U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

MINERAL COMMODITY

SUMMARIES 2013 

Abrasives Fluorspar Mercury Silver

Aluminum Gallium Mica Soda Ash

Antimony Garnet Molybdenum Sodium Sulfate

Arsenic Gemstones Nickel Stone

Asbestos Germanium Niobium Strontium

Barite Gold Nitrogen Sulfur

Bauxite Graphite Peat Talc

Beryllium Gypsum Perlite Tantalum

Bismuth Hafnium Phosphate Rock Tellurium

Boron Helium Platinum Thallium

Bromine Indium Potash Thorium

Cadmium Iodine Pumice Tin

Cement Iron and Steel Quartz Crystal Titanium

Cesium Iron Ore Rare Earths Tungsten

Chromium Iron Oxide Pigments Rhenium Vanadium

Clays Kyanite Rubidium Vermiculite

Cobalt Lead Salt Wollastonite

Copper Lime Sand and Gravel Yttrium

Diamond Lithium Scandium Zeolites

Diatomite Magnesium Selenium Zinc

Feldspar Manganese Silicon Zirconium
U.S. Department of the Interior

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary 

U.S. Geological Survey

Marcia K. McNutt, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2013 

Manuscript approved for publication January 24, 2013.

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Suggested citation:

U.S. Geological Survey, 2013, Mineral commodity summaries 2013: U.S. Geological Survey, 198 p.

ISBN 978–1–4113–3548–6 
1 

CONTENTS

Page

General:

Page

Introduction .................................................................... 3 

Growth Rates of Leading and Coincident Indexes for 

Mineral Products......................................................... 4 

The Role of Nonfuel Minerals in the U.S. Economy ...... 5 

2012 U.S. Net Import Reliance for Selected Nonfuel 

Mineral Materials ........................................................ 6 

Significant Events, Trends, and Issues .......................... 7 

Appendix A—Abbreviations and Units of Measure .... 192

Appendix B—Definitions of Selected Terms Used in

This Report.............................................................. 192

Appendix C—Reserves and Resources..................... 193

Appendix D—Country Specialists Directory...............198 

Mineral Commodities:

Abrasives (Manufactured)............................................ 14

Aluminum ..................................................................... 16

Antimony ...................................................................... 18

Arsenic ......................................................................... 20

Asbestos ...................................................................... 22

Barite............................................................................ 24

Bauxite and Alumina.................................................... 26

Beryllium ...................................................................... 28

Bismuth ........................................................................ 30

Boron............................................................................ 32

Bromine........................................................................ 34

Cadmium...................................................................... 36

Cement......................................................................... 38

Cesium......................................................................... 40

Chromium..................................................................... 42

Clays ............................................................................ 44

Cobalt........................................................................... 46

Copper ......................................................................... 48

Diamond (Industrial)..................................................... 50

Diatomite...................................................................... 52

Feldspar ....................................................................... 54

Fluorspar...................................................................... 56

Gallium......................................................................... 58

Garnet (Industrial)........................................................ 60

Gemstones................................................................... 62

Germanium .................................................................. 64

Gold.............................................................................. 66

Graphite (Natural) ........................................................ 68

Gypsum........................................................................ 70

Helium.......................................................................... 72

Indium .......................................................................... 74

Iodine ........................................................................... 76

Iron and Steel............................................................... 78

Iron and Steel Scrap .................................................... 80

Iron and Steel Slag ...................................................... 82

Iron Ore........................................................................ 84

Iron Oxide Pigments .................................................... 86

Kyanite and Related Materials..................................... 88

Lead ............................................................................. 90

Lime ............................................................................. 92

Lithium.......................................................................... 94

Magnesium Compounds .............................................. 96

Magnesium Metal......................................................... 98

Manganese ................................................................ 100

Mercury ...................................................................... 102

Mica (Natural).............................................................104

Molybdenum ...............................................................106

Nickel..........................................................................108

Niobium (Columbium).................................................110

Nitrogen (Fixed)—Ammonia.......................................112

Peat ............................................................................114

Perlite .........................................................................116

Phosphate Rock .........................................................118

Platinum-Group Metals...............................................120

Potash ........................................................................122

Pumice and Pumicite..................................................124

Quartz Crystal (Industrial) ..........................................126

Rare Earths ................................................................128

Rhenium .....................................................................130

Rubidium ....................................................................132

Salt .............................................................................134

Sand and Gravel (Construction)................................. 136

Sand and Gravel (Industrial) ......................................138

Scandium....................................................................140

Selenium.....................................................................142

Silicon .........................................................................144

Silver...........................................................................146

Soda Ash ....................................................................148

Sodium Sulfate ...........................................................150

Stone (Crushed) .........................................................152

Stone (Dimension)......................................................154

Strontium ....................................................................156

