# 2011 Minerals Yearbook

**U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey**  

# CLAY AND SHALE [ADVANCE RELEASE]

**May 2013**Clay and Shale—2011 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] 18.1 

# C lay and

# S hale By Robert L . Virta

Domestic survey data and tables were prepared by Robin C. Kaiser, statistical assistant, and the world production tables were prepared by Lisa D. Miller, international data coordinator.

The quantity of clay sold or used by domestic producers in 2011 decreased slightly to 25.3 million metric tons (Mt) valued at $1.53 billion compared with 25.6 Mt valued at $1.48 billion in 2010 (table 1). Common clay and shale accounted for 46% of the tonnage, and kaolin accounted for 54% of the value (tables 1, 5, and 8). In 2011, exports increased slightly to 4.39 Mt valued at $908 million compared with 4.36 Mt valued at $862 million in 2010. Imports of clays were 593,000 metric tons (t) valued at $97.4 million in 2011 compared with 555,000 t valued at $81.2 million in 2010 (table 1). World production of bentonite was 10.3 Mt, production of fuller’s earth was 3.21 Mt, and production of kaolin was 33.9 Mt (tables 16–18).

Approximately 180 companies mined clay and shale in the United States in 2011. The 20 leading companies, many with multiple operations, accounted for 59% of the tonnage and 85% of the value for all types of clay sold or used. Clay production was reported in all States except Alaska, D elaware, H awaii, Idaho, Minnesota, N ew H ampshire, N ew Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin (table 2). Companies that mined clay for construction fill and landfill caps and did not operate mills or plants were not included in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) canvass of the clay and shale industry. These companies operated in most, if not all, States.

The 10 leading producer States were, in decreasing order of tonnage, Georgia, Wyoming, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Virginia, N orth Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Ohio. The 15 leading producer companies were, in alphabetical order, American Colloid Co. (bentonite); B A SF S E(bentonite, fuller’s earth, and kaolin); Bentonite Performance Minerals LL C (bentonite); Black H ills Bentonite, LL C (bentonite); Carbo Ceramics Inc. (kaolin); Cemex US A (common clay and shale); General Shale, Inc. (common clay and shale); Imerys S A (ball clay and kaolin); KaMin LL C (kaolin); M-I L

. L .C. (bentonite); N estlé S. A . (fuller’s earth); Oil- D ri Corp. of America (fuller’s earth); Texas Industries, Inc. (common clay and shale); Thiele Kaolin Co. (kaolin); and Unimin Corp. (ball clay and kaolin).

Most clay mining in the United States was by open pit methods; less than 1% of U.S. clay output was from underground mines. Most underground production was in Ohio, where the clays were mainly underclays associated with coal.

D omestic production data for clays were developed by the USGS from a voluntary survey of U.S. operations. Responses to the survey and company production data available from other sources accounted for approximately 50% of the total clay and shale tonnage sold or used quantity listed in table 1. Production data for the nonrespondents were estimated from preliminary survey data or reported prior-year production levels adjusted by trends in the industry, employment hours, and other guidelines. Ball clay

Production. —In 2011, four companies mined ball clay in five States. Production of domestic ball clay decreased by 3% to 886,000 t valued at $40.9 million compared with 912,000 t valued at $41.3 million in 2010 (table 3). Operations in Tennessee supplied 63% of the production, followed by, in descending order of tonnage, Texas, Mississippi, and Kentucky. One producer reported a small quantity of production in Indiana, but this probably was fire clay rather than ball clay.

Consumption. —Consumption of ball clay decreased in 2011. The two principal domestic markets were, in decreasing order by tonnage, ceramic floor and wall tile (38%) and sanitaryware (20%). Ball clay also was sold to manufacture bricks, fiberglass, refractory products, and other types of ceramics. Ball clay also was sold for filler, extender, and binder applications (table 3). Sales for fiberglass and some filler and extender applications were likely to have been kaolin mined or purchased by the ball clay producers. D omestic sales to the larger markets declined 4% to 6% while exports increased 9%. Exports accounted for 23% of total ball clay sales.

D omestic sales of ball clay can be affected by imports of products such as ceramics and sanitaryware because they compete with ball clay-based ceramic products manufactured in the United States. The U.S. International Trade Commission (undated) reported that imports of ceramic tile under H armonized Tariff Schedule (H TS) of the United States Codes 6907.10.00, 6908.10.10, 6908.10.20, and 6908.10.50 increased in quantity to 7.80 million square meters valued at $71.5 million in 2011 from 7.10 million square meters valued at $68.4 million in 2010. Mexico, China, Italy, Brazil, and Peru were the five leading sources of tile imports, with 45%, 12%, 8%, 7%, and 5% of the import volume, respectively. Imports of sanitaryware under the 4-digit H TS Code 6910 decreased to 22.5 million units in 2011 from 24.4 million units in 2010. China accounted for 10.9 million units or 49% of the U.S. sanitaryware imports in 2011, and Mexico accounted for 8.40 million units or 37% of the imports.

Imerys, the leading ball clay producer in the United States and globally, indicated that N orth American and some western European ceramic markets did not change significantly in 2011. The company increased sales in E astern Europe, the Middle E ast, Brazil, India, and Southeast A sia, regions which exhibited stronger economic growth (Imerys S A , 2012, p. 20).

Prices. —The average unit value for ball clay reported by domestic producers was $46 per metric ton compared with $45 per ton in 2010. The average f.a.s. value for exported ball clay was $59 per ton. The average Customs value for imported ball clay was $318 per ton.18.2 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] U.S. GE O L OGICAL SURVEY MINER AL S YEARBOOK—2011 

### Trade. —Ball clay exports were 49,400 t valued at $2.89 million in 2011 compared with 44,900 t valued at $3.03 million in 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (table 14). Producers exported about 208,000 t (table 3). Most of the difference in exports reported by producers and the U.S. Census Bureau involves shipments to Mexico, whose trade statistics suggested that Mexican imports of ball clay from the United States were reported under their H armonized Tariff Standard code for kaolin and other kaolinic clays. The water weight of slurry shipments (about 30% to 35% of the shipment weight) also may account for a portion of the extra tonnage reported by producers. Ball clay imports were 465 t valued at $148,000 (table 15).

Outlook. —Commercial and residential construction activity was tepid in 2011 but increased significantly through October 2012. Increased commercial and residential building construction results in an increased use of ceramic tile and sanitaryware, which were the leading markets for ball clay. The annualized rate of housing starts through October 2012 increased 23% and the annualized rate of construction spending through October 2012 increased 9.6% compared with those of October 2011 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012a–c, undated). An excess of foreclosed homes available in many areas of the country and tight credit, however, may moderate growth in ball clay sales in 2012.

With the lingering effects of the recession, growth in global construction markets also is likely to be slow. Ball clay exports to Mexico, which supplies finished ceramic products to the United States, may increase slightly in 2012.

Bentonite

Production. —In 2011, 21 companies produced nonswelling and (or) swelling bentonite in 11 States. About 4.81 Mt valued at $327 million was sold or used in 2011, 5% more than the 4.60 Mt valued at $266 million of bentonite sold or used in 2010 (table 4). Production of nonswelling bentonite was 123,000 t valued at $9.55 million in 2011, unchanged from that of 2010. Alabama led in the production of nonswelling bentonite, followed by, in descending order of tonnage, Mississippi, Arizona, California, and N evada.

Production of swelling bentonite was 4.68 Mt valued at $317 million in 2011, an increase of 5% from 4.48 Mt valued at $256 million in 2010. Wyoming led in the production of swelling bentonite, followed by Utah, Montana, Texas, California, Oregon, N evada, and Colorado.

E lementis Specialties, Inc. (a subsidiary of E lementis plc) completed a multiyear expansion of its N ewberry Springs, C A , plant. The $6 million project included the installation of a new spray dryer system. The expansion will double the previous production capacity and be more energy efficient. Hectorite was sold for such products as cleaners, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, paint, polishes, and waxes (Cejnar, 2011).

Wyo-Ben Inc. submitted plans to the Bureau of L and Management for a mine near Thermopolis, WY . Reserves at that deposit were expected to last 10 to 20 years. The mine willcover about 30 hectares during that time period but with castback mining methods, only 4 to 6 hectares would be disturbed each year (Groenenberg, 2011). Consumption. —In 2011, domestic sales and use of bentonite increased 5% from that of 2010. Major domestic sales of bentonite were, in decreasing order by quantity, drilling mud (all swelling bentonite), pet waste absorbent (all swelling bentonite), pelletizing iron ore (all swelling bentonite), and foundry sand bond (more than 99% was swelling bentonite). Bentonite also was sold for civil engineering and sealing; fillers, extenders, and binders; waterproofing and sealing; and a variety of other applications (table 4).

The leading markets shown in table 4 are representative of those of swelling bentonite, which accounted for 97% of total bentonite sales. The leading uses of nonswelling bentonite were in foundry sand bond and water treatment and filtering.

