Are There Any Laterite Deposits Near Where You Live?

[incubus]

I am looking for a supplier of dark red or purple laterite located within 200 km of Surin. The darker the color, the better. I run a compressed soil block factory, and we need to make red blocks for the local market. Unfortunately, Surin is perhaps the only Issan province where laterite doesn't occur naturally, so we're looking to import about 50 m3/month, or a 300 m3 supply for 6 months. Any tips will be greatly appreciated!

Incubus

[disgruntled]

Where did they find all the stuff for the Angkor temples? There must be some around Surin. Maybe you could get some near the border with Cambodia.

[Thaddeus]

Where did they find all the stuff for the Angkor temples? There must be some around Surin. Maybe you could get some near the border with Cambodia.

I think most of it came from the quarry just up the road from me. But it is now protected, so I don't think that they will be up for digging any more of it out.

[incubus]

Where did they find all the stuff for the Angkor temples? There must be some around Surin. Maybe you could get some near the border with Cambodia.

Yes, some of the old temples are built with laterite blocks, which came from South of the Dongrek mountain range (Surin/Cambodia border), but I'm not looking for the stone, only the earth. Like what they dump on roads to keep them from melting into mud during the rainy season. Laterite block is to laterite like sand stone is to sand, if you see what I mean. In some areas, there are laterite pits, from which this material is extracted (with excavators) and hauled away. When one site is exhausted, another must be found. That's why these quarries tend to shift from place to place within a couple of years. The government is supposed to issue licenses for such quarrying if on public land, and so the local Ampoe or Tambon might know which places are currently being exploited.

I will go ask if somebody just points me in the right direction. Thanks for your input!

Incubus

[Thaddeus]

I think you have just answered it... go to a couple of Amphur offices and see if they have issued any licences and who to.

[Gary A]

I am looking for a supplier of dark red or purple laterite located within 200 km of Surin. The darker the color, the better. I run a compressed soil block factory, and we need to make red blocks for the local market. Unfortunately, Surin is perhaps the only Issan province where laterite doesn't occur naturally, so we're looking to import about 50 m3/month, or a 300 m3 supply for 6 months. Any tips will be greatly appreciated!

Incubus

Is this the stuff you're looking for? I have ten rai that I wanted to farm but I have tons of these things that I plowed up. I would be VERY grateful for someone to haul them off. They range in size from a kilo or so to at least a hundred kilograms. I'm in Loei province so maybe too far but the price is right, FREE!

[chevykanteve]

The rock in the photograph is called conglomerate, not laterite. Laterite is a greyish clay often situated just below top-soil level in many parts of Eissan. Conglomerate is aptly named, in that it is a "conglomeration" of rock materials. And yes, it is often used (after being broken up with heavy hammers) as a road topping.

[incubus]

The rock in the photograph is called conglomerate, not laterite. Laterite is a greyish clay often situated just below top-soil level in many parts of Eissan. Conglomerate is aptly named, in that it is a "conglomeration" of rock materials. And yes, it is often used (after being broken up with heavy hammers) as a road topping.

I wouldn't want to quibble about the color of anybody else's laterite/clay/conglomerate, whatever you want to call it but if it's a greyish color, it won't do for my purpose. I'm looking for dark red (iron oxide and bauxite rich) soil--not clay, not stone. Rust red soil is common in deposits or layers all over Korat and Saraburi, but that's too far away. I'm hoping someone can point me to a district where an extraction operation is actually going on. Anybody in SW Buriram, N Wattana Nakhorn or even Sakeo see this nearby? How about Sisaket? Roi Et?

There must be 200 Ampoes in our 200-km radius. Where to ask first? Any clues?

Incubus

Edited February 15, 2008 by incubus

[Gary A]

The rock in the photograph is called conglomerate, not laterite. Laterite is a greyish clay often situated just below top-soil level in many parts of Eissan. Conglomerate is aptly named, in that it is a "conglomeration" of rock materials. And yes, it is often used (after being broken up with heavy hammers) as a road topping.

Thanks, but that's not what I wanted to hear. I was hoping it would be useful to someone who wanted to haul it away.

