This is a 'preproof' accepted article for Clay Minerals. This version may be subject to change during the production process. DOI: 10.1180/clm.2022.7 Enhanced alumina extraction from kaolin by thermochemical activation using charcoal A.B. ElDeeb 1,2 , V.N. Brichkin 1 , M. Bertau 3 , M.E. Awad 4,5 , Yu.A. Savinova 6 1 Metallurgy Department, Saint-Petersburg Mining University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia. 2 Mining and Petroleum Department, Faculty of Engineering, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, 11884, Cairo, Egypt. 3 Institute of Chemical Technology, Freiberg University of Mining and Technology, Freiberg, Germany. 4 Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, 11884, Cairo, Egypt. 5 Andalusian Institute of Earth Sciences (IACT-CSIC), University of Granada, Spain. 6 Pyrometallurgy Laboratory, Gipronickel Institute, Saint-Petersburg, Russia. DOI: E-mail: engbasuony87@yahoo.com Abstract The present research aims to enhance alumina percent recovery (APR) extracted from kaolin by addition of variable charcoal contents 0.5 – 4 wt% as thermochemical fluxing agent in lime-sinter process under 1260 – 1360°C range. Transformational, microstructural and microtextural changes besides self-disintegration performance were characterized using