Post by Trade Forum on Nov 13, 2022 0:37:29 GMT 1
Muscovite Mica: How To Start The Export Of This Solid Mineral From Nigeria – Part 1
The solid minerals industry in Nigeria is supposed to be one of the most profitable sectors of the Nigerian economy. This sector should provide a multi-billion dollar business opportunity for the country, but it has been largely ignored by the Nigerian government. The reason is that the government and the organized private sector have been more interested in crude oil and its derivatives; but this has failed the country miserably.
One of the lucrative sub-sectors of the solid minerals industry anyone can start a business in is the exportation of muscovite mica minerals from Nigeria to many countries of the world.
In this part 1 of the article, we will be looking at how this solid mineral is mined and processed. We will discuss the export procedures of the product in the second part of the article.
What is Mica?
A group of minerals with similar physical and chemical properties is referred to as Mica. It is relatively light and soft with flexible sheets and flakes. It naturally occurs in rocks such as igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks with large deposits mainly mined from granitic pegmatites.
Muscovite mica minerals are found in various parts of Nigeria with large deposits in some parts of the western region and majorly in the northern states. Muscovite mica is mined using either “open-pit surface mining” or “underground mining”.
Mica minerals commonly occur as flakes, scales, or shreds but are mined either as a sheet or as a flake.
Sheet Mica Mining:
Granitic pegmatites which contain large deposits of Mica are mined either by using open-pit surface mining or underground mining. In using the former (open-pit surface mining) a shaft is sunk into the pegmatite containing semi-hard pegmatite ore in order to locate the vein with the mineral and also to know the quality and quantity of the Mica that might be recovered.
In using the latter (underground mining), the shaft is driven through the pegmatite at the right angles using air drills, hoists, and explosives, after the blast, the mica is picked and moved for trimming where it is graded, split, and cut to various specified sizes for sale.
Flake Mica Mining:
Unlike the sheet mica that is gotten only from pegmatites, the flake mica is gotten from many sources, such as schist (metamorphic rock) which is a by-product of processing the resources of feldspar and also kaolin from pegmatites and placer deposits.
The conventional open-pit method is used for flake mica, the mica-bearing ore in the hard-rock is drilled into and then blasted after which the ore is size reduced and transported to the processing plant, where feldspar, quartz, and mica are extracted.
Muscovite mica is the most common type of mica and also the most sought after because of its wide applications such as in the manufacturing of fireproofing and insulating materials. It is also deposited in Nigeria and in large quantities in the Northern part of the country.
Uses of Mica:
- Mica is used as a joint cement and in electronic insulators.
- It can also serve as a dusting agent, lubricant, in plastics, rubber, and welding rods.
- In the paint industry, ground mica is used as a pigment extender, prevents shrinking and reduces chalking.
- Mica, when ground can be used as an additive to drilling fluids by well-drilling industries.
- It is also used as a surface coating to prevent sticking of adjacent surfaces.
- When ground, mica in a dry form, can be conveniently used in the production of asphalt shingles and rolled roofing.
- Mica is also used as an insulator in concrete blocks and home attics.
- It can also be used as a soil conditioner.
You can see that Nigeria is blessed with different types of solid minerals that can be used for various things needed by the rest of the world.
Stay with us for more.
Our company is one of the best companies in Agro-Export Business in Nigeria today. We train individuals and corporate organizations on how to do Export Business the right way; if you are interested, please contact the admin of this forum now for further details.
One of the lucrative sub-sectors of the solid minerals industry anyone can start a business in is the exportation of muscovite mica minerals from Nigeria to many countries of the world.
In this part 1 of the article, we will be looking at how this solid mineral is mined and processed. We will discuss the export procedures of the product in the second part of the article.
What is Mica?
A group of minerals with similar physical and chemical properties is referred to as Mica. It is relatively light and soft with flexible sheets and flakes. It naturally occurs in rocks such as igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks with large deposits mainly mined from granitic pegmatites.
Muscovite mica minerals are found in various parts of Nigeria with large deposits in some parts of the western region and majorly in the northern states. Muscovite mica is mined using either “open-pit surface mining” or “underground mining”.
Mica minerals commonly occur as flakes, scales, or shreds but are mined either as a sheet or as a flake.
Sheet Mica Mining:
Granitic pegmatites which contain large deposits of Mica are mined either by using open-pit surface mining or underground mining. In using the former (open-pit surface mining) a shaft is sunk into the pegmatite containing semi-hard pegmatite ore in order to locate the vein with the mineral and also to know the quality and quantity of the Mica that might be recovered.
In using the latter (underground mining), the shaft is driven through the pegmatite at the right angles using air drills, hoists, and explosives, after the blast, the mica is picked and moved for trimming where it is graded, split, and cut to various specified sizes for sale.
Flake Mica Mining:
Unlike the sheet mica that is gotten only from pegmatites, the flake mica is gotten from many sources, such as schist (metamorphic rock) which is a by-product of processing the resources of feldspar and also kaolin from pegmatites and placer deposits.
The conventional open-pit method is used for flake mica, the mica-bearing ore in the hard-rock is drilled into and then blasted after which the ore is size reduced and transported to the processing plant, where feldspar, quartz, and mica are extracted.
Muscovite mica is the most common type of mica and also the most sought after because of its wide applications such as in the manufacturing of fireproofing and insulating materials. It is also deposited in Nigeria and in large quantities in the Northern part of the country.
Uses of Mica:
- Mica is used as a joint cement and in electronic insulators.
- It can also serve as a dusting agent, lubricant, in plastics, rubber, and welding rods.
- In the paint industry, ground mica is used as a pigment extender, prevents shrinking and reduces chalking.
- Mica, when ground can be used as an additive to drilling fluids by well-drilling industries.
- It is also used as a surface coating to prevent sticking of adjacent surfaces.
- When ground, mica in a dry form, can be conveniently used in the production of asphalt shingles and rolled roofing.
- Mica is also used as an insulator in concrete blocks and home attics.
- It can also be used as a soil conditioner.
You can see that Nigeria is blessed with different types of solid minerals that can be used for various things needed by the rest of the world.
Stay with us for more.
Our company is one of the best companies in Agro-Export Business in Nigeria today. We train individuals and corporate organizations on how to do Export Business the right way; if you are interested, please contact the admin of this forum now for further details.
