Agriculture changes practices and creates opportunities in gypsum mining

Gypsum mining has a great opportunity in the face of climate change. Part of the agricultural production is using inputs together to reduce costs and face climate change brought about by reduced rainfall.

Farmers are applying, for example, limestone and gypsum simultaneously.

A mining or quarrying company can supply gypsum for agriculture and other segments, such as construction. The commercial viability of the business gains strength, as agricultural gypsum commonly originates from a plant that generates several end products.

Máquinas Furlan offers a complete line of equipment for gypsum mining. It also develops complete plant projects. Durability, robustness and easy maintenance are Furlan's distinguishing features.

Stay with us and learn more about this opportunity.

Climate change drives use of gypsum in agriculture

This has been a challenging year for Brazilian farmers. Commodity prices fluctuate and fixed costs are increasingly impacting the financial spreadsheet.

Added to all this is the climate issue. There has been a reduction in the amount of rainfall in several regions of the country. In the area where the Máquinas Furlan industrial park is located, in Limeira (SP), the volume of rainfall in the last 12 months is equivalent to almost half of previous years, according to water concessionaires.

For agriculture, this scenario has reinforced the search for cost reduction, among the various measures planned. One of them has been the joint application of inputs such as limestone and gypsum to the soil.

Joint use reduces the resources reserved for soil preparation – essential in countries like Brazil, which have extremely acidic soils, which are highly detrimental to productivity. In agriculture, the number of hours worked and fuel costs are lower with this practice.

Gypsum sinks deeper into the soil than limestone. Therefore, it contributes more quickly to the crop, in terms of the use of nutrients during periods of little rainfall.

This measure must always be carried out under the supervision of an agricultural engineer, who will technically assess the effects.

Plaster production and the importance of equipment

This creates an opportunity for gypsum mining. Gypsum is usually seen as a fundamental raw material for construction, such as drywall.

However, the process also benefits agriculture. This process begins with the identification of gypsum deposits, the main gypsum ore. Next, there is an analysis of the commercial viability of the extraction, which generally uses open-pit methods.

Once the top layer of soil has been removed, the rocks are fragmented. The next step is to take these rocks to the processing plant.

The various stages of beneficiation reinforce the importance of choosing a mining equipment supplier that combines experience and innovation. The durability of this equipment is essential, as it impacts the productivity of the facilities.

During processing, gypsum goes through several stages until plaster is obtained, such as crushing, classification – including the removal of impurities –, calcination and grinding.

Calcination basically involves controlled heating, which removes water from the mineral and forms plaster in the desired particle size.

The choice of equipment to produce plaster depends on the specific characteristics of the project, such as the desired production and the input and output granulometry of the ore.

These characteristics also guide the choice of equipment models, indicating, for example, the number of mills and motor power.

Hammer mills are most commonly used in the final phase. The facilities may also include jaw crushers and re-crushers in the initial stages.

The use of vibrating screens makes the operation more efficient. The design usually includes vibrating feeders and belt conveyors.

The mining or quarrying company will also assess the generation of various end products. This analysis is important because some agricultural inputs have seasonal consumption peaks. Therefore, the plant can also remain productive with materials that meet the needs of, for example, the construction sector.

How can Furlan help me, after analyzing the project?

It is worth mentioning that Furlan offers the market an extensive line of mining equipment, with more than 150 items that allow it to offer everything from a specific machine to complete plants.

On our website, you can learn about the development process of a complete plant – Click here .

These devices are known for their durability and robustness, and are easy to maintain and quick to maintain. The tradition of 62 years of operation in the market is combined with innovation.

So, talk to us by sending a message here and see how Furlan adds value to your business by implementing or improving mineral processing lines.