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Part of the 2000 annual review of the industrial minerals sector. A general overview of the kaolin industry is provided. In 2000, production of kaolin was estimated to be 8.87 Mt, which is less than the amount produced in 1999. Domestic sales of kaolin decreased in 2000, with sales of kaolin for paper filler applications continuing to drop.
Part of the 1998 Industrial Minerals Review. Activities in the kaolin industry in 1999 are reviewed. U.S. production of kaolin in 1999 was estimated to be 10.7 million st, an increase of 0.3 million st from the previous year. The paper industry is the largest user of kaolin, accounting for 59 percent of domestic sales. Company activities, announcements, and plans of interest to the kaolin industry are outlined.
Part of a special section on the state of industrial minerals in 1997. The state of the asbestos industry in 1997 is discussed. World production of asbestos in 1997 was estimated to be 2.07 Mt. Consumption in the U.S. fell 3 percent to 21 kt, and it is expected to continue to decline at a rate of 2–4 percent per year.
World fluorspar demand continued to show signs of recovery from 2008-2009 recession. In 2011, nearly all fluorspar (CaF 2 ) consumed in the United States was imported. Hastie Mining and Trucking Co. produced some fluorspar as a byproduct from its limestone quarry operations in Illinois. In addition, a small amount of usable synthetic fluorspar was produced from industrial waste streams.
The United States had a small quantity of fluorspar production from one mine in Utah during 2002. Most of the fluorspar consumed in the United States continued to come from imports or material purchased from the National Defense Stockpile (NDS). In addition, a small amount of synthetic fluorspar (CaF 2 ) was produced from industrial waste streams.
A general overview of the fluorspar industry is provided. The U.S. had no reported mine production in 2000. Imports, sales from the U.S. National Defense Stockpile, and small amounts of synthetic fluorspar met domestic fluorspar needs. According to the U.S. Geographical Survey, 509 kt of fluorspar was consumed domestically.
In 2001, one mine in Utah produced a small quantity of fluorspar. The majority of fluorspar consumed in the United States continued to come from imports or material purchased from the US National Defense Stockpile (NDS). In addition, a small amount of synthetic fluorspar (CaF 2 ) was produced from industrial waste streams.
Developments in the area of fluorspar in 1996 are reviewed. There was no reported mine production of fluorspar the U.S. in 1996, so domestic fluorspar requirements were satisfied by imports, sales from the National Defense Stockpile, and small amounts of synthetic fluorspar produced from industrial waste. The Defence Logistics Agency, consumption, imports, exports, markets, production of synthetic equivalents, and the lack of major developments in the North American industry are discussed.
The state of the fluorspar industry worldwide for 1997 is discussed. The U.S. had no reported mining of fluorspar in 1997. Reported consumption in the U.S. decreased to 490 kt. U.S. imports, mainly from China, totaled 533 kt. Exports, synthetic fluorspar production, and industry developments are also reviewed.
The U.S. exported approximately 52 kt of fluorspar in 1993. All reported production of fluorspar came from the Illinois mines of Elf Atochem. The U.S. consumed approximately 439 kt of fluorspar, according to preliminary U.S. Bureau of Mines figures. Fluorspar markets and industry developments are discussed.
The production, consumption, and applications of fluorspar are reviewed. In 1994, the U.S. exported about 45 kt of fluorspar, but, according to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, 493 kt were imported during the same period. Consumption, according to preliminary figures from the U.S. Bureau of Mines, was about 473 kt. China continued to be the main supplier of imports to the U.S. with 61 percent of the total imports. Of the 3 major fluorspar markets, hydrofluoric acid (HF), aluminum, and steel, the HF market was the only one to record an increase in consumption in 1994.
The U.S. consumed about 525 kt of fluorspar in 1995, with more than 70 percent being used for the production of hydrofluoric acid. Fluorspar is also used for the production of aluminum and steel. About 558 kt of fluorspar was imported in 1995, with a further 186 kt made available from the National Defense Stockpile. The market in the U.S. is expected to grow as increasing use is made of fluorocarbons to replace chlorofluorocarbons.
The U.S. produced 50 kt of fluorspar in 1992 and imported nearly 409 kt. Almost all the fluorspar was imported from China. The U.S. consumption of 467 kt represents the lowest level since 1958. This is due to the continuing decrease in consumption by the steel and aluminum industries.
Part of the 1999 Industrial Minerals Review. A review of the state of the global industrial diamond industry in 1999 is presented. World consumption of industrial diamond has increased annually in recent years, with an estimated 500 million carats valued between $650 million and $800 million consumed in 1999. In 1999, the U.S. was the world's largest market for industrial diamond and was also one of the world's main producers; the others were Ireland, Russia, and South Africa. Uses of industrial diamonds are discussed, and prices of natural and synthetic industrial diamond are reported.
Part of the 2003 industrial minerals review. Supply and demand data for industrial diamond are provided. Topics discussed are consumption, prices, imports and exports, government stockpiles, and the outlook for 2004.