STUDIES ON TUNELLITE (STRONTIUM BORATE) MINERAL

SUMMARY. — In these studies, the physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of the tunellite found associated with the boron mines in Turkey, which have long been known, have been investigated and the chemical compositon determined. The thermal decomposition of tunellite mineral has been studied both by dynamic and static methods. The results obtained with the methods above were checked with those obtained by Röntgenographic analysis and with the DTA studies. As a result of these studies, it has been observed that the tunellite mineral was transformed into veatchite mineral, after losing 4 molecules of its crystal water. INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY Boron minerals which are gaining ever-increasing importance in the world industry occur widespread in the northwest part of Turkey. Boron occurrences of the country are generally located in the vicinity of Bigadiç, Balıkesir, Mustafakemalpaşa, Emet and Eskişehir. Borate ores encountered in these mines are generally, ulexite and colemanite. The reserves and the grade of the ore are con