Sulfur ..........................................................................158

Talc and Pyrophyllite ..................................................160

Tantalum.....................................................................162

Tellurium.....................................................................164

Thallium ......................................................................166

Thorium ......................................................................168

Tin...............................................................................170

Titanium and Titanium Dioxide...................................172 

Titanium Mineral Concentrates ..................................174

Tungsten.....................................................................176

Vanadium ................................................................... 178

Vermiculite..................................................................180

Wollastonite ................................................................182

Yttrium ........................................................................184

Zeolites (Natural)........................................................186

Zinc.............................................................................188

Zirconium and Hafnium ..............................................190
2 

INSTANT INFORMATION

Information about the U.S. Geological Survey, its programs, staff, and products is available from the Internet at 

<http://www.usgs.gov> or by calling (888) ASK–USGS [(888) 275–8747]. 

This publication has been prepared by the National Minerals Information Center. Information about the Center and its 

products is available from the Internet at <http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals> or by writing to Director, National 

Minerals Information Center, 988 National Center, Reston, VA 20192.

KEY PUBLICATIONS

Minerals Yearbook—These annual publications review the mineral industries of the United States and of more than 

180 other countries. They contain statistical data on minerals and materials and include information on economic and 

technical trends and developments. The three volumes that make up the Minerals Yearbook are Volume I, Metals and 

Minerals; Volume II, Area Reports, Domestic; and Volume III, Area Reports, International.

Mineral Commodity Summaries—Published on an annual basis, this report is the earliest Government publication to 

furnish estimates covering nonfuel mineral industry data. Data sheets contain information on the domestic industry 

structure, Government programs, tariffs, and 5-year salient statistics for more than 90 individual minerals and 

materials.

Mineral Industry Surveys—These periodic statistical and economic reports are designed to provide timely statistical 

data on production, distribution, stocks, and consumption of significant mineral commodities. The surveys are issued 

monthly, quarterly, or at other regular intervals.

Metal Industry Indicators—This monthly publication analyzes and forecasts the economic health of three metal 

industries (primary metals, steel, and copper) using leading and coincident indexes.

Nonmetallic Mineral Products Industry Indexes—This monthly publication analyzes the leading and coincident 

indexes for the nonmetallic mineral products industry (NAICS 327).

Materials Flow Studies—These publications describe the flow of materials from source to ultimate disposition to help 

better understand the economy, manage the use of natural resources, and protect the environment.

Recycling Reports—These materials flow studies illustrate the recycling of metal commodities and identify recycling 

trends.

Historical Statistics for Mineral and Material Commodities in the United States (Data Series 140)—This report 

provides a compilation of statistics on production, trade, and use of approximately 90 mineral commodities since as 

far back as 1900. 

WHERE TO OBTAIN PUBLICATIONS

• Mineral Commodity Summaries and the Minerals Yearbook are sold by the U.S. Government Printing Office. 

Orders are accepted over the Internet at <http://bookstore.gpo.gov>, by telephone toll free (866) 512–1800; 

Washington, DC area (202) 512–1800, by fax (202) 512–2104, or through the mail (P.O. Box 979050, St. Louis, 

MO 63197–9000).

• All current and many past publications are available in PDF format (and some are available in XLS format) 

through <http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals>.
3 

INTRODUCTION

Each chapter of the 2013 edition of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Mineral Commodity Summaries (MCS) 

includes information on events, trends, and issues for each mineral commodity as well as discussions and tabular 

presentations on domestic industry structure, Government programs, tariffs, 5-year salient statistics, and world 

production and resources. The MCS is the earliest comprehensive source of 2012 mineral production data for the 

world. More than 90 individual minerals and materials are covered by two-page synopses.

For mineral commodities for which there is a Government stockpile, detailed information concerning the stockpile 

status is included in the two-page synopsis.

Abbreviations and units of measure, and definitions of selected terms used in the report, are in Appendix A and 

Appendix B, respectively. “Appendix C—Reserves and Resources” includes “Part A—Resource/Reserve 

Classification for Minerals” and “Part B—Sources of Reserves Data.” A directory of USGS minerals information 

country specialists and their responsibilities is Appendix D.

The USGS continually strives to improve the value of its publications to users. Constructive comments and 

suggestions by readers of the MCS 2013 are welcomed.
Sources: U.S. Geological Survey, Metal Industry Indicators and Nonmetallic Mineral Products Industry Indexes.

LEADING

COINCIDENT

The leading indexes historically give signals several months in advance of major changes in 

the corresponding coincident index, which measures current industry activity. The growth rates,

which can be viewed as trends, are expressed as compound annual rates based on the ratio of 

the current month's index to its average level during the preceding 12 months.