D omestic sales of bentonite for pet litter were reported to have increased 15% in 2011 but that may be an artifact of better reporting by producers rather than an actual increase from 2010. A

leading supplier to the pet litter market reported that sales decreased in 2011 (AMCO L International Corp., 2012, p. 33). Other suppliers reported only slightly higher sales for pet litter. Sales of bentonite for drilling mud, foundry sand bond, and pelletizing iron ore increased because of increases in oil drilling, industrial output, and steel production, respectively (Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 2012; Virta, 2012; Baker Hughes Inc., 2013) (table 4).

For smaller markets, swelling bentonite accounted for more than 95% of the bentonite sold for adhesives; animal feed; clarifying and decolorizing animal, mineral, and vegetable oils and greases; cosmetics, medical, and pharmaceutical; fertilizers; miscellaneous ceramics; miscellaneous fillers and extenders; oil and grease absorbents; paint; and plastics. Swelling bentonite accounted for less than 50% of sales for water treatment and filtering.

In 2011, American Colloid Co. (a subsidiary of AMCO L International) reported increases in sales revenue for metal casting applications, its leading revenue market. Its foundry sales also increased with the continuing growth in the automotive and heavy-equipment markets and its basic minerals markets increased mainly on the strength of sales for gas and oil drilling and European agricultural sales. Increased revenue was a combination of higher prices and increased tonnage sales (AMCO L International Corp., 2012, p. 33). Rockwood H oldings, Inc. (the parent company of Southern Clay Products, Inc.) reported increased sales in most of its clay‐additive markets with oilfield applications experiencing the greatest growth. Revenues also increased because of higher clay pricing (Rockwood H oldings, Inc., 2012, p. 54).

Prices. —The average unit value reported by domestic producers for nonswelling bentonite was $78 per metric ton in 2011 compared with $76 per ton in 2010. The average value for swelling bentonite was $68 per ton compared with $57 per ton in 2010. The average value for all bentonite was $68 per ton in 2011 compared with $58 per ton in 2010, with generally higher unit values reported by most producers of swelling bentonite in 2011 because of increased costs and high demand. The average f.a.s. value of exported bentonite was $163 per ton. The average Customs value of imported bentonite was $787 per ton.

The price of bentonite that was sold in bulk, crude form in railcars for iron ore pelletizing from the mill in Wyoming wasClay and Shale—2011 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] 18.3 

### $61 to $66 per ton; foundry-grade that was bagged and shipped in railcars was $99 to $127 per ton; and American Petroleum Institute (API)-grade bentonite that was bagged and shipped in railcars was $86 to $132 per ton. Crushed, dried, loose in bulk bentonite from India was $34 to $38 per ton for pet litter grade. Crude and dried bentonite, sold in bulk, free on board, European port, was $54 to $78 per ton for pet litter (Industrial Minerals, 2011).

The average annual producer price index (PPI) for bentonite under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 212325C was 161.6 in 2011 (1984=100) compared with 157.8 in 2010. The PPI decreased during the year from 164.4 in March to 159.3 in April but slowly increased to 160.9 by D ecember. The PPI measured the average change in the selling prices charged by domestic producers of bentonite over time (U.S. Bureau of L abor Statistics, undated).

Trade. —Bentonite exports increased to 1.02 Mt valued at $167 million in 2011 from 953 Mt valued at $143 million in 2010 (table 14). Canada and Japan accounted for the largest share of the increase in exports. Most of the increase was related to the improving economies with increased demand for bentonite by the iron ore, foundry, and oil drilling industries. Changes in trade with other countries were relatively minor. D omestic bentonite producers reported exports of 785,000 t (table 4). Much of the discrepancy between data reported by producers and the U.S. Census Bureau data probably resulted from producers including a portion of the exports destined for Canadian and Mexican markets under domestic sales. In addition, some bentonite is packaged domestically and then exported as a finished product, such as cat litter. Sales through U.S. mineral brokers, where producers do not know if the bentonite is used domestically or exported, could also explain part of the discrepancy.

Bentonite imports consisted mainly of untreated bentonite clay and chemically or artificially activated materials. Imports of untreated bentonite were 9,000 t valued at $7.08 million. Imports of artificially activated material were 31,000 t valued at $32.9 million (table 15).

Outlook.

— A fter rebounding from the recession of 2008–09, the bentonite industry reached prerecession levels of consumption, mainly on the strength of the foundry sand and drilling mud markets. Other global markets for bentonite were relatively unchanged or declined slightly. Overall bentonite sales may increase slightly in 2012.

Growth in absorbent markets, particularly pet waste absorbents, declined during the past 2 years because of reduced consumer spending. With only a slightly better outlook for increased consumer spending anticipated in 2012, pet litter markets may remain unchanged or increase slightly. Sales of bentonite for oil absorbent applications may increase slightly in 2012 compared with those of 2011 based on a slight increase in U.S. industrial output in the manufacturing sector through July 2012 (Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 2012).

Sales of bentonite for drilling mud applications may increase slightly in 2012 compared with those of 2011 because of increased drilling activity in 2012. Sales of bentonite also were tied to the iron and steel industries because of its use for pelletizing iron ore and as a foundry sand bond. Through September 2012, shipments of iron ore increased slightly compared with that of the first 9 months of 2011 (Tuck, 2012). D emand for iron ore is likely to continue to increase in 2012 as global economies recover.

Two major suppliers of bentonite to the foundry industry indicated that the market increased in 2011 (AMCO L International Corp., 2012, p. 29; S&B Industrial Minerals S. A ., 2012, p. 23). A dditionally, manufacturing of durable goods increased through July 2012 compared with the same period in 2011 (Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 2012). Consequently, sales of bentonite for foundry sand bond applications may increase slightly in 2012.

Sales of bentonite for civil engineering applications, such as waterproofing and sealing and landfill caps and liners, continued to be affected by reduced construction activity during the recession and may be unchanged or increase slightly in 2012. Other smaller markets for bentonite may increase slightly in 2012 as U.S. economic activity increases.
Common Clay and Shale

Production. —In 2011, 135 companies produced common clay and shale for manufacturing products in 39 States and Puerto Rico. Companies that mined clay for construction fill and landfill caps and did not operate mills or plants were not included in the USGS canvass of the clay and shale industry. These companies operated in most, if not all, States.

D omestic sales or use of common clay and shale decreased slightly to 11.7 Mt valued at $141 million in 2011 compared with 11.9 Mt valued at $146 million in 2010 (table 5). The 10 leading producing States were, in descending order of tonnage, Texas, Alabama, N orth Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Virginia, Missouri, and California. These 10 States accounted for 64% of U.S. common clay and shale production.

The Belden Brick Co. (Canton, O H) purchased L awrenceville Brick Inc., which operated two brick plants near L awrenceville, V

A , with a capacity of 115 million bricks per year. The purchase also included L awrenceville Brick’s clay reserves. The purchase increased Belden Brick’s capacity to more than 500 million bricks per year (Mackinnon, 2012).

A cme Brick Co. (Ft. Worth, TX) purchased the assets of Jenkins Brick & Tile Co. LL C. Jenkins Brick operated three brick plants in Alabama and sales facilities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The company also distributed ceramic tile and fabricated stone building materials. The purchase allowed A cme Brick, which marketed brick primarily in the Midwest, to extend its sales area to the Atlantic seaboard (A cme Brick Co., undated).

Mid America Brick & Structural Clay Products, LL C restarted its modernized Mexico, MO, plant and shipped its first load of bricks in July. The company operated one kiln with a capacity of 30 million bricks per year but planned to start up a second kiln in 2012, doubling its brick-making capacity (Sims, 2011).

Consumption. —Brick manufacture remained the leading market for common clay and shale, followed by, in descending order of tonnage, lightweight aggregate and portland cement. These three markets accounted for 91% of sales in 2011. L ightweight aggregate sales (2.85 Mt) were subdivided into18.4 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] U.S. GE O L OGICAL SURVEY MINER AL S YEARBOOK—2011 

### concrete block (42%), structural concrete (21%), highway surfacing (17%), and miscellaneous lightweight aggregates (20%). Other markets for common clay and shale included civil engineering, ceramic floor and wall tile, miscellaneous ceramics, heavy-clay (nonbrick) products, and refractory products (table 5).

Prices. —The unit average value for all common clay and shale produced in the United States was $12 per ton, essentially unchanged from that of 2010. The value of clay and shale used to produce lightweight aggregate was estimated to be $27 per ton in 2011 compared with $30 per ton in 2010. A verage prices for lightweight aggregate produced from clay and shale ranged from $30 to $80 per ton for most applications. Unit values for common clay and shale should be used with caution. Most producers do not sell their clay, but use it directly to manufacture products and have not established a selling price for their clays.

The annual average PPI for common (miscellaneous) clay and shale under NAICS code 212325B was 183 in 2011 (1984=100) compared with 176.6 in 2010. The PPI increased from 179.9 in January to 186 in D ecember. The PPI measured the average change in the selling prices charged by domestic producers of common (miscellaneous) clay and shale over time (U.S. Bureau of L abor Statistics, undated).

