Assessment of the potential use of limestone based on the examples of the selected deposits from southern Poland

The objectives of this research were to present the properties, possible directions of use and the economic potential of limestone that occurs in the deposits of southern Poland in a broader international context and also to propose a methodical algorithm, allowing for the identification of the essential uses of limestone. The Carboniferous and Middle Triassic rocks were tested. Macroscopic and microscopic description, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), qualitative and quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD), as well as tests of physical-mechanical and sorption properties were performed. The limestones are high-purity rocks (CaO content ≥49.95 wt.%; CaCO3 content ≥93.8%) with a low proportion of admixtures (mainly SiO2 as well as Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO and Na2O). They have a broad scope of applications. Depending on their origin and properties, they can be used for the production of cement and lime, as a road aggregate, fertilizer, animal feed additive, mine safety dust or a sorbent for flue gas desulphurization in the iron and steel industry, as well as a component for glass production. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis can be applied as an effective principal tool for assessing the suitability of limestone for various economic purposes. On this basis, the rock varieties for further investigation, including the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and tests of the physical-mechanical and sorption properties, can be selected.