The rational use of mica as a priority for the mining industry of Irkutsk region

Abstract

Mica is one of the most widespread minerals. Muscovite and phlogopite whose large reserves are located in Irkutsk region have various industrial applications. Due to the crisis, a large amount of mica remained unclaimed. There are mining dumps of raw materials and production waste. The use of mica and the disposal of industrial waste are urgent problems. One of the ways to solve them is to produce mica-based composite materials. The use of such materials will improve technical and economic indicators of production processes and contribute to the development of low-waste and non-waste technologies, protection of the environment. The article aims to establish fundamental laws of production of mica-based composite materials. The article provides recommendations on production technologies. Samples of muscovite, phlogopite mica, mine scraps and mica waste were studied. The methods of physicochemical analysis were used to study the samples. Thermodynamic and quantum chemical calculations were made. Based on the experimental studies and scientific generalizations, the theoretical foundations of the production technology for temperature-resistant mica-based materials and effective heating elements based on mica composite materials were developed. They are based on the integrated and rational use of mineral raw materials.