2023
General information and occurrence
In Poland the name ‘kaolin’ is referred to a white or yellowish soft clayey rock mainly built of minerals of the kaolinite group. Kaolin originates in the result of weathering or hydrothermal decomposition of igneous and metamorphic rocks rich in feldspars. From the origin point of view, kaolin can be divided into: residual kaolin (primary – originated as an in-situ decomposition of a parent rock) and sedimentary kaolin (secondary – formed in the result of wash down of a weathered parent rock, transport and deposition of weathering products in the other place.
The name of kaolin raw materials is referred to the Upper Cretaceous sandstones with a kaolinite cement, occurring in the North Sudetic Depression. To this group of raw materials there was also assigned the deposit of basalts weathering products Dunino, originally documented as a halloysite raw material deposit (in 1983). The re-assessing of the deposit resulted in re-classifying it to the kaolinite raw materials (in 1997).
The deposits of kaolin raw materials in Poland originated in the result of a regional kaolinization of acid igneous and metamorphic rocks throughout vast areas in the foreland of the Sudety Mts. The process covered the Strzegom-Sobótka and Strzelin granitoid massifs as well as some parts of the Sowie Mts. and Izerskie Mts. In the Neogene the weathering processes gave rise to the origin of thick weathering covers. The kaolin deposits belong to 2 types – the residual kaolin or the kaolin sedimentary in nature, spatially related to the parent rocks. In both cases the deposits are located within the areas of the above mentioned massifs of granites and metamorphic rocks.
High-quality kaolin materials, currently these representing a fraction below 15 µm, are used in the manufacture of ceramics, rubber, polymers and fiberglass industries. In turn, coarser fractions find use in the making of recently fashionable ceramic wall and floor tiles of a „gres porcellanato” type, the production of which requires the washed kaolin with a very low content of coloring oxides (TiO2 and Fe2O3). The kaolin raw materials are also used for the manufacture of stoneware ceramics, white cement and fire-proof materials. Kaolin is also obtained in the glass sands mine (Biała Góra) and the foundry sands mine (Grudzeń-Las).
Kaolin deposits occurence is presented on the map.
Resources and output
Table 1 shows resources and the state of development and exploration of kaolin raw materials in Poland.
Table 1. Kaolin – million tonnesAnticipated economic resources of kaolin amounted to 225.53 million tonnes as of 31.12.2023 and decreased by 0.27 million tonnes in comparison with the previous year. The drop resulted from exploitation. The anticipated economic resources of 2 exploited deposits amount to 52.50 million tonnes and account for 23.28% of total anticipated economic resources.
The economic resources declined by 0.27 million tonnes (by 0.51%) due to the output and amounted to 44.46 million tonnes in 2023 which accounts for 85% of the anticipated economic resources of exploited deposits.
In 2023, the output of kaolin raw materials dropped by 41.45 thousand tonnes (by 13%) in comparison with the previous year and was equal 276.12 thousand tonnes, from which the majority was exploited from the Maria III-1 deposit (275.65 thousand tonnes) and only a minor part (0.47 thousand tonnes) of the raw material from the Dunino deposit.
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of kaolin in Poland in the years 1989-2023.
The prognostic resources of kaolin raw materials are assessed to be equal 38.44 million tonnes and the prospective resources to be equal 59.97 million tonnes*.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
* Lewicka E., 2020 – ‘Kaoliny (kaolin)’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 340-344. PIG-PIB, Warszawa [in Polish].
2022
General information and occurrence
In Poland the name ‘kaolin’ is referred to a white or yellowish soft clayey rock mainly built of minerals of the kaolinite group. Kaolin originates in the result of weathering or hydrothermal decomposition of igneous and metamorphic rocks rich in feldspars. From the origin point of view, kaolin can be divided into: residual kaolin (primary – originated as an in-situ decomposition of a parent rock) and sedimentary kaolin (secondary – formed in the result of wash down of a weathered parent rock, transport and deposition of weathering products in the other place.
The name of kaolin raw materials is referred to the Upper Cretaceous sandstones with a kaolinite cement, occurring in the North Sudetic Depression. To this group of raw materials there was also assigned the deposit of basalts weathering products Dunino, originally documented as a halloysite raw material deposit (in 1983). The re-assessing of the deposit resulted in re-classifying it to the kaolinite raw materials (in 1997).
The deposits of kaolin raw materials in Poland originated in the result of a regional kaolinization of acid igneous and metamorphic rocks throughout vast areas in the foreland of the Sudety Mts. The process covered the Strzegom-Sobótka and Strzelin granitoid massifs as well as some parts of the Sowie Mts. and Izerskie Mts. In the Neogene the weathering processes gave rise to the origin of thick weathering covers. The kaolin deposits belong to 2 types – the residual kaolin or the kaolin sedimentary in nature, spatially related to the parent rocks. In both cases the deposits are located within the areas of the above mentioned massifs of granites and metamorphic rocks.
