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Exploration ausgewählter hochreiner Quarzvorkommen für die Glasindustrie in Ostösterreich

Translated title of the contribution: Exploration of selected high-purity quartz occurrences for the glass industry in Eastern Austria

Research output: ThesisMaster's Thesis

Abstract

Quartz is the main raw material used in glass production. The requirements for quartz raw material can vary depending on the type of glass product. Of particular importance is the chemical composition, especially the Fe2O3 concentration, as this has the greatest influence on the colour of the glass product. As part of the ¿MRI Quartz¿ project, high-purity quartz vein deposits in eastern Austria were explored. Four occurrences were examined in total. These are the sites at Dachsriegel, Kampstein, Frauenalpe and Gradischkogel, where a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the quartz veins was carried out. The quartz veins at Dachsriegel are exposed in a muscovite gneiss of the ¿Grobgneis¿-Complex. They are surrounded by chlorite-sericite-albite phyllite and quartz-muscovite-chlorite schist of the ¿Wechselschiefer¿-Formation, as well as epidote amphibolite. The outcrop situation and geophysical resistivity measurements do not provide clear information on the extent of the quartz veins in this area. The quartz veins are exposed in two areas, with thicknesses in the metre range and a lateral extent of several tens of metres. The quartz veins exhibit good to moderate purity (120-2,100 ppm Fe2O3) and contain only a few accessory phases. Reserves are estimated at 25,000 t and resources at 233,000 t. The occurrences at Kampstein and Frauenalpe are geologically classified as part of the ¿Wechselgneis¿-Formation. Vein quartz only occurs as blocks. Host rocks are present mainly as fragments within the blocks. The vein quartz is of good quality (100-450 ppm Fe2O3) and contains few accessory phases. Reserves are estimated at 800 t at Kampstein and 2,800 t at Frauenalpe, while resources are estimated at 3,000 t (Kampstein) and 11,000 t (Frauenalpe). The Gradischkogel occurrence consists of six investigated pits, in three of which quartz veins are exposed. The host rocks are eclogite amphibolites and gneisses of the Saualpe-Koralpe-Complex. The quartz veins in the eclogite amphibolites are very pure (<100 ppm Fe2O3) and contain almost no accessory phases. The quartz vein in the gneiss is of slightly poorer quality (~350 ppm Fe2O3). Reserves are estimated at 150 t and resources at 700 t. The Neogene sand occurrences in Styria and Burgenland are of poor quality (0.6-7.01 wt% Fe2O3) and contain high proportions of various phases. Trace elements in quartz from the veins and host rocks at all sites (Dachsriegel, Kampstein, Frauenalpe, Gradischkogel) were analysed using LA-ICP-MS. The analysed quartz contains only a few different trace elements in low concentrations. The genesis of the quartz veins could not be clearly determined on the basis of the trace elements.
Translated title of the contributionExploration of selected high-purity quartz occurrences for the glass industry in Eastern Austria
Original languageGerman
Awarding Institution
  • Montanuniversität
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Mali, Heinrich, Co-Supervisor (internal)
  • Rantitsch, Gerd, Co-Supervisor (internal)
  • Melcher, Frank, Supervisor (internal)
Award date26 Jun 2026
Publication statusPublished - 2026

Bibliographical note

no embargo

Keywords

  • Exploration
  • Quartz veins
  • Quartz sands

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