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Ball clay
The article reports on the global market performance of ball clay in 2009 and presents an outlook for its 2010 performance. Several companies mined ball call in the country including Old Hickey Clay Co., Kentucky-Tennessee Clay Co., and H.C. Spinks Clay Co. Information on the decline in ball clay imports and exports is also presented.
US nonfuel mineral exploration: Selected findings for 1995-2009 from the USGS
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been systematically monitoring global nonfuel mineral exploration activities to anticipate the location and quantity of future nonfuel minerals supply for about 100 commodities, with an emphasis on precious and base metals. Since 1995, the USGS has developed an annual list of 100 noteworthy prospects that were considered to have a high level of potential for near-term development based on such criteria as intensity of drilling, level of capital investment, and size of resource. This study reviews the status of the U.S. sites included on these lists as of July 2011 and addresses domestic prospects not included on the lists that have come into production since 1995.
Bauxite and alumina
The article reports on the global market performance of bauxite and alumina in 2009 and presents an outlook for their 2010 performance. There were only several U.S. states that could produce bauxite and bauxitic clays including Georgia, Arkansas, and Alabama. The prices for imported refractory-grade calcined bauxite ranged between 426 U.S. dollars and 554 dollars per ton.
Exploration review
This summary of international mineral exploration activities for the year 2010 draws upon available information from industry sources, published literature and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) specialists. The summary provides data on exploration budgets by region and mineral commodity, identifies significant mineral discoveries and areas of mineral exploration, discusses government programs affecting the mineral exploration industry and presents analyses of exploration activities performed by the mineral industry.
Fire clay
The article discusses the latest developments in the fire clay industry, particularly in the U.S., as of June 2011. It claims that the leading fire clay producer in the U.S. is the state of Missouri. The other major producers include California, Texas and Washington. It reports that the use of heavy clay products made of fire clay like brick, cement and lightweight aggregate has increased slightly in 2010.
Bauxite and alumina
The article discusses the latest developments in the bauxite and alumina industry, particularly in the U.S., as of June 2011. It claims that the U.S. mainly relies on imports for its bauxite consumption. Several states, including Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia, however, produce small amounts of bauxite and bauxitic clays for nonmetallurgical purposes. The major exporters of alumina to the U.S. include Australia, Brazil and Jamaica.
Lithium
In 2011, world lithium consumption was estimated to have been about 25 kt (25,000 st) of lithium contained in minerals and compounds, a 10-percent increase from 2010. U.S. consumption was estimated to have been about 2 kt (2,200 st) of contained lithium, a 100-percent increase from 2010. The United States was estimated to be the fourth-ranked consumer of lithium and remained the leading importer of lithium carbonate and the leading producer of value-added lithium materials. One company, Chemetall Foote Corp. (a subsidiary of Chemetall GmbH of Germany), produced lithium compounds from domestic brine resources near Silver Peak, NV.
Fluorspar
World fluorspar demand showed some signs of recovery in 2010 but was still depressed compared with 2008. In 2010, nearly all fluorspar (CaF[sub2]) consumption in the United States was from imports. 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.
Common clay and shale
The article discusses the latest developments in the global common clay and shale industry, particularly in the U.S. It claims that common clay and shale is mainly used in the manufacture of heavy clay products like brick, flue tile and sewer pipe. The main producing states in the U.S. include North Carolina, New York and Oklahoma. Among the firms that manufacture clay and shale-based products are Mid America Brick & Structural Clay Products LLC and Boral USA.
Pumice and pumicite
Production of pumice in the United States during 2011 was estimated to be 380 kt (420,000 st), a 3-percent decrease compared with 2010. The unit value of pumice varied by end use in 2011. Pumice used as an abrasive was priced at $10.39/t ($9.30/st), while specialty-grade pumice, used in cosmetics, filtration or precision grinding, was priced as high as $150/t ($130/st) on a spot basis. Fourteen companies operated 16 mines in Arizona, California, Idaho, Kansas, New Mexico and Oregon. U.S. pumice exports totaled about 15 kt (17,000 st). Imports were higher, 35 kt (39,000 st).
Strontium
In 2010, U.S. apparent consumption of strontium (contained in celestite and manufactured strontium compounds) decreased by 11 percent to 10.4 kt (11,460 st) from 11.8 kt (13,000 st) in 2009. Gross weight of imports totaled 20.9 kt (23,000 st), of which 65 percent originated from Mexico.
Fire clay
Five companies mined fire clay in four states in 2011. Production, based on a preliminary survey of the fire clay industry, was estimated to be 240 kt (265,000 st), valued at $7.68 million, an increase from 216 kt (238,000 st), valued at $6.12 million in 2010. Missouri was the leading producing state, followed by Texas, Washington and Ohio, in decreasing order by quantity.
Perlite
Consumption, imports and domestic production of perlite in the United States continued to be severely affected by the multi-year downturn in construction activity and decreased consumer spending. The estimated amount of processed perlite sold or used from U.S. mines in 2009 fell to 380 kt (418,000 st), the lowest amount of domestic perlite sold or used since 1967.The U.S. consumption of crude processed perlite in 2009 was estimated to have decreased to 480 kt (530,000 st), the lowest level of consumption since 1984 when consumption was 474 kt (522,000 st). Preliminary reports indicate that perlite imports decreased for the third consecutive year and have fallen about 45 percent since peaking in 2006.
Borates
The article discusses the latest developments in the borates industry, particularly in the U.S., as of June 2011. It claims that the biggest economically feasible deposits of borates are seen in the U.S.' Mojave Desert, the Alpide belt in southern Asia and the Andean belt of South America. Turkish state-owned mining firm Eti Maden AS reported that borates were mainly used in the manufacture of glass, ceramics, fertilizer and detergent in 2009.