Faiza Tehseen

Establishing kaolin – a multipurpose clay – washing plants and processing units can help Pakistan generate employment and fetch foreign exchange through exports.

Currently, kaolin exporting countries include China, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, France, Brazil, Germany, the United States, India, Ukraine, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.

The global market size for kaolin is expected to grow to $5.8 billion at an compound annual growth rate of 5.1% by the year 2027 from $4.1 billion in 2019 (taken as the base year).

The sizeable deposits kaolin are found in different areas of the country like Khushab, Chakwal, Mianwali, Attock, Dera Ghazi Khan, Mansehra, and Swat (the reported deposits are about 2.6 million tonnes). The sands in Tharparkar also contain large deposits.

Pakistan can develop a mining sector through exploration, exploitation and processing of kaolin.

As kaolin is extremely heat resistant, it can be used to manufacture many industrial products like ceramic bodies, paper, rubber, paint, fiberglass, detergents, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, refractories, glazed tiles, etc.

Kaolin is an essential ingredient to manufacture porcelain and is also used in a variety of other high-tech applications.  

Muhammad Yaqub , Principal Geologist in Global Mining Company Private Limited, and former general manager of geology at Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation, told WealthPK that kaolin was formed in granitoid rocks rich in potash feldspars due to hydrothermal activities in the form of huge rocks and lanthanoids. “Granitoid can never be founded without feldspars and kaolin is an essential part of it.”

He said kaolin is soft and white in colour and can retain its form and colour even in extreme temperatures. “Such qualities make it ideal for being widely used in a variety of industrial purposes.”

Muhammad Yaqub said in terms of its size and grades, it is important to develop a uniform grade that should be acceptable for almost all types of industries. “To get kaolin in uniform grade, establishment of washing units nearby its deposits is very important. This can be done on a public-private partnership basis, or through small and medium enterprises.”

He said as kaolin products were everyday used items, many big or small industrial units and processing plants need to be established for manufacturing these products.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk