Silica Mining

What is Silica

Also called silica sand or quartz sand, silica is silicon dioxide (SiO2). Silicon compounds are the most significant component of the Earth’s crust. Since sand is plentiful, easy to mine and relatively easy to process, it is the primary ore source of silicon. The metamorphic rock, quartzite, is another source.

Silicon (Si) is a semi-metallic or metalloid, because it has several of the metallic characteristics. Silicon is never found in its natural state, but rather in combination with oxygen as the silicate ion SiO44- in silica-rich rocks such as obsidian, granite, diorite, and sandstone. Feldspar and quartz are the most significant silicate minerals. Silicon alloys include a variety of metals, including iron, aluminum, copper, nickel, manganese and ferrochromium.

Silica Mining

In almost all cases, silica mining uses open pit or dredging mining methods with standard mining equipment. Except for temporarily disturbing the immediate area while mining operations are active, sand and gravel mining usually has limited environmental impact.

Silica Uses

Ferrosilicon alloys are used to improve the strength and quality of iron and steel products. Tools, for instance, are made of steel and ferrosilicon.

In addition to tool steels, an example of “alloy steels,” ferrosilicon is used in the manufacture of stainless steels, carbon steels, and other alloy steels. An alloy steel refers to all finished steels other than stainless and carbon steels. Stainless steels are used when superior corrosion resistance, hygiene, aesthetic, and wear-resistance qualities are needed.

Carbon steels are used extensively in suspension bridges and other structural support material, and in automotive bodies, to name a few.

Silicon is used in the aluminum industry to improve castability and weldability. Silicon-aluminum alloys tend to have relatively low strength and ductility, so other metals, especially magnesium and copper, are often added to improve strength.

In the chemicals industry, silicon metal is the starting point for the production of silianes, silicones, fumed silica, and semiconductor-grade silicon. Silanes are the used to make silicone resins, lubricants, anti-foaming agents, and water-repellent compounds. Silicones are used as lubricants, hydraulic fluids, electrical insulators, and moisture-proof treatments.

Semiconductor-grade silicon is used in the manufacture of silicon chips and solar cells. Fumed silica is used as a filler in the cement and refractory materials industries, as well as in heat insulation and filling material for synthetic rubbers, polymers and grouts.

Silica is used in ceramics and in making glass.

Silicon is considered a semiconductor. This means that it conducts electricity, but not as well as a metal such as copper or silver. This physical property makes silicon an important commodity in the computer manufacturing business.

Silica Mining Process

Silica Sand Mining introduces

Foundry silica sand is the quartz as the main mineral composition, particle size of 0.020 mm to 3.350 mm refractory particles, according to the mining and processing methods of different can be divided into artificial silica sand and sand washing, sand washing, selection of natural silica sand such as sand (flotation).

Silica sand mining process equipment flow process

Crushing processing sandstone sandstone crushing processing technology at present mainly has the following kinds.

1, crushing process directly.Its technological process is: the run of mine ore – grizzly – jaw crusher crushing and screening to cone crushing and screening, more paragraphs to roll the crushing and screening – products.

2, calcining grinding process.Its technological process is: the run of mine ore – bottle kiln calcining – add water cooling to coarse crushing, the crusher – grinding cage – screening – products.

3, since the mill grinding process.Its technological process is: the run of mine ore – grizzly – since the mill to air classification system, qualified products and super fine powder (coarse grained – grinding cage – hexagon screen – the final product).

4, wet rod mill magnetic separation process.This is China during the period of “>” study of success and is promoting the new technology, its technological process is: in ore to coarse crushing, crushing and screening to rod mill, the high frequency fine screen to hydraulic classification, magnetic separation and iron products.

Cases Study - Silica Mining

100TPH Silica Sand Processing & Washing Plant in Malaysia

Material: silica sand
Capacity: 100TPH
Country: Malaysia
Feeding size: 6mm
Raw mineral description:
1. Sand particle distribution: <1mm 40%; 1-3mm 30%; 3-6mm 30%
2. Mineral composition: silica, SiO2 94.7%; Iron as Fe2O3 0.35%; Alumina, Al2O3 0.78%Customers requirements: Silica concentrate with >98.5% of SiO2.

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50TPH Silica Sand Processing Plant in Indonesia

Project: extraction of scrubbed silica sand (use for glass, cement industry)
Material: silica sand
Capacity: 50TPH
Country: Indonesia
Mineral condition description: raw silica sand contains slime and barren rock, which is up to 25-30 CM in diameter.
Customers requirements: wash the mud off and sieve the barren rock out.

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65TPH Silica Sand Washing Plant in Malaysia

Material: silica sand
Capacity: 65TPH
Country: Malaysia
Feeding size: 0-1mm
Raw mineral description:
1. Mineral composition: silicon, SiO2 94%; Iron as Fe2O3 0.35%; others
2. Customer roughly washed the sand and sieved 0-1mm fine sand out.

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