10 May, 2010 - The Kingdom's reserves of silica are promising for investment and the production of glass products, according to the Natural Resources Authority (NRA).
"Some 14 billion tonnes of silica, also called silica sand or quartz sand is located in several regions across the country with few impurities and close the surface level," the authority indicated.
Minor impurities include clay minerals, titaniferous minerals, iron oxides and heavy minerals.
The material can be used in the manufacture of glass and crystal glass and fiber glass and optical glass, templates, plumbing among other applications. Crude silica is also used in the reinforcement of rubber, plastics, paints and chemical production, according to experts.
Low impurities and low content of heavy minerals are other advantages for the exploitation of Jordanian silica for production of glass and other products.
There are currently five major areas known for their silica reserves: the Ras An Naqab area, Wadi As Siq area near Wadi Araba, Al Jayashia area, Gaa Ad Disa area north of Wadi Rum and east of the town of Quweira, and the Petra and Ain Al Biada areas, north of the Petra Archaeological Park.
Various studies conducted on silica sand in Jordan showed that a vast amount of the reserves can be transformed into high purity silica by using a spiral separator to remove abrasive materials and heavy metals.
While there are small-scale commercial of silica in Ras An Naqab, extensive investment opportunities in the south are available to investors and companies specialized in silica processing.
"Some 14 billion tonnes of silica, also called silica sand or quartz sand is located in several regions across the country with few impurities and close the surface level," the authority indicated.
Minor impurities include clay minerals, titaniferous minerals, iron oxides and heavy minerals.
The material can be used in the manufacture of glass and crystal glass and fiber glass and optical glass, templates, plumbing among other applications. Crude silica is also used in the reinforcement of rubber, plastics, paints and chemical production, according to experts.
Low impurities and low content of heavy minerals are other advantages for the exploitation of Jordanian silica for production of glass and other products.
There are currently five major areas known for their silica reserves: the Ras An Naqab area, Wadi As Siq area near Wadi Araba, Al Jayashia area, Gaa Ad Disa area north of Wadi Rum and east of the town of Quweira, and the Petra and Ain Al Biada areas, north of the Petra Archaeological Park.
Various studies conducted on silica sand in Jordan showed that a vast amount of the reserves can be transformed into high purity silica by using a spiral separator to remove abrasive materials and heavy metals.
While there are small-scale commercial of silica in Ras An Naqab, extensive investment opportunities in the south are available to investors and companies specialized in silica processing.