High-quality kaolin materials, currently these representing a fraction below 15 µm, are used in the manufacture of ceramics, rubber, polymers and fiberglass industries. In turn, coarser fractions find use in the making of recently fashionable ceramic wall and floor tiles of a „gres porcellanato” type, the production of which requires the washed kaolin with a very low content of coloring oxides (TiO2 and Fe2O3). The kaolin raw materials are also used for the manufacture of stoneware ceramics, white cement and fire-proof materials. Kaolin is also obtained in the glass sands mine (Biała Góra) and the foundry sands mine (Grudzeń-Las).
Kaolin deposits occurence is presented on the map.
Resources and output
Table 1 shows resources and the state of development and exploration of kaolin raw materials in Poland.
Anticipated economic resources of kaolin amounted to 225.80 million tonnes as of 31.12.2022 and decreased by 0.32 million tonnes in comparison with the previous year. The drop resulted from the exploitation. The anticipated economic resources of 2 exploited deposits amount to 52.77 million tonnes and account for 23.37% of total anticipated economic resources.
The economic resources declined by 0.32 million tonnes (by 0.71%) due to the output and amounted to 44.73 million tonnes in 2022 which accounts for 85% of the anticipated economic resources of exploited deposits.
In 2022, the output of kaolin raw materials grew by 2.53 thousand tonnes (by 0.8%) in comparison with the previous year and was equal 317.57 thousand tonnes, from which the majority was exploited from the Maria III-1 deposit (316.65 thousand tonnes) and only a minor part (0.92 thousand tonnes) of the raw material from the Dunino deposit.
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of kaolin in Poland in the years 1989-2022.
The prognostic resources of kaolin raw materials are assessed to be equal 38.44 million tonnes and the prospective resources to be equal 59.97 million tonnes*.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
* Lewicka E., 2020 – ‘Kaoliny (kaolin)’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 340-344. PIG-PIB, Warszawa [in Polish].
2021
General information and occurrence
In Poland the name ‘kaolin’ is referred to a white or yellowish soft clayey rock mainly built of minerals of the kaolinite group. Kaolin originates in the result of weathering or hydrothermal decomposition of igneous and metamorphic rocks rich in feldspars. From the origin point of view, kaolin can be divided into: residual kaolin (primary – originated as an in-situ decomposition of a parent rock) and sedimentary kaolin (secondary – formed in the result of wash down of a weathered parent rock, transport and deposition of weathering products in the other place.
The name of kaolin raw materials is referred to the Upper Cretaceous sandstones with a kaolinite cement, occurring in the North Sudetic Depression. To this group of raw materials there was also assigned the deposit of basalts weathering products Dunino, originally documented as a halloysite raw material deposit (in 1983). The re-assessing of the deposit resulted in re-classifying it to the kaolinite raw materials (in 1997).
The deposits of kaolin raw materials in Poland originated in the result of a regional kaolinization of acid igneous and metamorphic rocks throughout vast areas in the foreland of the Sudety Mts. The process covered the Strzegom-Sobótka and Strzelin granitoid massifs as well as some parts of the Sowie Mts. and Izerskie Mts. In the Neogene the weathering processes gave rise to the origin of thick weathering covers. The kaolin deposits belong to two types – the residual kaolin or the kaolin sedimentary in nature, spatially related to the parent rocks. In both cases the deposits are located within the areas of the above mentioned massifs of granites and metamorphic rocks.
High-quality kaolin materials, currently these representing a fraction below 15 µm, are used in the manufacture of ceramics, rubber, polymers and fiberglass industries. In turn, coarser fractions find use in the making of recently fashionable ceramic wall and floor tiles of a ‘gres porcellanato’ type, the production of which requires the washed kaolin with a very low content of coloring oxides (TiO2 and Fe2O3). The kaolin raw materials are also used for the manufacture of stoneware ceramics, white cement and fire-proof materials. Kaolin is also obtained in the glass sands mine (Biała Góra) and the foundry sands mine (Grudzeń-Las).
Kaolin deposits occurence is presented on the map.
Resources and output
Table 1 shows resources and the state of development and exploration of kaolin raw materials in Poland.
Anticipated economic resources of kaolin amounted to 226.12 million tonnes as of 31.12.2021 and decreased by 0.31 million tonnes in comparison with the previous year. The drop resulted from the exploitation. The anticipated economic resources of two exploited deposits amount to 53.09 million tonnes and account for 23.48% of total anticipated economic resources.
The economic resources declined by 0.32 million tonnes (by 0.69%) due to the output and amounted to 45.05 million tonnes in 2021 which accounts for 85% of the anticipated economic resources of exploited deposits.
In 2021, the output of kaolin raw materials grew by 22.10 thousand tonnes (by 7.5%) in comparison with the previous year and was equal 315.04 thousand tonnes, from which the exploitation of the Maria III-1 deposit gave 314.50 thousand tonnes and of the Dunino deposit only 0.54 thousand tonnes of the raw material.
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of kaolin in Poland in the years 1989-2021.
