Gondwana Industrial Clays

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This study focuses on the sedimentary and residual deposits of the Tandilia System in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It provides a comprehensive overview of the geology, stratigraphy, petrology, mineralogy, and industrial applications of these deposits, organized by geographic regions and various counties where significant Neoproterozoic and Eopaleozoic clay reserves are located. Most sediments from the Tandilia basin are now in South Africa due to continental breakup starting in the Jurassic period, complicating geological interpretations. The area's extreme age and scarcity of fossil remains, combined with challenging tectonics, including horst and graben structures, have made geological correlations difficult. Despite being 700 million years old, the physical-chemical properties of these sediments have largely remained stable. The Microbially Induced Sedimentary Structures (MISS) in tidal and peritidal deposits offer valuable insights into the origins of life on Earth. Buenos Aires province stands out as Argentina's leading non-metallic production center, with high-quality clay deposits that are easily accessible from major routes and close to large consumer markets, making them vital to the local construction industry.