p.1 

OAR Box 1413 

Prepped by Ollie Stewart 

Document Number: 

96) 11-1-97 

Docket Number: 

A-94-52 

Printed 7/9/2008 3:11:24 PM Sheet 96 of 114 
P.2 

MICA 

By James B. Hedrick 

Mica is a group of phyllosilicate minerals that have a layered or 

platy texture. Phyllo is derived from the Greek word, phyllon, 

meaning leaf. The commercially important micas are muscovite and 

phlogopite. Composed of tetrahedral-octahedral-tetrahedral layers, 

the mica group is characterized by partial substitution of aluminum 

for silicon in the silicate tetrahedron. This substitution in the laminar 

structure provides charges to bind interlayer univalent and divalent 

cations, typically potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium. 

Layering in the univalent (potassium, sodium) or "true" micas 

imparts perfect basal cleavage, allowing crystals to be split into very 

thin sheets that are tough and flexible. Layering in the divalent or 

"brittle" micas also imparts perfect basal cleavage; however, the 

greater bond strengths make them more brittle and less flexible. 

The value of mica is in its unique physical properties. The 

crystalline structure of mica forms minerals that can be split or 

delaminated into thin sheets that are platy, flexible, elastic, 

transparent to opaque, resilient, reflective, refractive, dielectric, 

chemically inert, insulating, lightweight, and hydrophilic. Mica is 

also stable when exposed to extreme temperature, electricity, light, 

and moisture. Muscovite is the principal mica used based on its 

greater abundance and superior electrical properties. Phlogopite 

remains stable at higher temperatures and is used in applications 

where a combination of high heat stability and electrical properties 

is required. Muscovite and phlogopite are used in both sheet and 

ground forms. 

In 1997, about 114,000 metric tons of scrap and flake mica was 

produced in the United States, 17.5% more than that in 1996. (See 

table I.) Ground mica sales were 110,000 tons valued at $37.0 

million, an increase in tonnage of 6.8%. Essentially all ofthe sheet 

mica used in the United States was imported, primarily from India. 

Consumption of muscovite block mica increased 23% to 6 tons, 

valued at $249,000. Consumption of mica splittings decreased from 

859 tons in 1996 to 736 tons in 1997. Worked and unworked sheet 

mica exports increased 28% to 1,070 tons while the value gained 

19% to $13.3 million. The value of 5,760 tons of imports of worked 

and unworked sheet mica increased 11% to $14.6 million. 

Legislation and Government Programs 

The calendar year 1997 included parts ofthe U.S. Government 

fiscal years (October 1 to September 30) 1997 and 1998. Public 

Law 104-201, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 

Year 1997, was enacted on September 23,1996. It did not change 

the previous authorizations for disposal of specific mica stocks. The 

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998, Public 

Law 105-85, also known as the "Strategic and Critical Stock Piling 

Aa," was enacted on November 18,1997. It also did not change the 

previous authorizations for disposal of specific mica stocks. 

Stocks of mica classified as excess to goal at the end of fiscal year 

1997 (September 30, 1997) included 929,524 kilograms of 

muscovite block (stained and better), 15,950 kilograms of muscovite 

film (1st and 2d qualities), 5,643,135 kilograms of muscovite 

splittings, and 265,185 kilograms of phlogopite splittings. 

Phlogopite block in the stockpile is 84,265 kilograms below the goal 

of 143,570 kilograms. No phlogopite block was purchased during 

fiscal year 1997. (See table 2.) 

Production 

Domestic mine production data for mica are developed by the U.S. 

Geological Survey from four separate voluntary surveys. Of the 16 

operations to which the Crude Scrap and Flake Mica production 

form was sent (including sericite production), 12 operations 

responded. Ofthe 14 operations to which the Ground Mica form 

was sent, 8 operations responded, representing 65% ofthe domestic 

ground mica production noted in table 1 (excludes low-grade ground 

sericite production). Of the five surveyed operations to which the 

Mica Block and Film consumption form was sent, four operations 

responded. Of the eight surveyed operations to which the Mica 

Splittings consumption form was sent, seven operations responded. 

Consumption forthe nonrespondents was estimated using prior-year 

production data. Individual company production and consumption 

data are withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. 

The Georgia Industrial Minerals (GIM) company began operation 

of a placer mica operation in late 1996 in Deep Step, GA, near 

Sandersville. The mine is the first placer mica operation to operate 

in the United States. GIM produces dry ground and wet ground mica 

and byproduct sand and gravel. (Georgia Department of 

Transportation, accessed March 24, 1998, at URL http://www. 

dot.state.ga.us/homeoffs/fpmr.www/qplO 1 .htm). 

The mine and plant facilities of Aspect Minerals, Inc., in North 

Carolina were purchased by Zemex Industrial Minerals, Inc. (ZIM), 

a wholly owned subsidiary ofthe Canadian company, Zemex Corp. 

The sale was completed in January 1998. The acquired properties 

will be operated under the new ZIM subsidiary, Zemex Mica Corp. 

(Zemex Corporation, accessed February 17, 1998, at URL 

http://www.zemex.com/zemex/newsmica.htm). 

