Carboniferous Bentonites of 10th Khutor Deposit (Russia): Geology, Mineralogy, Genesis and Properties.

Abstract

10th Khutor deposit is located in the Republic of Khakassia and confined to the coalbearing formation of Carboniferous age within the development of continental tuff-sandyargillaceous sediments. In terms of mineral composition, bentonites are mainly composed of Al-rich montmorillonite. The content of montmorillonite reaches a maximum of 70-75%, with an average content of 55 to 70%. It is one of the main sources of bentonite for the metallurgical and foundry industries in Russia. One of the distinctive features of bentonites from the 10th Khutor deposit is that despite the age of the deposit, about 350 million years, and the presence of an initial phase of metamorphism, as evidenced by the formation of hard coal, these bentonites retained the ability to swell and have high thermal stability. The formation of bentonites is associated with the decomposition of volcanic ash of rhyodacite and dacite composition in zones of shallow seawaterbays and lagoons. The properties of bentonite were influenced by the initial stage of metamorphism.The main purpose of this work was to establish the conditions for the formation of this deposit, as well as to study the features of the mineral composition and physicochemical properties of these raw materials. In addition to fundamental issues, the aim of the work was applied research on the properties and quality of bentonites.