Outlook. —Common clay and shale sales again were affected by the sluggish U.S. economy in 2011. The seasonally adjusted annual rate for housing starts, however, increased 23% through October 2012 and overall construction spending for commercial buildings increased 9.6% through October compared with those of October 2011 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012a, c). Although mortgage foreclosure issues had lessened, tight credit and an excess of foreclosed homes available in many regions of the country may result in a moderate growth in common clay sales in 2012.
Fire clay

Production. —Fire clay producers were mostly refractory product manufacturers that used the clays in firebrick and various heavy

- clay products. In 2011, four firms mined fire clay in three States. Fire clay mined by domestic producers was almost unchanged with production of 215,000 t valued at $6.16 million in 2011 and 216,000 t valued at $6.12 million in 2010 (table 6). Missouri was the leading producing State, followed by, in descending order of tonnage, Colorado and Texas. Several common clay producers that occasionally mine fire clay indicated that they did not do so in 2011.

Consumption. —Consumption of fire clay decreased slightly in 2011. Leading markets for fire clay were, in descending order of tonnage, refractory calcines and grogs, portland cement, ceramic floor and wall tile, common brick, pottery, miscellaneous ceramics, and firebrick. Most data were withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data (table 6).

Fire clay also was sold for high-alumina brick and specialties; ramming and gunning mixes; refractory block and mortars; and refractory saggers. Fire clays also were used to produce such items as brick and pottery.

Prices. —In 2011, the average unit value for fire clay reported by domestic producers was $29 per metric ton in 2011 compared with $29 per ton in 2010. The average f.a.s. value of exported fire clay was $166 per ton. The average Customs value of imported fire clay was $447 per ton.

Trade. —Exports of fire clay and refractory

- grade kaolin appear to have been combined under the same H TS code in recent years. At least 43%, and possibly more, of the exports reported by the U.S. Census Bureau under the H TS code for fire clay was thought to be refractory

- grade kaolin rather than fire clay based on the locations of ports from which the material was exported. In 2011, exports of fire clay and refractory

- grade kaolin decreased to 371,000 t valued at $61.6 million compared with 404,000 t valued at $61.5 million in 2010 (table 14). In 2011, imports were 2,000 t valued at $893,000 (table 15).

Outlook. —Major users of refractory products such as the aluminum, glass, iron, lime, and steel industries increased production in 2011 and maintained those levels through mid

- 2012, suggesting possible growth in demand for refractory products for their furnaces.

Sales of fire clay for construction

- related products, such as brick, cement, lightweight aggregate, and tile, face the same issues as common clay and shale, a dependence on growth in the private housing and commercial construction sectors to support growth in heavy

- clay markets. Sales of fire clay for these applications have been erratic in recent years, with producers of common clay venturing into and out of fire clay mining depending on their needs. Fire clay sales for heavy-clay products may increase slightly in 2012 compared with those of 2011 if construction activity continues to increase.

Fuller’s earth

Production. —In 2011, 12 companies produced fuller’s earth in 10 States. Fuller’s earth deposits consist mainly of palygorskite (attapulgite) in Florida and southwestern Georgia and montmorillonite in middle Georgia and other States. Gelling grades of attapulgite, used as thickeners in such items as drilling muds and paints, were mined in western Florida and

near Attapulgus, GA . Sorbent grades of attapulgite were mined a little further north near Ochlocknee, GA . Sorbent grades of attapulgite were grouped with the montmorillonite variety of fuller’s earth, whose major use also was for sorbent applications, in table 7 to be consistent with past reporting.

Gelling-grade attapulgite was mined or sold in the Florida Panhandle and southwestern Georgia by two companies. Production data were withheld to avoid revealing company proprietary data, but production increased in 2011 compared with that of 2010, with a significant increase in production reported by the leading producer. Florida led in the production of gelling-grade attapulgite, followed by Georgia.

Production of the sorbent-grade fuller’s earth decreased 5% to 1.95 Mt valued at $194 million in 2011 compared with 2.05 Mt valued at $201 million in 2010 (table 7). Sorbent-grade fuller’s earth was produced, in decreasing order of tonnage, in Georgia, Missouri, Virginia, Mississippi, California, Tennessee, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, and Texas. Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, and Virginia accounted for 76% of U.S. production.

Consumption. —Consumption of sorbent-grade fuller’s earth decreased in 2011. Pet waste absorbent was the leading market, followed by oil and grease absorbents; civil engineering;Clay and Shale—2011 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] 18.5 

### clarifying, decolorizing, and filtering of animal, mineral, and vegetable oils and greases; fertilizer carriers; animal feed; pesticide carriers; miscellaneous ceramics; unknown uses; and paint (table 7).

Consumption of gelling-grade fuller’s earth increased in 2011. The leading market was exports (unknown uses). Exports were followed by fillers, extenders, and binders which included, in decreasing order of tonnage, unknown filler and extender uses; pesticide carrier; paint; fertilizer carrier; animal feed; and cosmetic, medical, and pharmaceutical applications. Fillers and extenders were followed by drilling mud; clarifying, decolorizing, and filtering of animal, mineral, and vegetable oils and greases; and oil and grease absorbents.

Sorbent-grades dominated sales to most fuller’s earth markets, but gelling-grades accounted for most of the sales of fuller’s earth, in decreasing order of tonnage, for paint; drilling mud; and cosmetic, medical, and pharmaceutical applications.

Oil- D ri completed a $9 million expansion of its Blue Mountain Production Co. facility in Mississippi. The expansion increased floor space and expanded automation of the production system, increasing productivity (Oil- D ri Corp. of America, 2011).

Prices. —The average unit value of gelling-grade fuller’s earth was withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data but the value was unchanged from that of 2010. The average value of sorbent-grade fuller’s earth was $100 per metric ton in 2011 compared with $98 per ton in 2010. The average f.a.s. value of exported fuller’s earth was $450 per ton. The average Customs value of imported fuller’s earth was $76 per ton.

Trade. —In 2011, exports increased slightly to 102,000 t valued at $45.9 million compared with 100,000 t valued at $35.4 million in 2010 (table 14). Imports of decolorizing earth and fuller’s earth were 1,860 t valued at $142,000 in 2011 (table 15).

Outlook. —Pet waste absorbent is the leading market for fuller’s earth. This market has exhibited essentially no growth in the past 2 years, and domestic sales are likely to remain unchanged in 2012. The second leading market for fuller’s earth is in oil and grease absorbents. These sales are tied to industrial output where increased heavy manufacturing and machining results in increased use of oil and grease absorbents. In early 2012, industrial output increased slightly, suggesting that 2012 sales of fuller’s earth for oil and grease absorbent applications may increase slightly compared with those of 2011 (Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 2012).

The acreage of corn planted increased in 2012. A s a result, a major supplier indicated higher sales of fuller’s earth as carriers and suspension agents in fertilizers and pesticides (Oil- D ri Corp. of America, 2012, p. 17; U.S. D epartment of Agriculture, 2012). Other uses for fuller’s earth are relatively small in volume. Sales for clarifying, decolorizing, and filtering of animal, mineral, and vegetable oils and greases are dependent on the quality of the oil source, and sales tend to vary yearly rather than follow economic trends. Production of fats and oils increased in 2011 and Oil

- Dri, a leading supplier of fuller’s earth for fluid purification products, indicated that sales had increased in the first 4 months of 2012 (Oil

- Dri Corp. of America, 2012, p. 19). Consequently, sales for fluid purification may increase slightlyin 2012. Gelling-grade fuller’s earth was sold for constructionrelated filler and extender applications, such as in adhesives, asphalt emulsions, caulks, joint compounds, paint, and roof coatings. Sales of these products are constrained by the slowhousing markets so sales of gelling grades for constructionrelated products may increase slightly in 2012. Sales for drilling mud applications may increase slightly in 2012 compared with those of 2011, based on increased global oil drilling activity in early 2012.

In general, any improvement in the U.S. economy will likely result in slightly improved sales for nonabsorbent applications for fuller’s earth in 2012.

Kaolin

Production. —In 2011, 19 firms mined kaolin in 8 States. D omestic production decreased by 3% to 5.77 Mt valued at $817 million compared with 5.95 Mt valued at $817 million in 2010 (table 8). The leading producer State was Georgia, followed by, in descending order of tonnage, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas, N evada, Florida, N orth Carolina, and California.

About 37% of the kaolin produced was water washed, 22% was calcined, 15% was delaminated, 14% was airfloat, and 12% was unprocessed (table 8). Pigment-grade (low-temperature calcined kaolin) accounted for less than 50% of the tonnage of the total calcined kaolin sales. Sales of pigment-grade calcined kaolin were withheld to avoid revealing company proprietary data. Companies in Georgia accounted for nearly all the pigment-grade calcined kaolin produced in 2011. A small amount also was produced in Texas.

