2011 Minerals Yearbook

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

CLAY AND SHALE [ADVANCE RELEASE]

May 2013
Clay and Shale—2011 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 18.1

Clay and Shale

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, Delaware, Hawaii, 

Idaho, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New 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, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Ohio. 

The 15 leading producer companies were, in alphabetical 

order, American Colloid Co. (bentonite); BASF SE (bentonite, 

fuller’s earth, and kaolin); Bentonite Performance Minerals 

LLC (bentonite); Black Hills Bentonite, LLC (bentonite); Carbo 

Ceramics Inc. (kaolin); Cemex USA (common clay and shale); 

General Shale, Inc. (common clay and shale); Imerys SA (ball 

clay and kaolin); KaMin LLC (kaolin); M-I L.L.C. (bentonite); 

Nestlé S.A. (fuller’s earth); Oil-Dri 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.

Domestic 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. Domestic sales to the larger markets declined 

4% to 6% while exports increased 9%. Exports accounted for 

23% of total ball clay sales.

Domestic 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 

Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) 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 HTS 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 North American and some western 

European ceramic markets did not change significantly in 2011. 

The company increased sales in Eastern Europe, the Middle 

East, Brazil, India, and Southeast Asia, regions which exhibited 

stronger economic growth (Imerys SA, 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 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS 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 Harmonized 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 Nevada.

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, Nevada, and Colorado.

Elementis Specialties, Inc. (a subsidiary of Elementis plc) 

completed a multiyear expansion of its Newberry Springs, CA, 

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 Land 

Management for a mine near Thermopolis, WY. Reserves at 

that deposit were expected to last 10 to 20 years. The mine will 

cover 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.

Domestic 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 (AMCOL 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 AMCOL

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 

(AMCOL International Corp., 2012, p. 33).

Rockwood Holdings, 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 Holdings, 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 was 
Clay and Shale—2011 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 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 

December. The PPI measured the average change in the selling 

prices charged by domestic producers of bentonite over time 

(U.S. Bureau of Labor 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. 

Domestic 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.—After 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). 

Demand 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 (AMCOL

International Corp., 2012, p. 29; S&B Industrial Minerals S.A., 

2012, p. 23). Additionally, 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.

Domestic 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, North 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, OH) purchased Lawrenceville 

Brick Inc., which operated two brick plants near Lawrenceville, 

VA, with a capacity of 115 million bricks per year. The purchase 

also included Lawrenceville Brick’s clay reserves. The purchase 

increased Belden Brick’s capacity to more than 500 million 

bricks per year (Mackinnon, 2012).

Acme Brick Co. (Ft. Worth, TX) purchased the assets of 

Jenkins Brick & Tile Co. LLC. 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 Acme Brick, which marketed brick 

primarily in the Midwest, to extend its sales area to the Atlantic 

seaboard (Acme Brick Co., undated).

Mid America Brick & Structural Clay Products, LLC 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. 

Lightweight aggregate sales (2.85 Mt) were subdivided into 
18.4 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS 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. Average 

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 December. 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 Labor 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 HTS code in 

recent years. At least 43%, and possibly more, of the exports 

reported by the U.S. Census Bureau under the HTS 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 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 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-Dri 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-Dri 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. As a result, a 

major supplier indicated higher sales of fuller’s earth as carriers 

and suspension agents in fertilizers and pesticides (Oil-Dri Corp. 

of America, 2012, p. 17; U.S. Department 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 slightly 

in 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 slow 

housing 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. 

Domestic 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, Nevada, Florida, North 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 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS 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 North 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 December. 

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 Labor 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 

Asia 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 Asian 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 November 2012 from December 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, Eastern Europe, India, 

the Middle East, and Southeast Asia but lower sales in North 

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 AG acquired 96.15% of the shares of Süd-Chemie 

AG, Munich, Germany (Sűd-Chemie AG, 2011). Süd-Chemie 

AG was a major global supplier of bentonite with mines in 

China, Germany, Mexico, and Spain (Watts, 2011).

References Cited

Acme Brick Co., [undated], Acme Brick Company agreed to purchase 

substantially all of the assets of Jenkins Brick & Tile Company LLC: Fort 

Worth, TX, Acme Brick Co. (Accessed February 16, 2012, at URL http://

www.brick.com/company/jenkins.htm.)
Clay and Shale—2011 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 18.7

AMCOL 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: 

Houston, TX, Baker Hughes Inc., February 7. (Accessed 

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. (Accessed 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. (Accessed 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: Houston, TX, Carbo Ceramics Inc. press release, May 3. (Accessed 

August 17, 2012, at http://www.carboceramics.com/en/rel/39/.)

