DILL, H.G. (2003): PIMA –supported exploration of industrial minerals in Mongolia and Thailand.- Erzmetall, 56, 20-28, Weinheim.

Abstract: The portable infra-red mineral analyzer abbreviated to PIMA has prevalently been used in the exploration of ore deposits. In the current study operational experience gained throughout exploration of non-metallic deposits/ industrial minerals is recorded, giving reference to some case studies from Mongolia and Thailand (calcareous rocks used as dimension stones and for hydraulic binders, argillaceous to arenaceous clastic rocks, sulphates and framework silicates considered as a raw material for ceramic products). The major assets of the method/device are the variable applicability in the field. It renders possible to take decisions in the field whether to leave a target area or to follow it up. In some cases the number of samples taken during field work could be reduced by 50 percent. As for argillaceous material, it is the only method to get a first-hand information on the mineral composition in the field. In conclusion, the applicability of a portable IR spectrometer in exploration for industrial minerals may be rated as follows (the commodities are arranged in order of decreasing applicability): (1) carbonate, (2) sulphate-bearing rocks, (3) argillaceous rocks, (4) clay-bearing arenaceous rocks, (5) rocks abundant in alumosilicates/ framework silicates.

KHISHIGSUREN S., DILL, H. G., MAJIGSUREN Yo, BULGAMAA J., HONGOR O.(2003): New information about the Ulaan Uul smectite.- Journal of the Mongolian University of Science and Technology, 4, 1-2, Ulaan Bataar, (in Mongolian).

Abstract: During the summer in 2001 the team of the Mongolian-Germany “Non-metallic mineral resources” project and the Geological School of MUST carried out studies in the Erdene region of the Geological Investigation Center which did there geological mapping on a scale 1: 50,000. In course of these field activities the high content of smectite in the Paleogene red beds was determined near the Erdene sum center of the Dornogovi aimag (44° 28’ 36.7”, 111° 07’ 15.4”). The clay deposit is located 1000-1021 m a.m.s.l. and as much as 21m thick. During the field campaign the lithological characteristics of the deposit were determined, samples taken and a first-hand analysis of the mineralogical composition using PIMA, was carried out.

DILL H.G., KAUFHOLD S., KHISHIGSUREN S., BULGAMAA J. (2005): Discovery and origin of a Paleogene smectite-bearing clay deposit in the SE Gobi (Mongolia).- Clay and clay minerals, (in press)

Abstract: The smectite-bearing red bed series of the Paleogene Ergeliin zoo Formation in Mongolia is part of an alluvial-fluvial fan prograding over prodelta/mudflat deposits. The series was investigated in the field (mapping and portable IR spectrometry in the SWIR range) and its samples were analyzed in the laboratory using thin sections, XRD, XRF, CEC and FT-IR in the MIR range. Two reference sections are treated in more detail as to the environment of deposition and concentration of smectite. The deposits at Ulaan uul are representative of a distal fan section with prevalent mudflats, whereas Ulaan buur offers insight into a braided river drainage system. Metabasic rocks in the hinterland delivered mica and chlorite from which smectite originated during diagenesis under semi-arid climatic and surface-near conditions. Towards the basin edge smectite is replaced by kaolinite. The prime target for smectite is the most distal part of the alluvial-fluvial fan, which was subject of a field-based IR survey. This exploration method is a valuable tool to obtain a quick overview of the mineral composition and reduce the number of samples in the field for follow-up analyses. Its weak and strong points are discussed.