Rwanda- Building Materials Sector
CERAMIC INDUSTRY PROJECT
Clay heap for brick making
1
Roofing fired tiles
Flooring tiles
Porcelain
(china)
dishes
2
INTRODUCTION
Ceramics encompass such a vast array of materials that a concise definition is almost impossible. However, one workable definition of ceramics is a refractory, inorganic and non-metallic material. Ceramics can be divided into two classes: traditional and advanced. Traditional ceramics include clay products, silicate glass and cement; while advanced ceramics consist of carbides (SiC), pure oxides (Al203), nitrides (Si3N4), non-silicate glasses and many others. In OGMR vision, a special attention should be driven to the traditional ceramics, specifically to clay products. Ceramics offer a lot of advantages compared to other materials. They are harder and stiffer than steel; more heat and corrosion resistant than many other materials or polymers; less dense than most of metals and their alloys; and their raw materials are both plentiful and inexpensive. Ceramic materials display a wide range of properties which facilitate their use in many different product areas. In case of valorisation of natural resources of the country, the project wishes to focus on creation of ceramic production units, therefore, the sponsors‟ attention should focus on a number of certain clay, feldspar and kaolin deposits.
1. The origin of the clay
Clay is a natural material found in the earth all over the world. The clay is formed from the remnants of igneous rocks which have been naturally crushed, milled and mixed with other minerals by the forces of wind, ice and water erosion under lithostatic pressure from other rocks in the earth crust. According to general lithology of Rwanda, three types of clay deposits are found: clay that results from alteration of granite rocks, clays from volcanic rocks, and those from shale. Clay from granite rocks: There are some clay deposits in Kigali, Gitarama, Butare, Rwamagana, etc... In general
Clay heap for brick making
1
Roofing fired tiles
Flooring tiles
Porcelain
(china)
dishes
2
INTRODUCTION
Ceramics encompass such a vast array of materials that a concise definition is almost impossible. However, one workable definition of ceramics is a refractory, inorganic and non-metallic material. Ceramics can be divided into two classes: traditional and advanced. Traditional ceramics include clay products, silicate glass and cement; while advanced ceramics consist of carbides (SiC), pure oxides (Al203), nitrides (Si3N4), non-silicate glasses and many others. In OGMR vision, a special attention should be driven to the traditional ceramics, specifically to clay products. Ceramics offer a lot of advantages compared to other materials. They are harder and stiffer than steel; more heat and corrosion resistant than many other materials or polymers; less dense than most of metals and their alloys; and their raw materials are both plentiful and inexpensive. Ceramic materials display a wide range of properties which facilitate their use in many different product areas. In case of valorisation of natural resources of the country, the project wishes to focus on creation of ceramic production units, therefore, the sponsors‟ attention should focus on a number of certain clay, feldspar and kaolin deposits.
1. The origin of the clay
Clay is a natural material found in the earth all over the world. The clay is formed from the remnants of igneous rocks which have been naturally crushed, milled and mixed with other minerals by the forces of wind, ice and water erosion under lithostatic pressure from other rocks in the earth crust. According to general lithology of Rwanda, three types of clay deposits are found: clay that results from alteration of granite rocks, clays from volcanic rocks, and those from shale. Clay from granite rocks: There are some clay deposits in Kigali, Gitarama, Butare, Rwamagana, etc... In general
References: BRGM (1987) – Plan Minéral du Rwanda EGAR (1988) – Etude globale des argiles du Rwanda 12 - - KANZIRA Hildebrand (1991) – Etude de restructuration de la Poterie de Muyunzwe : Evaluation quantitative et qualitative du gisement d‟argile du Marais de Kiryango. KANZIRA Hildebrand (1993) – Etude des gisements de kaolin des Mines de Kibingo et de Remera, Secteur Kaduha, Commune Mushubati. OGMR (2010) – Ceramic Industry „The potential of Rwanda‟ SEBISOGO, B. et SLUITER, W. J. (1978) – Rapport préliminaire sur les gisements de kaolin du Rwanda. 13