Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

Wollastonite is a calcium silicate (CaSiO3) industrial mineral, which is commonly used as a filler in paints andx000D
plastics. It is also used in the construction industry as a substitute for asbestos; ceramic applications includingx000D
ceramic glazes and bodies; in metallurgical applications wollastonite is commonly added to formulatedx000D
powders for steel casting and welding. The properties that are most commonly utilised include the low loss onx000D
ignition, low thermal conductivity and the shape, which allows for smooth coatings and enhanced durability inx000D
formulations. Canadian Wollastonite is also providing wollastonite to mitigate calcium losses and acidificationx000D
in temperate soils and forests; in wastewater treatment applications; and for carbon sequestration. As such, itx000D
has great potential in environmental applications.x000D
To date, little work has been conducted on the beneficiation of wollastonite from its ores, or on thex000D
physico-chemical properties of this mineral. As such, this project is centred on determining thex000D
physico-chemical properties of wollastonite and other minerals within the Seeley's Bay deposit in Ontario, andx000D
using this knowledge to improve the understanding of wollastonite beneficiation. This will have implicationsx000D
for both the Seeley's Bay deposit, and other wollastonite deposits globally.x000D
Canada is one of the most important mining nations in the world, producing more than 60 minerals and metals.x000D
Mining and mineral processing has long been one of the country's key wealth generators. In 2014 the sectorx000D
employed approximately 375,000 people and contributed $57 billion to Canada's Gross Domestic Productx000D
(GDP). The industry accounted for 18.2% of the value of Canadian goods exports in 2014. Industrial mineralsx000D
are an important sector of the mining industry, being used in a wide variety of products. A more effectivex000D
method of producing industrial minerals such as wollastonite in a sustainable manner will be of benefit to thex000D
Canadian mining industry, and the economy.