I considered dumping them in my pond but I was concerned what the high iron content would do to the water. I did test the dust with a magnet and the particles are magnetic.

Edited February 16, 2008 by Gary A

[Thaddeus]

I wouldn't want to quibble about the color of anybody else's laterite/clay/conglomerate, whatever you want to call

I will, I am Mr Pedantic

There is no single rock called conglomerate, that is an umbrella term for rocks/deposits that contain multiple elements. Without knowing the composition of the item in Gary's picture, that would be technically referred to as 'a lump of dirt'

Back to the OP

You could make a call to these guys to see if they can help.

http://www.eguide.co.th/company-141835-qua...iland,Asia.html

Failing that, I'm afraid that you are going to have to do some leg work and visit some local Amphur Offices, they will have records of licences issued or companies registered that perform that task. It's unlikely that you are going to find an answer in a predominately English speaking forum comprised mainly of retired/semi-retired westerners, you need some help from the local Thais.

P.S. Gary, I wouldn't dump that in my pond if I were you.

[Gary A]

P.S. Gary, I wouldn't dump that in my pond if I were you.

I thought better of that idea too. I have decided to plant the entire ten rai with Eucalyptus. My wife had corn, melons, peppers and peanuts planted and the thieving bastards stole most of it. They also stole most of the fish out of the pond. I hope they don't steal the Eucalyptus seedlings. It's also interesting that there were a few decent size trees on the property. They are cut and gone too. I had the pond dug and the excavator took out several big tree stumps. Even those dug out stumps are gone.

[Thaddeus]

overtly flippant comment removed, sorry.

Edited February 16, 2008 by Thaddeus

[chevykanteve]

There is

Edited February 16, 2008 by chevykanteve

[chevykanteve]

"There is no single rock called conglomerate, that is an umbrella term for rocks/deposits that contain multiple elements. Without knowing the composition of the item in Gary's picture, that would be technically referred to as 'a lump of dirt'"

Not correct: check any basic dictionary.

[chownah]

conglomerate:

"A sedimentary rock composed of coarse-grained rock fragments, pebbles, or cobbles cemented together in a fine-grained matrix. A cemented gravel."

www.rpintegrated.com/glossary_c.htm

Chownah

[Thaddeus]

Edit... deleted... I've just realised that my education was a waste of time.

Edited February 16, 2008 by Thaddeus

[percy2]

The rock in the photograph is called conglomerate, not laterite. Laterite is a greyish clay often situated just below top-soil level in many parts of Eissan. Conglomerate is aptly named, in that it is a "conglomeration" of rock materials. And yes, it is often used (after being broken up with heavy hammers) as a road topping.

Where did you get that definition from?

Laterite

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

Cutting of laterite brickstones at Angadipuram, Kerala, India

Cutting of laterite brickstones at Angadipuram, Kerala, India

Laterite is a surface formation in hot and wet tropical areas which is enriched in iron and aluminium and develops by intensive and long lasting weathering of the underlying parent rock. Nearly all kinds of rocks can be deeply decomposed by the action of high rainfall and elevated temperatures. The percolating rain water causes dissolution of primary rock minerals and decrease of easily soluble elements as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and silicon. This gives rise to a residual concentration of more insoluble elements predominantly iron and aluminium.

Laterites consist mainly of the minerals kaolinite, goethite, hematite and gibbsite which form in the course of weathering. Moreover, many laterites contain quartz as relatively stable relic mineral from the parent rock. The iron oxides goethite and hematite cause the red-brown color of laterites.

Laterite covers have mostly a thickness of a few meters but occasionally they can be much thicker. Their formation is favoured by a slight relief which prevents erosion of the surface cover. Laterites occurring in non-tropical areas are products of former geological epochs. Lateritic soils form the uppermost part of the laterite cover; in soil science specific names (oxisol, latosol, ferallitic soil) are given for them.

In geosciences only those weathering products are defined as laterite, which are geochemically - mineralogically most strongly altered. They must be distinguished from less altered saprolite which has often a similar appearance and is also very widespread in tropical areas. Both formations can be classified as residual rocks.