The prognostic resources of kaolin raw materials are assessed to be equal 38.44 million tonnes and the prospective resources to be equal 59.97 million tonnes*.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
* Lewicka E., 2020 – ‘Kaoliny (kaolin)’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 340-344. PIG-PIB, Warszawa [in Polish].
2020
General information and occurrence
In Poland the name kaolin is referred to a white or yellowish soft clayey rock mainly built of minerals of the kaolinite group. Kaolin originates in the result of a weathering or a hydrothermal decomposition of igneous and metamorphic rocks rich in feldspars. From the origin point of view, kaolin can be divided into residual kaolin (primary – originated as an in-situ decomposition of a parent rock) and sedimentary kaolin (secondary – formed in the result of wash down of a weathered parent rock, transport and a deposition of weathering products in the other place.
The name of kaolin raw materials is referred to the Upper Cretaceous sandstones with a kaolinite cement, occurring in the North Sudetic Depression. To this group of raw materials there was also assigned the deposit of basalts weathering products Dunino, originally documented as a halloysite raw material deposit (in 1983). The re-assessing of the deposit resulted in re-classifying it to the kaolinite raw materials (in 1997).
The deposits of kaolin raw materials in Poland originated in the result of a regional kaolinization of acid igneous and metamorphic rocks throughout vast areas in the foreland of the Sudety Mts. The process covered the Strzegom-Sobótka and Strzelin granitoid massifs as well as some parts of the Sowie Mts. and Izerskie Mts. In the Neogene the weathering processes gave rise to the origin of thick weathering covers. The kaolin deposits belong to two types – the residual kaolin or the kaolin sedimentary in nature, spatially related to the parent rocks. In both cases the deposits are located within the areas of the above mentioned massifs of granites and metamorphic rocks.
High-quality kaolin materials, that are those representing a fraction below 15 µm, are used in the manufacture of ceramics, rubber, polymers and fiberglass industries. In turn, coarser fractions find use in the making of recently fashionable ceramic wall and floor tiles of a ‘gres porcellanato’ type, the production of which requires the washed kaolin with a very low content of coloring oxides (TiO2 and Fe2O3). The kaolin raw materials are also used for the manufacture of stoneware ceramics, white cement and fire-proof products. Kaolin is also obtained in the glass sands mines (Biała Góra) and the foundry sands mines (Grudzeń-Las).
Kaolin deposits occurence is presented on the map.
Resources and output
Table 1 shows resources and the state of development and exploration of kaolin raw materials in Poland.
Anticipated economic resources of kaolin amounted to 226.43 million tonnes as of 31.12.2020 and increased by 0.56 million tonnes in comparison with the previous year. The growth was the result of a new deposit Dunino I documentation (853.35 thousand tonnes), the exploitation and losses. The anticipated economic resources of 2 exploited deposits amount to 53.41 million tonnes and account for 23.59% of total anticipated economic resources.
The economic resources declined by 0.29 million tonnes in the result of the output and amounted to 45.37 million tonnes in 2020 which accounts for 85% of the anticipated economic resources of exploited deposits.
In 2020, the output of kaolin raw materials decreased by 24.25 thousand tonnes (7.6%) in comparison with the previous year and was equal 292.94 thousand tonnes, from which the exploitation of Maria III-1 deposit gave 291.00 thousand tonnes and of Dunino deposit only 1,940 tonnes of the raw material.
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of kaolin in Poland in the years 1989-2020.
The prognostic resources of kaolin raw materials are assessed to be equal 38.44 million tonnes and the prospective resources to be equal 59.97 million tonnes*.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
* Lewicka E., 2020 – ‘Kaoliny (kaolin)’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 340-344. PIG-PIB, Warszawa [in Polish].
2019
General information and occurrence
In Poland the name kaolin is referred to a white or yellowish soft clayey rock mainly built of minerals of the kaolinite group. Kaolin originates in the result of a weathering or a hydrothermal decomposition of igneous and metamorphic rocks rich in feldspars. From the origin point of view, kaolin can be divided into residual kaolin (primary – originated as an in-situ decomposition of a parent rock) and sedimentary kaolin (secondary – formed in the result of wash down of a weathered parent rock, transport and a deposition of weathering products in the other place.
The name of kaolin raw materials is referred to the Upper Cretaceous sandstones with a kaolinite cement, occurring in the North Sudetic Depression. To this group of raw materials there was also assigned the deposit of basalts weathering products Dunino, originally documented as a halloysite raw material deposit (in 1983). The re-assessing of the deposit resulted in re-classifying it to the kaolinite raw materials (in 1997).
Deposits of kaolin raw materials in Poland originated in the result of a regional kaolinization of acid igneous and metamorphic rocks throughout vast areas in the foreland of the Sudety Mts. The process covered the Strzegom-Sobótka and Strzelin granitoid massifs as well as some parts of the Sowie Mts. and Izerskie Mts. In the Neogene the weathering processes gave rise to the origin of thick weathering covers. The kaolin deposits belong to two types – the residual kaolin or the kaolin sedimentary in nature, spatially related to the parent rocks. In both cases the deposits are located within the areas of the above mentioned massifs of granites and metamorphic rocks.
