Extraction and processing of clays and kaolins for the ceramic and refractory industry
Stephan Schmidt Meißen GmbH
Kamenz-Wiesa · Wiesa-Thonberg open-cast mine · Cunnersdorf open-cast mineNew on Amplifa
About Stephan Schmidt Meißen GmbH
Stephan Schmidt Meißen GmbH was founded in 1991 with the aim of organizing the raw material supply of the ceramic industry in the region, in neighboring countries and beyond with high-quality Saxon clays and kaolins. Based in Kamenz-Wiesa, the company operates the Wiesa-Thonberg and Cunnersdorf open-cast mines as well as stationary blending and processing plants at the Kamenz-Wiesa site. Light-firing clays and kaolins are extracted from the Wiesa-Thonberg deposit, and red-firing kaolinitic clays for structural ceramics from the Cunnersdorf open-cast mine. The raw materials are extracted selectively with hydraulic shovels, processed into standard raw materials and further refined into application-specific raw material blends, up to ready-to-press ceramic compounds. The extraction capacity of the two open-cast mines is 250,000 tonnes per year; since 2003, the blending and processing plants have achieved around 160 tonnes per hour. The company is a 100-percent subsidiary of Stephan Schmidt KG and supplies customers in Germany, Italy, Poland and the Czech Republic, among others, partly by rail via its own siding at the Cunnersdorf open-cast mine.
- Site
- Kamenz-Wiesa
- Processes
- Extraction of clays and kaolins in open-cast mining (selective extraction with hydraulic shovels), Homogenization of clays (cross-blending stockpiling systems, box blending), Drying and milling of clays (milled clay, drying and milling plants), Spritzkorn-free fine milling, Production of build-up granulate (mixing units), Processing of clays and kaolins into standard raw materials, Production of raw material blends (ready-to-press ceramic compounds, e.g. for façade panels), Homogenization (box feeding, box blending systems)
- Materials
- Special clays (light-firing), Kaolin (white-firing), Red-firing kaolinitic clays, Sanitary clays, Engobe and glaze clays, Special clays for the refractory industry, Feldspar, Silex (grinding media, mill linings)
- Certificates
- Comprehensive deposit exploration, Homogenization through box blending
- Founded
- 1991
- Employees
- 17
- Industries
- Ceramic industry, Tile industry (stoneware tiles, monocottura, gres porcellanato), Sanitary ceramics, Roof tiles/structural ceramics, Clinker, Electrical porcelain
- 01
Deposit exploration and mining planning
- 02
Selective extraction in open-cast mining with hydraulic shovels
- 03
Homogenization (cross-blending stockpiling systems, box blending)
- 04
Crushing and processing (box feeders with crushers)
- 05
Drying, milling and granulate build-up
- 06
Production of application-specific raw material blends
- 07
Storage in covered halls
- 08
Supply by truck and company-owned rail siding
Raw materials and processes
Light-firing special clays
From the Wiesa-Thonberg deposit for all application areas of the ceramic industry.
Kaolin (white-firing)
White-firing kaolin from the Meißen-Lausitz mining district for the ceramic industry.
Red-firing kaolinitic clays
In large quantities from the Cunnersdorf open-cast mine, especially for structural ceramics.
Sanitary clays
Receive a positive response, especially on modern pressure casting systems.
Engobe and glaze clays
For surface design in ceramic production.
Special clays for the refractory industry
Raw materials for refractory applications.
Ready-to-press ceramic compounds
Application-specific raw material blends with additive components, e.g. for façade panels.
Feldspar
Additive component for raw material concepts of the ceramic industry.
Silex
Used as grinding media and mill linings.
Sites and open-cast mines
Kamenz-Wiesa
DEAdministration, blending and processing plants
- Materials
- Clays, kaolins, raw material blends
- Two box feeders with crushers for raw material crushing
- Belt conveyor system (interconnected boxes)
- Cross-blending stockpiling systems
- Drying and milling plants
- Mixing units (build-up granulate)
Tagebau Wiesa-Thonberg
DEExtraction of light-firing clays and kaolins
- Materials
- Light-firing clays, kaolins
- Hydraulic shovels
Tagebau Cunnersdorf
DEExtraction of red-firing kaolinitic clays
- Materials
- Red-firing kaolinitic clays
- Hydraulic shovels
- Own rail siding for loading railway wagons
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extraction of clays and kaolins in open-cast mining (selective extraction with hydraulic shovels)Other | – | – | – | 250.000 t/Jahr (extraction capacity of | light-firing clays, kaolins, red-firing kaolinitic clays, red-firing kaolin |
| Homogenization of clays (cross-blending stockpiling systems, box blending)Other | – | – | – | – | clays, kaolins, additive components |
| Drying and milling of clays (milled clay, drying and milling plants)Other | – | – | – | ca. 160 t/h | clays |
| Spritzkorn-free fine millingOther | – | – | – | – | clays |
| Production of build-up granulate (mixing units)Other | – | – | – | – | clays |
| Other | – | – | – | – | clays, kaolins, additive components, feldspars, special sands |
7 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-blending stockpiling system | – | – | – | – | Dornburg-Langendernbach |
| Drying and milling plants | – | – | – | – | – |
| Mixing units (build-up granulate) | – | – | – | – | – |
| Hydraulic shovels | – | – | – | – | Wiesa-Thonberg / Cunnersdorf open-cast mines |
| Box feeders with crushers (raw material crushing) | – | 2 | – | 2003 | Kamenz-Wiesa |
| Belt conveyor system (interconnected boxes) | – | – | – | – | Kamenz-Wiesa |
| Own rail siding for loading railway wagons | – | – | – | – | Cunnersdorf open-cast mine |
Additional services
Quality and raw material assurance
Comprehensive deposit exploration is a prerequisite for systematic open-cast mine development. Homogenization of the raw materials is carried out systematically through box blending in order to achieve optimal homogeneity.
| Evidence | Kamenz-Wiesa |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive deposit exploration | |
| Homogenization through box blending |
Company history
- 1991
Foundation of Stephan Schmidt Meißen GmbH with the aim of organizing the raw material supply of the ceramic industry with Saxon clays and kaolins
- nach 1991
Complete restructuring of the operation; discontinuation of the former chamotte production in 100-year-old manufacturing facilities; extensive investments in blending and processing plants
- 2003
Doubling of the capacity of the blending and processing plants to approx. 160 t/h in mid-year