Physico-chemical characteristics of Nagar Parkar kaolin deposits, Thar Parkar district, Sindh, Pakistan

Nagar Parkar kaolin deposits lie parallel to Runn of Kutch area, aligned in a belt trending NW–SE. The present study examines the physico-chemical characteristics of the raw and washed Nagar Parkar kaolin deposits. It compares them with world's best kaolin deposits and provides the basis for detailed studies on the development and value added utilization. The Nagar Parkar kaolin deposits are formed by chemical weathering of Precambrian granite. The Nagar Parkar raw kaolin has medium compressibility, moderate toughness, medium plasticity and acceptable moulding properties. The processing of Nagar Parkar kaolin was being done by simple water washing instead of elutriation. After washing the kaolin SiO content was 2 reduced by 10% and the Al O content increased by up to 15%. Present study shows that the raw and washed 2 3 kaolin of Nagar Parkar is of good quality and comparable with world's known kaolin deposits. Due to lack of processing by elutriation, the consistency in quality of the Nagar Parkar kaolin is not maintained. Hence, its utilization is restricted to limited low cost sanitary and crockery products in the country.