye, the prospect of shale hydrocarbon (oil and gas) development in the UK has many companies thinking about the industrial minerals it will require. Chief amongst these is silica sand which is used as a ‘proppant’ in the hydraulic fracturing, or ‘fracking’, of shales to help release the gas. The UK has large resources of sand and sandstone, of which only a small proportion have the necessary technical properties that classify them as ‘silica sand’. Silica sand is high purity quartz sand that is used for glass production, as foundry sand, in horticulture, leisure and other industrial uses. When used as a proppant to enhance oil and gas recovery it is commonly known as ‘frac sand’. The UK is virtually self-sufficient in meeting its silica sand needs and extracts approximately 4 million tonnes per year from 40 quarries. The resources are varied but most production comes from Carboniferous age sandstones in central Scotland, early Cretaceous marine sands in Norfolk and glaciofluvial sands in Cheshire. As there is currently no production of frac sand in the UK, and the prospect of shale gas recovery becoming a possibility, it is timely to consider where ‘frac sand’ could be produced. Will supply of silica ‘frac sand’ be able to meet demand? Will it compete with other applications for silica sand? This presentation will consider those silica sand resources in the UK that may be suitable for ‘frac sand’ production. It will draw parallels with other industrial applications, notably foundry sand, which shares some common technical requirements such as particle shape and size distribution

Advice and design for a 'Geolab', Geological Department, The Gambia

A visit to The Gambia was carried out by the British Geological Survey in December 2011 as part of the assistance offered to the Gambian Geological Department to establish a geological laboratory (referred to as the ‘GeoLab’). In order to establish the test work requirements for the GeoLab, a number of mineral deposits and operations were visited in the Greater Banjul Area. These included a building sand deposit in Batu Kunku, a heavy mineral sand deposit in Tujereng, heavy mineral processing operation in Sanyang North, brick clay operation in Bafuloto, the Marisa Brickworks and its clay deposit in Faraba Bant and the lateritic gravel quarrying area in Faraba Bant. In addition, companies and organisations with a stake in the establishment of a GeoLab at the Geological Department were consulted including Moukhtara Holdings Company Ltd, the Gambian Roads Authority, the Gambian Technical Training Institute and the National Environment Agency. It is recommended that a fully costed laboratory development plan is drawn up to encompass the equipment procurement, installation and commissioning; staff training; development of a test work programme; and maintenance of the test work capability. The mineral resources of The Gambia are limited and restricted to Upper Tertiary and Quaternary sedimentary sequences. The most significant are silica sand, heavy mineral sand, kaolin, brick clay, laterite and cockle shells. The top priority of the Geological Department is the identification and provision of information on construction materials especially for the Greater Banjul Area. It is recommended that the Geological Department establish a capability for the testing of brick and ceramic clay, building sand, cockle shells, construction aggregate, heavy mineral sand and imported mineral products. The proposed GeoLab will consist of four rooms including sample reception, sample preparation, mineral evaluation and storage. The recommended laboratory equipment includes balances (weighing equipment), a binocular microscope, clay testing equipment, a drying oven and furnace, general laboratory equipment and particle-size analysis equipment

Biodiversity of nematode assemblages from the region of the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, an area of commercial mining interest

BACKGROUND: The possibility for commercial mining of deep-sea manganese nodules is currently under exploration in the abyssal Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone. Nematodes have potential for biomonitoring of the impact of commercial activity but the natural biodiversity is unknown. We investigate the feasibility of nematodes as biomonitoring organisms and give information about their natural biodiversity. RESULTS: The taxonomic composition (at family to genus level) of the nematode fauna in the abyssal Pacific is similar, but not identical to, the North Atlantic. Given the immature state of marine nematode taxonomy, it is not possible to comment on the commonality or otherwise of species between oceans. The between basin differences do not appear to be directly linked to current ecological factors. The abyssal Pacific region (including the Fracture Zone) could be divided into two biodiversity subregions that conform to variations in the linked factors of flux to the benthos and of sedimentary characteristics. Richer biodiversity is associated with areas of known phytodetritus input and higher organic-carbon flux. Despite high reported sample diversity, estimated regional diversity is less than 400 species. CONCLUSION: The estimated regional diversity of the CCFZ is a tractable figure for biomonitoring of commercial activities in this region using marine nematodes, despite the immature taxonomy (i.e. most marine species have not been described) of the group. However, nematode ecology is in dire need of further study

Characterisation of Quaternary sediments from East Anglia

This report describes the mineralogical investigations of Quaternary sediments,mainly Cromer Till, collected from East Anglia. The main aim of the work was to characterise the mineralogical and physical properties of the till samples to facilitate correlation between tills from different localities. The clast composition of the samples was determined using a binocular microscope and the mineralogy of the matrix was determined using X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetry. Calibration charts were used to quantify the amount of quartz and calcite present. Cumulative frequency graphs were plotted from the particle-size data to determine the mean, median, standard deviation and skewness. Also ternary sand/silt/clay diagrams were plotted. The Cromer Till samples typically contained 2% gravel (mainly flint, sandstone, quartz and chalk), 45% sand, 31 % silt and 22% clay. The Starston Till contained 12% gravel (mainly flint), 46% sand, 16% silt and 26% clay. The 'Clay' from Sea Palling contained 1 % gravel (mainly flint), 10% sand, 78% silt and 11 % clay. The Lowestoft Till samples had different particle-size distributions and the gravel consisted mainly of chalk.The Crag Clay samples contained 1 % gravel (mainly sandstone), 11 % sand, 49% silt and 39% clay. The Blue Clay samples contained virtually no gravel, 4% sand, 59% silt and 37% silt. The Holocene sample contained 1 % gravel (mainly flint), 21% sand, 39% silt and 39% clay. The CaC03 contents and particle-size distributions of the Cromer Till samples were compared with published data (Lunkka, 1994). Based upon this comparison the samples were tentatively classified as either Walcott Diamicton, Happisburgh Diamicton or Norwich Brickearth. The 'Blue Clay' samples were also tentatively classified as Crag Clay. Recommendations for further work include detailed logging and sampling of coastal sections; collection of large samples for more accurate clast analysis ; and heavy mineral analysis