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Carbonatite source material Carbonatite crushed with LITech jaw crusher

Carbonatites

Shredding

The comminution of carbonatites at all scales requires a close coordination of equipment technology, process parameters, and material properties. In the example shown here, the comminution was carried out using our jaw crusher.

Task size:
50 kg per batch
Final fineness:
10-20 µm
Throughput:
approx. 200 kg/h
Machine:
Jaw crushers
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Frequently Asked Questions

Carbonatites are relatively rare, SiO2-undersaturated, igneous rocks with a carbonate mineral content of > 50 vol.%. Due to the low occurrence of felsic minerals (quartz, feldspar, and feldspar species), they are classified as ultramafic rocks.

Hardness and brittleness

  • Calcite (Mohs hardness 3) and dolomite (Mohs hardness 3–3,5) are much easier to crush than hard silicates.
  • At the same time, carbonates tend to produce fine, partly colloidal fines during rapid fracture processes and can lead to “sludge formation”.

Grain size distribution

  • Natural carbonatites usually occur in blocks of a few centimeters to several decimeters.
  • For analytical methods or chemical treatment (e.g. fertilizer or REE digestion), particles < 100 µm to < 2 mm are required.

Chemical reactivity

  • Freshly broken carbonate surfaces react rapidly with water vapor or diluted acids, which can lead to increased dust formation and CO₂ release, especially in the case of fine grain sizes.
Klaus Ebenauer

Ing. Klaus Ebenauer

info@litechgmbh.com
+43 1 99 717 55

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