Gypsum extraction brings opportunities for mining companies

Gypsum extraction represents a great opportunity for mining companies. The possibility of using it in different products, from pharmaceuticals to agribusiness, is the main factor for the commercial exploitation of this type of mineral.

In the following article, we will explain the main characteristics of gypsum. We will also report on the Máquinas Furlan equipment line that can serve mining companies interested in the market for this mineral. Individualized equipment or even a complete plant can be supplied.

Stay with us and find out more.

What is gypsum used for?

Gypsum is a mineral also known as “gypsum stone”. More than that, in some regions of the country, people say that the deposits where it is extracted have gypsum as the final product. This is due to its white color.

There are common doubts about how gypsum is extracted or its importance, although Brazil is the world's second largest producer of the mineral, behind only the United States. It can also be said that it is the most common sulfate found in the Earth's crust.

But what is gypsum used for? It is commonly used in the manufacture of plaster. Some of its applications are in agriculture, to improve soil fertility – either integrated into acidity correctors or as a fertilizer that generates greater productivity.

Another area with a high consumption of this mineral is the construction industry. It can be found in cement and lime, but also in drywall – those plasterboard partitions – and in ceiling installations.

The health sector is one of the areas that uses this mineral a lot. Medicines, vitamins and products to immobilize bone fractures are examples of its use.

Brazil saw rapid growth in gypsum extraction, which began around the 1940s in Piauí. Most of the production comes from the North and Northeast. The importance of the product for the economy of Pernambuco, for example, is very large – one in every three tons of ore processed in the state is gypsum.

This does not prevent extraction, for example, in São Paulo and Minas Gerais.

This geographic distribution is also present in the projects that Máquinas Furlan develops with its clients. There are services in quarries in São Paulo, but at least six other projects in the Northeast region have Furlan equipment.

What equipment is used in gypsum mining?

Furlan produces around 150 types of crushing, grinding and screening equipment. At a gypsum plant, the company's technical team mentioned some of them:

. Vibrating feeder;

. Jaw crusher;

. Cone crusher;

. Vibrating grid;

. Hammer mill;

. Belt conveyor;

. Vibrating screen;

. and rotary dryers.

Here on the blog, we have already discussed choosing a vibrating feeder supplier. One of them is choosing a reliable manufacturer. The supply of accessories for the project is another highlighted point.

Another option for the mining company is to present the complete project to the Furlan team. This way, there is the possibility of supplying the complete plant, with all the benefits that this type of project represents – such as speed in starting operations and lower costs for castings.

Another characteristic of gypsum is its ability to be calcined. In some processes, the ground powder is placed in an oven to remove any remaining water. Furlan rotary dryers offer excellent performance and are built according to each client's guidelines.

Visit the dryers page on the Furlan website here .

Important information for choosing the best project

The information provided by the client will help in configuring the project, whether it is a complete plant or equipment for a specific stage. This includes the intended production, rock characteristics and desired end products.

Based on this data, the Furlan team can provide full support to the client, from the initial design phase. The Engineering department defines the best equipment and prepares the flowchart and layout that best meets the client's needs.

This is possible because Furlan's industrial park brings together in a single space operations that generate a complete solution for the customer.

So, bring your project to Furlan! Choosing a quality machine and parts supplier is important for your mining investment to generate the desired profitability.

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