Abstract
M.Sc. (Geology)
The purpose of this investigation is to produce a' general
survey of palygorskite deposits in South Africa with
reference to their probable extent, mineralogical
composition and the most important chemical and physical
properties of the clay. Furthermore it is an attempt
to provide a suitable beneficiation process so as to
make beneficiated local palygorskite comparable with or
superior to imported palygorskite. It is also an
attempt to determine whether South African beneficiated
palygorskite could replace imported material in
e$tablished industrial applications.
To these ends pa1ygorskites from seven geographical areas
in South Africa were investigated. The characterization
of the pa1ygorskites involved the following tests:
Identification and semi-quantitative analysis of mineral
phases in each sample by means of X-ray diffraction.
Chemical analyses, differential thermal analyses, oil
absorption measurements, surface area determinations,
pH measurements, bulk density measurements and viscosity
determinations. Electron microscopy of two end products
of the beneficiation pro~ess was also carried out to
determine the physical difference between magnetic and
non-magnetic palygorskite.