Geology topics

R.L. Virta

Publications and source records attributed to R.L. Virta.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

USGS2004

Fire clay

Seven companies mined fire clay in four states during 2003. From 1984 to 1992, production declined to 383 kt (422,000 st) from a high of 1.04 Mt (1.14 million st) as markets for clay-based refractories declined. Since 1992, production levels have been erratic, ranging from 383 kt (422,000 st) in 1992 and 2001 to 583 kt (642,000 st) in 1995. Production in 2003, based on preliminary data, was estimated to be around 450 kt (496,000 st) with a value of about $10.5 million. This was about the same as in 2002. Missouri remained the leading producer state, followed by South Carolina, Ohio and California.

Mining Engineering↗

USGS2004

Common clay and shale

Part of the 2003 industrial minerals review. The legislation, production, and consumption of common clay and shale are discussed. The average prices of the material and outlook for the market are provided.

Mining Engineering↗

USGS2004

Kaolin

Part of the 2003 industrial minerals review. Supply and demand data for kaolin are provided. Topics discussed are consumption and prices, industry news, foreign trade, and the outlook for 2004.

Mining Engineering↗

USGS2003

Ball clay

Part of the 2002 industrial minerals review. Statistics on ball clay consumption, production, prices, trade, and trends are presented.

Mining Engineering↗

USGS2003

Common clay and shale

Part of the 2002 industrial minerals review. The production, consumption, and price of shale and common clay in the U.S. during 2002 are discussed. The impact of EPA regulations on brick and structural clay product manufacturers is also outlined.

Mining Engineering↗

USGS2003

Kaolin

Part of the 2002 industrial minerals review. Statistics on kaolin production, consumption, prices, and imports are provided. Other developments in the industry and the outlook for 2003 are detailed.

Mining Engineering↗

USGS2001

Some Facts About Asbestos

For information on historic asbestos mines, historic prospects and natural asbestos occurrences in the U.S., see: Eastern U.S. ---> Open-File Report 2005-1189 (http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1189/); Central U.S. ---> Open-File Report 2006-1211 (http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1211/); Rocky Mountain States ---> Open-File Report 2007-1182 (http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1182/); Southwest U.S. ---> Open-File Report 2008-1095 (http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1095/). For commodity statistics and information see: http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/asbestos/

Fact Sheet↗

USGS2001

Ball clay

Part of the 2000 annual review of the industrial minerals sector. A general overview of the ball clay industry is provided. In 2000, sales of ball clay reached record levels, with sanitary ware and tile applications accounting for the largest sales. Ball clay production, consumption, prices, foreign trade, and industry news are summarized. The outlook for the ball clay industry is also outlined.

Mining Engineering↗

USGS2001

Common clay and shale

Part of the 2000 annual review of the industrial minerals sector. A general overview of the common clay and shale industry is provided. In 2000, U.S. production increased by 5 percent, while sales or use declined to 23.6 Mt. Despite the slowdown in the economy, no major changes are expected for the market.

Mining Engineering↗

USGS2001

Kaolin

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.

Mining Engineering↗

USGS2000

Ball clay

Part of the 1999 Industrial Minerals Review. The state of the ball clay industry in 1999 is presented. Record highs in the sales and use of ball clay were attained in 1999 due to the continued strength of the U.S. economy. U.S. production was estimated at 1.25 million st for the year, with more than half of that amount mined in Tennessee. Details of the consumption, price, imports, and exports of ball clay in 1999 and the outlook for ball clay over the next few years are provided.

Mining Engineering↗

USGS2000

Common clay and shale

Part of the 1999 Industrial Minerals Review. The clay and shale market in 1999 is reviewed. In the U.S., sales or use of clay and shale increased from 26.4 million st in 1998 to 27.3 million st in 1999, with an estimated 1999 value of production of $143 million. These materials were used to produce structural clay products, lightweight aggregates, cement, and ceramics and refractories. Production statistics for clays and shales and for their uses in 1999 are presented.

Mining Engineering↗

USGS2000

Kaolin

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.

Mining Engineering↗

USGS1998

Clays, common

Part of a special section on the state of industrial minerals in 1997. The state of the common clay industry worldwide for 1997 is discussed. Sales of common clay in the U.S. increased from 26.2 Mt in 1996 to an estimated 26.5 Mt in 1997. The amount of common clay and shale used to produce structural clay products in 1997 was estimated at 13.8 Mt.

Mining Engineering↗

USGS1998

Asbestos

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.

Mining Engineering↗