Clays, largely composed of hydrous aluminium silicate minerals, are fine grained and can be moulded when wet. There are many different types of clays, In Pakistan the important industrial clays are china clay, fuller's earth and betonite.
China Clay
China clay or kaolin is used in the manufacture of protein and special types of cement. It is also used as a filler in rubber and paper and as coating.
The largest deposits of china clay in Pakistan are shah deri, which is north-west of Saidu Sharif in the Swat District. The total reserve of china clay in the country is estimated at 4.9 million tonnes. The production of china clay has increased from 8000 tonnes in 1971-2 to 63000 tonnes in 1999-2000. This amount is still insufficient to meet local demand necessitating the import of further quantities.
Fire Clay
Fire clay is generally used in refractories to make fire bricks, insulating bricks, and in the manufacture of pottery and chemicals. Like china clay, it is also used as a filler.
Fire clay is found in both the eastern and western Salt Ranges, the quality of the western deposits is superior. Pakistan's total fire clay reserve is 100 million tonnes. The annual production of 100000 tonnes is sufficient to meet local demand.
Fuller's Earth
Fullers earth is used in oil rigs, foundries and steel mills. It is also used in oil filtering and clarifying and in sealing of reservations. Pakistan' main deposits of fullers earth are found at Ranki and Sebdi Nalas in the southern Sulaiman Range. There are also huge reserves at Thano Bula Khan in the Lakhi Ranges, north-east of Karachi, which has been mined since 1960.
Pakistan's total reserve of fullers earth is extremely large, with an annual production of 15 to 20000 tonnes.
Bentonite
Bentonite is put to similar use as fuller's earth and is found in the central Salt Range at Qadirpur Bhilmore and Bhadrar, in the eastern Salt Range at Rohtas Dariala and in the foothills of Azad Kashmir. Pakistan's total reserves of bentonite is estimated at 100000 tonnes. The annual production is small, ranging from 1000 to 1500 tonnes.
Celestite
Celestite is used in signal rockets and flares, tracer bullets, transportation warning fuses and fireworks. It is also used in the manufacturing of strontium compounds, ceramics, luminous paints, plastics.
In Pakistan, there are two well known deposits, one of which is near Thano Bula Khan in sindh. Smaller deposits of celestile can be found near Daud Khel in the western Salt Range. Celestite is usually found in the cracks and cavities of sedimentary rocks. Pakistan mines a small quantity of celestite annually 802000 tonnes in 19999-2000, which is sufficient for local demand.
China Clay
China clay or kaolin is used in the manufacture of protein and special types of cement. It is also used as a filler in rubber and paper and as coating.
The largest deposits of china clay in Pakistan are shah deri, which is north-west of Saidu Sharif in the Swat District. The total reserve of china clay in the country is estimated at 4.9 million tonnes. The production of china clay has increased from 8000 tonnes in 1971-2 to 63000 tonnes in 1999-2000. This amount is still insufficient to meet local demand necessitating the import of further quantities.
Fire Clay
Fire clay is generally used in refractories to make fire bricks, insulating bricks, and in the manufacture of pottery and chemicals. Like china clay, it is also used as a filler.
Fire clay is found in both the eastern and western Salt Ranges, the quality of the western deposits is superior. Pakistan's total fire clay reserve is 100 million tonnes. The annual production of 100000 tonnes is sufficient to meet local demand.
Fuller's Earth
Fullers earth is used in oil rigs, foundries and steel mills. It is also used in oil filtering and clarifying and in sealing of reservations. Pakistan' main deposits of fullers earth are found at Ranki and Sebdi Nalas in the southern Sulaiman Range. There are also huge reserves at Thano Bula Khan in the Lakhi Ranges, north-east of Karachi, which has been mined since 1960.
Pakistan's total reserve of fullers earth is extremely large, with an annual production of 15 to 20000 tonnes.
Bentonite
Bentonite is put to similar use as fuller's earth and is found in the central Salt Range at Qadirpur Bhilmore and Bhadrar, in the eastern Salt Range at Rohtas Dariala and in the foothills of Azad Kashmir. Pakistan's total reserves of bentonite is estimated at 100000 tonnes. The annual production is small, ranging from 1000 to 1500 tonnes.
Celestite
Celestite is used in signal rockets and flares, tracer bullets, transportation warning fuses and fireworks. It is also used in the manufacturing of strontium compounds, ceramics, luminous paints, plastics.
In Pakistan, there are two well known deposits, one of which is near Thano Bula Khan in sindh. Smaller deposits of celestile can be found near Daud Khel in the western Salt Range. Celestite is usually found in the cracks and cavities of sedimentary rocks. Pakistan mines a small quantity of celestite annually 802000 tonnes in 19999-2000, which is sufficient for local demand.
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