 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

30 -30

20

10

0

-10

-20

-30

NONMETALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS:

Percent

Percent

November

November

LEADING AND COINCIDENT GROWTH RATES, 1990–2012

Percent

Percent

 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

30 -30

20

10

0

-10

-20

-30

LEADING

COINCIDENT

November

October

PRIMARY METALS: LEADING AND COINCIDENT GROWTH RATES, 1990–2012

GROWTH RATES OF LEADING

AND COINCIDENT INDEXES

FOR MINERAL PRODUCTS

08 09 10 11 12

08 09 10 11 12

07

06 07

06

05

04 05

04

03

02 03

02

01

01

00

00

4
NET EXPORTS OF MINERAL 

RAW MATERIALSGOLD, SODA ASH, ZINCCONCENTRATES, ETC.Imports: $8.1 billionExports: $9.1 billionNet exports: $1.0 billionDOMESTIC MINERAL RAW MATERIALS FROM MINING COPPER ORE, IRON ORE, SAND AND GRAVEL, STONE, ETC.Value: $76.5 billion

THE ROLE OF NONFUEL 

IN THE U.S. ECONO

(ESTIMATED VALUES IN 2

1Major consuming industries of processed mineral materials are construc

nondurable goods manufacturers. The value of shipments for processed 

gross domestic product.

METALS AND MINERAL PRODUCTS RECYCLEDDOMESTICALLYALUMINUM, GLASS, STEEL, ETC.Value of old scrap: $30.4 billionNET EXPORTS OF OLD SCRAPGOLD, STEEL, ETC.Imports: $6.8 billionExports: $26.4 billion

Net exports: $19.6 billion

Sources: U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of Commerce.

MINERAL MATERIALS PROCESSED DOMESTICALLYALUMINUM, BRICK, CEMENT, COPPER, FERTILIZERS, STEEL, ETC.Value of shipments:$704 billionNET IMPORTS OF PROCESSED MINERAL MATERIALSMETALS, CHEMICALS, ETC.Imports: $147 billion Exports: $120 billion

Net imports: $27 billion

VALUE ADDED TO GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT BY MAJOINDUSTRIES THAT CONSUME PROCESMINERAL MATERIAValue: $2,390 billion
2012 U.S. NET IMPORT RELIANCE1 