FMC Corp. planned to close its lithium-feldspar-mica operations 

at Bessemer City, NC, in 1998. Lower cost foreign lithium deposits 

were the primary reason for the planned closure. Byproduct mica 

produced during the processing of the spodumene ore was dry 

ground at FMC's mica and feldspathic sand plant in Pacolet, SC. 

Scrap and Flake Mica.—Ten domestic companies with 13 mines 

in 5 States produced scrap and flake mica (excluding low-grade 

sericite) in 1997. The United States was the world's largest 

producer with 114,000 tons. North Carolina remained the major 

producing State, with 58% of domestic production. The remainder 

was produced in Georgia, New Mexico, South Carolina, and South 

Dakota. Most mica was recovered from mica schist, high-quality 

sericite schist, weathered pegmatites, and as a coproduct of feldspar, 

kaolin, and lithium. (See table 3.) 

The scrap and flake mica producers, in alphabetical order, were 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY—MINERALS INFORMATION—1997 
P.3 

Engelhard Corp., Hartwell, GA; The Feldspar Corp., a Zemex 

Industrial Minerals Company, Spruce Pine, NC; FMC Corp. Lithium 

Division, Bessemer City, NC; Georgia Industrial Minerals, Deep 

Step, GA; Franklin Industrial Minerals, a division of Franklin 

Industries Inc., Kings Mountain, NC and Velarde, NM; K-T Feldspar 

Corp., Spruce Pine, NC; The Mineral Mining Co., Kershaw, SC; 

Pacer Corp., Custer, SD; Tinton Enterprises, Spearfish, SD; Unimin 

Corp., Spruce Pine, NC; and Zemex Mica Corp., a Zemex Industrial 

Minerals Company, Micaville, NC. 

Ground Mica.—Nine companies operated 15 grinding plants in 

5 States. Eleven plants produced dry-ground mica and four plants 

produced wet-ground mica The four largest ground mica 

companies, including one company with four plants, accounted for 

69% of the total of 110,000 tons. (See table 4.) 

Dry-ground mica producers, in alphabetical order, were: Asheville 

Mica Co., Asheville, NC; Georgia Industrial Minerals, Deep Step, 

GA; Franklin Industrial Minerals, a division of Franklin Industries 

Inc., Kings Mountain, NC, and Velarde, NM; Mineral Mining Co. 

Inc., Kershaw, SC; Pacer Corp., Custer, SD; Piedmont Minerals, 

Hillsborough, NC; Spartan Minerals Corp., a subsidiary of FMC 

Corp. Lithium Division, Pacolet, SC; USG Corp., Spruce Pine, NC, 

and Zemex Mica Corp., a Zemex Industrial Minerals Company, 

Spruce Pine, NC. Wet-ground mica producers, in alphabetical order, 

were: Engelhard Corp., Hartwell, GA; Georgia Industrial Minerals, 

Deep Step, GA; KMG Minerals Division of Franklin Industries Inc., 

Kings Mountain, NC, and Zemex Mica Corp., a Zemex Industrial 

Minerals Company, Bakersville, NC. 

Consumption 

Statistics on domestic mica consumption are developed by 

surveying various processors and manufacturers, evaluating importexport data, and analyzing Government stockpile shipments. 

Sheet Mica.—Sheet mica is used principally in the electronic and 

electrical industries. Its usefulness in these applications is derived 

from its unique electrical and thermal insulating properties and its 

mechanical properties, which allow it to be cut, punched, stamped, 

and machined to close tolerances. 

The largest use of block mica is as an electrical insulator in 

electronic equipment. High-quality mica is also used to line the 

gauge glasses of high-pressure steam boilers because of its 

transparency, flexibility, and resistance to heat and chemical attack. 

Other uses include diaphragms for oxygen-breathing equipment, 

marker dials for navigation compasses, optical filters, retardation 

plates in helium-neon lasers, pyrometers, thermal regulators, and 

stove and kerosene heater windows. Specialized applications for 

sheet mica are found in ground and air-launched missile systems, 

optical instrumentation, laser devices, medical electronics for 

radiation treatment, radar systems, and aerospace components. 

Muscovite film mica is used as a dielectric in capacitors. Only 

high-quality mica is used in this application. The highest grade film 

is used in capacitors that are manufactured as calibration standards. 

The next grade down is used in transmitting capacitors. Receiving 

capacitors use a slightly lower grade of high-quality muscovite. 

Consumption of muscovite block (ruby and nonruby) totaled 8,180 

kilograms, a 46% increase from that of 1996. Stained and lowerthan-stained quality remained in greatest demand, accounting for 

94.3% of ruby mica block. Consumption of nonruby mica block was 

spilt 13% for good quality and 87% for stained quality. The use of 

block mica in 1997 was higher as demand increased in both 

electronic and nonelectronic applications. 

Five companies continued to consume muscovite block and film 

in five plants in four States: two in North Carolina and one each in 

New Jersey, Ohio, and Virginia. 

Mica splittings represents the largest part of the sheet mica 

industry in the United States. Muscovite and phlogopite splittings 

are used to make built-up mica. Consumption of muscovite and 

phlogopite splittings decreased 14.3% in 1997 to 736 tons. (See 

table 6.) Muscovite splittings from India accounted for essentially all 

ofthe domestic consumption. The remainder of consumption was 

primarily phlogopite splittings imported from Madagascar. The 

splittings were fabricated into various built-up mica products by 

eight companies operating eight plants in 7 States. 

