Study of zeolite-containing silicon rocks of Dagestan for obtaining a mineral additive to cement

Siliceous-carbonate rocks are widespread on the territory of the Republic of Dagestan, in which the total content of zeolites and opal-cristobalite-tridymite phase (OCT) exceeds 45 %, and the content of calcite is above 30 %. The rocks, composing a productive stratum (at least, most of it), lithologically correspond to opoka-like and highly siliceous limestones, zeolite-containing (10-15 %) and zeolite (40 % or more), weakly quartz and weakly clayey. However, they are distinguished from pure limestones by a low value of actual calcite part - often less than 50 %. Therefore, in this case, the section of the productive strata is defined as «folded by siliceous-carbonate zeolite-containing rocks.» Such rocks, in accordance with the results of laboratory and technological study, are considered as raw materials for the production of building materials. Zeolite-containing rocks are suitable for use as an additive in Portland cement, which will save cement clinker in the production process and improve the quality of cement. Prospecting works for zeolites and zeolite-containing rocks in the Levashinskaya (Levashinsky district) and Rubaschayskaya (Tabasaran and Kaitagsky districts) areas of Mountainous Dagestan were carried out by the non-metallic party of JSC Sevkavgeologiya in 2007-2009. The resources of siliceous zeolite-containing rocks are in the P1 category - 49.308 million tons, in the P2 category - 69.470 million tons. The predicted resources, their laboratory and technological properties (physicochemical, chemical, technological) indicate the possibility of creating a solid mineral resource base and construction of large complexes for the extraction and processing of zeolites and siliceous rocks in Levashinsky (Levoberezhny and Pravoberezhny areas) and Tabasaran (Dyubek area) regions of the Republic of Dagestan.