Bentonite

Bentonite in Kutch District, Gujarat State, India where Mahavir Minerals is presently operating, occurs in Supra Trappean formation of lower Eocene period that lies over trap formation.

It generally lies between Laterite and basalt belt. It occurs below an overburden of 1 to 8 meters thick and extends downwards to a depth of 10 to 12 meters. Field evidence shows that Basalt has been geo-chemically weathered in-situ dominantly into clays of different composition. Basaltic rocks containing calcium, magnesium tend to weather in to montmorillonite, the predominant clay of Bentonite. Bentonite is a grit free soft material and the lumps colours are red, pale yellow, light green, dark green or light brown depending upon surrounding conditions at the time of formation. Bentonite is classified into two types on the basis of ratio of exchangeable calcium and sodium ions.

Bentonite Classification

CALCIUM BENTONITE

Calcium Bentonite is created if exchangeable calcium ions are in predominance over exchangeable sodium ions. This is a non swelling type Bentonite. Calcium Bentonite finds its application in bleaching earth, petlitter, animal feed etc.

SODIUM BENTONITE

Sodium Bentonite is created if exchangeable sodium ions dominate over calcium and magnesium ions. It has good swelling, binding, gelling and rheological properties, these properties can further be enhanced by proper use of soda ash (Light), polyacrylates, CMC etc. Sodium Bentonite with enhanced binding properties finds its application in foundry, iron ore pelletising, drilling, environmental protection & water proofing, Pilng, Refractories etc..