Stockpiling

Typically, Blackjack has a mining campaign every 2 years. The clay is hauled to the plant and stockpiled outside. Stockpiling allows the clay to "age" or "weather" no less than 6 months before going into production. Weathering of the clay, which are the beneficial effects of wind, rain and sun help both to wash away naturally occurring residual salts and allows the clay to dry (mining moisture of 15 to 18%) so it will break down more easily into smaller chunks. Smaller chunks that will more readily dissolve when blunged into a clay slurry.