Georgia accounted for 93% of the kaolin production in the United States. Kaolin production in Georgia decreased slightly to 5.34 Mt valued at $781 million in 2011 compared with 5.47 Mt valued at $780 million in 2010. Approximately 40% of Georgia kaolin sold was water washed, 23% was calcined (high- and low-temperature calcined kaolin), 17% was delaminated, 10% was airfloat, and 10% was unprocessed in 2011 (table 9). Production in South Carolina increased significantly to 245,000 t valued at $19.7 million in 2011 compared with 158,000 t valued at $10.5 million in 2010 (table 10). One producer in South Carolina accounted for most of the increased production.

Imerys, one of the leading U.S. kaolin producers, completed construction of a plant at its Andersonville, GA , site to manufacture ceramic proppants for the gas and oil production industry. The $60 million plant was designed with a capacity exceeding 100,000 t/yr (Imerys, 2012, p. 21).

Consumption. —Consumption of kaolin decreased in 2011 from that of 2010 (table 8). The major domestic markets for kaolin were, in descending order of tonnage, paper coating and filling (40% of domestic sales), refractory products and miscellaneous ceramics (16% each), and fiberglass and mineral wool (6%). Other smaller but significant markets were ceramics, catalyst manufacture, chemical manufacture, floor and wall tile, heavy-clay products (brick and portland cement), paint, plastics, and rubber. The leading export market for kaolin was in paper coating and filler (table 11). A similar market distribution was seen for producers in Georgia (table 9).18.6 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] U.S. GE O L OGICAL SURVEY MINER AL S YEARBOOK—2011 

### The sales distribution for South Carolina kaolin producers was, in descending order of tonnage, fiberglass, catalyst manufacture (included in ceramics in table 10), rubber, brick, adhesives, paper coating, portland cement, fertilizer, firebrick, plastics, sanitaryware, roofing granules, miscellaneous fillers and extenders, and miscellaneous ceramics. Much of the data for individual markets were withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data (table 10).

Paper coating and filling markets accounted for 50% of total (domestic and export) kaolin sales in 2011. Sales for paper markets decreased slightly in response to decreased manufacture of paper in the N orth America. Refractory products accounted for 12% of total kaolin sales in 2011, with sales increasing slightly because of a small improvement in U.S. industrial production. Other increases were distributed across many end-use markets.

Prices. —The average unit value of kaolin was $142 per metric ton for all kaolin grades. The average value for airfloat was $85 per ton; delaminated, $147 per ton; unprocessed, $53 per ton; and water washed, $162 per ton. The unit value of water washed increased significantly as a result of higher values reported by one producer. All types of calcined kaolin combined were valued at $185 per ton. The average f.a.s. value of exported kaolin was $223 per ton. The average Customs value of imported kaolin was $102 per ton.

The price of number 1 paper coating grades of kaolin from a plant in Georgia ranged from $160 to $215 per ton, and the price of number 2 paper coating grades varied from $110 to $171 per ton (Industrial Minerals, 2011).

The annual average PPI for ball clay and kaolin mining under North American Industry Classification System code 2123240 was 190.9 in 2011 (1984=100) compared with 184.1 in 2010. The PPI increased from 186 in January to 193.2 in D ecember. The PPI measured the average change in the selling prices charged by domestic producers of ball clay and kaolin over time (U.S. Bureau of L abor Statistics, undated).

Trade.

—Exports increased in 2011 to 2.49 Mt of kaolin valued at $555 million compared with 2.47 Mt valued at $537 million in 2010 (table 14). Producers reported exports of 1.44 Mt (table 11). Much of the kaolin exported to Canada and Mexico probably was reported under domestic consumption by U.S. producers. Sales through U.S. mineral brokers, where producers do not know if the kaolin is used domestically or exported, also could explain part of the discrepancy.

Kaolin imports were 549,000 t of kaolin valued at $56.2 million in 2011 compared with 510,000 t valued at $51.4 million in 2010 (table 15). About 95% of kaolin imports was from Brazil and was used primarily in paper coating applications.

Outlook. —Sales by the kaolin industry are likely to remain unchanged in 2012. In the United States, industrial production of paper, the leading market for kaolin, declined 2.9% through July 2012 compared with the same time period in 2011 (Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 2012). Paper markets in Western Europe were weak while those in Southeast A sia and South America increased by 6% (Confederation of European Paper Industries, 2012, p. 11; Imerys, 2012, p. 34). Export sales of kaolin, primarily for paper use, may increase slightly, particularly to A sian markets. U.S. industrial manufacturing output increased through mid

- 2012 (Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 2012). Sales of kaolin used to manufacture such products as catalysts, chemicals, plastics, refractory products, and rubber may increase slightly in 2012.

A

relatively new growth market for kaolin is ceramic proppants. The market for all proppants increased significantly in the past decade because of increased drilling and fracturing of gas- and oil-bearing formations to improve recovery (Beckwith, 2011). With the entry of Imerys into the market in 2012 and expansion by a current manufacturer of kaolin-based ceramic proppants, sales and use of kaolin for this market is likely to increase significantly in 2012 and 2013 (Carbo Ceramics Inc., 2012; Imerys, 2012, p. 22)

As with ball clay, common clay and shale, and some fire clay sales, kaolin also has been affected by the slowdown in residential and commercial construction. Sales into construction

- related markets, such as caulks, fiberglass, floor and wall tile, paint, and sanitaryware, slowed and have not yet recovered to levels achieved prior to the 2008–09 recession. The outlook for these markets is improving with seasonally adjusted annual rate for housing starts increasing by 23% through N ovember 2012 from D ecember 2011. Overall construction spending for commercial buildings increased 9.6% from October 2011 to October 2012 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012a, c). Imerys (2012, p. 20) reported improved sales for ceramics, sanitaryware, and tile in Brazil, E astern Europe, India, the Middle E ast, and Southeast A sia but lower sales in N orth America. Sales of kaolin to construction-related markets may see moderate increases in 2012.

World Review

World production of bentonite was approximately 10.3 Mt (table 16), and fuller’s earth production was 3.21 Mt (table 17). Kaolin production was about 33.9 Mt (table 18), including ball clay from Australia, Ukraine, and various other countries, and crude kaolin ore production tonnages were reported by many countries. World sales of processed kaolin were estimated to be between 22 and 24 Mt, after accounting for processing losses and stockpiling and the inclusion of ball clay production under kaolin by some countries. The United States continued to be the leading supplier of processed clay for sale, followed by Turkey and Greece for bentonite, Spain for fuller’s earth, and Brazil and the United Kingdom for kaolin. Spain led all countries in the production of sepiolite. Senegal was the leading producer of palygorskite (attapulgite), followed by the United States. The rankings above were based on processed clay sold or used and not on crude ore production.

Clariant A G acquired 96.15% of the shares of Süd-Chemie AG, Munich, Germany (Sűd

- Chemie AG, 2011). Süd

- Chemie A G was a major global supplier of bentonite with mines in China, Germany, Mexico, and Spain (Watts, 2011).

References Cited

A cme Brick Co., [undated], A cme Brick Company agreed to purchase

substantially all of the assets of Jenkins Brick & Tile Company LL C: Fort Worth, TX, A cme Brick Co. (A ccessed February 16, 2012, at URL http:// www.brick.com/company/jenkins.htm.)Clay and Shale—2011 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] 18.7 AMCO L International Corp., 2012, 10–K—2011: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, February 29, 85 p. Baker Hughes Inc., 2013, Worldwide rig counts—Current & historical data:

H ouston, TX, Baker Hughes Inc., February 7. (A ccessed February 13, 2013, via http://investor.shareholder.com/bhi/rig_counts/ rc_index.cfm?showpage=int.) Beckwith, Robin, 2011, Proppants—Where in the world: Journal of Petroleum

Technology, v. 63, no. 4, April, p. 36–41. (A ccessed August 17, 2012, at http://www.spe.org/jpt/print/archives/2011/04/11ProppantShortage.pdf.) Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 2012, Industrial production

and capacity utilization—G.17: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, August 15. (A ccessed August 15, 2012, at http:// www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g17/Current/table0.htm.) Carbo Ceramics Inc., 2012, CARBO to build new manufacturing plant in

Georgia: H ouston, TX, Carbo Ceramics Inc. press release, May 3. (A ccessed August 17, 2012, at http://www.carboceramics.com/en/rel/39/.) Cejnar, Jessica, 2011, N ewberry Springs mineral plant undergoes upgrade:

Barstow [C A ] D esert D ispatch, April 4. (A ccessed D ecember 29, 2011, at http://www.desertdispatch.com/articles/newberry-10679-springs-plant.html.) Confederation of European Paper Industries, 2012, Key statistics 2011: Brussels,

Belgium, Confederation of European Paper Industries, June, 32 p. (A ccessed D ecember 17, 2012, at http://digibook.digi-work.com/D igibooks.aspx/Get/ cepi/784/Key_Statistics_2011_FINALpdf.) Groenenberg, Wyoma, 2011, N ew bentonite mine proposed in Wyoming:

