Mineralogic and physico-chemical studies of Lahad Datu bentonite

The commencement of production of activated clay by the local industry has created the demand for bentonite (montmorillonite) clay which is the basic raw material used in the manufacturing process. In the search for this material, field augering and sampling programme were undertaken in areas which collectively form the Segama Group near Lahad Datu, Sabah. Seven samples, representing the total variation in a montmorillonite clay deposit, have been investigated for their mineralogic and physico-chemical characteristics. The mineral is dominantly a Ca-montmorillonite clay, with quartz, feldspar and zeolite as the main impurities. Early investigations by chemical and physical properties tests showed that this material could be suitable as a bleaching clay (or as a raw material for use in the manufacture of acid activated clay). The commercial appraisal of this clay deposit still depends on many experimental studies such as trial acid activation and bleaching tests of activated products on crude oil