UPGRADE RESERVE OF LIMESTONE SUITABLE FOR CEMENT INDUSTRY IN SOUTH WEST DIWANIYA IN AL- DIWANIYA GOVERNORATE

Abstract

This report deals with upgrade exploration of the limestone suitable for cement industry deposit with reserve estimation on category (C1). In the present project additional observation points were obtained in the deposit by drilling (30 boreholes). These points, together with those obtained in category (C2) stage formed 500 x 500 m. net. They were used to explore and identify the reserve parameters on a higher level of accuracy and precision. This study was executed in south west Al- Dewaniya in Wadi Al-Mhary area which located about 15 Km southwest of Al-Shinnafiya district, with in Al-Diwaniya Governorate. Chemical analysis of about 374 samples was used to identify the thickness of the economic limestone. The average percentages for main oxides and components in the industrial bed are;

CaO MgO SO3 SiO2 Fe2O3 Al2O3 L.O.I. Na2O K2O Cl 49.42 1.20 0.17 6.62 0.46 0.88 40.32 0.13 0.17 0.04

Sixteen samples were physically tested for bulk density and compressive strength. The average bulk density was 2.02 gm/cm3., the uni axial compressive strength ranges from 1.63MN/m2 to 27.72 MN/m2 averaged 10.60 MN/m2. So the rocks of industrial bed are very weak to medium.

The industrial bed, within the investigated area belongs partly to the upper part of Euphrates Formation. The average thickness of the industrial bed is 6.31m., it is covered by two types of overburden material contains of light brown gypseous soil with carbonate fragments, and the other is carbonate overburden which is yellowish brownish light gray, medium tough marl, marly and dolomtic limestone, and sandy limestone contains more than 10% of silica, The mean of the total overburden thickness is 2.12 m.,. The total volume for the two types is 17120000 m3 The reserves were estimated on category (C1) with a precision of better then + 30%, as:- Area =8000000m2., reserve 101969600 tones. All information and suggestions for mine design were given in this report.