Cheyenne [WY ] Wyoming Business Report, August 8. (A ccessed August 9, 2011, at http://www.wyomingbusinessreport.com/

article.asp?id=59128.) Imerys SA, 2012, 2011 registration document—Annual financial report: Paris,

France, Imerys S A , March 22, 272 p. Industrial Minerals, 2011, Prices: Industrial Minerals, no. 531, D ecember,

p. 61–63. Mackinnon, Jim, 2012, Belden Brick buys Virginia brick company assets: Akron [O H ] Akron Beacon Journal Online, August 13. (A ccessed August 13, 2012, at http://www.ohio.com/business/belden-brick-buysvirginia-brick-company-assets-1.225819#.) Oil- D ri Corp. of America, 2011, Oil- D ri expands Blue Mountain Production

facility in Tippah County, MS to support new product launch: Chicago, I L , Oil- D ri Corp. of America press release, July 12, 1 p. Oil- D ri Corp. of America, 2012, Form 10–K: U.S. Securities and Exchange

Commission, October 12, 77 p. Rockwood H oldings, Inc., 2012, Annual report—2011: Princeton, NJ,

Rockwood H oldings, Inc., February 23, 155 p. S&B Industrial Minerals S.A., 2012, Annual report 2011: Kifissia, Greece, S&B

Industrial Minerals S. A ., March 23, 44 p. (A ccessed July 13, 2012, at http:// www.sandb.com/wp-content/uploads/Annual_2011_EN G.pdf.) Sims, Janeen, 2011, MAB ships first load of bricks: Mexico [MO] Ledger,

August 1. (A ccessed August 13, 2012, at http://www.mexicoledger.com/ article/20110801/ NEWS/308019953/0/S EARC H .) Süd-Chemie A G, 2011, Clariant completes share acquisition: Munich, Germany,

Süd-Chemie A G press release, April 26. (A ccessed August 17, 2012, at http:// www.sud-chemie.com/scmcms/web/binary.jsp?nodeId=7694&binaryId=1071 7&preview=&disposition=inline&lang=en.) Tuck, C. A ., 2012, Iron ore in September 2012: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Industry Surveys, D ecember, 8 p. (A ccessed D ecember 27, 2012, at http:// minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/iron_ore/mis-201209-feore.pdf.) U.S. Bureau of L abor Statistics, [undated], Producer price index—Industry data:

U.S. Bureau of L abor Statistics. (A ccessed June 16, 2011, via http:// www.bls.gov/ppi.) U.S. Census Bureau, [undated], N ew privately owned housing units started:

U.S. Census Bureau, 1 p. (A ccessed June 8, 2012, at http://www.census.gov/ construction/nrc/pdf/startsan.pdf.) U.S. Census Bureau, 2012a, Annual value of construction put in place 2002–

2011: U.S. Census Bureau, April 2, 2 p. (A ccessed May 5, 2012, at http:// www.census.gov/construction/c30/pdf/total.pdf.) U.S. Census Bureau, 2012b, N ew residential construction in N ovember 2012:

U.S. Census Bureau CB12–151, D ecember 19, 6 p. (A ccessed D ecember 27, 2012, at http://www.census.gov/construction/nrc/pdf/

newresconst.pdf.) U.S. Census Bureau, 2012c, Value of construction—Seasonally adjusted annual

rate: U.S. Census Bureau, D ecember 3. (A ccessed D ecember 27, 2012, at http://www.census.gov/construction/c30/pdf/totsa.pdf.) U.S. D epartment of Agriculture, 2012, A creage: U.S. D epartment of Agriculture,

June 29, 42 p. (A ccessed August 16, 2012, at http://www.usda.gov/nass/ PUBS/TO DAYRPT/acrg0612.pdf.) U.S. International Trade Commission, [undated], International trade database:

U.S. International Trade Commission. (A ccessed June 18, 2012, at http:// dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/user_set.asp.) Virta, R. L ., 2012, Iron ore in D ecember 2011: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral

Industry Surveys, February, 7 p. (A ccessed August 15, 2012, at http:// minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/iron_ore/mis-201112-feore.pdf.) Watts, Mark, 2011, Clariant completes acquisition of bentonite group

Süd-Chemie: Industrial Minerals, April 26. (A ccessed April 27, 2011, via http://www.indmin.com/.)



### GENERAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
U.S. Geological Survey Publications
Clays. Ch. in United States Mineral Resources, Professional

Paper 820, 1973. Clays. Ch. in Mineral Commodity Summaries, annual. H istorical Statistics for Mineral and Material Commodities in

the United States, D ata Series 140.

Other China Clay Producers A ssociation. Clays. Ch. in Mineral Facts and Problems, U.S. Bureau of

Mines Bulletin 675, 1985.18.8 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] U.S. GE O L OGICAL SURVEY MINER AL S YEARBOOK—2011 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 domestic clays sold or used by producers:

Quantity 36,700 32,700 24,500 25,600 r 25,300 Value 1,750,000 1,650,000 1,330,000 1,480,000 r 1,530,000 exports:

Quantity 5,650 5,100 3,830 4,360 4,390 Value 928,000 938,000 702,000 862,000 908,000 Imports for consumption:

Quantity 231 237 325 555 r 593 Value 73,900 86,600 104,000 81,200 r 97,400 TaBle 1 SalIenT U.S. Clay STaTISTICS 1, 2

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

1 excludes Puerto Rico. 2 data are rounded to no more than three significant digits. rRevised.

State 3 Quantity Value Quantity Value alabama 1,560 r 35,800 r 1,380 36,300 arkansas 579 8,210 532 7,580 California 570 33,300 603 38,300 Colorado 110 350 137 298 Florida 202 33,600 98 19,300 Georgia 6,300 819,000 6,490 835,000 Indiana 381 8,260 351 7,740 Iowa 201 827 182 862 Kansas 380 2,940 327 3,320 Kentucky 323 8,080 362 8,450 louisiana 151 1,330 144 1,280 Michigan 312 1,290 312 1,280 Mississippi 642 35,600 652 36,600 Missouri 1,030 40,800 1,050 40,700 new york 595 30,000 387 16,900 north Carolina 856 5,300 774 4,880 Ohio 673 r 12,700 r 632 13,300 Oklahoma 554 2,600 570 2,720 Oregon 9 672 205 1,300 South Carolina 426 11,700 472 20,900 Tennessee 776 32,300 755 31,800 Texas 2,080 48,600 2,140 41,300 Utah 482 11,800 459 15,100 Virginia 775 27,500 790 30,200 West Virginia 138 199 138 210 Wyoming 4,130 r 230,000 r 4,370 287,000 Other4 1,410 r 34,400 r 992 22,500

Total 25,600 r 1,480,000 r 25,300 1,530,000 TaBle 2 ClayS SOld OR USed By PROdUCeRS In The UnITed STaTeS, By STaTe 1, 2

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

2 data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

new Mexico, north dakota, Pennsylvania, South dakota, and Washington. rRevised.
1 excludes Puerto Rico.

3 Publishable totals used to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.
4 Includes arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, nebraska, nevada, 2010 2011Clay and Shale—2011 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] 18.9 Quantity Value Quantity Value Type:

airfloat 629 27,500 615 27,600 Water-slurried 105 5,100 97 4,710 Unprocessed 178 8,680 173 8,610

Total 912 41,300 886 40,900 Use:

Fillers, extenders, binders 2 40 na 40 na Floor and wall tile 360 r na 340 na Miscellaneous ceramics 3 85 na 80 na Pottery 10 na 4 na Sanitaryware 188 na 181 na Miscellaneous 4 36 r na 31 na exports, reported by producers 5 191 na 208 na

Total 912 41,300 886 40,900

3 Includes catalysts, electrical porcelain, fiberglass, fine china/dinnerware, glass, mineral wool, and roofing granules. rRevised. na not available. 2010 2011

4 Includes heavy-clay products, waterproofing seals, refractories, and other unknown uses.
5 Includes ceramics and glass and floor and wall tile. TaBle 3 Ball Clay SOld OR USed By PROdUCeRS In The UnITed STaTeS, By TyPe and USe 1

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

1 data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2 Includes animal feed; asphalt emulsions; rubber; and other fillers, extenders, and binders.

