Minerals / Ceramics

In the Piedmont region of the state of North Carolina lies what is known as the "slate belt" which runs northeasterly and southwesterly from Virginia to South Carolina. Within this belt a number of lenticular, pod-like deposits of pyrophyllite appear as intrusions in the host quartzite rock and usually have a sericite periphery. Many of these deposits consist of foliated and crystalline pyrophyllite, while the "Hillsborough" deposit is made up mostly of the massive variety of pyrophyllite. Uniquely, this formation is masked by the mineral andalusite, which increases the refractoriness of this natural mineral combination. This Piedmont Minerals deposit, being the only andalusite mined commercially in the United States today, has been mined since 1958, producing this unusual refractory ore from the Hillsborough location for use in many high temperature applications. Beneficiation of this ore has been increased over the years to give the maximum output of superduty refractory grain with an extremely high level of purity. The refractoriness of this high purity grain is greater than most other grains of equal or somewhat higher alumina content. The natural combination of andalusite and massive pyrophyllite provides an excellent source of alumina and silica for whitewares and other ceramic products. Blends of this mineral combination with quartz and sericite have been formulated to accommodate many different applications in the foundry and ceramic markets. High-density ceramic-lined pebble mills are used to produce various finely ground andalusite/pyrophyllite materials. The fact that a major portion of the total alumina and silica content in these products is found in the minerals andalusite and pyrophyllite makes the "Hillsborough" deposit a most important raw material.

Cedar Heights Clay is located in the southern portion of Ohio, near the historic village of Oak Hill. The company began mining and processing the local clays in 1924, primarily to serve the Ohio ceramic industry. Since that time, the uses for these clays have expanded to include the foundry, steel, refractory, filler, hobby clay, structural clay, and artware industries, both foreign and domestic. With proven clay reserves and two processing plants, Cedar Heights Clay is positioned and equipped to supply many industries with high quality clays, well into the 21st Century.

Brochures:

"Resco Minerals. Consistent Performance Pure and Simple"
"Do you have concerns about the health and safety of Crystalline Silica in your work place"

Additional Information:

For further assistance with Mineral or Ceramic applications, contact Larry McGee at larry.mcgee@rescoproducts.com