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I'd love to know where that sand comes from. A professor in college once told us that not just any sand works for this process, and many wars have been fueled b
by mrleinad 15y ago
I'd love to know where that sand comes from. A professor in college once told us that not just any sand works for this process, and many wars have been fueled by the need to secure sources of that particular sand in Africa. Couldn't find any references, though...
- tankenmate 15y agoI know of one place in Australia they tried to mine, but it was blocked on grounds that it was a part of a UNESCO site, the Great Barrier Reef; Whitehaven beach. Can't remember where I read this, it was 10+ years ago. The beach is 98% silica. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitehaven_beach http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitehaven_beach
- mrleinad 15y agoThat was the problem, regular sand doesn't contain as much silica as is required for the process. Special sand is required. Isn't it funny we can't find anything about where that sand comes from?
- nknight 15y agoEr, are you sure you're not thinking of Coltan? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coltan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coltan
- mrleinad 15y agoYes, I'm sure. While looking up references for my previous post, I read about that. Coltan is another matter entirely, although it shares that particular characteristic of being the reason for much spilled blood.