Laterites can be as well soft and friable as firm and physically resistant. Indurated varieties are sometimes cut into blocks and used as brickstones for house-building. The term laterite which is derived from the Latin word later = brickstone is given because of this usage. History of laterite monuments dates back to 200 B.C. with megaliths of Kerala, South India. Most of the third generation Khmer temples at Angkor are built with laterite and have survived for over 1000 years. Later, world heritage sites such as Churches of Old Goa (India) and Walls in G5 monuments of My Son, Vietnam are also built in Laterite. Till today it is a comon vernacular building material and profoundly used in road construction. Nowadays solid lateritic gravel is readily put in aquaria where it favors the growth of tropical plants

I'd say , and wikipedia(above quote) suggest so also, that Gary's clump of dirt is laterite.

Cheers

[Nignoy]

I am looking for a supplier of dark red or purple laterite located within 200 km of Surin. The darker the color, the better. I run a compressed soil block factory, and we need to make red blocks for the local market. Unfortunately, Surin is perhaps the only Issan province where laterite doesn't occur naturally, so we're looking to import about 50 m3/month, or a 300 m3 supply for 6 months. Any tips will be greatly appreciated!

Incubus

Have you tried The old Airfield site near Leong nok tha my mates dug out tons of the red stuff to build the airfield Nignoy

[Thaddeus]

Analysing rock samples by using a photograph and an entry in wikipedia ........ interesting.

[disgruntled]

There are a lot of crumbling rock formations on the road from Chantaburi to BuriRam. But you know if you just ask some people in Surin I'm sure that it's avaiable somewhere there and they would rather see your cash staying in Surin than going to some other province. Southern Surin must have some.

[percy2]

Analysing rock samples by using a photograph and an entry in wikipedia ........ interesting.

Go on then give us the benefit of your education.

[chevykanteve]

The rock in the photograph is called conglomerate, not laterite. Laterite is a greyish clay often situated just below top-soil level in many parts of Eissan. Conglomerate is aptly named, in that it is a "conglomeration" of rock materials. And yes, it is often used (after being broken up with heavy hammers) as a road topping.

Where did you get that definition from?

Laterite

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

Cutting of laterite brickstones at Angadipuram, Kerala, India

Cutting of laterite brickstones at Angadipuram, Kerala, India

Laterite is a surface formation in hot and wet tropical areas which is enriched in iron and aluminium and develops by intensive and long lasting weathering of the underlying parent rock. Nearly all kinds of rocks can be deeply decomposed by the action of high rainfall and elevated temperatures. The percolating rain water causes dissolution of primary rock minerals and decrease of easily soluble elements as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and silicon. This gives rise to a residual concentration of more insoluble elements predominantly iron and aluminium.

Laterites consist mainly of the minerals kaolinite, goethite, hematite and gibbsite which form in the course of weathering. Moreover, many laterites contain quartz as relatively stable relic mineral from the parent rock. The iron oxides goethite and hematite cause the red-brown color of laterites.

Laterite covers have mostly a thickness of a few meters but occasionally they can be much thicker. Their formation is favoured by a slight relief which prevents erosion of the surface cover. Laterites occurring in non-tropical areas are products of former geological epochs. Lateritic soils form the uppermost part of the laterite cover; in soil science specific names (oxisol, latosol, ferallitic soil) are given for them.

In geosciences only those weathering products are defined as laterite, which are geochemically - mineralogically most strongly altered. They must be distinguished from less altered saprolite which has often a similar appearance and is also very widespread in tropical areas. Both formations can be classified as residual rocks.

Laterites can be as well soft and friable as firm and physically resistant. Indurated varieties are sometimes cut into blocks and used as brickstones for house-building. The term laterite which is derived from the Latin word later = brickstone is given because of this usage. History of laterite monuments dates back to 200 B.C. with megaliths of Kerala, South India. Most of the third generation Khmer temples at Angkor are built with laterite and have survived for over 1000 years. Later, world heritage sites such as Churches of Old Goa (India) and Walls in G5 monuments of My Son, Vietnam are also built in Laterite. Till today it is a comon vernacular building material and profoundly used in road construction. Nowadays solid lateritic gravel is readily put in aquaria where it favors the growth of tropical plants

I'd say , and wikipedia(above quote) suggest so also, that Gary's clump of dirt is laterite.

