1000 years of kaolin
Porcelain was first made in China during the Tang dynasty (618-907). As the industry grew, a bright white clay was identified as a high-quality additive for use in porcelain manufacturing.
This particular clay was discovered near a village called Gāolǐng from which the name "kaolin" is derived. This village is in China's southeastern Jianxi Province, which today hosts more than 10,000 ceramics manufacturers.
Kaolin mining in Jianxi Province first occurred more than 1000 years ago, though reserves are being depleted to produce tableware for a growing global demand.
The form of porcelain best known in the West was produced during the Yuan dynasty (1279–1368) and Ming dynasty (1368-1644) with surviving examples now priceless. Reserves of bright white clay in the Jiangxi region are being depleted to produce the plates and cups for a growing global demand.
The Great White Project has a high-quality kaolin product that will provide supply for this demand
Today, kaolin can be found in every modern car and home around the world.
Besides ceramics, kaolin is found in hundreds of objects in everyday use including cosmetics, paint, rubber, medicines, paper, pesticides, orthodontics, orthopaedics, and plastics. Every modern home and car contains kaolin in some form.
The existing market for high-grade kaolin is substantial and its applications continue to grow.
Andromeda is well placed to meet long-term market demand, given the significant size of our resources. We will support the production of high-quality ceramics as well as many new technologies at the forefront of science, and essential to building a more sustainable future.
Andromeda’s kaolin deposits, located in regional areas of South Australia, contain some of the highest purity kaolin ever discovered.
Our deposits contain naturally occurring blends of halloysite tubes and kaolinite plates, which have a wide variety of uses beyond kaolin and attract a premium price.