Industrial Minerals

That talk is never disinterested complicates the relationship between the environment and the claims people make about it. Talk about place, and one's self in it, is particularly complex when the environment poses risk or is otherwise problematized. This study, a secondary analysis of interview data, seeks to extend discursive work on place-identity by examining the ways in which 14 residents of a small English village talk about themselves and their locale. The locale accommodates an active quarry, and many residents had lodged complaints to the quarry about dust, noise and vibrations from blasting. Attention to the interactional context of the interviews illustrates the ways in which (simply) interviewing people about their locale can threaten self- and place-identity. When asked about life in the village, interviewees oriented to two main dilemmas in protecting self- and place-identity: (1) how to justify continued residence in a challenging environment and (2) how to complain about the locale whilst maintaining positive place-identity. Discursive responses to these dilemmas drew upon typical identity processes, such as self- and place distinctiveness and the formulation of out-groups, as well as upon constructions of localized power-sharing and morally obligated tolerance of risk. We suggest that research on problematical places, and of environmental risk, needs to be sensitized to how it may constitute a threat to self- and place-identity, and how this may mediate formulations self and place, as well as of environmental risk.

The diatomaceous earth (DE), collected from the Mariovo region in North Macedonia, was characterized and thermally modified. The material represents a sedimentary rock of biogenic origin, soft solid that can be easily disintegrated, with white to grayish color, with bulk density of 0.51-0.55 g/cm 3 , total porosity of 61-63%, and specific gravity of 2.25 g/cm 3. The chemical composition is as follows: SiO 2, 86.03; Al 2 O 3 , 3.01; Fe 2 O 3 , 2.89; MnO, 0.06; TiO 2, 0.20; CaO, 0.76; MgO, 0.28; K 2 O, 0.69; Na 2 O, 0.19; P 2 O 5 , 0.15; and loss of ignition, 5.66 (wt%). The mineralogy of the raw DE is characterized by the predominant presence of amorphous phase, followed by crystalline quartz, mus-covite, kaolinite, and feldspar. Significant changes in the opal phase are observed in the 1,000-1,200°C temperature region. At 1,100°C, the entire opal underwent solid-solid transition to cristobalite. Further ramp of the temperature (1,100-1,200°C) induced formation of mullite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron micro-scopy depict the presence of micro-and nanostructures with pores varying from 260 to 650 nm. SEM analysis further determined morphological changes in terms of the pore diameters shrinkage to 120-250 nm in comparison to the larger pores found in the initial material. The results from this investigation improve the understanding of mechanism of silica phase transition and the relevant phase alterations that took place in DE upon calcination temperatures from 500 to 1,200°C.

Malawi is endowed with limestone from the three different types of rocks. These are metamorphic limestones, sedimentary limestones and igneous limestones. Metamorphic limestone is popular as a source of limestone for cement and agricultural application. Sedimentary limestone are potentially a good source as soil additive and can significantly contribute to agricultural productivity. Igneous limestone, popularly known as sovite carbonatite, can be a good source of high grade lime and limestone for cement manufacture.

In 2013 Australian startup, Calix Limited, built and commissioned a commercial-scale demonstrator plant at Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, based on their patented technology, to showcase a transformational calcination process for creating reactive oxide products whilst also capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) released during the reaction. Integral to
the successful commercial introduction of the technology was the quality of reactive magnesium oxide (magnesia, MgO) product achieved using cryptocrystalline magnesite (MgCO3) from the Myrtle Springs mine in South Australia. Calix has successfully marketed the product, as a magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) slurry, for pH and odor control in sewer and wastewater industries and as an effective coating for protection of sewer concrete infrastructure against acid corrosion.
New applications in aquaculture and agriculture are currently under evaluation, with field trials in Australia and overseas. Research projects are underway also into products for the health and pharmaceutical sectors, 3D printing, advanced building materials and catalysts (Calix 2018). Magnesia with a very high surface area underpins much of this activity. The relative contributions from characteristics specific to the raw magnesite feedstock and those from refinements to the kiln operating conditions to create the highly reactive MgO product are the subject of ongoing investigation. In this regard, the occurrence and
properties of marine sedimentary magnesite from the northern Flinders Ranges are somewhat unique amongst global magnesite deposits.
Of equal or greater significance for the Calix kiln technology is the effective capture of pure CO2 released during calcination. This aspect has attracted international interest, with European cement and lime producers partnering with Calix in the design and build of a  demonstration plant at HeidelbergCement’s Lixhe cement plant in Belgium. Total emissions from cement manufacture constitute ~8% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions (Olivier et al. 2016). Over the next two years, the Calix kiln technology will be fully tested and evaluated as a key component of the LEILAC (Low Emissions Intensity Lime and Cement) project to largely eliminate CO2 process emissions from cement and lime manufacture as an important contribution towards the EU target of cutting CO2 emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050
(LEILAC 2017).
The significance of the new technology for further development of South Australian magnesite resources is considered here in the context of:
• global magnesite markets and sources
• geology and characteristics of sedimentary magnesite deposits of the northern Flinders and Willouran ranges
• previous work to evaluate and develop the sedimentary magnesite resources
• history of development of the Calix kiln technology
• new market opportunities for cryptocrystalline magnesite.