Commodity Percent

ARSENIC (trioxide) 100

ASBESTOS 100

BAUXITE and ALUMINA 100

CESIUM 100

FLUORSPAR 100

GRAPHITE (natural) 100

INDIUM 100

MANGANESE 100

MICA, sheet (natural) 100

NIOBIUM (columbium) 100

QUARTZ CRYSTAL (industrial) 100

RUBIDIUM 100

SCANDIUM 100

STRONTIUM 100

TANTALUM 100

THALLIUM 100

THORIUM 100

GALLIUM 99

GEMSTONES 99

VANADIUM 96

BISMUTH 92

PLATINUM 91

GERMANIUM 90

IODINE 88

ANTIMONY 87

DIAMOND (dust, grit, and powder) 85

STONE (dimension) 85

POTASH 81

BARITE 80

COBALT 78

RHENIUM 78

TITANIUM MINERAL CONCENTRATES 77

TIN 75

SILICON CARBIDE (crude) 73

ZINC 72

CHROMIUM 70

GARNET (industrial) 65

TITANIUM (sponge) 64

PEAT 62

SILVER 57

PALLADIUM 54

NICKEL 49

MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS 46

TUNGSTEN 42

SILICON 36

COPPER 35

NITROGEN (fixed), AMMONIA 35

MAGNESIUM METAL 31

MICA, scrap and flake (natural) 31

VERMICULITE 30

PERLITE 24

ALUMINUM 20

SALT 19

SULFUR 19

PUMICE 15

GYPSUM 12

IRON and STEEL 11

BERYLLIUM 10

IRON and STEEL SLAG 9 

CEMENT 7 

PHOSPHATE ROCK 5 

Major Import Sources (2008–11)2 

Morocco, China, Belgium

Canada, Zimbabwe

Jamaica, Brazil, Guinea, Australia

Canada

Mexico, China, South Africa

China, Mexico, Canada, Brazil

China, Canada, Japan, Belgium

South Africa, Gabon, Australia, China

China, Brazil, Belgium, India

Brazil, Canada, Germany

China, Japan, Russia

Canada

China

Mexico, Germany, China

China, Estonia, Germany, Kazakhstan

Germany, Russia

India, France

Germany, United Kingdom, China, Canada

Israel, India, Belgium, South Africa

Rep. of Korea, Canada, Austria, Czech Republic

China, Belgium, United Kingdom

Germany, South Africa, United Kingdom, Canada

China, Belgium, Russia, Germany

Chile, Japan

China, Mexico, Belgium, Bolivia

China, Ireland, Republic of Korea, Russia

China, Brazil, Italy, Turkey

Canada, Russia

China, India, Morocco

China, Norway, Russia, Finland

Chile, Netherlands, Germany

South Africa, Australia, Canada, Mozambique

Peru, Bolivia, Indonesia, China

China, South Africa, Romania, Netherlands

Canada, Mexico, Peru, Spain

South Africa, Kazakhstan, Russia, Mexico

India, Australia, China, Canada

Japan, Kazakhstan, China, Ukraine, 

Canada

Mexico, Canada, Peru, Poland

Russia, South Africa, United Kingdom, Norway

Canada, Russia, Australia, Norway

China, Canada, Brazil, Australia

China, Bolivia, Canada, Germany

Brazil, Russia, China, Canada

Chile, Canada, Peru, Mexico

Trinidad and Tobago, Russia, Canada, Ukraine

Israel, Canada, China

Canada, China, India, Finland

South Africa, China, Brazil, Australia

Greece

Canada, Russia, China, Mexico

Canada, Chile, Mexico, The Bahamas

Canada, Mexico, Venezuela

Greece, Iceland, Mexico, Montserrat

Canada, Mexico, Spain

Canada, European Union, Mexico, Rep. of Korea

Russia, Kazakhstan, Japan, Kenya,

Japan, Canada, Italy, South Africa

Canada, Republic of Korea, China, Mexico

Morocco, Peru

1Not all mineral commodities covered in this publication are listed here. Those not shown include mineral commodities for which the United 

States is a net exporter (for example, molybdenum) or less than 5% import reliant (for example, talc). For some mineral commodities (for 

example, rare earths), not enough information is available to calculate the exact percentage of import reliance; for others (for example, 

lithium), exact percentages may have been rounded to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. 2In descending order of import share.

6
7 

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, TRENDS, AND ISSUES

In 2012, the estimated value of mineral production 

increased in the United States for the third consecutive 

year. Production and prices increased for most industrial 

mineral commodities mined in the United States, but 

production and prices for nearly all metals declined. 

Minerals remained fundamental to the U.S. economy, 

contributing to the real gross domestic product (GDP) at 

several levels, including mining, processing, and 

manufacturing finished products. Minerals’ contribution 

to the GDP increased for the second consecutive year. 

After continued decline following the 2008–09 

recession, the construction industry began to show 

signs of improvement during 2012, with increased 

production and consumption of cement, construction 

sand and gravel, and gypsum, mineral commodities that 

are used almost exclusively in construction. Crushed 

stone production, however, continued to decline. 

The figure on page 4 shows that the primary metals 

industry and the nonmetallic minerals products industry 

are intrinsically cyclical. Growth rates are directly 

affected by the U.S. business cycle as well as by global 

economic conditions. The U.S. Geological Survey 

(USGS) generates composite indexes to measure 

economic activity in these industries. The coincident 

composite indexes describe the current situation using 

production, employment, and shipments data. The 

leading composite indexes forecast major changes in 

the industry’s direction by such variables as stock 

prices, commodity prices, new product orders, and other 

indicators, which are combined into one gauge. For 

each of the indexes, a growth rate is calculated to 

measure its change relative to the previous 12 months. 

Following a steep decline to -20% in early 2009, the 

leading index shows the growth of primary metals 

increased to almost 20% in late 2009. Since then, the 

index has steadily decreased. At the end of 2012, the 

growth rate was -2%. The primary metals industry was 

supported by modest metals demand generated from 

the manufacturing and construction sectors. This is 

likely to continue into 2013. The nonmetallic mineral 

products industry was boosted by the rebound in 

construction activity in 2012, with more than half of its 

output going to the construction sector. The recovery in 

the U.S. housing industry is fueling demand for 

industrial minerals and products. The nonmetallic 

mineral products leading index growth rate ended 2012 

indicating that the nonmetallic mineral products industry 

is poised for a recovery in 2013.

As shown in the figure on page 5, the estimated value of 

mineral raw materials produced at mines in the United 

States in 2012 was $76.5 billion, a slight increase from 

$74.8 billion in 2011. Net exports of mineral raw 

materials and old scrap contributed an additional $21 

billion to the U.S. economy. Domestic raw materials and 

domestically recycled materials were used to process 

mineral materials worth $704 billion. These mineral 

materials, including aluminum, brick, copper, fertilizers, 

and steel, and net imports of processed materials (worth 

about $27 billion) were, in turn, consumed by 

downstream industries with a value added of an 

estimated $2.4 trillion in 2012. 

The estimated value of U.S. metal mine production in 

2012 was $34.9 billion, about 3% less than that of 2011. 