Cheers

Your personal definition is great. My definition was straight from gemology (or British: gemmology) textbooks, AIGS (Asian Institute of Gemmological Sciences) and GIA (Gemological Institute of America) define "rock" as a "mixture of two or more minerals", but: call it a clump of dirt!

Edited February 17, 2008 by chevykanteve

[Gary A]

Didn't mean to start a war here. I just wanted to get rid of some soft funny rocks. They are no where near as hard as a regular rock but the big ones make my rotary tiller jump out of the ground.

[percy2]

Actually I was more interested in your definition of Laterite.

I have never seen it described as grayish in colour as its most distinct feature is its high iron content giving it its red colouration.

Cheers

[macan]

The government Land Development Department (Krom Pattana tee din) have soil maps for the whole province. They should also know who is quarrying the stuff.

[incubus]

The government Land Development Department (Krom Pattana tee din) have soil maps for the whole province. They should also know who is quarrying the stuff.

Now this is a useful answer! I had pretty much come to the same conclusion by deduction, but now I have a name to go with it. Thank you macan! The thing is that laterite deposits are quite shallow, and large areas have to be dug up to obtain it. And the deposits soon run out so a new site must be found. Quality varies from one area to another.

As for the color of laterite, of course it's got to be red, that's why I need it! If it ain't ochre or red, it ain't laterite. What Gary A.'s been digging up in his field sounds to me like landfill extracted by someone who dug a deep hole. At 2+ m you will find this type of agglomerate, which I have separated out into 60% coarse to fine sand, 10% silt, 30% clay, and 0% organic matter. It does contain some ferrous nuggets, which account for the rusty blotches. This stuff is ok for making blocks, but they turn out a light tan, which personally suits me fine--but the Thai customers demand red, which they mistakenly think is a mark of quality. (In my country, only rigorous testing can guarantee quality, but hey, I'm Swiss!) If we were in Chiang Rai, we'd be making red blocks only. But in Surin? hel_l, there ain't no local laterite to be had here, unless someone can prove me wrong. Yes, I will accept a wager, and hope I lose.

Incubus

Edited February 17, 2008 by incubus

[zzdocxx]

Did you already mention what you are going to do with it exactly?

Just wondering.

[Gary A]

The government Land Development Department (Krom Pattana tee din) have soil maps for the whole province. They should also know who is quarrying the stuff.

Now this is a useful answer! I had pretty much come to the same conclusion by deduction, but now I have a name to go with it. Thank you macan! The thing is that laterite deposits are quite shallow, and large areas have to be dug up to obtain it. And the deposits soon run out so a new site must be found. Quality varies from one area to another.

As for the color of laterite, of course it's got to be red, that's why I need it! If it ain't ochre or red, it ain't laterite. What Gary A.'s been digging up in his field sounds to me like landfill extracted by someone who dug a deep hole. At 2+ m you will find this type of agglomerate, which I have separated out into 60% coarse to fine sand, 10% silt, 30% clay, and 0% organic matter. It does contain some ferrous nuggets, which account for the rusty blotches. This stuff is ok for making blocks, but they turn out a light tan, which personally suits me fine--but the Thai customers demand red, which they mistakenly think is a mark of quality. (In my country, only rigorous testing can guarantee quality, but hey, I'm Swiss!) If we were in Chiang Rai, we'd be making red blocks only. But in Surin? hel_l, there ain't no local laterite to be had here, unless someone can prove me wrong. Yes, I will accept a wager, and hope I lose.

Incubus

I can assure you that there is no land fill here. I'm not sure what we have but I hope Eucalyptus will grow because it is not worth cleaning up for normal farming. Here are a couple of photos of the pond being dug;

[incubus]

Did you already mention what you are going to do with it exactly?

Just wondering.

In the OP I stated "I run a compressed soil block factory, and we need to make red blocks for the local market."

Ok, I'll post a picture for you.

Cheers,

Incubus

[zzdocxx]

Right, are red blocks the world over dependent on this type of rock? Just curious, since the deposits are so shallow, it seems like it could get to be a scarce commodity after not too long. (Disclaimer -- I know absolutely nothing about blockmaking.)