High-quality kaolin materials, that are those representing a fraction below 15 µm, are used in the manufacture of ceramics, rubber, polymers and fiberglass industries. In turn, coarser fractions find use in the making of recently fashionable ceramic wall and floor tiles of a ‘gres porcellanato’ type, the production of which requires the washed kaolin with a very low content of coloring oxides (TiO2 and Fe2O3). The kaolin raw materials are also used for the manufacture of stoneware ceramics, white cement and fire-proof products. Kaolin is also obtained in the glass sands mines (Biała Góra) and the foundry sands mines (Grudzeń-Las).
Kaolin deposits occurence is presented on the map.
Resources and output
Table 1 shows resources and the state of development and exploration of kaolin raw materials in Poland.
Anticipated economic resources of kaolin amounted to 225.87 million tonnes as of 31.12.2019 and decreased by 0.32 million tonnes in comparison with the previous year due to the exploitation and losses. There were not any new documentation or a documentation with recalculated resources of kaolin approved in 2019.
The anticipated economic resources of 2 exploited deposits amount to 53.70 million tonnes and account for 23.77% of total anticipated economic resources.
The economic resources declined in the result of the output and amounted to 45.66 million tonnes in 2019 which accounts for 85% of the anticipated economic resources of exploited deposits.
In 2019, the output of kaolin raw materials increased by about 2% in comparison with the previous year and was equal 317.19 thousand tonnes, from which the exploitation of Maria III-1 deposit gave 315.50 thousand tonnes and of Dunino deposit only 1,690 tonnes of the raw material. The total output volume was the biggest one considering the last 11 years.
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of kaolin in Poland in the years 1989-2019.
The prognostic resources of kaolin raw materials are assessed to be equal 38.44 million tonnes and the prospective resources to be equal 59.97 million tonnes*.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
* Lewicka E., 2020 – ‘Kaoliny (kaolin)’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 340-344. PIG-PIB, Warszawa.
2018
In Poland the name kaolin is referred to a white or yellowish soft clayey rock mainly built of minerals of the kaolinite group. Kaolin originates in the result of a weathering or a hydrothermal decomposition of igneous and metamorphic rocks rich in feldspars. From the origin point of view, kaolin can be divided into residual kaolin (primary – originated as an in-situ decomposition of a parent rock) and sedimentary kaolin (secondary – formed in the result of wash down of a weathered parent rock, transport and a deposition of weathering products in the other place.
The name of kaolin raw materials is referred to the Upper Cretaceous sandstones with a kaolinite cement occurring in the North Sudetic Depression. To this group of raw materials there were also assigned the deposit of basalts weathering products Dunino, originally documented as a halloysite raw material deposit. The re-assessing of the deposit resulted in re-classifying it to the kaolinite raw materials.
Deposits of kaolin raw materials in Poland originated in the result of a regional kaolinization of acid igneous and metamorphic rocks throughout vast areas in the foreland of the Sudety Mts. The process covered the Strzegom-Sobótka and Strzelin granitoid massifs as well as some parts of the Sowie Mts. and Izerskie Mts. In the Neogene the weathering processes gave rise to the origin of thick weathering covers. The kaolin deposits belong to two types – the residual kaolin or the kaolin sedimentary in nature, spatially related to the parent rocks. In both cases the deposits are located within the areas of the above mentioned massifs of granites and metamorphic rocks.
High-quality kaolin materials, that are those representing a fraction below 15 µm, are used in the manufacture of ceramics, rubber, polymers and fiberglass industries. In turn, coarser fractions find use in the making of recently fashionable ceramic wall and floor tiles of a ‘gres porcellanato’ type, the production of which requires the washed kaolin with a very low content of coloring oxides (TiO2 and Fe2O3). The kaolin raw materials are also used for the manufacture of stoneware ceramics, white cement and fire-proof products.
Kaolin is being also obtained in the exploitation of glass sands (Biała Góra deposit) and foundry sands (Grudzeń-Las deposit).
Kaolin deposits occurence is presented on the map.
Table 1 shows resources and the state of development and exploration of kaolin raw materials in Poland.
Anticipated economic resources of kaolin amounted to 226.19 million tonnes in 2018 and decreased by 0.31 million tonnes in comparison with the previous year due to the exploitation and losses. There were not any new documentation or a documentation with recalculated resources of kaolin approved in 2018.
Anticipated economic resources of two exploited deposits amount to 54.02 million tonnes and account for 23.88% of total anticipated economic resources.
Economic resources, after the drop to the level of several hundred thousand tonnes (due to the formal issues – the lack of the deposit development plan for the exploitation area of Maria III and Maria III-1 deposits), increased again and amounted almost 46 million tonnes in 2018 due to the deposit development plan elaborated for Maria III-1 deposit.
In 2018, the output of kaolin raw materials increased by about 9% in comparison with the previous year and was equal 310.85 thousand tonnes, from which the exploitation of Maria III-1 deposit gave 309.50 thousand tonnes and of Dunino deposit only 1,350 tonnes of the raw material (Table 2).
