Air classification of feldspar pegmatite from Thailand

The Takua Pit Thong mine, Rajburi, is situated along the border with Bunna, about 200 km W of Bangkok. Mining started 18 years ago for tin which occurs with arsenopyrite near the contact between a granite and metamorphosed country rock. Pegmatitic veins associated with the granite are rich in microcline and microcline perthite. Beneficiation testwork on the granite and its associated pegmatitic phases by the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), Bangkok, three years ago in response to the growing need for ceramic feldspar in Thailand, established the viability of feldspar production. At present, tin production (72% Sn) is running at about 9 tonnes/month and saleable feldspar concentrate in excess of 300 tonnes/month.