Quantity Value Quantity Value Type:

nonswelling 123 9,410 r 123 9,550 Swelling 4,480 r 256,000 r 4,680 317,000

Total 4,600 r 266,000 r 4,810 327,000 Use:

domestic:

Pet waste absorbents 961 r na 1,110 na adhesives 8 na 9 na animal feed 64 r na 36 na drilling mud 1,040 r na 1,160 na Filler and extender applications 2 104 na 68 na Foundry sand 534 r na 592 na Pelletizing (iron ore) 586 r na 649 na Waterproofing and sealing 103 r na 181 na Miscellaneous civil engineering 213 r na 124 na Miscellaneous 3 245 r na 93 na

Total 3,860 r na 4,020 na exports, reported by producers:

drilling mud 136 r na 289 na Foundry sand 135 r na 158 na Other4 472 r na 337 na

Total 743 r na 785 na Grand total 4,600 r 266,000 r 4,810 327,000 TaBle 4 BenTOnITe SOld OR USed By PROdUCeRS In The UnITed STaTeS, By TyPe and USe 1

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

2011 2010

rRevised. na not available.
1 data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2 Includes asphalt tiles, asphalt emulsions, cosmetics, fertilizers, ink, medical, miscellaneous fillers and extenders applications, paint, paper coating, paper filling, pesticides and related products, pharmaceuticals, and plastics.
3 Includes ceramics, chemical manufacturing, clarifying and decolorizing, heavy-clay products, oil and grease absorbents refractories, and other unknown uses.
4 Includes absorbents, fillers and extenders, refractories, pelletizing, and other unknown uses.18.10 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] U.S. GE O L OGICAL SURVEY MINER AL S YEARBOOK—2011 Quantity Value Quantity Value State:

alabama 1,300 21,500 1,190 24,100 arkansas 534 7,580 532 7,580 California 355 5,000 398 6,990 Colorado 109 352 123 293 Georgia 657 3,910 644 6,880 Indiana 358 7,110 332 6,620 Iowa 201 827 182 862 Kansas 353 1,850 291 1,880 Kentucky 284 5,780 328 6,430 Michigan 312 1,280 312 1,280 Mississippi 259 1,540 264 1,570 Missouri 412 3,060 431 3,370 new york 595 30,000 388 16,900 north Carolina 846 4,890 764 4,460 Ohio 671 r 12,600 r 632 13,300 Oklahoma 554 2,600 570 2,720 Oregon

-- -- 194 538 South Carolina 267 1,190 227 1,250 Tennessee 113 817 113 817 Texas 1,730 r 14,000 1,840 13,300 Utah 322 7,020 334 7,260 Virginia 503 6,010 500 6,000 West Virginia 138 199 138 210 Other4 1,030 r 6,580 r 959 6,220

Total 11,900 r 146,000 r 11,700 141,000 Use:

Floor and wall tile 5 376 r na 364 na heavy-clay products:

Brick, extruded 5,080 r na 4,490 na Brick, other 770 r na 864 na Other6 122 r na 115 na lightweight aggregate:

Concrete block 1,340 na 1,200 na highway surfacing 561 na 489 na Structural concrete 734 r na 586 na Miscellaneous 266 na 577 na Portland and other cements 2,070 na 2,380 na Refractories 7 366 r na 338 na Miscellaneous 8 224 r na 285 na

Total 11,900 r 146,000 r 11,700 141,000

new Mexico, north dakota, Pennsylvania, South dakota, Washington, and Wyoming.

and binders; pottery; roofing granules; and other unknown uses. 5 Includes ceramic tile, quarry tile, and miscellaneous floor and wall tiles. 6 Includes drain tile, flower pots, flue linings, sewer pipe, structural tile, and miscellaneous clay products.
7 Includes firebrick, blocks and shapes, mortar and cement, grogs and calcines, and miscellaneous refractories. 8 Includes exports, reported by producers; miscellaneous civil engineering and sealings; miscellaneous fillers, extenders, TaBle 5 COMMOn Clay and Shale SOld OR USed By PROdUCeRS In The UnITed STaTeS, By STaTe and USe 1, 2, 3

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

4 Includes arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, nebraska, 1 data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2 excludes Puerto Rico. 3 Includes only production for companies with mills or plants. 2010 2011

rRevised. na not available. -- Zero.Clay and Shale—2011 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] 18.11 Quantity Value Quantity Value Production 216 6,120 215 6,160 Use:

heavy-clay products and lightweight aggregates 2 87 r na 87 na Refractories:

Firebrick, block, shapes 19 na 1 na Grogs and calcines W na W na Other refractories 3 W na W na Miscellaneous 4 109 r na 126 na Total 216 6,120 215 6,160

3 Includes kiln furniture, mortar and cement, and miscellaneous refractories.
4 Includes floor tile, wall tile, and other unknown uses. 2010 2011 TaBle 6 FIRe Clay SOld OR USed By PROdUCeRS In The UnITed STaTeS, By USe 1

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

rRevised. na not available. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included in “Miscellaneous.”
1 data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2 Includes common brick, concrete block, portland cement, and structural concrete.

Quantity Value Quantity Value Type:

attapulgite (2) (2) (2) (2) Montmorillonite 2,050 201,000 1,950 194,000 Total 2,050 201,000 1,950 194,000 Use:

absorbents:

Oil and grease absorbent 150 r na 167 na Pet waste absorbent 1,380 na 1,280 na animal feed 52 r na 54 na Fillers, extenders, binders 3 122 r na 83 na Filtering, clarifying, and decolorizing4 80 r na 125 na Miscellaneous 5 236 r na 213 na exports, reported by producers 6 23 r na 22 na

Total 2,050 201,000 1,950 194,000 2010 2011 TaBle 7 FUlleR'S eaRTh SOld OR USed By PROdUCeRS In The UnITed STaTeS, By TyPe and USe 1

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

rRevised. na not available.
1 data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

6 Includes oil and grease absorbents, pet waste absorbents, drilling mud, paint, and other unknown uses. 5 Includes civil engineering, drilling mud, miscellaneous absorbents, and other unknown uses. 4 Includes mineral and vegetable oils and greases. other unknown uses. 3 Includes asphalt emulsions; medical, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics; paints; pesticides and related products; and be found in the “Fuller’s earth” portion of the production section of this report. 2 Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. Primarily gellant-grade fuller’s earth. More information can18.12 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] U.S. GE O L OGICAL SURVEY MINER AL S YEARBOOK—2011 Quantity Value Quantity Value State:

Georgia 5,470 r 780,000 r 5,340 781,000 South Carolina 158 10,500 245 19,700 Other2 318 r 26,300 r 179 16,600

Total 5,950 r 817,000 r 5,770 817,000 Type:

airfloat 758 65,800 792 67,600 Calcined: 3 1,340 252,000 1,280 237,000 delaminated 984 137,000 883 129,000 Unprocessed 584 r 29,800 r 671 35,400 Water washed 2,280 332,000 2,140 348,000

Total 5,950 r 817,000 r 5,770 817,000

rRevised.
1 data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 2 Includes alabama, California, Florida, nevada, north Carolina, and Texas. 3 Includes pigment-grade kaolin (low-temperature calcined kaolin) and refractory-grade kaolin (high-temperature calcined kaolin). TaBle 8 KaOlIn SOld OR USed By PROdUCeRS In The UnITed STaTeS, By STaTe and TyPe 1

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

2010 2011Clay and Shale—2011 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] 18.13 2011 Kind Quantity Value Quantity Value Type:

airfloat 621 54,100 549 45,600 Calcined2 1,240 242,000 1,260 229,000 delaminated 984 137,000 884 129,000 Unprocessed 422 23,300 525 29,000 Water washed 2,200 324,000 2,130 347,000

Total 5,470 r 780,000 r 5,340 781,000 Use:

domestic:

Ceramics and glass:

Catalysts (oil-refining) W na W na Fiberglass, mineral wool 238 r na 218 na Roofing granules 35 r na 26 na Other3 641 r na 715 na Fillers, extenders, binders:

adhesives 19 na 18 na Paint 179 r na 176 na Paper coating 1,710 r na 1,580 na Paper filling 149 r na 130 na Plastic 44 r na 41 na Rubber 141 r na 102 na Other4 46 r na 82 na heavy-clay products 5 (6) na (6) na Refractories 7 (6) na (6) na Undistributed 8 828 r na 860 na Total 4,030 r na 3,950 na exports, reported by producers:

Paint 48 na 45 na Paper coating 9 1,190 r na 1,130 na Paper filling 9 44 r na 46 na Rubber 36 na 36 na Undistributed 10 124 r na 135 na

Total 1,440 r na 1,390 na Grand total 5,470 r 780,000 r 5,340 781,000

4 Includes animal feed; asphalt tile; fertilizers; medical, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics; pesticides and related

10 Includes miscellaneous ceramics and miscellaneous fillers, extenders, and other unknown uses. 9 Some export sales, by producers, may be included under domestic sales. 8 Includes absorbents, chemical manufacturing, floor and wall tiles, heavy-clay products, refractory products, refractories. 7 Includes firebricks, blocks and shapes, grogs and calcines, high-alumina specialties, kiln furniture, and miscellaneous 6 Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included in “domestic: Undistributed.” 5 Includes brick (common and face), portland cement, and miscellaneous clay products. products; and miscellaneous fillers, extenders, and binders.

waterproofing seals, and other unknown uses. 3 Includes catalysts (oil-refining), electrical porcelain, fine china/dinnerware, pottery, miscellaneous ceramics, and sanitaryware. TaBle 9 GeORGIa KaOlIn SOld OR USed By PROdUCeRS, By TyPe and USe 1

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

rRevised. na not available. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.
1 data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2 Includes pigment- and refractory-grade calcined kaolin. 201018.14 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] U.S. GE O L OGICAL SURVEY MINER AL S YEARBOOK—2011 Quantity Value Quantity Value Production2 158 10,500 245 19,700 Use:

Ceramics 3 67 na 118 na Rubber 31 na 41 na Other uses 4 60 na 87 na

Total 158 10,500 245 19,700

3 Includes catalysts (oil-refining), fiberglass, roofing granules, and sanitaryware.
4 Includes adhesives, animal feed, brick (common), floor and wall tile, paper coating, plastics, and refractories. TaBle 10 SOUTh CaROlIna KaOlIn SOld OR USed By PROdUCeRS, By USe 1

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

na not available. 2010 2011

1 data are rounded to no more than three significant digits, may not add to totals shown.
2 Includes airfloat, unprocessed, and calcined kaolin.