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of kaolin in Poland in the years 1989-2018.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
2017
In Poland the name kaolin is referred to a white or yellowish soft clay rock mainly built of minerals of the kaolinite group. Kaolin originates in the result of a weathering or a hydrothermal decomposition of igneous and metamorphic rocks rich in feldspars. From the origin point of view, a differentiation is made between residual kaolin that is derived from an in-situ decomposition of a parent rock, and sedimentary kaolin, formed in the result of wash down of a weathered parent rock, transport and a deposition of weathering products in the other place.
The name of kaolin raw material is also referred to the Upper Cretaceous sandstones with a kaolinite cement which occur in the North Sudetic Depression. The re-analysis of Dunino deposit of basalts weathering products, originally treated as a halloysite deposit, showed that it actually represents kaolinite raw material and should be assigned to this group.
Polish deposits of kaolin raw materials originated in the result of a regional kaolinization which affected acid igneous and metamorphic rocks throughout vast areas in the foreland of the Sudety Mts., especially the Strzegom-Sobótka and Strzelin granitoid massifs as well as some parts of the Sowie Mts. and Izerskie Mts. In the Neogene times the weathering processes gave rise to the origin of thick weathering covers and, in this way, kaolin deposits. Two types of kaolin deposits are recognized here: the deposits comprising residual material and those sedimentary in nature. In both cases the deposits appear spatially related to parent rocks and confined to areas of the above mentioned massifs of granites and metamorphic rocks.
High-quality kaolin materials, that are those representing a fraction below 15 µm, are used in the manufacture of ceramics, rubber, polymers and fiberglass industries. In turn, coarser fractions find use in making recently fashionable ceramic wall and floor tiles of a ‘gres porcellanato’ type, the production of which requires washed kaolin with a very low content of coloring oxides such as TiO2 and Fe2O3. Kaolin is also used as the raw material for the manufacture of stoneware ceramics, white cement and fire-proof products.
The demand for kaolin raw materials is largely covered by the production from domestic deposits so the share of import remains relatively small. Kaolin is being obtained also as a by-product in the exploitation of glass sands (Biała Góra depsit) and foundry sands (Grudzeń-Las deposit).
Kaolin deposits occurence is presented on the map.
Table 1 shows resources and the state of development and exploration of kaolin raw materials in Poland.
Anticipated economic resources of kaolin amounted to 211.78 million tonnes in 2017 and decreased by 299.84 thousand tonnes in comparison with the previous year due to the exploitation and losses.
Anticipated economic resources of two exploited deposits amounted to 79.11 million tonnes (37% of total anticipated economic resources).
Economic resources decreased due to the exploitation and amounted to 71.06 million tonnes in 2017 which accounts for 90% of anticipated economic resources of exploited deposits.
In 2017, the production of kaolin raw materials was bigger than in 2016 and was equal 299.83 thousand tonnes. The exploitation of Maria III deposit gave 298.60 thousand tonnes and of Dunino deposit only 1,230 tonnes of the raw material (Table 2).
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of kaolin in Poland in the years 1989-2017.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
2016
In Poland the name kaolin is referred to white or yellowish soft clay rock mainly built of minerals of the kaolinite group. Kaolin originates in the result of a weathering or a hydrothermal decomposition of igneous and metamorphic rocks rich in feldspars. From the origin point of view, differentiation is made between residual kaolin that is derived from in-situ decomposition of parent rock, and sedimentary kaolin, formed in the result of wash down of weathered parent rock, transport and deposition of weathering products in the other place.
The name of kaolin raw material is also referred to Upper Cretaceous sandstones with kaolinite cement which occur in the North Sudetic Depression. The re-analysis of Dunino deposit of basalts weathering products, originally treated as a halloysite deposit, showed that it actually represents kaolinite raw material and should be assigned to this group.
Polish deposits of kaolin raw materials originated in the result of a regional kaolinization which affected acid igneous and metamorphic rocks throughout vast areas in the foreland of the Sudety Mts., especially the Strzegom-Sobótka and Strzelin granitoid massifs as well as some parts of the Sowie Mts. and Izerskie Mts. In the Neogene times the weathering processes gave rise to origin of thick weathering covers and, in this way, kaolin deposits. Two types of kaolin deposits are recognized here: the deposits comprising residual material and those sedimentary in nature. In both cases the deposits appear spatially related to parent rocks and confined to areas of the above mentioned massifs of granites and metamorphic rocks.
High-quality kaolin materials, that are those representing fraction below 15 µm, are used in the manufacture of ceramics, rubber, polymers and fiberglass industries. In turn, coarser fractions find use in making recently fashionable ceramic wall and floor tiles of ‘gres porcellanato’ type, the production of which requires washed kaolin with very low content of coloring oxides such as TiO2 and Fe2O3. Kaolin is also used as the raw material for the manufacture of stoneware ceramics, white cement and fire-proof products.
