ZEOLITES. Minerals and Mining

Transcription

1 ZEOLITES Minerals and Mining

2 Introduction Dr. Uwe Richard Kackstaetter B.A. Geology 1985 University of Northern Colorado M.S. Geology 1990 Brigham Young University, Utah Emphasis: Precious Metal Exploration Dr.rer.nat.(Ph.D.) 2005 Applied Geology & Mineralogy -summa cum laude- Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Germany Associate Professor of Geology Experience: environmental testing, groundwater flow modeling, site contaminant evaluations, geologic / mineral investigations, geochemical assessments, and more. Educator of over 20 years presenting courses in Water, Mineralogy, Petrology, Volcanology, Field Geology. Renowned for International field classes in Europe. Undergraduate Research Advocate Many new discoveries: New Kimberlite (Diamond ore) No Colorado; Silver deposit Utah

3 Introduction Geoscience Innovation through Research, Development, Consulting, Field Trips and Education

4 Geology and the Public An unbiased review of Zeolites, Zeolite Mining, its outlook and implications If you don t mine it, somebody else will 57 geologic materials

5 Zeolites What are they? PStrange Natural Minerals PAluminosilicate - contain Silicon (SiO 4 ) & Aluminum (AlO 4 ) PContain crystalline H 2 O PContain Alkali & Earth Alkali Cations (Na, K, Ca, Mg) PStrange, hollow molecular crystal structures

6 Zeolites What are they? Uniqueness of Zeolites - Natural Molecular Sieves / Filters P Crystal structures combine to make: PStrange 3D honeycomb-like framework molecular (atomic) sieves

7 P IN ADDITION: Earthscience Education LLC Zeolite Filters Why Zeolites? Uniqueness of Zeolites - Natural Molecular Sieves / Filters PZeolites have a net NEGATIVE charge They can store / filter out: Odors, e.g.: Allows absorption of liquids and compounds Toxic Metals; radioactive contaminants

8 Zeolite Use Applications

9 Zeolites Mineral Species & Occurences PAbout 40 natural zeolite species P Most common: analcime, chabazite, clinoptilolite, erionite, ferrierite, heulandite, laumontite, mordenite, and phillipsite PAll have slightly different properties and are suited for varied applications

10 Zeolites How do they form? Zeolites

11 Taken internally Zeolite Toxicity Environmental conc. LD 50 -Lethal Dose Are Zeolites bad? LC 50 -Lethal Concentration In short is is about as toxic as

12 Zeolite Toxicity Dust Problem PHOWEVER... PMaterial Dust is always a PROBLEM Saw Dust (!) Silicon Oxide (Powdered Sand) (!) Any fine grained particulate

13 Good News - According to a 1982 U.S. Geological Survey Report prepared for the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs... The major zeolite mineral is clinoptilolite... (Na,K,Ca) 2-3 Al 3 (Al,Si) 2 Si 13 O 36 12H 2 O... erionite identified only in some samples and in much smaller amounts... Clinoptilolite occurs over wide areas, erionite in only a few... Clinoptilolite may make up as much as % of certain rock layers at the most favorable localities... Asbestos-Like One troubling Zeolite fibrous Erionite

14 Zeolite Quality Indicator CATION EXCHANGE CAPACITY (CEC) PCEC Measure of how many cations (commonly K +, Na +, Ca 2+, Mg 2+ ) can be retained on a particle surfaces Analogous to a bucket where cations and water can be loaded and unloaded at will

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16 meq/100g meq/100g

17 Zeolite Mining Advantage: Zeolites soft / loose NO BLASTING NECESSARY Earthscience Education LLC Zeolite Mining 1. Worker The Process Protection Step 1 - Remove Overburden 2. Community Step 2 - Expose Zeolite Ore Protection 3. Environmental Step 3 - Extract / Stockpile Protection Zeolite Ore 4. Restoration Step 4 - Compile / Process Zeolite Ore Dust mitigation essential Biggest Enemy Incessant Dust

18 Zeolite Market P Zeolite Clinoptilolite Price P Alibaba.com from China Cheapest offer US$50/ton Most in the US$100/ton range Highest US700/ton P Artificial Clinoptilolite >US$1,000/ton

19 compound annual growth rate (CAGR) Possibly Biggest Competition as Technology advances

20 Global Zeolite Market Future

21 Ecological Restoration Example: Renaturalised quarry as a biotope P Knauf Industries Germany Mining gypsum for drywall in open pit quarries Destroys much forest in the process Push-back from communities PNew Idea Don t just restore... Renaturalise as habitat for endangered species Very succesful model Now communities invite to mine...

22 From this......through this Welcomed by communities as added tourist attraction 2. Welcomed by environmentalist because of increased biodiversity and endagered species protection 3. Welcomed by citizens as public recreation area... to that

23 Conclusion Recommendations PSelect bright young people on a scholarship to be trained as geologists / engineers to run zeolite mining operations Training could / should included school projects associated with the future zeolite mining venture & site exploration (MSU Denver would do it) Saves money developing the mine while training your specific future geologists

24 Conclusion Recommendations PMining Area Assessment using updated technology since the 1980s Extent of minable resources and future revenue predictions Assessing dust development and mitigation Important: mapping of dreaded erionite occurances Erionite mitigation plan: Avoidance vs Extraction? Engineering technology for processing zeolites on site, thus cutting out the middle man

25 Questions