Producers of industrial minerals have a tough row to hoe. Besides exploring for deposits, many are forced to search out new markets for their products.
Privately owned Mountain Minerals exemplifies this type of company. In addition to starting up Canada’s only zeolite mine, near Cache Creek, B.C., it is developing products using zeolite minerals.
Zeolites are a group of alumino-silicate minerals which contain loosely held water molecules. When zeolites are heated, the water molecules are expelled, creating porosity in the molecular structure. This porosity gives zeolite minerals highly absorptive capabilities.
Zeolites have several environmental applications. In addition to absorbing gases and liquids such as ammonia, hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, they absorb heavy metals such as lead, copper, zinc, cadmium and radioactive nuclei from water or waste water effluents.
The Russians reportedly used several hundred thousand tons of zeolites to help contain radioactive emissions resulting from the reactor meltdown accident at Chernobyl in the Ukraine.
Zeolites were first discovered on the property in 1988. After Mountain acquired the ground, it embarked on testing and research which led to the development of products which display this absorption ability. These products vary from barn deodorizers to anti-caking agents for animal feeds. The company is developing other products with industrial, agricultural and consumer applications.
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