Kaolin deposits and occurrences in Africa: Geology, mineralogy and utilization

Kaolin exploitation remains a financially sustained profit making mining industry that continues to contribute positively to national economies of the world. Its occurrence in Africa is not properly documented and adequately investigated. This work presents a summary of the geology, mineralogy, chemistry and usage of over two hundred and fifty kaolin deposits and occurrences in Africa including Algeria, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Egypt, Eritrea, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Utilisation of African kaolin in bricks, ceramics, fibre glass, plastics, pottery, pharmaceutics, paint, rubber, among others is mentioned. Market economics including cheap labour, must be considered by prospective companies interested in investing in kaolin exploitation in the continent. With increasing and new industrial applications and continuous price increase, any promising deposit or occurrence of kaolin in Africa is worth investing in.