Built-Up Mica.—Produced by mechanical or hand setting of 

overlapping splittings and alternate layers of binders and splittings, 

built-up mica is primarily used as an electrical insulation material. 

Major products are molding plate, segment plate, flexible plate, tape, 

heater plate, mica paper, and bonding materials. (See table 7.) 

Segment plate acts as insulation between the copper commutator 

segments of direct-current universal motors and generators. 

Phlogopite built-up mica is prefeiTed because it will wear at the same 

rate as the copper segments. Muscovite has a greater resistance to 

wear, causing uneven ridges that may interfere with the operation of 

a motor or generator. Consumption of segment plate was 133 tons 

in 1997,23% lower than in 1996. 

Molding plate is sheet from which V-rings are cut and stamped for 

use in insulating the copper segments from the steel shaft ends at the 

end of a commutator. Molding plate is also fabricated into tubes and 

rings for insulation in transformers, armatures, and motor starters. 

Consumption of molding plate decreased 2% from 179 tons in 1996 

to 176 tons in 1997. 

Flexible plate is used in electric motor and generator armatures, 

field coil insulation, and magnet and commutator core insulation. 

Mica consumption in flexible plate decreased from 123 tons in 1996 

to 110 tons in 1997. 

Heater plate is used where high-temperature insulation is required. 

Consumption of mica in heater plate decreased in 1997. 

Some types of built-up mica have the bonded splittings reinforced 

with special paper, silk, linen, muslin, glass, cloth, or plastic. These 

products are very flexible and are produced in wide, continuous 

sheets that are either shipped rolled or cut into ribbons, tapes, or 

trimmed to specified dimensions. Built-up mica products are also 

corrugated or reinforced by multiple layering. 

The total amount of built-up mica that was consumed or shipped 

was 567 tons, a decrease of 10% from the 1996 level. Segment plate 

and molding plate were the major end products and accounted for 

23% and 31% ofthe total, respectively. 

Reconstituted Mica (Mica Paper).—Primary uses for mica paper 

are the same as those for built-up mica. Three companies consumed 

scrap mica to produce mica paper. The principal source ofthe scrap 

was India. Manufacturing companies in 1997 were: Corona Films 

Inc., West Townsend, MA; General Electric Co., Coshocton, OH; 

and U.S. Samica Corp., Rutland, VT. 

Ground Mica.—The largest domestic use of dry ground mica was 

in joint compound for filling and finishing seams and blemishes in 

gypsum wall board (drywall). The mica acts as a filler and extender, 

provides a smooth consistency, improves the workability of the 

compound, and imparts resistance to cracking. Joint compound 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY—MINERALS INFORMATION—1997 
P.4 

accounted for 51.3% of dry-ground mica consumption. 

In the paint industry, ground mica is used as a pigment extender 

that also facilitates suspension, reduces chalking, prevents shrinking 

and shearing ofthe paint film, increases resistance ofthe paint film 

to water penetration and weathering, and brightens the tone of 

colored pigments. Mica also promotes paint adhesion in both 

aqueous and oleoresinous formulations. Consumption of dry-ground 

mica in paint, its second largest use, accounted for 24.3% ofthe 

1997 total. 

Ground mica is used in the well-drilling industry as an additive to 

drilling muds. The coarsely ground mica flakes help prevent loss of 

circulation by sealing porous sections ofthe drill hole. 

The rubber industry uses ground mica as an inert filler and as a 

mold release compound in the manufacture of molded rubber 

products such as tires and roofing. The platy texture acts as an 

antiblocking, antisticking agent. Rubber mold lubricant accounted 

for 3.3% of dry-ground mica use in 1997. 

The plastics industry uses dry-ground mica as an extender and 

filler, especially in parts for automobiles for lightweight insulation to 

suppress sound and vibration. Mica is used in plastic automobile 

fascia and fenders as a reinforcing material, providing improved 

mechanical properties, increased strength, stiffness, and dimensional 

stability. Mica-reinforced plastics also have high-heat dimensional 

stability, reduced warpage, and the best surface properties ofany 

filled plastic composite. Consumption of dry-ground mica in plastic 

applications accounted for 3.1% ofthe market in 1997, slightly lower 

than the 3.5% in 1996. 

Ground mica is used in the production of rolled roofing and asphalt 

shingles, where it serves as a surface coating to prevent sticking of 

adjacent surfaces. The coating is not absorbed by freshly 

manufactured roofing because mica's platy structure is unaffected by 

the acid in asphalt or by weathering conditions. As a rubber additive, 

mica reduces gas permeation and improves resiliency. 

Other uses include decorative coatings on wallpaper, concrete, 

stucco, and tile surfaces. It is also used as an ingredient in some 

special greases, as a flux coating on welding rods, and in foundry 

applications as coatings for core and mold release compounds, mold 

washes, and facing agents. 

