Characterization Of A Capim River Kaolin Deposit

A physical and chemical characterization study was carried out on 483 kaolin samples from 2.9 km2area at the Para Pigmentos mine along the Capim river, northern Brazil. The samples obtained from cores, drilled with regular spacing of 100 m, were evaluated using grit percentage, particle size distribution (psd), brightness, leachability, magnetic response and viscosity. These parameters were correlated with each process step in the plant and also the physical and chemical properties of the ore and finished product. Cluster analysis was performed and four main groups of kaolin were identified. These were then related to their performance at the various process steps and the quality of the initial product. These groups are well defined by plotting grit X “psd” and TiO2x “psd” in scatter plots.