Cejnar, Jessica, 2011, Newberry Springs mineral plant undergoes upgrade: 

Barstow [CA] Desert Dispatch, April 4. (Accessed December 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. (Accessed 

December 17, 2012, at http://digibook.digi-work.com/Digibooks.aspx/Get/

cepi/784/Key_Statistics_2011_FINALpdf.)

Groenenberg, Wyoma, 2011, New bentonite mine proposed in Wyoming: 

Cheyenne [WY] Wyoming Business Report, August 8. (Accessed 

 August 9, 2011, at http://www.wyomingbusinessreport.com/

article.asp?id=59128.)

Imerys SA, 2012, 2011 registration document—Annual financial report: Paris, 

France, Imerys SA, March 22, 272 p.

Industrial Minerals, 2011, Prices: Industrial Minerals, no. 531, December, 

p. 61–63.

Mackinnon, Jim, 2012, Belden Brick buys Virginia brick company assets: 

 Akron [OH] Akron Beacon Journal Online, August 13. (Accessed 

 August 13, 2012, at http://www.ohio.com/business/belden-brick-buysvirginia-brick-company-assets-1.225819#.)

Oil-Dri Corp. of America, 2011, Oil-Dri expands Blue Mountain Production 

facility in Tippah County, MS to support new product launch: Chicago, IL, 

Oil-Dri Corp. of America press release, July 12, 1 p.

Oil-Dri Corp. of America, 2012, Form 10–K: U.S. Securities and Exchange 

Commission, October 12, 77 p.

Rockwood Holdings, Inc., 2012, Annual report—2011: Princeton, NJ, 

Rockwood Holdings, 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. (Accessed July 13, 2012, at http://

www.sandb.com/wp-content/uploads/Annual_2011_ENG.pdf.)

Sims, Janeen, 2011, MAB ships first load of bricks: Mexico [MO] Ledger, 

August 1. (Accessed August 13, 2012, at http://www.mexicoledger.com/

article/20110801/NEWS/308019953/0/SEARCH.)

Süd-Chemie AG, 2011, Clariant completes share acquisition: Munich, Germany, 

Süd-Chemie AG press release, April 26. (Accessed 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, December, 8 p. (Accessed December 27, 2012, at http://

minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/iron_ore/mis-201209-feore.pdf.)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, [undated], Producer price index—Industry data: 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Accessed June 16, 2011, via http://

www.bls.gov/ppi.)

U.S. Census Bureau, [undated], New privately owned housing units started: 

U.S. Census Bureau, 1 p. (Accessed 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. (Accessed May 5, 2012, at http://

www.census.gov/construction/c30/pdf/total.pdf.)

U.S. Census Bureau, 2012b, New residential construction in November 2012: 

U.S. Census Bureau CB12–151, December 19, 6 p. (Accessed 

 December 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, December 3. (Accessed December 27, 2012, at 

http://www.census.gov/construction/c30/pdf/totsa.pdf.)

U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2012, Acreage: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

June 29, 42 p. (Accessed August 16, 2012, at http://www.usda.gov/nass/

PUBS/TODAYRPT/acrg0612.pdf.)

U.S. International Trade Commission, [undated], International trade database: 

U.S. International Trade Commission. (Accessed June 18, 2012, at http://

dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/user_set.asp.)

Virta, R.L., 2012, Iron ore in December 2011: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral 

Industry Surveys, February, 7 p. (Accessed 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. (Accessed 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.

Historical Statistics for Mineral and Material Commodities in 

the United States, Data Series 140.

Other

China Clay Producers Association.

Clays. Ch. in Mineral Facts and Problems, U.S. Bureau of 

Mines Bulletin 675, 1985.
18.8 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS 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 STaTISTICS1, 2

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

1

excludes Puerto Rico.

2

data are rounded to no more than three significant digits.

r

Revised. 

State3 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 STaTe1, 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.

r

Revised. 

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 2011
Clay and Shale—2011 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 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, binders2 40 na 40 na

Floor and wall tile 360 r na 340 na

Miscellaneous ceramics3 85 na 80 na

Pottery 10 na 4 na

Sanitaryware 188 na 181 na

Miscellaneous4 36 r na 31 na

exports, reported by producers5 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.

r

Revised. 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 USe1

(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 applications2 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

Miscellaneous3 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 USe1

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

2010 2011

r

Revised. 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 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS 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 tile5 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

Refractories7 366 r na 338 na

Miscellaneous8 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 USe1, 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

r

Revised. na not available. -- Zero. 
Clay and Shale—2011 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 18.11

Quantity Value Quantity Value

Production 216 6,120 215 6,160

Use:

heavy-clay products and lightweight aggregates2 87 r na 87 na

Refractories:

Firebrick, block, shapes 19 na 1 na

Grogs and calcines W na W na

Other refractories3 W na W na

Miscellaneous4 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 USe1

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

r

Revised. 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, binders3 122 r na 83 na

Filtering, clarifying, and decolorizing4 80 r na 125 na

Miscellaneous5 236 r na 213 na

exports, reported by producers6 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 USe1

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

r

Revised. 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 can
18.12 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS 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 r

Revised.

