According to the International Iranian Stone Exhibition, mines and mining industries are among the most dynamic industrial sectors in the world economy. Mines can launch an important part of national development projects and make a significant contribution to the economies of developing countries. If we look at the effective use of minerals and its various products in Iran and other countries, we can understand the importance of minerals in the development infrastructure of the country; Thus, the importance and priority of any material and spiritual investment in the mining sector is tangible.

At the same time, mining activity is associated with major environmental effects due to the production of hazardous waste. The results of the first environmental studies guidelines for mining activities were published in 1994. Since then, significant progress has been made in determining and improving measures in the sustainable management and performance of mining projects. Mineral waste management, acid mine drainage, air pollution and soil and water were the most important issues addressed in the global guidelines.

Experts believe that if we want our future to engage in mining, today we must move towards sustainable mining and the benefit of sustainable minerals. An important point in the field of sustainability is how environmental considerations can help the mining economy. In this regard, the share of mineral products such as chromite, silica and perlite is very significant. Production and processing of industrial soils and specifically the mineral perlite is one of the areas that can contribute to the sustainability of mining.

Iran is the tenth producer of perlite

Mohammad Hossein Sadat Hosseini Khajoui, a mining expert, said: "In the current situation, because the international community has realized the importance of sustainability, the field of mining also seeks to study and reflect on the stimuli and obstacles to sustainability in all its pillars and areas of activity." An important point in the field of sustainability is how environmental and social considerations can contribute to the mining economy.

Sadat Hosseini Khajoui, stating that most businesses' perceptions of environmental and social responsibilities are limited to the costs imposed, continued: "Many studies confirm that the field of sustainability helps to increase the efficiency of any production system, and mining is no exception."

He stated: Production and processing of industrial soils and specifically perlite mineral is one of the areas that can include the pillars of sustainability.

Pointing out that perlite is a refractory siliceous volcanic material that can increase in volume up to 20 times per specific heat, the mining expert said: "Due to the minimal environmental and environmental effects of perlite in mining and its wide range of applications in industry, this mineral can be Considered as an effective mineral in the field of sustainability.

This mineral in the construction industry can be replaced with diatomite, clay and expanded shale. On the other hand, due to the existence of minimal waste due to the high rate of conversion into processed product and also the minimum pollution of water resources, perlite can be considered as the main pillars of stability.

In response to the question of which countries are capable of this mineral, Sadat Hosseini Khajoui stated: China with a production of 1.9 million tons in 2019, Greece with a reserve of 120 million tons and 800,000 tons of production in In 2019, Turkey with 57 million tons and 650 thousand tons of production in 2019 and the United States with 50 million tons and 520 thousand tons of production in 2019, accounted for 86% of the total production of this mineral in the world.

"Greece and Turkey have the highest perlite exports in the world," he said. Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic of Iran, with the production of 20,000 tons of perlite in 2019, is among the top 10 countries producing this material.

Growth of mining and processing with perlite

Ramin Entezari, a senior expert in mining, said that perlite's mineral has many advantages, including simplicity in the extraction process, exploration, low production costs, the use of basic tools and machines, as well as multiplier value added. This mineral can be given special attention due to its application in various industries, especially high-tech industries.

"Because of the low price of the raw material, mining is done in places where there is a possibility of exploring the raw material," he said. The perlite production process takes place with minimal waste.

Referring to the efficiency of perlite, Entezari said: "This mineral has a wide range of uses as a white milky substance, both in raw and expanded form." The final product, often referred to as expanded perlite, has a relatively simple processing process with a fixed investment.

The master of mining continued: After crushing the raw perlite in 2 stages, it is divided into sizing or so-called sieve, granulation and products with specific dimensions and is directed to the kiln. To maximize the volume of the final product and increase the production efficiency, it is necessary to use the mineral preheating mechanism up to 400 ° C.

He continued: "Based on field studies, some processing units have faced a decrease in efficiency due to the elimination of the preheating section."

Referring to the importance of a comprehensive approach in the country, Entezari said: Identification, registration and documentation of this mineral reserves is essential due to the existence of internal reserves as well as other industrial soils. Small and medium-sized domestic companies with sufficient reserves and local experts and with limited investment in this field can take effective steps to complete the value chain of this mineral product and create jobs.

Concluding remarks

Given the importance of environmental protection and the move towards sustainable development, sustainable mining is one of the issues that should be considered by policy makers. In fact, if we want to continue mining in the future, we must move towards the benefit of sustainable minerals. One of the things that can help in this direction is paying attention to the mineral perlite. This mineral in the construction industry can be replaced with diatomite, clay and expanded shale. On the other hand, due to the minimal waste of this material and the high rate of conversion into processed product and also the minimum pollution of water resources, perlite can be considered as the main pillars of stability.