Vermiculite

Crude vermiculite is a member of the phyllosilicate group of minerals, resembling mica in appearance.  Although vermiculite is found in various parts of the world, Palabora mines deposits in the Phalaborwa region of the Limpopo Province in South Africa.  Palabora vermiculite is hydrated phlogopite mica which has the ability to expand many times its original volume when heated, a property known as exfoliation.

Palabora

Vermiculite in Use

• Animal Feedstuffs

• Bitumen Coated Vermiculite Screeds

• Chemically Processed Vermiculite

• Fire Protection

• Friction Linings

• Horticulture

• Insulation in Steelworks and Foundries

• Lightweight Concretes

• Loft Insulation

• Packing Materials

• Processed Vermiculite

• Refractory Products

• Silicate Bonded Shapes and Blocks

• Vermiculite Plasters

Click to see detailed
usage information

Palabora America Ltd. is the USA sales subsidiary of Palabora Mining Company (PMC). PMC produces copper as a primary product together with by-products including magnetite, nickel sulphate, uranium, anode slimes and sulphuric acid. Industrial minerals production produces vermiculite. PMC is South Africa's largest producer of refined copper.

The Industrial Minerals division is an adjacent open-pit vermiculite mining operation and recovery plant, producing beneficiated products.

Download information in PDF format:

Vermiculite Safety Data Sheet
Communities
Environmental Policy
Quality Policy
Safety & Health Policy