Natural Asphalt

Gilsonite is a natural, resinous hydrocarbon.This natural asphalt is similar to hard petroleum asphalt and is often called anatural asphalt, asphaltite, uintaite, or asphaltum. Gilsonite is soluble inaromatic and aliphatic solvents, as well as petroleum asphalt. Due to itsunique compatibility, Gilsonite is frequently used to harden softer petroleum products. Gilsonite in mass is a shiny, black substance similar in appearance to the mineral obsidian. It is brittle and can be easily crushed into a dark brown powder.
Gilsonite is found below the earth's surface in vertical veins or seams thatare generally between two and six feet in width, but can be as wide as 28 feet.The veins are nearly parallel to each other and are oriented in a northwest to southeast direction. They extend many miles in length and as deep as 1500 feet.The vein will show up on the surface as a thin outcropping and gradually widens it goes deeper. Due to the narrow mining face, Gilsonite is mined today,much like it was 50 or 100 years ago. The primary difference is that modernminers use pneumatic chipping hammers and mechanical hoists.

Gilsonite is a natural, resinous hydrocarbon. This natural asphalt is similar to hard petroleum asphalt and is often called. . .