PART III. 



KAOLIN. 



AS BEFORE stated, the utilization of the kaolins, 

 which are the almost universal accompaniment of 

 the mica deposits of Alabama, should be, as a by-product, 

 an important economic factor in assisting mica develop- 

 ment. 



No systematic study has as yet been given to these 

 kaolins to determine their precise commercial value, both 

 in the raw state, and properly prepared (by separating 

 out the quartz and mica components) for use in porcelain 

 making, and in the finer grades of pottery manufacture, 

 for which purpose they have unquestionable adaptability. 



Sufficient tests however have been from time to time 

 made to show that the finer grades of pottery have been 

 and can be made from these kaolins, and it remains to be 

 clearly proven by reliably exhaustive and expert tests, 

 that the amounts of such clays available at given points 

 are sufficient to justify the necessary mining and flota- 

 tion plant equipment. 



As a result of careful study given to the mica-kaolins in 

 the recent going over and examination of all or nearly all 

 of the actual mica developments in the state which is 

 just concluded, together with prior study and examina- 

 tions covering a period, at intervals, for some twenty-five 

 years given to the subject, it may be stated with all due 

 conservatism, that in economically recoverable amounts 

 these kaolin by-product accompaniments of mica are 

 present in sufficient amounts and necessary concentra- 

 tion at a considerable number of localities. 



In arriving at this estimate, attention has been centered 

 upon the three essential factors, viz: the area indicated 

 of the kaolin beds individually, the depth to which the 

 spars have disintegrated, and the variable amounts and 

 character of the over-burden carried. 



The usual and competent boring tests made by clay 

 experts, should when made bear out this statement, and 

 prove these facts conclusively. 