The demand for kaolin raw materials is largely covered by the production from domestic deposits so the share of import remains relatively small. Kaolin is being obtained also as a by-product in the exploitation of glass sands (Biała Góra depsit) and foundry sands (Grudzeń-Las deposit).
Kaolin deposits occurence is presented on the map.
Table 1 shows resources and the state of development and exploration of kaolin raw materials in Poland.
Anticipated economic resources of kaolin amounted to 211.78 million tonnes in 2016 and decreased by 299.84 thousand tonnes in comparison with the previous year due to the exploitation and losses.
Anticipated economic resources of two exploited deposits amounted to 79.11 million tonnes (37% of total anticipated economic resources).
Economic resources decreased due to the exploitation and amounted to 71.06 million tonnes in 2016 which accounts for 90% of anticipated economic resources of exploited deposits.
In 2016, the production of kaolin raw materials was bigger than in 2015 and was equal 299.83 thousand tonnes. Exploitation of Maria III deposit gave 298.60 thousand tonnes and of Dunino deposit only 1,230 tonnes of the raw material (table 2).
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of kaolin in Poland in the years 1989-2016.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
2015
In Poland the name kaolin is referred to soft clay rock (from white to yellowish colour) mainly built of minerals of the kaolinite group. Kaolin originates in result of weathering or hydrothermal decomposition of igneous and metamorphic rocks rich in feldspars. From the origin point of view, differentiation is made between residual kaolin, that is derived from in-situ decomposition of parent rock, and sedimentary kaolin, formed in result of wash down of weathered parent rock and transport and deposition of weathering products in other place.
The name of kaolin raw material is also referred to Upper Cretaceous sandstones with kaolinite cement which occur in the North Sudetic Depression. The re-analysis of Dunino deposit of weathering products of basalts, originally treated as a halloysite deposit, showed that it actually represents kaolinite raw material and should be assigned to this group.
Polish deposits of kaolin raw material originated in result of a regional kaolinization which affected acid igneous and metamorphic rocks throughout vast areas in the foreland of the Sudety Mts, especially the Strzegom-Sobótka and Strzelin granitoid massifs as well as some parts of the Sowie Mts and Izerskie Mts. In the Neogene times the weathering processes gave rise to origin of thick weathering covers and, in this way, kaolin deposits. Two types of kaolin deposits are recognized here: the deposits comprising residual material and those sedimentary in nature. In both cases the deposits appear spatially related to parent rocks and confined to areas of the above mentioned massifs of granites and metamorphic rocks.
High-quality kaolin materials, that are those representing fraction below 15 µm, are used in the manufacture of ceramics, rubber, polymers and fiberglass. In turn, coarser fractions find use in making recently fashionable ceramic wall and floor tiles of ‘gres porcellanato” type, production of which requires washed kaolin with very low content of coloring oxides such as TiO2 and Fe2O3. Kaolin is also used as raw material for the manufacture of stoneware ceramics, white cement and fire-proof products.
The demand for kaolin raw materials is largely covered by production from domestic deposits so the share of import remains relatively small. Kaolin is also being obtained as by-product in exploitation of glass sands (Biała Góra deposit) and foundry sands (Grudzeń-Las deposit).
Kaolin deposits occurence is presented on the map.
Table 1 shows resources and the state of development and exploration of kaolin raw materials in Poland.
Anticipated economic resources of kaolin amounted to 212.08 million tonnes in 2015 and decreased by 286.65 thousand tonnes in comparison with the previous year due to the exploitation and losses.
Anticipated economic resources of two exploited deposits amounted to 79.41 million tonnes (37% of total anticipated economic resources).
Economic resources decreased due to the exploitation and amounted to 71.36 million tonnes in 2015 which accounts for 90% of anticipated economic resources of exploited deposits.
In 2015, production of kaolin raw materials was bigger than in 2014 and was equal 286.65 thousand tonnes. Exploitation of the Maria III deposit gave 285.30 thousand tonnes and of the Dunino deposit only 1,350 tonnes of raw material (table 2).
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
2014
In Poland the name kaolin is referred to soft clay rock (from white to yellowish colour) mainly built of minerals of the kaolinite group. Kaolin originates in result of weathering or hydrothermal decomposition of igneous and metamorphic rocks rich in feldspars. From the origin point of view, differentiation is made between residual kaolin, that is derived from in-situ decomposition of parent rock, and sedimentary kaolin, formed in result of wash down of weathered parent rock and transport and deposition of weathering products in other place.
The name of kaolin raw material is also referred to Upper Cretaceous sandstones with kaolinite cement which occur in the North Sudetic Depression. The re-analysis of the Dunino deposit of weathering products of basalts, originally treated as a halloysite deposit, showed that it actually represents kaolinite raw material and should be assigned to this group.
Polish deposits of kaolin raw material originated in result of a regional kaolinization which affected acid igneous and metamorphic rocks throughout vast areas in the foreland of the Sudety Mts, especially the Strzegom-Sobótka and Strzelin granitoid massifs as well as some parts of the Sowie Góry and Izerskie Mts. In the Tertiary times the weathering processes gave rise to origin of thick weathering covers and, in this way, kaolin deposits. Two types of kaolin deposits are recognized here: the deposits comprising residual material and those sedimentary in nature. In both cases the deposits appear spatially related to parent rocks and confined to areas of the above mentioned massifs of granites and metamorphic rocks.
