[Clayart] black sand of superior

[David Woof]

Mel,
Reminds me of the Taconite pellets I picked up by the bucket full from along the RR tracks leading from the Taconite Mine in Wisconsin.

The processed Taconite was sprayed with Bentonite slurry to coat and bond as it rolled into 3/8" balls while traveling downward onto a conveyer kiln which sintered the Taconite balls into a relatively durable state for rail car transport.

These sintered Taconite balls were easily crushed for clay and glaze inclusion.

Of Interest, that through modern as well as ancient history, opinions in science, politics and religion, attitudes change by the decade but still remain the "same" with peoples swaying back and forth like wave tossed restless waters, perhaps knowing more facts but never getting wiser.
Woof get off your soap box and mention Clay?

Misneach,

Woof......................................................................................................................................................................................
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From: Clayart <clayart-bounces at lists.clayartforum.com> on behalf of mel jacobson via Clayart <clayart at lists.clayartforum.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2024 5:56 AM
To: clay clay <clayart at lists.clayartforum.com>
Cc: mel jacobson <melpots at mail.com>
Subject: [Clayart] black sand of superior

A huge article in the Minneapolis paper is praising the black
sand beaches of lake Superior.  They say it is a natural wonder.
It is the tailings of taconite that I have used for 60 years in
my clay body.  It is just iron oxide sand. It was deemed a natural
disaster years back that was polluting the lake. The mining company was
punished. the government was totally wrong. But it cost the mining industry
millions of dollars to contain the waste on land.

Another article today is praising the lake for its purity and it
makes the best beer in the country.

I love the black sand of lake Superior. I have spent time with the
mining engineers and the Superior Water Department. They just smile and
say..."the way it is."
Mel

website: www.melpots.com<http://www.melpots.com>
WWW.clayartarchives.com

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