Occurrence, Origin and Industrial Potentiality of Central and Northern Sudan Kaolin Deposits

Abstract

Kaolinite clays or kaolins as commercially known, are considered as one of the most valuable industrial material when they are in their refined white state. They are found in nature as primary residual or secondary sedimentary deposits laid down in floodplains. In Sudan kaolin deposits are known to exist in commercial quantities in many localities in the east, west, center and north.of the country. They are found in the form of lenses or thick bodies embedded in the Nubian Sandstone Formation of the Cetaceous age.

The physical and chemical properties determined for five selected kaolin deposits in the north and center of the country proved their suitability for many industries when they were purified and the 53 micron portion was separated. They can be used as filters in paper, paint, plastic and rubber industries while they are suitable as raw material for ceramics and refractories.