| The zeolites are a popular assemblage of minerals, | | | | were termed zeolites. These forces created the |
| containing an indispensable source of minerals for | | | | Ngakuru mines, which produce Clinoptilolite zeolites |
| industrial and productive purposes. They possess | | | | that are renowned for their crystal habit, density, |
| complexity, scarcity and splendour. Zeolites form in | | | | water absorption and heat tolerance. As a result, |
| the cavities of volcanic rocks, as a result of low level | | | | there is much demand for Clinoptilolite from this |
| metamorphism. Varying types and qualities of the | | | | volcanic region, as well as the companies producing |
| mineral is a result of the combination of heat and | | | | and utilising the zeolites for innovative applications. |
| pressure, with some forming from minimal amounts | | | | Although Clinoptilolite is not the most recognised of |
| of heat and pressure, while others are formed in | | | | the Zeolite group, it is one of the most researched |
| regions of high metamorphic activity. This group has | | | | and commercially utilised, being employed in many |
| even been seen to form in space... experimentally | | | | applications. It currently has been used as a chemical |
| grown aboard a space shuttle. The Zeolites have | | | | sieve, a gas absorber, a feed and food additive, an |
| been receiving increasing attention for their aesthetics | | | | odour control agent and as a water filter for |
| and productive functions, being the subject of | | | | residential drinking water. Clinoptilolite is ideal for these |
| widespread research into their formation and unique | | | | types of functions due to its resisting abilities to |
| properties. | | | | intense heat, a neutral chemical structure and its |
| In a global perspective, there are many prominent | | | | absorbing qualities as a result of its sizeable pore |
| occurrences of Clinoptilolite, but none more so than | | | | space. Clinoptilolite has been employed for some time |
| the central North Island of New Zealand. | | | | as an additive to animal feeds. Through the |
| Approximately 250,000 years ago, in the | | | | aforementioned properties it possess, it is able to |
| Rotorua-Taupo region, a unique event involving | | | | absorb any toxin found formed by microscopic |
| intense volcanic activity generated giant tephra | | | | parasites, while enhancing food absorption. |
| deposits, which were then subsequently eroded into | | | | Additionally, this mineral can easily attract ammonia |
| lakes through an alluvial process, forming deep beds | | | | and other toxic gases from air and water and thus |
| of sediment. Subsequent thermal activity based on | | | | can be used in filters, both for health reasons and for |
| the surface, pressured water well above boiling | | | | odour removal. Moreover, Zeolites have been |
| temperature, up through these beds transforming the | | | | advocated by the New Zealand Sports Institute as |
| clays into soft rocks. These newly formed rocks | | | | suitable for additive to sand based sports turf areas, |
| possessing ordered internal structural sequences, | | | | in particular golf and bowling greens. |