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 TyPe1

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

2010 2011
Clay and Shale—2011 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 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 products5 (6) na (6) na

Refractories7 (6) na (6) na

Undistributed8 828 r na 860 na

Total 4,030 r na 3,950 na

exports, reported by producers:

Paint 48 na 45 na

Paper coating9 1,190 r na 1,130 na

Paper filling9 44 r na 46 na

Rubber 36 na 36 na

Undistributed10 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

10Includes 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 USe1

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

r

Revised. 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.

2010
18.14 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2011

Quantity Value Quantity Value

Production2 158 10,500 245 19,700

Use:

Ceramics3 67 na 118 na

Rubber 31 na 41 na

Other uses4 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 USe1

(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

Pottery2 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

Pesticide3 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

Refractories4 695 701

Miscellaneous applications 124 r 45

Total 4,470 r 4,330

exports, reported by producers:

Ceramics5 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 USe1

(Thousand metric tons)

r

Revised. 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 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 18.15

Concrete Structural

State block concrete Other2 Quantity Valuee

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 STaTe1

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

e

estimated. rRevised. -- Zero. 1

data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
18.16 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2011

State Quantity Valuee Quantity Valuee

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.

e

estimated. rRevised. 

2010 2011

TaBle 13

COMMOn Clay and Shale USed In BUIldInG BRICK

PROdUCTIOn In The UnITed STaTeS, By STaTe1, 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 TyPe1

(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

1

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

r

Revised. 
Clay and Shale—2011 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 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 TyPe1

(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.

r

Revised.
18.18 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2011

Country3 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011e

algeria4 32,600 30,600 31,000 34,000 r 34,000

argentina 250,000 256,000 148,000 204,000 r 200,000

armeniae 1,130 5 1,100 r 1,000 r 1,400 5 1,400

australiae, 4 255,000 250,000 240,000 230,000 230,000

azerbaijane 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

Burma6 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 clayse 335,000 235,000 r 177,000 r 183,000 160,000

egypte 29,800 5 32,000 5 32,000 27,000 r 32,000

Georgiae 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000

Germany 385,000 414,000 326,000 363,000 r 350,000

Greecee 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

Indonesiae 5,500 6,000 6,000 6,500 6,500

Iran6 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

Kenyae 70 70 70 70 70

Macedoniae 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, processede 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

Poland7 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 africa8 45,800 44,100 40,300 54,300 61,000

Spaine 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

Ukrainee 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

Uzbekistane 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000

Zimbabwe8 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 COUnTRy1, 2

(Metric tons)

e

estimated. pPreliminary. rRevised. -- Zero.

6

year 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 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 18.19

Country3 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011e

australia, attapulgitee 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, smectitee 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000

Pakistane 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 States5, 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.

e

estimated. rRevised. -- Zero.

TaBle 17

FUlleR’S eaRTh: WORld PROdUCTIOn, By COUnTRy1, 2

(Metric tons)

Country3 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011e

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

Bangladeshe, 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, salese 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

eritreae 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, marketablee 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

Greecee 40,000 4,360 -- 5 -- --

See footnotes at end of table.

TaBle 18

KaOlIn: WORld PROdUCTIOn, By COUnTRy1, 2

(Metric tons)
18.20 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2011

Country3 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011e

Guatemala 2,660 2,800 1,880 2,140 2,000

hungary, processede 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

Indonesiae 150,000 r 150,000 r 186,000 r, 5 170,000 r 175,000

Irane 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

Japane 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

Kyrgyzstane 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

nigeriae 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, concentratee 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 washed6 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

Ugandae 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, salese, 7 1,800,000 1,800,000 1,800,000 900,000 900,000

United States8 7,110,000 6,740,000 5,290,000 5,950,000 r 5,770,000 5

Uzbekistane 5,500,000 5,500,000 5,500,000 5,500,000 5,500,000

Venezuelae 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000

Vietname 650,000 650,000 650,000 650,000 650,000

Zambiae 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.

e

estimated. pPreliminary. rRevised. -- Zero.

TaBle 18—Continued

KaOlIn: WORld PROdUCTIOn, By COUnTRy1, 2

(Metric tons)