Stocks 

Government stocks of mica in the National Defense Stockpile 

(NDS) are comprised of stockpile-grade muscovite block, stained 

and better; muscovite film, first and second quality; muscovite 

splittings; phlogopite block; and phlogopite splittings. NDS stocks 

of muscovite block, muscovite film, and muscovite and phlogopite 

splittings were available for sale from the Defense National Stockpile 

Center, Fort Belvoir, VA. Yearend 1997 stocks of various types of 

mica in the NDS are shown in table 2. 

Reported yearend industry stocks of muscovite mica block (ruby 

and nonruby) decreased slightly from 21.5 tons in 1996 to 21.2 tons 

in 1997. Industry stocks of muscovite and phlogopite mica splittings 

increased from 416 tons at yearend 1996 to 445 tons at yearend 

1997. (See table 6.) 

forthe highest quality. The average values of muscovite sheet mica 

consumed in the United States in 1997 compared with 1996 were as 

follows: block (ruby and nonruby) decreased 47% to $41 per 

kilogram and muscovite splittings decreased 7% to $1.51 per 

kilogram. (See table 2.) 

The average value of phlogopite block decreased from $19.84 per 

kilogram in 1996 to $18.51 per kilogram in 1997. The average 

value of phlogopite splittings increased from $4.40 per kilogram in 

1996 to $4.96 per kilogram in 1997. 

The average U.S. value of crude flake mica, including high-quality 

sericite, increased to $83 per ton. The average value for North 

Carolina flake mica increased to $79 per ton in 1997. In 1997, the 

value of diy-ground mica decreased slightly to average $176 per ton 

while wet-ground mica increased to average $1,080 per ton. 

World Review 

Demand increased for mica in the United States and in foreign 

markets in 1997. Foreign trade increased with the value of U.S. 

exports of mica increasing 20.3% to $17.8 million as the quantity 

increased 10% to 9,210 tons. Imports of mica also increased with 

the value of U.S. imports of mica, increasing 10.4% in value to $24.9 

million and the quantity increasing 16.9% to 29,000 tons. (See table 

13.) 

Domestic ground mica imports increased to 6,310 tons, up 480 

tons from the 1996 level. Exports of crude and rifted mica increased, 

up 9.8% to 1,532 tons. (See table 8.) Exports of worked mica sheet 

in 1997 declined 6.8% to 564 tons. (See table 9.) The value of U.S. 

exports of worked mica sheet increased to $11.7 million, 9.8% 

higher than that in 1996. 

The United States continued to rely on imports, primarily from 

India, for essentially all of its supply of sheet mica and paper-quality 

scrap mica. Imports for consumption of unmanufactured split block, 

film, splitting, and mica sheet catagorized as other, were about 4,080 

tons, 19.9% less than that in 1996. (See table 10.) 

About 13,000 tons of ground mica was imported in 1997, mostly 

from Canada. (See table 11.) Worked mica imports were 41% 

higher than those in 1996, at 1,541 tons. (See table 12.) 

Canada.—Zemex Corp. (Toronto) acquired the mica operations 

of Aspect Minerals, Inc., in North Carolina, for around $2.2 million 

plus the assumption of current debt. Zemex Corp.'s wholly owned 

subsidiary, ZIM announced on January 28,1998, it would operate 

the mine and processing plants under the name Zemex Mica Corp. 

ZIM already operated three other companies including The Feldspar 

Corp., Suzorite Minerals Products Inc., and Suzorite Mica Products 

Inc. (Zemex Corp., accessed February 17, 1998, at URL 

http://www.zemex.eom/zemex/newsmica:htm). 

Finland.—Kemira Pigments Oy announced it would sell its 

pearlescent pigments (mica based) operations to German corporation 

Eckart-Werke GmbH & Co. Eckart-Werke established the Finnish 

company, Eckart Pigments Oy, to operate the plant at Pori. All 

Kemira employees at the plant were to be transferred to the new 

company. (News, Kemira Today, accessed May 5, 1998, at URL 

http://www.kemira.com/news/news43.htm). 

Prices Outlook 

Sheet mica prices vary with grade and can range from less than $1 

per kilogram for low-quality mica to more than $2,000 per kilogram 

The outlook for mica is for average production growth of 3% to 

5% annually based on various economic factors. The major markets 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY—MINERALS INFORMATION—1997 
P.5 

for ground mica, joint compounds and paints, are mature and 

relatively stable, and growth is tied to new housing starts and interest 

rates. To a lesser extent, widespread natural disasters also affect the 

market, creating immediate demand for residential building 

materials. Demand is also responsive to automobile production 

because interior and exterior parts typically contain dry-ground mica, 

while exterior surfaces are painted with wet-ground pearlescent 

pigments and mica-containing coatings. 

In 1998 and 1999, domestic demand for crude and ground mica is 

expected to remain stable. Demand for dry- and wet-ground micas 

is expected to improve in the short term to meet increasing demand 

for pearlescent paints and cosmetics. Markets for dry-ground mica 

are forecast to grow 5% per year through the year 2000, unless 

interest rates and prices rise sufficiently to slow demand for new 

housing and automobiles. Wet-ground mica is also expected to show 

moderate growth as demand from the cyclical automotive industry 

utilizes increasing amounts of pearlescent paint pigments. 