High-quality kaolin materials, that are those representing fraction below 15 µm, are used in the manufacture of ceramics, rubber, polymers and fiberglass. In turn, coarser fractions find use in making recently fashionable ceramic wall and floor tiles of ‘gres porcellanato’ type, production of which requires washed kaolin with very low content of coloring oxides such as TiO2 and Fe2O3. Kaolin is also used as raw material for the manufacture of stoneware ceramics, white cement and fire-proof products.
The demand for kaolin raw materials is largely covered by production from domestic deposits so the share of import remains relatively small. Kaolin is also being obtained as by-product in exploitation of glass sands (Biała Góra) and foundry sands (Grudzeń-Las).
Kaolin deposits occurence is presented on the map.
Table 1 shows resources and the state of development and exploration of kaolin raw materials in Poland.
Anticipated economic resources of kaolin amounted to 212.36 million tonnes in 2014 and were slightly lower than in the previous year due to the exploitation.
Anticipated economic resources of two exploited deposits amounted to 79.70 million tonnes (34% of total anticipated economic resources).
Economic resources decreased due to the exploitation and amounted to 71.64 million tonnes in 2014 which accounts for 90% of anticipated economic resources of exploited deposits.
In 2014, production of kaolin raw materials was bigger than in 2013 and was equal 277.90 thousand tonnes. Exploitation of the Maria III deposit gave 277.44 thousand tonnes and of the Dunino deposit only 460 tonnes of raw material.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
2013
In Poland the name kaolin is referred to soft clay rock (from white to yellowish colour) mainly built of minerals of the kaolinite group. Kaolin originates in result of weathering or hydrothermal decomposition of igneous and metamorphic rocks rich in feldspars. From the origin point of view, differentiation is made between residual kaolin, that is derived from in-situ decomposition of parent rock, and sedimentary kaolin, formed in result of wash down of weathered parent rock and transport and deposition of weathering products in other place.
The name of kaolin raw material is also referred to Upper Cretaceous sandstones with kaolinite cement which occur in the North Sudetic Depression. The re-analysis of the Dunino deposit of weathering products of basalts, originally treated as a halloysite deposit, showed that it actually represents kaolinite raw material and should be assigned to this group.
Polish deposits of kaolin raw material originated in result of a regional kaolinization which affected acid igneous and metamorphic rocks throughout vast areas in the foreland of the Sudety Mts, especially the Strzegom-Sobótka and Strzelin granitoid massifs as well as some parts of the Sowie Góry and Izerskie Mts. In the Tertiary times the weathering processes gave rise to origin of thick weathering covers and, in this way, kaolin deposits. Two types of kaolin deposits are recognized here: the deposits comprising residual material and those sedimentary in nature. In both cases the deposits appear spatially related to parent rocks and confined to areas of the above mentioned massifs of granites and metamorphic rocks.
High-quality kaolin materials, that are those representing fraction below 15 µm, are used in the manufacture of ceramics, rubber, polymers and fiberglass. In turn, coarser fractions find use in making recently fashionable ceramic wall and floor tiles of ‘gres porcellanato’ type, production of which requires washed kaolin with very low content of coloring oxides such as TiO2 and Fe2O3. Kaolin is also used as raw material for the manufacture of stoneware ceramics, white cement and fire-proof products.
The demand for kaolin raw materials is largely covered by production from domestic deposits so the share of import remains relatively small. Kaolin is also being obtained as by-product in exploitation of glass sands (Biała Góra) and foundry sands (Grudzeń-Las).
Kaolin deposits occurence is presented on the map.
Table 1 shows resources and the state of development and exploration of kaolin raw materials in Poland.
Anticipated economic resources of kaolin amounted to 212.64 million tonnes in 2013 and were slightly lower than in the previous year due to the exploitation.
Anticipated economic resources of two exploited deposits amounted to 79.98 million tonnes (38% of total anticipated economic resources).
Economic resources decreased due to the exploitation and amounted to 71.92 million tonnes in 2013 which accounts for 90% of anticipated economic resources of exploited deposits.
In 2013, production of kaolin raw materials was bigger than in 2012 and was equal 268 thousand tonnes. Exploitation of the Maria III deposit gave 267.27 thousand tonnes and of the Dunino deposit only 460 tonnes of raw material.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
2012
In Poland the name kaolin is referred to white to yellowish soft clay rock mainly built of minerals of the kaolinite group. Kaolin originates in result of weathering or hydrothermal decomposition of igneous and metamorphic rocks rich in feldspars. From the point of view of origin, differentiation is made between residual kaolin, that is derived from in-situ decomposition of parent rock, and sedimentary kaolin, formed in result of wash down of weathered parent rock and transport and deposition of weathering products in other place.
