PROCESS FOR THE TREATMENT OF KAOLIN

Abstract

The invention discloses a process for the treatment of run-of-mine kaolin feed material. The kaolin feed material is subjected to a de-gritting step whereby quartz grit and any other solid aggregates are removed from the kaolin feed material to produce kaolin. Thereafter, in a leaching step, the kaolin is leached with hydrochloric acid to produce a residue, which contains silica, and a leachate, which contains aluminium chloride salt. Subsequently the aluminium chloride salt is precipitated from the leachate and subjected to a calcination step wherein the aluminium chloride salt is formed into alumina. This