As longtime owners of the nepheline prospect at Table Mountain in Lincoln County Oregon we have complied much expert documentation of this "space age" ore that is called the "Swiss Army Knife" of minerals. (See the PDF reports) This nepheline mineral has superior insulation qualities as well as being fireproof and has been used as roofing granules, rock wool for insulation, marine paint for ocean going vessels which reduces the drag and saves tremendous amounts of fuel, production of of a stronger cheaper glass, water filters, and the list goes on and on.
We have also been privy to much of the latest research conducted with nepheline, as we have sent countless, requested packages of nepheline samples to researchers all over the world.
Iron Removal From The Table Mountain Nepheline Ore:
Although the Table Mountain nepheline ore is higher in iron than what some uses require, there has been much research done in its removal.
The Russians have been the worlds leaders in nepheline and its uses since World War II. They do have the technology to remove the iron in an economical way and the technology can be licensed from them. We supplied Table Mountain nepheline ore to Victor Lygach of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) who is the Director of the Institute of Mineral Resources. the top scientist in Russia on separation of iron from Nepheline syenite (NS) and he had no problem with removing the iron with his technology. The Russians have also used nepheline in the production of aluminum for many years and have used nepheline in their cars catalytic converters.
There has also been success in removing iron from nepheline ore by grinding it down to minus 235 and then blowing it through a magnetic field. Hanna Nickle was one source that explained this to Table Mountain owner Barry Murray. They used Table Mt. nepheline in their experiments. A higher refined grade of nepheline brings a much higher price in the world market. This process also ends up with salable iron as a by-product which is a much sought after mineral product these days.
A research metallurgist told us that the iron was involved in the matrix of the ore. He ground it to minus 235, added liquid and moved it across an electro-magnetic field and was successful in removing the iron and again ended up with salable iron as a bi-product.
A Chinese company recently took samples of nepheline from our deposit and had the following results: Using different technical solutions to remove the iron, sample 1 they could remove 63%, sample 2 they could remove 67%, sample 3 they could remove 70% and sample 4 they could remove 75% of the iron.
Nepheline Mixed With Polymers Research:
Although the consulting geologist, who was commissioned to do a geological study of the Table Mountain nepheline prospect, did a good job of fact finding, he did not include the use of nepheline mixed with polymers.
This nepheline/polymer research is the most exciting of all the research, to us. Here is where we believe that nepheline could change the world...including holding many answers for the worldwide climatic change problems.
Nepheline/Polymer Housing Hexa Blocks:
David Zornes, of Redmond WA, Founder and CEO of Critical Point Energy, LLC and a researcher at the University of Washington, was supplied with enough nepheline ore from our Table Mountain quarry to produce his patented Hexa Blocks, snap together housing blocks (pictured here) with a nepheline/polymer substance. He did not have to remove the iron from our nepheline ore to make these blocks.
We saw and handled these Hexa Blocks made from our nepheline ore and was amazed at how light weight they were. Both sides of the 24 inch blocks were made of solid nepheline/polymer substance sandwiching an inner core of the same nepheline/polymer substance but foamed. We were told that these blocks has an extreme insulation value. They are fireproof, able to withstand hurricane force winds, and were almost virtually indestructible.
The people we were working with on these blocks tried to break one with a huge sledge hammer to no avail. A good part of these patented housing blocks is that a house could be constructed in just a few days.
Nepheline/Polymer Coolers & Containers:
Now imagine this same sandwiched nepheline/polymer substance used in coolers say in Africa or India, where over one half of their food is lost by spoilage. These extremely insulated coolers could be outfitted with a small solar panel that could run a cooling system.
Used to make semi-truck beds, railroad cars, and cargo containers for the transportation of perishables would save huge amounts of power.
Solid Nepheline/Polymer Uses:
We saw a solid sheet of nepheline/polymer (1/2 inch thick) being exhibited when Barry was asked to hold his hand on one side while the researcher applied a blowtorch to the other side. Barry felt no heat transfer. As this nepheline/polymer starts as a liquid and can be molded, think of the possible uses. Molded into fireproof, insulated boat hulls, lightweight bulletproof armor for tanks, planes, HumVees, fireproof railroad coal cars, heat shields for space shuttles, and the list of possibilities goes on and on.
In this direction we have sent requested samples of our nepheline ore to Kristina Banks, Composite Project Assistant, for the Martin Marietta Company, Compositses Division, that has a large research and development section for polymer railroad cars, truck beds, etc.
Also we sent requested samples of our nepheline ore to Patrick C. Wernett, Ph.D., Director of Performance Minerals Research and Development Department for Minerals Technologies Inc. Dr. Wernett's special field of interest is in the nepheline/polymer research.
We also sent a large requested nepheline sample to Dr. Yindong Yang, a researcher for the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. University of Toronto, Canada, for his experiments using nepheline ore in the steel making process.
Nepheline/Polymer Nuclear Waste Containers:
We have sent two samples to scientists working in the nuclear energy field that were experimenting with the nepheline/polymers to make nuclear waste containers. In this day of alternate energy sources if we could solve the problem of safely storing the waste from nuclear energy plants by using nepheline/polymer waste containers that would make this a better world. These nuclear researchers told us that nuclear waste containers made with the nepheline/polymers reacted like a self-sealing tire, in that if there was a leak the substance would gel and re-seal itself.
As you can see the nepheline/polymer use would need to have lots of research and development (R&D) devoted to it.
Let us speak a little here about nepheline as a dimensional stone product.
The nepheline ore at Table Mountain is consistent in appearance and thus is an excellent source of dimensional stone, including countertops and tiles. We think that this would be the logical first step to permit and start production on this project. Our suggestion would be for a production partner or owner to start the mining process by quarrying the nepheline as dimensional stone and use the waste from the dimensional stone mining to develop the nepheline/polymer uses. (See the proposal)
Nepheline Dimensional Stone:
Nepheline as dimensional stone such as countertops, floor tile, or building blocks is superior for all of the above mentioned qualities that nepheline has, as fireproof, high insulating R values, etc., but also because the Table Mountain nepheline ore is very consistent in appearance which would make it a good choice for architects wanting to use this nepheline dimensional stone for a large, major building. As building, dimensional stone, nepheline is known as "Cloudstone".
Nepheline Countertops:
Nepheline countertops in the biz is called "Blue Pearl Granite", although technically speaking it is not granite, but is in the same hardness family. The quality that makes nepheline superior for countertops, tiles and flooring is the luster that nepheline produces when polished. The luster is not the same as granite or marble and the nepheline luster makes for an easy care countertop. As we understand it, Blue Pearl Granite comes almost entirely from Norway at this time.
To quote the consulting geologist concerning his tests on the Table Mountain nepheline ore for dimensional stone use:
"The Nepheline Syenite at Table Mountain presents excellent characteristics for dimension stone applications. The physical characteristics of strength, tenacity (toughness), hardness, nonfriability and resistance to environmental damage make the stone an excellent candidate for ornamental use. The deposit presents wide fracturing so that the stone can be quarried in blocks by means of controlled blasting in combination with diamond-impregnated wire cutting saws. In addition, cutting the stone with an oxy-acetylene torch may prove to be advantageous due to the fluxing qualities naturally intrinsic in the rock."