The name of kaolin raw material is also referred to Upper Cretaceous sandstones with kaolinite cement which occur in the North Sudetic Depression. The re-analysis of the Dunino deposit of weathering products of basalts, originally treated as a halloysite deposit, showed that it actually represents kaolinite raw material and should be assigned to this group.
Polish deposits of kaolin raw material originated in result of a regional kaolinization which affected acid igneous and metamorphic rocks throughout vast areas in the foreland of the Sudety Mts, especially the Strzegom-Sobótka and Strzelin granitoid massifs as well as some parts of the Sowie Góry and Izerskie Mts. In the Tertiary times the weathering processes gave rise to origin of thick weathering covers and, in this way, kaolin deposits. Two types of kaolin deposits are recognized here: the deposits comprising residual material and those sedimentary in nature. In both cases the deposits appear spatially related to parent rocks and confined to areas of the above mentioned massifs of granites and metamorphic rocks.
Kaolin deposits occurence is presented on the map.
Table 1 shows resources and the state of development and exploration of kaolin raw materials in Poland.
Anticipated economic resources of kaolin amounted to 212.91 million tonnes in 2012.
Anticipated economic resources of exploited deposits amounted to 80.25 million tonnes (38% of anticipated economic resources).
Economic resources decreased due to the exploitation and amounted to 72.19 million tonnes in 2012 which accounts for 90% of anticipated economic resources of exploited deposits.
In the year 2012, production of kaolin raw materials was lower than in 2011 and was equal 249 thousand tonnes (table 2). Exploitation of the Maria III deposit gave 248.71 thousand tonnes and of the Dunino deposit only 380 tonnes of that raw material.
High-quality kaolin materials, that is those representing fraction below 15 µm, are used in the manufacture of ceramics, rubber, polymers and fiberglass. In turn, coarser fractions find use in making recently fashionable ceramic wall and floor tiles of ‘gres porcellanato’ type, production of which requires washed kaolin with very low content of coloring oxides such as TiO2 and Fe2O3. Kaolin is also used as raw material for the manufacture of stoneware ceramics, white cement and fire-proof products.
The demand for kaolin raw materials is largely covered by production from domestic deposits so the share of import remains relatively small. Kaolin is also being obtained as by-product in exploitation of glass sands (Biała Góra) and foundry sands (Grudzeń-Las).
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
2011
In Poland the name kaolin is referred to white to yellowish soft clay rock mainly built of minerals of the kaolinite group. Kaolin originates in result of weathering or hydrothermal decomposition of igneous and metamorphic rocks rich in feldspars. From the point of view of origin, differentiation is made between residual kaolin, that is derived from in-situ decomposition of parent rock, and sedimentary kaolin, formed in result of wash down of weathered parent rock and transport and deposition of weathering products in other place.
The name of kaolin raw material is also referred to Upper Cretaceous sandstones with kaolinite cement which occur in the North Sudetic Depression. The re-analysis of the Dunino deposit of weathering products of basalts, originally treated as a halloysite deposit, showed that it actually represents kaolinite raw material and should be assigned to this group.
Polish deposits of kaolin raw material originated in result of a regional kaolinization which affected acid igneous and metamorphic rocks throughout vast areas in the foreland of the Sudety Mts, especially the Strzegom-Sobótka and Strzelin granitoid massifs as well as some parts of the Sowie Góry and Izerskie Mts. In the Tertiary times the weathering processes gave rise to origin of thick weathering covers and, in this way, kaolin deposits. Two types of kaolin deposits are recognized here: the deposits comprising residual material and those sedimentary in nature. In both cases the deposits appear spatially related to parent rocks and confined to areas of the above mentioned massifs of granites and metamorphic rocks.
Kaolin deposits occurence is presented on the map.
Table 1 shows resources and the state of development and exploration of kaolin raw materials in Poland.
Anticipated economic resources of kaolin amounted to 213.16 million tonnes in 2011.
Anticipated economic resources of exploited deposits amounted to 80.5 million tonnes (38% of anticipated economic resources).
In the year 2011, production of kaolin raw materials was higher than in the previous year and was equal 285 thousand tonnes. Exploitation of the Maria III deposit gave 284.5 million tonnes and of the Dunino deposit only 650 tonnes of that raw material.
High-quality kaolin materials, that is those representing fraction below 15 µm, are used in the manufacture of ceramics, rubber, polymers and fiberglass. In turn, coarser fractions find use in making recently fashionable ceramic wall and floor tiles of ‘gres porcellanato’ type, production of which requires washed kaolin with very low content of coloring oxides such as TiO2 and Fe2O3. Kaolin is also used as raw material for the manufacture of stoneware ceramics, white cement and fire-proof products.
The demand for kaolin raw materials is largely covered by production from domestic deposits so the share of import remains relatively small. Kaolin is also being obtained as by-product in exploitation of glass sands (Biała Góra) and foundry sands (Grudzeń-Las).
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
PGI-NRI offer
Mineral resources of Poland 
Oil and Gas in Poland 
Subscribe to RSS Feed