The Belessa kaolin deposit in the western margin of the Central Main Ethiopian Rift was studied using geological, mineralogical, chemical and physical methods to understand its genesis and evaluate its potential suitability for different industrial applications. X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy were used to establish the mineralogical composition. Bulk chemical compositions were determined using ICP-MS and ICP-AES. The geology of the kaolin district is comprised of Miocene to Quaternary age rhyolite and pyroclastic tuff. The kaolin occurrence is located in the central part of the study area and is associated with rhyolite. The host rock is composed of quartz and alkali feldspar phenocrsyts set in a groundmass of very fine grained quartz, alkali-feldspar and plagioclase. The rhyolite is partially to completely altered to kaolin. The kaolin deposit is composed predominantly of kaolinite and quartz. The kaolinite minerals of the deposit have high structural order. The geological, mineralogical and geochemical studies indicate that supergene alteration played a major role in the formation of the Belessa kaolin deposit. The absence of quartz veining and alteration zones containing high temperature minerals precludes significant hypogene alteration. The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) and Chemical Index of Weathering (CIW) also show that the host rock experienced strong alteration and weathering. Furthermore, high Ce+Y+La values correspond to supergene-type alteration. The low P and high Cr+Nb concentrations also support a supergene origin. The physical properties, chemistry, mineralogy and crystal morphology indicate that the Belessa kaolin has potential applications for paper coating, filler (in paper, rubber, plastic and paint), ceramics, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

The proximate composition of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaves was evaluated in both dry and fresh samples to determine the ash, carbohydrate, fat, fibre, protein, moisture and mineral contents using the method of Association of Analytical Chemist (A OAC) and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).The result shows that Bryophyllum pinnatum contain (1.21 ± 0.07 and 0.8 ± 0.03%) ash, (72.92 ± 1.08 and 4.46 ± 0.52%) carbohydrate, (1.38 ± 0.06 and 1. 15 ± 0.05%) fat, (6.02 ± 1. 06 and 0.95 ± 0.06%) fibre, (5. 38 ± 0.10 and 1.61 ± 0.02%) protein, and (13.01 ± 1.03 and 91.03± 0.55%) moisture in dry and fresh samples respectively. The result of the mineral content revealed that Bryophyllum pinnatum is good sources of minerals such as ‘Fe, Zn, Cu, Mg, Na, K, Ca, Ni, Cd and Pd. This shows that Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf is a good source of human nutrition and should be included as dietary supplement.

The physico-mechanical, chemical and mineralogical characteristics of volcanic glass (perlite) from the Mariovo region (Macedonia) as well as the mineralogical changes that occur during its thermal treatment were investigated to demonstrate its utilization for industrial use. The native perlite was characterized by chemical analysis, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and solid- state NMR. The chemical examination suggests that the perlite represents an acidic volcanic rock with a high percentage of SiO2 (72.45%), high in alkali metal oxides (4.21 wt.% K2O, 3.56 wt.% Na2O), with a loss of ignition 3.54 wt.%. Results from the XRPD indicated major amorphous behaviour, with low amounts of feldspars, quartz, and cristobalite. SEM examinations revealed glassy structure with presence of certain pores (dimensions ranging from 50–100 μm). The determined expansion coefficient was 20 times its original volume. XRPD of expanded perlite compared to the native perlite depicted new intensive peaks of cristobalite. SEM and TEM revealed irregular morphology with broken or ragged edges. On the basis of the chemical and mineralogical composition, the studied perlite is classified as an appropriate material suitable as ceramic flux to lower the sintering temperature.

