| The
main function of the Industrial Minerals application
Section is to carry out R & D in product development
and evaluation of the industrial minerals potential
of the member states of SEAMIC as well as to assess
their applicability mainly in ceramic and related fields.
Other functions include:
- Pilot manufacturing of ceramics and other prototypes
using a wide range of non-metallic mineral composition
made from minerals such as Kaolin, ball clays feldspars
quartz or silica sand fire clay limestone and kyanite
for specific industrial application such as in tableware
low tension electrical insulators sanitary-ware
and fire clay crucibles;
- Formulation of ceramic bodies and glazes for sanitary-ware
, tableware and low tension electrical insulators
including production of their prototypes;
- Training in pottery/ceramics technology using
established facilities and available expertise;
- Provision of consultancy services in industrial
minerals application area especially in relation
to establishment of small to medium scale ceramic
and allied products industries; and
- Production of high quality ceramic products
The ultimate objective of
the section is to promote the development of small to
medium scale mineral based enterprises in the countries
of eastern and southern Africa.
FACILITIES
The installed
equipment and facilities in the section are suitable
for bench scale and pilot product development in respect
of body forming and determination of firing characteristics.
Furthermore, the equipment is suitable for the determination
of various product quality control parameters.
Major equipment installed in the section include furnaces
for firing, ball mills filter press and de-airing pug
mills for body preparation, , potters wheels jigger/jollying
machines roller head machine insulator scrapping machine
for forming, and a mould making machine for mould preparation.,
The available facilities are also very suitable for
training in the area of ceramic technology.
The section has also the capability to offer consultancy
services in tableware, low tension electrical insulators
and fire clay crucible production.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The section
has successfully carried out research and development
in the areas of tableware production, low tension electrical
bobbin insulators and fire clay crucible production.
This has enabled the section to produce table ware and
fire clay crucibles as follows:
PRODUCTION OF HIGH QUALITY
TABLE WARE CERAMIC PRODUCTS AND FIRE CLAY CRUCIBLES
Tableware
products
Since 1997 the industrial Minerals application section
has been producing high quality ceramic ware products
on a small scale level. The products are available for
sale at the Centre's premises and at distribution points
at slip way, and at the Centre's display room at Kunduchi.
Fire
Clay crucibles
The section has started production of good quality fire
clay crucibles which are currently used internally in
the Centre's gold assay activities using its roller
head machine. These products will eventually be available
for other users like the minerals explorations companies
operating in Tanzania and even for member States laboratories.
TRAINING
The section conducts, periodically,
one week practical courses with basic lessons in clay
technology, pottery and ceramics
The courses
are designed for women and men interested in acquiring
the basic know-how and skills in ceramics and pottery
technology. They are especially designed for those individuals
having no prior experience but aspire to do ceramics
and pottery as a demanding hobby or those planning to
start up business in the pottery/ ceramic field.
Individuals involved in arts, painting and sculpturing
should find this introductory course very valuable for
the extension of the scope of their art.
STAFF
Mr. Mr. Elibariki C. Kimaro
- BSc (hon.). MSc (ChE), Cert. Ceramic Engineering,
Chief Industrial Minerals Engineer and Head of section.
Mr. Lucas Kalombola: Technician
in ceramics.
Two skilled potters, 2 ceramic
decorators and one ceramic assistant.
CONTACT
Mr. Elibariki C. Kimaro
E-mail: kimaro@seamic.org
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