Phyllite, quartzitic and micaceous schists
Metamorphic phyllite, quartzitic and mica schists are used in the building construction as the major component of fine gravel cover of roll tar paper (phyllite and mica schists), in agriculture as inert dust carrier of pesticides, and in the manufacture of fire-proof materials as one of the major components of fire-proof cement (crystalline schists).
The three deposits of phyllite schists schists from the Opole Voivodeship are the only deposits of that raw material hitherto proven in Poland (map): Chomiąża, Dewon-Pokrzywna and Dewon-Pokrzywna 2. Anticipated economic resources of phyllite schists in Poland were estimated in 2012 at about 17.88 million tonnes and production (from Dewon-Pokrzywna deposit) 189.59 thousand tonnes. Production increased by 32.59 thousand tones (21 %) in comparison with 2011. Two other deposits are not being exploited. The Chomiąża deposit has been abandoned since 1989 and the remaining resources are estimated at 0.31 million tonnes.
Quartzitic schists occur only within the Strzelin granite massif at Jegłowa in the Lower Silesian region (Dolnośląskie Voivodeship). The Jegłowa deposit is still the only deposit of that raw material which has been documented in Poland. Its anticipated resources were estimated in 2012 at about 5.90 million tonnes and economic resources at 2.76 thousand tonnes. Production of quartzitic schists in 2012 was equal 28.18 thousand tonnes (decreased by 12.21 thousand tonnes). The Jegłowa deposit is widely known for occurrences of beautiful quartz crystals, especially clear and colorless rock crystals.
Micaceous schists occur in the Orłowice deposit located near Lwówek Śląski and in the Jawornica deposit in the Kłodzko area. Total anticipated economic resources of that mineral raw material as of 31.12.2012 were estimated at 6.67 million tonnes, and economic resources at 4.41 million tonnes. In 2012, production of schists from the Orłowice deposit decreased to 2.30 thousand tonnes and from Jawornica deposit increased to 0.77 thousand tonnes (schists from this deposit are used as crushed stones).
Prepared by: Janina Dyląg
Table 1. List of schists deposits – thousand tonnes