Talc is a soft mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate, commonly used in industries such as paints, ceramics, and pharmaceuticals. Pakistan has significant reserves of high-quality talc, with major deposits located in regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, talc is associated with health risks including respiratory diseases and potential cancer hazards due to its silica content and possible asbestos contamination.

2. Talc
Industrial Minerals

3. Contents

4. Introduction
Names of Talc
Occurrence
Physical Properties
Deposits
Formation Of Talc
Reserves In Pakistan
Uses of Talc (Soap Stone)
Health Effects
References

5. Introduction

6.  Talc is a mineral composed of
hydrated magnesium silicate.
 Its chemical formula is
Mg3Si4O10(OH)2.
 It is very soft and can be cut with a
knife.
 Talc is insoluble in water, but it is
slightly soluble in dilute acids.

7. Names of Talc

8. Talc is also name as:
o Soapstone (massive gray to bluish or
greenish can be carved by hand).
o French chalk (soft variety used for
making cloth).
o Steatite (Used for making electronic
tube insulators).

9. Occurrence

10.  Talc is a common metamorphic mineral
in metamorphic belts which contain
Ultramafic Rocks, Whiteschist and
Blueschist metamorphic
Terranes.

11. • Ultramafic Rocks: Silica content (Less
than 45%).
• Whiteschist: Present in the Himalayas
which stretches along Pakistan,
Kashmir and Nepal.
• Blueschist: Forms by the
metamorphism of basalt, corresponding
to a depth of 15 to 30 km and 200 to
500 C.

12. Physical Properties

13. Physical Properties
Color
Light to dark green, brown
and white
Crystal Habit
Crystal System
Cleavage
Specific Gravity
Hardness
Fracture
Fibrous Masses
Luster
Streak
Wax like or Pearly
Monoclinic to Triclinic
Basal Cleavage
2.58 to 2.83
1
Fracture in an uneven
pattern
White to Pearl green

14. Deposits

15. a) The first type of deposit
is derived from
Magnesium Carbonates.
Found in ancient
metamorphosed
carbonate sequences.
This talc deposit is
usually the purest form
of talc.

16. b) The second type of talc deposits
are made from Serpentines,
which provide 40% of the world's
talc production. This type of Talc
forming the ore commonly
known as "Soapstone."

17. c) The third type of talc
deposit is derived
from Alumino-silicate
rock. Only about 10%
of this type of talc
deposit is mined to
meet the world's talc
supplies.

18. d) The fourth type of talc is
deposited from magnesium
sedimentary deposits. This type
of deposit is not mined
currently and does not bring
good economical value.

19. Formation Of Talc

20. Talc is a metamorphic mineral resulting
from the metamorphism of magnesium
minerals such as Serpentine, Pyroxene,
Olivine, in the presence of Carbon
Dioxide and Water. This is known as
Talc Carbonation.
a)Talc is formed through hydration and
carbonation of serpentine.
Serpentine + carbon dioxide → talc +
magnesite + water

21. b) Most talc is formed from the alteration of
Dolomite in the presence of excess
dissolved Silica
Dolomite + silica + water → talc +
calcite + carbon dioxide
c)Talc can be formed from magnesium
chlorite and quartz through the following
metamorphic reaction:
chlorite + quartz → kyanite + talc +
water

22. Reserves In
Pakistan

23. Talc reserves are estimated 0.6 Million
Tons
Pakistan has major resources of best
quality Talc Deposits in the world.
 Its mines are situated in green valleys
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with largest
deposits located in:
• Sherwan (Hazara)
• Shangla Par (Swat)

24. •
•
•
•
Kurram Agency,
Safed Koh (near Parachinar),
Nauseri in Azad Jammu & Kashmir
Talc deposits located in Kurram Agency
are of good quality matching to
International Standards.

25. Shangla Par (Swat)
Nauserie in AJK
Safed koh Near
Parachinar

26. Uses of Talc
(Soap Stone)

27. Paints Industry:
It improves durability, prevents cracking,
and enhances smoothness of paints.
Ceramics Industry:
The glazing and bodies of the ceramics
rely on talc to give ceramics their gloss,
whiteness and shape.

28.  Paper Industry:
It is used as filler and coating for paper
products.
Additives in Foods:
Talc coats some foods such as Chewing
Gum, Candies, as an anti-sticking agent.
Soap Industry:
Since pre-historic age it is being used as
soap that is why Talc is also named as
“Soap Stone”

29. Pharmaceutical Industry:
a)Anti- fungal powders include talc to
kill bacteria.
b)It is used in many commercial
antacids for stomach and indigestion
problems.
c)Pills are often coated in talc to help
keep moisture out of them.

30. Health Effects

31. Talc is mostly linked with pulmonary
diseases like Lung Cancer and Skin
Cancer.
Talc Products containing asbestos fibers
are fatal to human body.
Inhalation of large amounts of talc fine
dust may lead to pulmonary edema.

32. May cause irritation to the upper
respiratory tract. Tickling cough is a
common symptom.
May cause redness or irritation of eyes.

33. References

34. • http://www.tdap.gov.pk/doc_reports/
product_report_presentations.pdf
• http://www.nature.com/nature/journ
al/v207/n4994/abs/207283a0.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talc
• http://www.mineralszone.com/miner
als/talc.html