Development of Hydrophobic Material: A Mineral Pigment

Jarosite is a basic hydrous sulphate of potassium and iron with a chemical formula of [KFe3(III)(OH) 6(SO4)2]. This sulphate mineral is formed in ore deposits by the oxidation of iron sulphides. Jarosite is a waste material produced during extraction of zinc ore concentrate by hydrometallurgy operations. Zinc ore concentrate contains about 50% zinc. This concentration is roasted at 9000o C and subjected to leaching where jarosite is formed as a waste material. At present, the annual production of Jarosite is about 4 lacs metric tons while its accumulation is nil because it is converted into new material called Jarofix by addition of 2% lime and 10% cement. This new material is transported to the Jarofix disposal area with the help of pay loader and dumper. Jarosite is also commonly associated with acid mine drainage and acid sulphate soil environments. How can we reduce the amount of jarosite? It has properties similar to TiO2, such as both shows hydrophobicity, which is used in paints.Obviously Jarosite is a hazardes material in our environment; because it contains sulphate which is toxic, innorder to reduce the amount of waste we are trying to use it in paints.