Principal contributors to the total value of metal mine 

production in 2012 were gold (36%), copper (27%), iron 

ore (15%), molybdenum (10%), and zinc (4%). Average 

prices for most domestically mined metals decreased in 

2012. The yearly average price of gold continued to 

climb, but no new alltime high was reached during the 

year. The estimated value of U.S. industrial minerals 

mine production in 2012 was $41.6 billion, more than 

7% more than that of 2011. The value of industrial 

minerals mine production in 2012 was dominated by 

crushed stone (29%), cement (16%), and construction 

sand and gravel (16%). In general, industrial minerals 

prices were relatively stable, with modest price 

variations. 

Mine production of 15 mineral commodities was worth

more than $1 billion each in the United States in 2012. 

These were, in decreasing order of value, gold, crushed 

stone, copper, cement, construction sand and gravel, 

iron ore (shipped), molybdenum concentrates, 

phosphate rock, lime, industrial sand and gravel, soda 

ash, clays (all types), salt, zinc, and silver.

The figure on page 6 illustrates the reliance of the 

United States on foreign sources for raw and processed 

mineral materials. In 2012, the supply for more than 

one-half of U.S. apparent consumption of the 41 mineral 

commodities shown in the figure came from imports, 

and the United States was 100% import reliant for 18 of 

those. For the first time since 2002, the United States 

was not 100% import reliant for rare earths. Although 

not enough information was available to calculate the 

exact percentage of import reliance, rare earths mining 

resumed in Mountain Pass, CA. U.S. import reliance 

has increased significantly since 1978, the year that this 

information was first reported. At that time, the United 

States was 100% import reliant for 7 mineral 

commodities, and more than 50% import reliant for 25 

mineral commodities. In 2012, the United States was a 

net exporter of 15 mineral commodities, meaning more 

of those domestically produced mineral commodities 

were exported than imported. That figure has remained 

relatively stable, with net exports of 18 mineral 

commodities in 1978. 

In 2012, 11 States each produced more than $2 billion 

worth of nonfuel mineral commodities. These States 

were, in descending order of value—Nevada, Arizona, 

Minnesota, Florida, California, Alaska, Utah, Texas, 

Missouri, Michigan, and Wyoming. The mineral 

production of these States accounted for 64% of the 

U.S. total output value (table 3).

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Strategic Materials 

is responsible for providing safe, secure and 
8 

TABLE 1.—U.S. MINERAL INDUSTRY TRENDS

2008 2009 2010 2011

Total mine production (million dollars):

2012e

Metals 27,300 22,000 30,300 36,000 34,900

Industrial minerals 43,900 37,000 36,100 38,800 41,600

Coal 36,600 35,700 38,600 44,900 41,100

Employment (thousands of production workers):

Coal mining 71 71 70 77 73

Metal mining 32 28 29 198 1102

Industrial minerals, except fuels 79 73 71 2NA 2NA

Chemicals and allied products 513 479 474 483 499

Stone, clay, and glass products 363 303 283 278 273

Primary metal industries 348 273 275 302 320

Average weekly earnings of production workers (dollars):

Coal mining 1,138 1,250 1,365 1,404 1,352

Metal mining 1,195 1,096 2NA 2NA 2NA

Industrial minerals, except fuels 838 807 2NA 2NA 2NA

Chemicals and allied products 809 841 888 911 919

Stone, clay, and glass products 711 706 726 767 765

Primary metal industries 851 819 880 890 911 e

Estimated. NA Not available.

1

Metal mining and industrial minerals (except fuel), combined.

2

Because of changes to U.S. Department of Labor reports, these data are no longer available.

Sources: U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Labor.

TABLE 2.—U.S. MINERAL-RELATED ECONOMIC TRENDS

2008 2009 2010 2011

Gross domestic product (billion dollars)

2012e

14,292 13,974 14,499 15,076 15,700

Industrial production (2007=100):

Total index 96 85 90 94 97

Manufacturing: 95 82 87 90 94

Nonmetallic mineral products 88 67 69 71 71

Primary metals: 100 74 91 97 99

Iron and steel 106 68 89 97 101

Aluminum 93 76 90 96 100

Nonferrous metals (except aluminum) 103 94 112 110 108

Chemicals 92 83 86 87 87

Mining: 101 96 101 107 113

Coal 102 93 94 94 88

Oil and gas extraction 101 107 110 116 126

Metals 103 90 96 99 97

Nonmetallic minerals 90 72 72 71 73

Capacity utilization (percent):

Total industry: 77 69 74 77 79

Mining: 90 80 84 87 90

Metals 79 70 75 76 74

Nonmetallic minerals 77 65 70 72 76

Housing starts (thousands) 900 554 586 612 772

Light vehicle sales (thousands)1 9,720 7,550 8,620 9,760 11,200

Highway construction, value, put in place (billion dollars) 81 82 82 79 79 e

Estimated.

1

Excludes imports.