El paradigma económico predominante de los gobiernos neoliberales consiste en realizar las reformas del Estado destinadas a propiciar la inversión del capital nacional e internacional en aquellas ramas de la economía donde hay oportunidades de inversión. Este es el caso de la industria minera donde se estima que aún no se explota el 80% de los lugares que son susceptibles de extracción minera. Los gobiernos e instituciones neoliberales han actuado como promotores activos en un afán por intentar aparecer en el escenario internacional como modernizadores ejemplares de la globalización. En su intento por atraer al capital extranjero minimizan los efectos adversos: la pobreza de la población rural; el deterioro ambiental; y la criminalización de quienes pretenden frenar la ambición del capital (Robinson, 2011).

Journal of Environmental Geology is a multidisciplinary, peer reviewed publication that offers an open access platform for discussion to improve the environment as habitat for life on the earth and remediate all aspects of interactions between the human and the earth ecosystems.

The diatomaceous earth (DE), collected from the Mariovo region in North Macedonia, was characterized and thermally modified. The material represents a sedimentary rock of biogenic origin, soft solid that can be easily disintegrated, with white to grayish color, with bulk density of 0.51–0.55 g/cm3, total porosity of 61–63%, and specific gravity of 2.25 g/cm3. The chemical composition is as follows: SiO2, 86.03; Al2O3, 3.01; Fe2O3, 2.89; MnO, 0.06; TiO2, 0.20; CaO, 0.76; MgO, 0.28; K2O, 0.69; Na2O, 0.19; P2O5, 0.15; and loss of ignition, 5.66 (wt%). The mineralogy of the raw DE is characterized by the predominant presence of amorphous phase, followed by crystalline quartz, muscovite, kaolinite, and feldspar. Significant changes in the opal phase are observed in the 1,000–1,200°C temperature region. At 1,100°C, the entire opal underwent solid–solid transition to cristobalite. Further ramp of the temperature (1,100–1,200°C) induced formation of mullite. Scanning electron microscopy (SE...

Impacts  of  sodium  and  potassium  in  diet  to  determine  offspring gender in rabbits have  investigated. Sex determinat ion has scientific basis  for  prevention  of  genetic  diseases  in  addition  to  social backgrounds.20  healthy  rabbits  chosen  from  the  second  generation of the previous experimental rabbits, were divided in to two groups in the  rabbits  male  to  female  1:1.  The  first  group  was  Na  and  K,  the second  group  was  control  unit  without  Na  and  K.  It  found  that  the
delivered offsprings male to female ratio were 1.95:1and 1:1, for the first and second groups respectively. In addition, it found that rabbits fed  with  (Na,  K)  food  yields  maximum  numbers  of  male  offspring 65, while rabbits fed with normal food yields lowest numbers of male offspring 35.

Widespread artisanal, alongside small-scale mining operations are currently increasing in intensity in Nigeria. These activities are causing immeasurable damage to the environment and populations that live in the vicinity of these mine fields. The discharges of Potentially Harmful Elements (PHEs) from the exposed mine-out /mineral processing sites and their subsequent remobilization into the soils, and natural water bodies constitute serious human health problems. A study aiming at understanding the extent by which these elements contaminate the soils at the vicinity of the mining operations was conducted. This study also sought to identify the possible effects on human health and how it can be best mitigated. Geochemical results suggest that the discharges of PHEs from the mining/mineral ore processing operations have contributed significantly to the enrichment of these elements in the surrounding environment, thereby contaminating drinking water sources, food crops, and are dispos...

On the basis of the previous studies, the aim of this research is to extend and detail the geological mapping of zeolitized volcanoclastic units outcropping in Eastern Logudoro (NW-Sardinia). These Tertiary products, essentially pyroclastic and epiclastic rocks, are related to the parossistic manifestations of calc-alcaline magmatism, rhyodacitic to rhyolitic in composition in this area. Preliminary results, based on XRPD analyses, show that a zeolitization is present also in this sector, generally closely associated with the major faults.