Clay raw materials for production of mineral paints

Mineral pigments are the main materials for production of mineral paints. They are also used for oil paints, varnishes, enamels, putties etc. In the production of mineral paints chalk, barite, gypsum and burnt lime are also used as mineral fillers and wighting agents.

The most important pigments are: ochre, umbra, terra di Siena, iron minium, browns and earth green.

In Poland so far two deposits of ochre, argils and ochre clazstones have been explored near the Kielce (Buk and Baczyna). In these deposits, in argilic measures of Rhaetic–Liasseic, ochre makes lens accumulations.

In Baczyna deposit there are three types of ochre occuring. They are documented in C₁ category: yellow - 67.5 thousand tonnes, red - 247 thousand tonnes and brown - 281.3 thousand tonnes. In Buk deposits there are only anticipated sub-economic resources documented. Both of deposits mentioned above are non-exploited deposits.

Table 1. List of clay raw materials for production of mineral paints - thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Robert Bońda