Akkalkan Deposit of Bentonite Clays, Southeast Kazakhstan: Formation Conditions and Prospects for Technological Use

摘要

-The paper presents the results of studying bentonite clays of the Akkalklan deposit (Southeast Kazakhstan). Four main bentonite types are distinguished based on mapping: light gray mudstone, dark gray laminar and rubbly, waxy light brown and pale laminar, and black plastic clays. Their mineralogical study revealed a relationship between the crystal morphological features of the major rock-forming clay mineral and formation conditions and technological properties of bentonite material for use in various branches of industry.