Use 2010 2011 domestic:

Ceramics:

Catalyst (oil and gas refining) 179 162 Fine china and dinnerware 6 6 Floor and wall tile 84 93 Pottery 2 W W Roofing granules 35 27 Sanitaryware 42 27 Miscellaneous ceramics 584 r 686 Chemical manufacture W W Fiberglass, mineral wool 245 r 279 Fillers, extenders, binders:

adhesive 20 36 Paint 190 185 Paper coating 1,720 1,590 Paper filling 149 130 Pesticide 3 W W Plastic 50 43 Rubber 173 r 142 Miscellaneous fillers, extenders, binders 46 r 86 heavy–clay products:

Brick, common and face 37 25 Portland cement 86 64 Refractories 4 695 701 Miscellaneous applications 124 r 45

Total 4,470 r 4,330 exports, reported by producers:

Ceramics 5 W W Paint 84 59 Paper coating 1,190 1,130 Paper filling 44 46 Rubber 40 67 Miscellaneous 124 r 138

Total 1,480 r 1,440 Grand total 5,950 r 5,770

4 Includes firebrick (blocks and shapes), grogs and calcines, and miscellaneous refractories.
5 Included in “exports, reported by producers: Miscellaneous.” TaBle 11 KaOlIn SOld OR USed By PROdUCeRS In The UnITed STaTeS, By USe 1

(Thousand metric tons)

rRevised. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.
1 data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2 Included in “Miscellaneous ceramics.” 3 Included in “Miscellaneous fillers, extenders, binders.”Clay and Shale—2011 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] 18.15 Concrete Structural State block concrete Other2 Quantity Value e 2010:

alabama 361 25 43 430 11,900 arkansas 128 32

-- 160 6,240 California

-- 34

-- 34 2,140 Indiana 65 r 32 65 162 6,500 Kansas 19 3 5 r 28 188 Kentucky 44 36

-- 80 4,470 louisiana 62 19 29 110 1,030 Missouri 22 18 63 103 1,110 nebraska

-- -- (3) r (3) r 2 new york 163 272

-- 435 28,200 Ohio 72 40 68 180 7,820 Oklahoma 20 3

-- 25 703 Texas 149 161 389 r 699 5,540 Utah 91 57 112 260 5,820 Virginia 145 2 51 196 4,490

Total 1,340 734 r 825 r 2,900 r 86,100 r 2011:

alabama 328

-- -- 328 14,500 arkansas 128 32

-- 160 6,240 California 2 53

-- 55 3,470 Indiana 22 36 88 145 6,000 Kansas

-- -- 38 38 26 Kentucky 49 34 9 92 4,700 louisiana 62 19 29 110 1,030 Missouri

-- -- 126 126 1,360 nebraska

-- -- 1 1 5 new york 122 136 117 375 16,000 Ohio 72 40 68 180 7,820 Oklahoma 20 3

-- 23 703 Texas 162 174 427 763 6,050 Utah 91 57 112 260 5,820 Virginia 145 2 50 197 4,490

Total 1,200 586 1,070 2,850 78,200

3 less than 1⁄2 unit. 2 Includes highway surfacing. Total TaBle 12 COMMOn Clay and Shale USed In lIGhTWeIGhT aGGReGaTe PROdUCTIOn In The UnITed STaTeS By STaTe 1

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

eestimated. rRevised. -- Zero. 1 data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.18.16 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] U.S. GE O L OGICAL SURVEY MINER AL S YEARBOOK—2011 State Quantity Value e Quantity Value e alabama 541 6,210 537 6,200 arkansas 22 47 154 705 California 117 710 117 710 Colorado 93 242 90 237 Georgia 607 3,670 593 6,640 Kentucky3 200 1,210 232 1,430 Mississippi 259 1,540 264 1,570 north Carolina 621 2,830 538 2,400 Ohio 296 r 3,320 r 323 4,070 Oklahoma 404 1,540 404 1,540 Pennsylvania 288 1,650 279 1,530 South Carolina 257 1,140 217 1,210 Tennessee 114 817 113 817 Texas 457 2,460 310 1,820 Virginia 306 1,520 276 1,450 Other4 1,270 7,650 r 903 4,170

Total 5,850 r 36,600 r 5,350 36,500

and Wisconsin. 4 Includes all other States except for alaska, nevada, new hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, 3 extruded brick only. 2 data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 1 Includes extruded and other brick. eestimated. rRevised. 2010 2011 TaBle 13 COMMOn Clay and Shale USed In BUIldInG BRICK

PROdUCTIOn In The UnITed STaTeS, By STaTe 1, 2

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

Material Quantity Value Quantity Value Principal destinations in 2011 Ball clay 45 3,030 49 2,890 Mexico, 36%; Switzerland, 36%; Costa Rica, 20%. Bentonite 953 143,000 1,020 167,000 Mexico, 70%; Peru, 14%; Taiwan, 16%. Fire clay 404 61,500 371 61,600 Taiwan, 51%; Spain, 22%; new Zealand, 3%. Fuller’s earth 100 35,400 102 45,900 Japan, 18%; China, 9%; United Kingdom, 7%. Kaolin 2,470 537,000 2,490 555,000 netherlands, 79%; Spain, 21%. Clays, n.e.c. 382 r 82,200 r 358 76,400 Canada, 62%; Mexico, 33%.

Total 4,360 862,000 4,390 908,000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau. 2010 2011 TaBle 14 U.S. eXPORTS OF ClayS, By TyPe 1

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

1 data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. rRevised.Clay and Shale—2011 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] 18.17 Material Quantity Value Quantity Value Principal sources in 2011 China clay or kaolin 510 r 51,400 r 549 56,200 Brazil, 95%; Taiwan, 2%; Canada, 1%. Fire clay (2) 195 r 2 893 China, 81%; Czech Republic, 10%; Canada, 4%. Ball clay 1 138 (2) 148 United Kingdom, 89%; China, 11%. Bentonite 15 r 5,080 r 9 7,080 Greece, 34%; China, 18%; egypt, 13%; Turkey, 11%. Fullers’s earth 1 160 2 142 China, 96%; Japan, 2%; netherlands, 2%. Chamotte or dina’s earth (2) 110 (2) 121 Czech Republic, 99%; Mexico, 1%. artificially activated clay and earth 28 r 24,100 r 31 32,900 Mexico, 59%; Germany, 22%; United Kingdom, 7%.

Total 555 r 81,200 r 593 97,500 2010 2011 TaBle 15 U.S. IMPORTS FOR COnSUMPTIOn OF Clay, By TyPe 1

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; data adjusted by U.S. Geological Survey. 1 data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2 less than 1⁄2 unit. rRevised.18.18 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] U.S. GE O L OGICAL SURVEY MINER AL S YEARBOOK—2011 Country3 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 e algeria4 32,600 30,600 31,000 34,000 r 34,000 argentina 250,000 256,000 148,000 204,000 r 200,000 armenia e 1,130 5 1,100 r 1,000 r 1,400 5 1,400 australia e, 4 255,000 250,000 240,000 230,000 230,000 azerbaijan e 50,500 40,700 10,600 18,100 20,000 Bolivia

-- 1 323 440 591 Bosnia and herzegovina 32,900 30,500 16,000 314 r

-- Brazil, beneficiated 330,000 340,000 264,000 532,000 r 532,000 p Bulgaria 99,000 178,000 108,000 100,000 r, e 100,000 Burma 6 971 5 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 Chile 533