Demand for block mica is expected to grow slowly through the end 

of the century as demand increases in a few specialty markets. A 

shortage of high-quality block mica is expected to continue because 

ofthe generally low percentage of high-quality mica in currently 

mined deposits (pegmatites). 

Consumption of mica splittings, the major type of sheet mica 

consumed in the United States, decreased sharply throughout the 

1960's and 1970's and leveled off in the 1980's and 1990's in the 

range of 800 to 1,000 tons per year. With no new uses and many 

substitute materials, no substantial growth is expected. Consumption 

of mica splittings is expected to remain in the range of 600 to 900 

tons. 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION 

U.S. Geological Survey Publications 

Mica. Mineral Industry Surveys, annual.1 

Mica (Natural), Scrap and Flake. Ch. in Mineral Commodity 

Summaries, annual.1 

Mica (Natural), Sheet. Ch. in Mineral Commodity Summaries, 

annual.1 

Mica. Ch. in United States mineral resources, U.S. Geological 

Professional Paper 820,1973. 

Other 

Mica. Ch. in Mineral facts and problems, U.S. Bureau of Mines 

Bulletin 675, 1985. 

Roskill Infonnation Service Ltd. (London). The Economics of 

Mica, 7th edition, 1991. 

'Prior to Januaiy 1996, published by the U.S. Bureau of Mines. 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY—MINERALS INFORMATION—1997 
TABLE 1 

SALIENT MICA STATISTICS 1/ 

P.6 

United States: 

Production (sold or used by producers): 

Scrap and flake mica thousand metric tons 

Value thousands 

Ground mica thousand metric tons 

Value 

Prices, dollars per metric ton: 

Scrap and flake mica 

Ground: 

Wet 

Dry 

Sheets, dollars per kilogram: 

Block 

Splittings 

Consumption: 

Block, muscovite 

Value 

Splittings 

Value 

Exports 

Imports 

World: Production 

thousands 

metric tons 

thousands 

metnc tons 

thousands 

metric tons 

do. 

do. 

1993 

88 

$4,450 

92 

$27,000 

$51 

$838 

$152 

$95 

$1.55 

5 

$509 

826 

$1,390 

5,860 

22,200 

301,000 r/ 

1994 

109 

$5,780 

95 

$28,700 

$53 

$1,010 

$151 

$66 r/ 

$1.72 r/ 

6 

$432 

857 

$1,470 

7,520 

25,200 

318,000 r/ 

1995 

108 

$5,630 

98 

$24,800 

$52 

$974 r/ 

$174 r/ 

$73 xl 

$1.86 r/ 

6 r/ 

$407 

713 

$1,320 

8,160 

26,200 

327,000 vl 

1996 

97 

$7,820 

103 

$33,600 

$81 

$1,030 r/ 

$182 

$77 

$1.75 

6 Tl 

$383 

859 

$1,510 

8,380 

24,700 

302,000 r/ 

1997 

114 

$9,400 

110 

$37,000 

$83 

$1,080 

$176 

$41 

$1.69 

8 

$249 

736 

.$1,240 

9,210 

28,900 

315,000 e/ 

e/ Estimated, r/ Revised. 

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits. 

TABLE 2 

STOCKPILE STATUS AND GOVERNMENT INVENTORIES FOR MICA, DECEMBER 31,1997 1/ 

(Metric tons) 

Material 

Block: 

Muscovite, stained and better 

' Phlogopite 

Film: Muscovite, 1st and 2d qualities 

Splittings: 

Muscovite 

Phlogopite 

Inventory (uncommitted) 

Stockpile Nonstockpile 

grade grade 

989 

8 

15 

5,640 

265 

12 

52 

-

-

Available for 

disposal 

930 

-

15 

5,640 

265 

Fiscal 

year 

1996 

sales 

270 

-

32 

41 

46 

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits. 

TABLE3 

SCRAP AND FLAKE MICA SOLD OR USED BY PRODUCERS IN THE 

UNITED STATES, BY STATE 1/2/ 

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars) 

State 

North Carolina 

Other States 3/ 

Total 

1996 

Quantity 

62 

35 

97 

Value 

4,900 

2,920 

7,820 

1997 

Quantity 

66 

48 

114 

Value 

5,210 

4,190 

9,400 

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 

2/ Includes finely divided mica recovered from mica schist and high-quality sericite schist, 

and mica that is a byproduct of feldspar, kaolin, and lithium beneficiation. 

3/ Includes Georgia, New Mexico, South Carolina, and South Dakota. 
P.7 

TABLE4 

GROUND MICA SOLD OR USED BY PRODUCERS IN THE UNITED STATES, 

BY END USE AND METHOD OF GRINDING 1/2/ 

End use: 

Joint cement 

Paint 

Plastics 

Well-drilling mud 

Other 3/ 

Total 

Method of grinding: 

Dry 

Wet 

Quantity 

(thousand 

metric tons) 

52 

21 

3 

4 

23 

103 

W 

W 

1996 

Value 

(thousand 

dollars) 

8,610 

8,850 

1,970 

815 

13,400 

33,600 

W 

W 

Unit 

value 

$165 

421 

656 

203 

581 

326 

165 

936 

Quantity 

(thousand 

metric tons) 

47 

38 

4 

3 

19 

110 

W 

W 

1997 

Value 

(thousand 

dollars) 

7,880 

21,900 

1,820 

757 

4,690 

37,000 

W 

w 

Unit 

value 

$168 

576 

455 

252 

247 

337 

160 

980 

W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. 

