Ore features and application prospects of kaolinitic rock in coal measures of the Renheping syncline, western Hubei

Abstract: Study of geological features and ore composition of kaolinitic rock in coal measures of the Permian Liangshan Formation in the Renheping syncline, western Hubei, indicates that the kaolinitic rock deposit is of clastic sedimentary type and dominated by hard kaolinitic rock, with a persistent ore horizon. Kaolinite in the ore is mostly aphanitic to microcrystalline flaky textures, has a high purity (the kaolinite content is 90% to 95%) and is characterized by low Mn (<30 ×10-6) and high Ti (>0.5%). The harmful components Fe, Mg, Ca, Na, K, Mn, S and As and heavy metals elements Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and Tl are all lower. Integrated analysis suggests that the kaolinitic rock may serve as high-quality functional kaolinite raw material and has good prospects in the rubber, plastic, coating and medicinal package industries.