-- -- -- 1,260 5 Croatia 19,600 19,800

-- -- -- Cyprus 150,000 150,000 150,000 150,000 150,000 Czech Republic, includes montmorillonite clays e 335,000 235,000 r 177,000 r 183,000 160,000 egypt e 29,800 5 32,000 5 32,000 27,000 r 32,000 Georgia e 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 Germany 385,000 414,000 326,000 363,000 r 350,000 Greece e 950,000 1,500,000 845,000 5 850,000 850,000 Guatemala 23,600 62,700 14,300 22,400 20,000 hungary 5,400 r 5,000 r 5,300 r, 5 3,000 r 3,000 Indonesia e 5,500 6,000 6,000 6,500 6,500 Iran 6 254,000 358,000 387,000 r 400,000 e 400,000 Italye 306,000 281,000 146,000 111,000 110,000 Japan 430,000 435,000 432,000 430,000 425,000 Kenya e 70 70 70 70 70 Macedonia e 35,200 22,900 15,400 12,800 r 14,500 5 Malawi 2,080 7,020 8,050 1,020 1,000 Mexico 614,000 375,000 511,000 591,000 r 53,800 5 Morocco 81,000 80,000 80,000 80,000 80,000 Mozambique 10,500 17,700 7,390 6,990 r 24,000 new Zealand, processed e 6,150 753 880 1,220 r 1,000 Pakistan 32,400 31,500 r 33,500 r 35,000 36,000 Peru 21,500 31,600 119,000 r 119,000 r 27,500 5 Philippines 1,150 1,420 1,410 1,480 r 1,500 Poland 7 1,300 r 3,000 r 3,000 r 3,000 r, e 3,000 Romania 16,900 16,600 13,800 14,000 14,000 Slovakia 149,000 145,000 109,000 110,000 110,000 South africa 8 45,800 44,100 40,300 54,300 61,000 Spain e 155,000 155,000 155,000 155,000 155,000 Turkey 1,740,000 1,550,000 932,000 900,000 r, e 1,000,000 Turkmenistan, includes bentonite powdere 50,300 r 50,300 r 50,300 r 50,300 r 50,300 Ukraine e 300,000 200,000 195,000 185,000 r 185,000 United States 4,820,000 4,910,000 r 3,650,000 4,600,000 r 4,810,000 5 Uzbekistan e 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 Zimbabwe 8 100 100

-- e

-- e

--

Total 12,000,000 r 12,300,000 r 9,280,000 r 10,600,000 r 10,300,000 TaBle 16 BenTOnITe: WORld PROdUCTIOn, By COUnTRy 1, 2

(Metric tons)

eestimated. p Preliminary. rRevised. -- Zero.

6year beginning March 21 of that stated.
7 Montmorillite type bleaching clay. 8 May include other clays. 1 World totals, U.S. data, and estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2 Table includes data available through July 26, 2012. 3 In addition to the countries listed, Canada and China are thought to produce bentonite, but output is not reported, and available information is inadequate to make reliable estimates of output levels.
4 Includes bentonitic clays.
5 Reported figure.Clay and Shale—2011 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] 18.19 Country3 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 e australia, attapulgite e 10,000 10,000 9,500 10,000 10,000 Guatemala 109

-- -- -- -- Italye 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 Mexico 34,200 66,100 108,000 170,000 r 107,000 4 Morocco, smectite e 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 Pakistan e 12,900 4 10,500 r 10,500 r 15,000 r 17,000 Senegal, attapulgite 150,000 e 167,000 181,000 r 204,000 200,000 South africa, attapulgite 68,400 69,900 54,400 85,300 r 92,000 Spain: e

attapulgite 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 Sepiolite 800,000 800,000 800,000 800,000 800,000 United States 5, 6 2,600,000 2,340,000 2,010,000 2,050,000 1,950,000 4

Total 3,720,000 3,500,000 3,210,000 3,370,000 r 3,210,000

5 Sold or used by producers. 6 excludes attapulgite. 1 excludes centrally planned economy countries and former such countries, some of which presumably produce fuller’s earth but for which no information is available. Table includes data available through July 26, 2012.
2 World totals, U.S. data, and estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 3 In addition to the market economy countries listed, France, India, Iran, Japan, and Turkey have reportedly produced fuller’s earth in the past and may continue to do so, but output is not reported, and available information is inadequate to make reliable estimates of output levels.
4 Reported figure. eestimated. rRevised. -- Zero. TaBle 17 FUlleR’S eaRTh: WORld PROdUCTIOn, By COUnTRy 1, 2

(Metric tons)

Country3 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 e algeria 107,000 50,800 87,800 r 71,100 r 75,000 argentina 69,400 55,000 78,800 78,700 r 78,000 australia, includes ball claye 250,000 230,000 230,000 240,000 240,000 austria, marketable 56,700 49,500 84,000 59,000 r 60,000 Bangladesh e, 4 8,600 8,500 8,500 8,500 8,500 Belgiume 300,000 300,000 300,000 300,000 300,000 Bosnia and herzegovina, crude 188,000 259,000 148,000 41,800 r 232,000 5 Brazil, beneficiated 2,530,000 r 2,460,000 r 1,990,000 2,200,000 r 2,200,000 Bulgaria 1,630,000 1,530,000 939,000 900,000 r, e 900,000 Canada

-- 13,000 3,000 5,000

-- Chile 87,900 63,500 48,400 62,200 59,900 5 Czech Republic 3,600,000 3,830,000 2,890,000 3,490,000 3,610,000 5 denmark, sales e 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 ecuadore 18,600 5 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 egypt 332,000 523,000 550,000 304,000 r 305,000 eritrea e 184 r, 5 200 r 175 r 200 r 200 ethiopia 1,400 e 1,280 3,530 3,700 r, e 4,000 France, marketable e 307,000 5 300,000 300,000 300,000 300,000 Germany 3,840,000 3,620,000 4,510,000 4,580,000 r 4,900,000 Greece e 40,000 4,360

-- 5

-- -- See footnotes at end of table. TaBle 18 KaOlIn: WORld PROdUCTIOn, By COUnTRy 1, 2

(Metric tons)18.20 [ AD V AN C ERELEA S E ] U.S. GE O L OGICAL SURVEY MINER AL S YEARBOOK—2011 Country3 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 e Guatemala 2,660 2,800 1,880 2,140 2,000 hungary, processed e 3,000 3,000 2,800 3,000 3,000 India: e

Processed 200,000 210,000 210,000 220,000 220,000 Salable crude 570,000 570,000 580,000 580,000 600,000 Indonesia e 150,000 r 150,000 r 186,000 r, 5 170,000 r 175,000 Iran e 350,000 320,000 907,000 r 900,000 r, e 900,000 Italy, kaolinitic earth 635,000 591,000 1,070,000 641,000 e 640,000 Japan e 11,000 5 11,000 12,000 12,000 13,000 Jordan 101,000 181,000 177,000 114,000 r 150,000 Kenya 900 930 890 970 r 1,000 Korea, Republic of 688,000 955,000 659,000 764,000 799,000 5 Kyrgyzstan e 400,000 400,000 400,000 400,000 400,000 Malawi 1,000 1,100

-- -- -- Malaysia 588,000 506,000 464,000 530,000 500,000 Mexico 86,800 85,100 78,100 120,000 120,000 5 new Zealand 14,100 12,800 9,020 10,000 10,000 nigeria e 100,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 Pakistan 25,700 r 24,500 r 15,300 r 27,300 r 26,000 Paraguaye 66,000 66,000 66,000 66,000 66,000 Peru 4,770 r 13,200 r 955 r 16,700 18,200 5 Poland, washed 153,000 166,000 143,000 140,000 r, e 140,000 Portugal 184,000 231,000 275,000 285,000 285,000 p, 5 Romania 7,580 3,170 1,000 e 1,000 1,000 Russia, concentrate e 45,000 45,000 45,000 45,000 45,000 Saudi arabia 4,420 r 15,000 r 4,170 r 62,000 r 65,000 Serbia: e

Crude

-- r

-- r

-- r

-- r

-- Washed

-- r

-- r

-- r

-- r

-- Slovakia 46,000 44,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 South africa 50,800 39,200 r 31,000 29,900 15,000 Spain, marketable, crude and washed 6 450,000 465,000 465,000 485,000 486,000 Sri lanka 11,200 10,000 9,540 r 8,210 r 8,000 p Thailand, beneficiated 159,000 162,000 160,000 e 160,000 160,000 Turkey 914,000 792,000 728,000 711,000 r 700,000 Uganda e 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 Ukraine 1,740,000 r 1,460,000 r 764,000 r 1,090,000 r 1,100,000 United Kingdom, sales e, 7 1,800,000 1,800,000 1,800,000 900,000 900,000 United States 8 7,110,000 6,740,000 5,290,000 5,950,000 r 5,770,000 5
Uzbekistan e 5,500,000 5,500,000 5,500,000 5,500,000 5,500,000 Venezuela e 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 Vietname 650,000 650,000 650,000 650,000 650,000 Zambia e 200 200 200 200 200

Total 36,200,000 r 35,700,000 r 33,000,000 r 33,400,000 r 33,900,000

6 Includes crude and washed kaolin and refractory clays not further described.
7 dry weight. 8 Kaolin sold or used by producers. 1 World totals, U.S. data, and estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2 Table includes data available through July 26, 2012. 3 In addition to the countries listed, China, Morocco, and Suriname may also have produced kaolin, but information is inadequate to make reliable estimates of output levels.
4 data for year ending June 30 of that stated.
5 Reported figure. eestimated. p Preliminary. rRevised. -- Zero. TaBle 18—Continued KaOlIn: WORld PROdUCTIOn, By COUnTRy 1, 2

(Metric tons)