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 

2/ Domestic and some imported scrap. Low-quality sericite is not included. 

3/ Includes mica used for molded electrical insulation, roofing, rubber, textile and decorative coatings, 

welding rods, and miscellaneous. 

TABLE 5 

FABRICATION OF MUSCOVITE BLOCK MICA 

IN THE UNITED STATES, BY QUALITY 1 / 

(Metric tons) 

Quantity 

Good stained or better 

Stained or lower 2/ 

Total 

1996 

0.590 

4.490 

5.070 

1997 

0.540 

6.890 

7.420 

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not 

add to totals shown. 

2/ Includes punch mica. 

TABLE 6 

CONSUMPTION AND STOCKS OF MICA SPLITTINGS fN 

THE UNITED STATES 1/ 

Year 

1996 

1997 

Consumption 

Quantity 

(metric tons) 

859 

736 

Value 

(thousands) 

$1,510 

1,240 

Stocks on 

Dec. 31 

(metric tons) 

416 

445 

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits. 

TABLE 7 

BUILT-UP MICA SOLD OR USED IN THE UNITED STATES, BY PRODUCT 1/ 2/ 

Flexible (cold) 

Heater plate 

Molding plate 

Segment plate 

Tape 

Other 

Total 

1996 

Quantity 

(metric tons) 

123 

W 

179 

172 

W 

126 

633 

Value 

(thousands) 

$1,020 

W 

1,710 

1,990 

W 

972 

6,110 

1997 

Quantity 

(metric tons) 

110 

W 

176 

133 

W 

130 

567 

Value 

(thousands) 

$646 

W 

1,490 

1,270 

W 

1,940 

5,540 

W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included in "Total." 

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 

2/ Consists of alternating layers of binder and irregularly arranged and partly overlapped splittings. 
P.8 

TABLE 8 

U.S. EXPORTS OF CRUDE AND RIFTED MICA, MICA POWDER, AND WASTE IN 1997, BY COUNTRY I / 

Country 

Argentina 

Australia 

Bahrain 

Belgium 

Brazil 

Bristish Virgin Islands 

Canada 

Chile 

China 

Colombia 

Cote d'lvoire 

Ecuador 

France 

Germany 

Hong Kong 

India 

Indonesia 

Ireland 

Italy 

Japan 

Kenya 

Korea, Republic of • 

Malaysia 

Mexico 

Netherlands 

New Zealand 

Parkistan 

Peru 

Philippines 

Poland 

Saudi Arabia 

Singapore 

Spain 

Sweden 

Taiwan 

Thailand 

United Arab Emirates 

United Kingdom 

Uruguay 

Venezuela 

Total 

Crude and rifted 

Less than $0.55 

per kilogram 

Quantity 

(metric 

tons) 

-

24 

-

22 

14 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

212 

36 

-

56 

-

18 

21 

-

108 

-

62 

89 

-

-

-

280 

20 

-

-

30 

-

9 

-

-

14 

-

-

1,020 

1/ Data are rounded to three significant dig 

2/Less than 1/2 unit. 

Vali ie 

(thousands) 

ts;may 

-

$8 

-

11 

4 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

28 

13 

-

22 

-

6 

7 

-

22 

-

16 

47 

-

-

-

45 

5 

-

-

11 

-

3 

-

-

5 

-

-

254 

More than $0.55 

per kilogram 

Quantity 

(metric 

tons) 

-

1 

-

-

-

-

-

11 

-

-

-

-

-

1 

150 

1 

-

-

88 

-

20 

-

3 

23 

-

-

-

5 

-

-

-

-

-

5 

-

-

205 

-

-

512 

Val ue 

(thousands) 

not add to totals shown. 

-

$17 

-

-

-

-

-

-

7 

-

-

-

3 

-

13 

212 

25 

-

-

465 

-

11 

-

25 

58 

-

-

-

97 

-

-

-

5 

-

99 

-

-

612 

-

-

1,650 

Powder 

Quantity 

(metric 

tons) 

6 

196 

2 

60 

-

-

3,050 

96 

-

62 

40 

16 

(2/) 

129 

185 

8 

26 

16 

144 

423 

5 

176 

92 

617 

79 

437 

23 

14 

5 

-

17 

2 

-

21 

67 

39 

17 

97 

5 

147 

6,310 

Value 

(thousands) 

$3 

141 

9 

75 

-

-

1,080 

59 

-

37 

31 

9 

4 

89 

120 

5 

19 

4 

30 

282 

4 

206 

27 

313 

182 

104 

21 

12 

11 

-

9 

13 

-

13 

42 

28 

11 

105 

6 

913 

4,010 

Waste 

Quantity 

(metric 

tons) 

-

-

-

-

-

4 

681 

-

-

(21) 

-

-

-

2 

-

99 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

21 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(21) 

-

-

808 

Value 

(thousands) 

