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Mineral resources of Poland> Rock raw materials and others> Vein quartz
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Vein quartz

Quartz (SiO2) is, next to feldspar, the most common mineral. It is an important rock-forming mineral, being one of the main components of the majority of granites and other igneous rocks. Under conditions favorable for crystallization, such as voids in rock, it forms sharp-pointed hexagonal long and slender crystals which are widely used as a popular ornamental stone and also a gemstone in jewellery. Depending on admixture of coloring oxides, several varieties of these gemstones are differentiated: clear and colorless rock crystal, yellow to orange citrine, pink to rose pink quartz, purple to violet amethyst, brown to gray smoky quartz and black morion.

Quartz also forms veins and lenses in metamorphic and igneous rocks. Quartz vein deposits originate in the result of hydrothermal activity as an infill of open fissures and fractures cutting a given rock massif. The quartz infills are characterized by a high content of silica (SiO2) and a low content of coloring oxides (Fe2O3 and TiO2).

In Poland quartz veins occur mainly in crystalline rock massifs of the Precambrian and Paleozoic in the Sudety Mts. (map). The deposits are characterized by a high variability in thickness, big dip of veins and lenses and a varying quality of raw material. The most favorable conditions for resources magnification occur in the area of Stanisław deposit extension, in the tectonic zone of Izery Crossroad. Prognostic resources of vein quartz are assessed to be equal 2.87 million tonnes and prospective resources 1.33 million tonnes*.

Vein quartz is widely used in the industry, starting from the ceramic industry (the production and glazing and decorating bone and fine china, porcelain and porcelite, utility and pottery ware ceramics, technical ceramics) to the production of fire-proof materials, enameller and in the metallurgy. Its purest varieties are used in manufacturing high-quality glass and in the chemical and electrotechnical industries. The quartz vein is also the source of high-quality quartz powder and fine grade crushed grains (qualities I and III according to industry standard No BN-80-6714-19).

The table 1 shows resources and the current state of exploration and development of deposits of vein quartz.

Anticipated economic resources of vein quartz have not changed since 2015 and amounted to 5.61 million tonnes. The deposits number declined to six, since there is not Sady (Białe Krowy) deposit included in “The balance” – it was crossed out from the statement in 2015.

There are two exploited deposits – Stanisław and Taczalin. Economic resources of these deposits are equal 1.72 million tonnes which accounts for 45% of their anticipated economic resources.

The exploitation was not carried out from any of vein quartz deposits in 2016. The output from Taczalin deposit was stopped and from Stanisław deposit has been suspended since 2005 (table 2).

The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of tein quartz in Poland in the years 1989-2016.

Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon

*Wołkowicz K., Sroga C., 2011 - Kwarc żyłowy. In: Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r. (ed. S. Wołkowicz, T. Smakowski, S. Speczik): 205-208. PIG-PIB, Warszawa.