Sources: U.S. Department of Commerce, Federal Reserve Board, Autodata Corp., and U.S. Department of Transportation.
9 

environmentally sound stewardship for strategic and 

critical materials in the U.S. National Defense Stockpile 

(NDS). DLA Strategic Materials stores 28 commodities 

at 15 locations in the United States. In fiscal year 2012, 

DLA Strategic Materials sold $1.5 million of excess 

mineral materials from the NDS. At the end of the fiscal 

year, mineral materials valued at $1.4 billion remained 

in the NDS. Of the remaining material, some was being 

held in reserve, some was offered for sale, and sales of 

some of the materials were suspended. Additional 

detailed information can be found in the “Government 

Stockpile” sections in the mineral commodity reports 

that follow. Under the authority of the Defense 

Production Act of 1950, the U.S. Geological Survey 

advises the DLA on acquisition and disposals of NDS 

mineral materials.

TABLE 3.—VALUE OF NONFUEL MINERAL PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES AND 

PRINCIPAL NONFUEL MINERALS PRODUCED IN 2012p, 1

Percent

Value of U.S.

State (thousands) Rank total Principal minerals, in order of value

Alabama $1,010,000 23 1.32 Cement (portland), stone (crushed), lime, sand and gravel 

(construction), cement (masonry).

Alaska 3,500,000 6 4.58 Gold, zinc, silver, lead, sand and gravel (construction).

Arizona 8,050,000 2 10.52 Copper, molybdenum concentrates, sand and gravel 

(construction), cement (portland), silver.

Arkansas 800,000 26 1.05 Bromine, stone (crushed), sand and gravel (industrial), 

cement (portland), sand and gravel (construction).

California 3,580,000 5 4.68 Sand and gravel (construction), boron minerals, cement 

(portland), gold, stone (crushed).

Colorado 1,930,000 12 2.52 Molybdenum concentrates, gold, cement (portland), sand 

and gravel (construction), stone (crushed).

Connecticut2 173,000 43 0.23 Stone (crushed), sand and gravel (construction), clays 

(common), stone (dimension), gemstones (natural).

Delaware2 13,400 50 0.02 Magnesium compounds, sand and gravel (construction), 

stone (crushed), gemstones (natural).

Florida 3,640,000 4 4.76 Phosphate rock, stone (crushed), cement (portland), sand 

and gravel (construction), zirconium concentrates.

Georgia 1,440,000 15 1.89 Clays (kaolin), stone (crushed), clays (fuller's earth), 

cement (portland), sand and gravel (construction).

Hawaii 107,000 47 0.14 Stone (crushed), sand and gravel (construction), 

gemstones (natural).

Idaho 728,000 29 0.95 Molybdenum concentrates, phosphate rock, sand and 

gravel (construction), silver, stone (crushed).

Illinois 1,170,000 21 1.53 Stone (crushed), sand and gravel (industrial), cement 

(portland), sand and gravel (construction), tripoli.

Indiana 838,000 25 1.10 Stone (crushed), cement (portland), lime, sand and gravel 

(construction), cement (masonry).

Iowa 731,000 28 0.96 Stone (crushed), cement (portland), sand and gravel 

(construction), sand and gravel (industrial), lime.

Kansas 1,220,000 20 1.60 Helium (Grade–A), stone (crushed), salt, cement 

(portland), helium (crude).

Kentucky 786,000 27 1.03 Stone (crushed), lime, cement (portland), sand and gravel 

(construction), clays (common).

Louisiana 492,000 34 0.64 Salt, sand and gravel (construction), stone (crushed), sand 

and gravel (industrial), lime.

Maine 133,000 45 0.17 Sand and gravel (construction), cement (portland), stone 

(crushed), stone (dimension), cement (masonry).

Maryland2 289,000 40 0.38 Cement (portland), stone (crushed), sand and gravel 

(construction), cement (masonry), stone (dimension).

Massachusetts2 209,000 41 0.27 Stone (crushed), sand and gravel (construction), stone 

(dimension), lime, clays (common).

Michigan 2,240,000 10 2.93 Iron ore (usable shipped), cement (portland), sand and 

gravel (construction), salt, stone (crushed).

Minnesota2 4,500,000 3 5.88 Iron ore (usable shipped), sand and gravel (industrial), 

sand and gravel (construction), stone (crushed), stone 

(dimension).

Mississippi 196,000 42 0.26 Sand and gravel (construction), stone (crushed), clays 

(fuller's earth), clays (ball), clays (bentonite). 

See footnotes at end of table.
10

TABLE 3.—VALUE OF NONFUEL MINERAL PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES AND 

PRINCIPAL NONFUEL MINERALS PRODUCED IN 2012p, 1

Percent

Value of U.S.

State (thousands) Rank total Principal minerals, in order of value

Missouri 2,640,000 9 3.45 Stone (crushed), cement (portland), lead, lime, sand and 

gravel (industrial).