-

-

-

-

-

$3 

158 

-

-

4 

-

-

-

4 

-

45 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

6 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3 

-

-

217 

Source: Bureau ofthe Census. 
P.9 

TABLE 9 

U.S. EXPORTS OF WORKED MICA IN 1997, BY COUNTRY 1/ 

Country 

Argentina 

Aruba 

Australia 

Bahamas, The 

Barbados 

Belgium 

Brazil 

Canada 

Chile 

China 

Colombia 

Costa Rica 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

Dominican Republic 

France 

Germany 

Greece 

Guadeloupe 

Guatemala 

Honduras 

Hong Kong 

India 

Israel 

Italy 

Japan 

Korea, Republic of 

Kuwait 

Malaysia 

Mexico 

Netherlands 

Netherlands Antilles 

New Zealand 

Norway 

Panama 

Peru 

Philippines 

Poland 

Qatar 

Saudi Arabia 

Singapore 

South Africa 

Spain 

St. Lucia 

Suriname 

Switzerland 

Taiwan 

Thailand 

Trinidad and Tobago 

United Kingdom 

Vietnam 

Total 2/ 

Plates, sheets 

Quantity 

(metric tons) 

16 

-

9 

4 

3 

20 

29 

150 

(21) 

1 

3 

25 

6 

-

(21) 

6 

12 

3 

-

13 

2 

-

(21) 

2 

14 

(20 

(21) 

-

1 

48 

-

-

-

-

-

2 

-

-

-

9 

8 

1 

(20 

-

2 

8 

2 

2 

4 

1 

-

406 

Value 

(thousands) 

$57 

-

214 

22 

36 

417 

365 

3,780 

3 

15 

35 

98 

18 

-

3 

101 

141 

10 

-

68 

17 

-

10 

25 

348 

4 

5 

-

3 

1,100 

-

-

-

-

-

14 

-

-

-

61 

27 

23 

5 

-

6 

218 

45 

12 

12 

20 

-

7,330 

Other 

Quantity 

(metric tons) 

-

1 

(2/) 

2 

(2/) 

1 

2 

75 

(21) 

1 

-

(20 

-

(21) 

-

2 

(20 

-

2 

(20 

2 

2 

2 

2 

1 

5 

8 

(20 

(2/) 

31 

(21) 

3 

(20 

(21) 

(20 

- • 

2 

(20 

(21) 

-

(20 

(21) 

(20 

(20 

-

4 

1 

(20 

-

6 

(20 

159 

Value 

(thousands) 

-

$4 

25 

24 

6 

25 

76 

1,710 

9 

31 

-

4 

-

3 

-

39 

24 

-

6 

4 

37 

112 

143 

22 

17 

69 

110 

7 

12 

1,490 

17 

15 

3 

5 

9 

-

9 

12 

12 

-

28 

9 

32 

4 

-

96 

28 

3 

-

88 

3 

4,380 

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may add to totals shown. 

2/Less than 1/2 unit. 

Source: Bureau of the Census. 
P.10 

TABLE 10 

U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF CRUDE AND RIFTED MICA IN 1997, BY COUNTRY 1/ 

Country 

China 

Czech Republic 

Finland 

France 

Germany 

Hong Kong 

India 

Japan 

Madagascar 

Turkey 

United Kingdom 

Total 

' 

Split block 

Quantity 

(metric tons) 

-

-

-

-

-

-

47 

-

-

-

-

47 

Value 

(thousands) 

-

-

-

-

-

-

$70 

-

-

-

-

70 

Splittings 

Quantity 

(metric tons) 

-

-

-

9 

1,080 

18 

2,910 

-

23 

-

-

4,040 

Value 

(thousands) 

-

-

-

$42 

267 

12 

1,460 

-

85 

-

-

1,870 

Less than $0.55 

per kilogram 

Quantity 

(metric tons) 

20 

-

1,190 

-

• -

-

8,140 

-

-

-

9,350 

Other 

Value 

(thousands) 

$2 

-

276 

-

-

-

1,570 

-

-

-

-

1,850 

More than $0.55 

per kilogram 

Quantity 

(metric tons) 

125 

2 

-

-

2 

-

2 

2 

-

(21) 

(21) 

134 

Value 

(thousands) 

$284 

23 

-

-

20 

-

24 

23 

-

3 

2 

378 

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 

2/Less than 1/2 unit. 

Source: Bureau of the Census. 

TABLE 11 

U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF MICA POWDER AND WASTE IN 1997, 

BY COUNTRY 1/ 

Country 

Australia 

Austria 

Canada 

China 

Finland 

Germany 

India 

Italy 

Japan 

Malaysia 

United Kingdom 

Total 

Powder 

Quantity 

(metric tons) 

20 

1 

12,400 

34 

(20 

48 

28 

(20 

272 

107 

14 

13,000 

Value 

(thousands) 

$6 

2 

5,060 

11 

10 

211 

14 

1 

2,350 

359 

48 

8,080 

Waste 

Quantity 

(metric ; tons) 

-

-

33 

-

-

-

792 

-

-

-

-

825 

Value 

(thousands) 

-

-

$7 

-

-

-

405 

-

-

-

-

412 

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 

2/ Less than 1/2 unit. 

Source: Bureau of the Census. 
TABLE 12 

U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF WORKED MICA IN 1997 

BY COUNTRY!/ 

P.11 

Country 

Australia 

Belgium 

Brazil 

Canada 

China 

Czech Republic 

France 

Germany 

Hong Kong 

India 

Italy 

Japan 

Korea, Republic of 

Philippines 

Russia 

Singapore 

Sweden 

Switzerland 

Taiwan 

United Kingdom 

Total 

Plates, sheets 

Quantity 

(metric tons) 

(20 

695 

72 

13 

138 

-

18 

(20 

2 

101 

2 

13 

10 . 

-

-

-

-

57 

1 

5 

1,130 

Value 

(thousands) 

$3 

5,950 

542 

94 

348 

-

139 

9 

8 

905 

10 

200 

57 

-

-

-

-

1,270 

14 

149 

9,700 

Other 

Quantity 

(metric tons) 

9 

-

160 

(2/) 

16 

6 

1 

3 

9 

151 

22 

15 

(20 

(21) 

1 

16 

1 

-

(20 

411 

Value 

(thousands) 

$213 

-

440 

13 

94 

50 

25 

122 

46 

1,110 

3 

358 

28 

2 

2 

2 

18 

30 

-

6 

2,560 

I I 

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 

2/ Less than 1/2 unit. 

Source: Bureau ofthe Census. 

TABLE 13 

SUMMATION OF U.S. MICA TRADE DATA 1/ 

Exports: 

1996 

1997 

Imports for consumption: 

1996 

1997 

Scrap and flake mica 

Powder 

Quantity 

(metric tons) 

5,830 

6,310 

13,600 

13,000 

Value 

(thousands) 

$3,070 

4,010 

8,250 

8,080 

Waste 

Quantity 

(metric tons) 

1,710 

1,820 

4,840 

10,200 

Value 

(thousands) 

$495 

471 

1,230 

2,260 

Sheet 

Unworked 

Quantity 

(metric tons) 

225 

512 

5,240 

4,220 

Value 

(thousands) 

$542 

1,650 

2,310 

2,310 

mica 

Worked 

Quantity 

(metric tons) 

606 

565 

1,090 

1,540 

Value 

(thousands) 

$10,700 

11,700 

10,800 

12,300 

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits. 

Source: Bureau of the Census. 
TABLE 14 

MICA: WORLD PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY 1/ 2/ 

(Metric tons) 

P.12 

Country 3/ 

Argentina: 

Sheet 

Waste, scrap, etc. 

Brazil

 ! 

Canada e/ ! 

Finland 

France e/ 

India: 

Crude 

Scrap and waste 

Total 

Iran el 5/ 

Korea, Republic of (all grades) 

Madagascar (phlogopite) e/ 

Malaysia 

Mexico (all grades) 

Morocco el 

Perue/ i 

Russia e/ 

Serbia and Montenegro 

South Africa (scrap) 

Spain el 

Sri Lanka (scrap) e/ 

Taiwan 

United States (scrap and flake) 6/ 

Zimbabwe 

Grand total 

1993 

720 

1,226 

7,000 

17,500 

4,488 

8.000 

2,082 

1,187 

3,269 

8,000 

7,500 el 

774 

4,659 

6,440 

1,500 

100 

129,000 r/4/ 

68 

1,991 

250 

200 

9,751 

87,900 

510 r/ 

301,000 r/ 

1994 

720 e/ 

1,104 

6,700 r/ 

17,500 

5,591 

8.000 

2,055 

719 

2,774 

8,000 

37,470 

774 

4,993 

5,753 

1,500 

100 

100,000 r/ 

158 

1,973 

200 

200 

5,220 

109,000 

213 el 

318,000 r/ 

1995 

700 e/ 

4,341 

5,200 rl 

17,500 

-

10.000 

1,728 r/ 

1,013 r/ 

2,741 il 

8,000 

43,709 Tl 

432 4/ 

5,848 

5,028 

1,500 

100 

100,000 r/ 

199 

2,137 

200 

200 

9,792 

108,000 

1.040 

327,000 r/ 

1996 

297 r/ , 

1,840 rl 

7,000 

17,500 

-

8.000 

1,894 r/ 

1,413 rl 

3,307 r/ 

8,000 

35,923 

450 

5,501 

4,273 r/ 

1,500 ' 

100 

100,000 r/ 

200 el 

1,429 

200 

200 

8,510 r/ 

96,600 i 

1.500 r/e/ 

302,000 r/

 : 

1997 e/ 

300 

1,900 

7,000 

17,500 . 

-

8.000 , 

2,000 

1,400 

3,400 

8,000 ' 

34,489 4/ 

450 

5,708 4/ 

975 p/ 

1,500 

100 

100,000 

200 ' 

1,482 4/ 

200 

200 

8,600 

114,000 4/ 

1.000 , 

315,000 

el Estimated, p/Preliminary, r/Revised. 

1/ World data, U.S. data, and estimated data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 

2/ Table includes data available through July 22,1998. 

3/ In addition to the countries listed, China, Norway, Pakistan, Romania, and Sweden are known to produce mica, but available 

information is inadequate to make reliable estimates of output levels. , 

4/ Reported figure. 

5/ Year beginning March 21 of that stated. 

6/ Excludes U.S. production of low-quality sericite and sheet mica, if any.