Montana 1,420,000 16 1.86 Copper, palladium metal, molybdenum concentrates, 

platinum metal, gold. 

Nebraska 335,000 37 0.44 Sand and gravel (construction), cement (portland), stone 

(crushed), sand and gravel (industrial), lime.

Nevada 11,200,000 1 14.58 Gold, copper, silver, lime, sand and gravel (construction).

New Hampshire2 157,000 44 0.21 Sand and gravel (construction), stone (crushed), stone 

(dimension), gemstones (natural).

New Jersey2 292,000 39 0.38 Stone (crushed), sand and gravel (construction), sand and 

gravel (industrial), greensand marl, peat.

New Mexico 1,490,000 14 1.95 Copper, potash, sand and gravel (construction), stone 

(crushed), molybdenum concentrates.

New York 1,270,000 17 1.66 Stone (crushed), salt, sand and gravel (construction), 

cement (portland), wollastonite.

North Carolina 911,000 24 1.19 Stone (crushed), phosphate rock, sand and gravel 

(construction), sand and gravel (industrial), feldspar.

North Dakota2 97,000 48 0.13 Sand and gravel (construction), lime, stone (crushed), 

clays (common), sand and gravel (industrial).

Ohio2 1,220,000 19 1.60 Stone (crushed), sand and gravel (construction), salt, lime, 

cement (portland).

Oklahoma 651,000 32 0.85 Stone (crushed), cement (portland), sand and gravel 

(industrial), sand and gravel (construction), iodine.

Oregon 316,000 38 0.41 Stone (crushed), sand and gravel (construction), cement 

(portland), diatomite, perlite (crude).

Pennsylvania2 1,790,000 13 2.35 Stone (crushed), cement (portland), lime, sand and gravel 

(construction), sand and gravel (industrial).

Rhode Island2 40,900 49 0.05 Stone (crushed), sand and gravel (construction), sand and 

gravel (industrial), gemstones (natural).

South Carolina2 498,000 33 0.65 Cement (portland), stone (crushed), sand and gravel 

(construction), clays (kaolin), cement (masonry).

South Dakota 364,000 35 0.48 Gold, stone (crushed), cement (portland), sand and gravel 

(construction), lime.

Tennessee 1,030,000 22 1.34 Stone (crushed), zinc, cement (portland), sand and gravel 

(industrial), sand and gravel (construction).

Texas 3,390,000 8 4.43 Cement (portland), stone (crushed), sand and gravel 

(construction), sand and gravel (industrial), salt.

Utah 3,490,000 7 4.56 Copper, molybdenum concentrates, gold, potash, 

magnesium metal.

Vermont2 117,000 46 0.15 Stone (crushed), sand and gravel (construction), stone 

(dimension), talc (crude), gemstones (natural).

Virginia 1,250,000 18 1.64 Zirconium concentrates, sand and gravel (construction), 

cement (portland), lime, titanium concentrates.

Washington 689,000 30 0.90 Gold, sand and gravel (construction), stone (crushed), 

cement (portland), diatomite.

West Virginia 341,000 36 0.45 Stone (crushed), cement (portland), lime, sand and gravel 

(industrial), cement (masonry).

Wisconsin2 660,000 31 0.86 Sand and gravel (industrial), stone (crushed), sand and 

gravel (construction), lime, stone (dimension).

Wyoming 2,220,000 11 2.90 Soda ash, clays (bentonite), helium (Grade–A), sand and 

gravel (construction), cement (portland).

Undistributed 880,000 XX 1.15 

Total 76,500,000 XX 100.00 p

Preliminary. XX Not applicable.

1

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to total shown.

2

Partial total; excludes values that must be withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data which are included with "Undistributed."
 B1 Copper and molybdenum

 +/- gold, silver

B2 Copper +/- gold, silver

B3 Lead, zinc +/- copper 

 +/- gold +/- silver

B4 Zinc and silver

 + lead and gold

Be Beryllium

Fe Iron

Mg Magnesium

Mo Molybdenum

Zn Zinc

Au Gold

P1 Silver +/- base metals

P2 Gold and silver

P3 Gold and silver +/-

 base metals

P4 Platinum and palladium

SYMBOLS

MAJOR METAL-PRODUCING AREAS

RE Rare earths

B1

P1

P1

B1

B2

B1

B1

B1

B1

B1 Be

Zn

P4

Mo

Mo

Mo

Mg

B3

Fe Fe

Fe

P2

P2 P2

P2

P2

Au

Au

P3 Au

Au

Au

Au

B2

B2

B2

P2

Au

P1

P2

Au

B4

B3

B1

Au

P2

Zn

Au

Mo

P3

P2

RE

Au

0 250 500 Kilometers

0 500 1,000 Kilometers 0 250 500 Kilometers

11
MAJOR INDUSTRIAL MINERAL-PRODUCING AREAS—PART I

 SYMBOLS

Ba

B

Br

Dia

Gar

Gyp

He

Irz

I

Ky

MgCp

Barite

Borates

Bromine

Diatomite

Garnet

Gypsum

Helium

Ilmenite, rutile,

 and zircon

Iodine

Kyanite

Magnesium

 compounds

Mica

O

Peat

P

K

Salt

NaC

NaS

S

Talc

Vm

Wol

Zeo

Mica

Olivine

Peat

Phosphate

Potash

Salt

Soda ash

Sodium sulfate

Sulfur

Talc

Vermiculite

Wollastonite

Zeolites

Pyrp Pyrophyllite

Gar

Wol

S

Gar

Vm

Irz Ky

Salt

Salt

Mica P

S

Vm

Mica

P Irz

Peat

P

Salt

S

S

K

Gyp

Salt

Peat

MgCp

Gyp

S S

Salt

Salt S

Br

Gyp

Gyp

S Gyp

Salt Salt S

Salt

S

Peat

S

Gyp

He

Gyp

Salt

I

Gyp

I Salt

Gyp

S

Salt

Zeo

Gyp

Gyp

S

S

Mica

He

He

He

Salt NaS

S

K

Zeo

Zeo

Gyp

P

He

Mica

K

P

Talc

Gyp

He

S

NaC

Zeo

Salt

K

Salt

MgCp

Gyp

Gyp

Salt

S

Dia

O

Gar

B

Gyp

Zeo

B

Dia Ba

MgCp

Gyp

Ba Salt

Gyp

Salt

S

Dia

Zeo

Dia

Gyp

Dia NaS NaC

S

Salt

Gyp

S

Pyrp

K

Zeo

He

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

Talc

Talc

Talc

He

He

Wol

Peat

Gar

Salt

Peat

S

Ba

Mica

Salt

Peat

Peat

I

S

S

S

Gyp

Gyp

MgCp

Peat

S

S

Salt

Salt

Peat

Salt

Salt

0 500 1,000 Kilometers 0 250 500 Kilometers

0 250 500 Kilometers

12
IS

IS

IS

MAJOR INDUSTRIAL MINERAL-PRODUCING AREAS—PART II

BC

Bent

Clay

DS

FC

Fel

Ful

IS

Ka

Li

Per

Pum

Ball clay

Bentonite

Common clay

Dimension stone

Fire clay

Feldspar

Fuller's earth

Industrial sand

Kaolin

Lithium carbonate

Perlite

Pumice and pumicite

SYMBOLS

IOP Iron oxide pigments

Pum

Per

Ful

Clay

Clay

Clay

Clay Clay

Fel

IS IS

IS

Clay

Clay

IS

IS

Ka

Ful

Bent

FC

Clay

Clay

Clay

Pum

DS

DS

DS

DS

IS

IS

IS

IS

DS

IS

IS

IS

Ful

DS

DS

DS DS

Clay DS

IS

IS

DS

Fel

Clay

Ful

DS

Clay

DS

IS

Clay

IS

DS Ka

Ka IS

Fel

Ful

Ka

Ful

IS

Bent

DS Fel

DS

Clay

IS

Clay

FC

IS

IS

Clay

DS

IS

Clay

IS

Clay

Ka

Clay

BC

IS

Clay

DS

IS

Ful

BC

Bent

Clay

Clay

DS

Ful

Clay

IS

IS

BC

Clay

Ful

IS

DS

IS DS

IS

IS

FC

Fel

BC

IS

DS

IS

DS

Clay

Clay

Clay

Clay

Pum

DS

Clay

IS

DS

Clay

Clay IS

Clay

Bent

Bent

Bent

Bent

DS

Per

DS

Per

Pum

Pum

Per

DS

DS

Fel

Bent

Per

DS

DS

Clay

Pum

Ka

Per

IS

DS

Fel

IS

IS

Pum

Li

Pum IS

Pum

Per

IS

Fel

IS Pum

IOP

IS

IS

DS

DS

DS

DS

DS

DS

FC

Clay

0 250 500 Kilometers

0 500 1,000 Kilometers 0 250 500 Kilometers

13
14

ABRASIVES (MANUFACTURED)

(Fused aluminum oxide and silicon carbide)

(Data in metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Fused aluminum oxide was produced by two companies at three plants in the 

United States and Canada. Production of regular-grade fused aluminum oxide had an estimated value of $1.7 million. 

Silicon carbide was produced by two companies at two plants in the United States. Domestic production of crude 

silicon carbide had an estimated value of about $26 million. Bonded and coated abrasive products accounted for most 

abrasive uses of fused aluminum oxide and silicon carbide.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production,1 United States and Canada (crude):

2012e

 Fused aluminum oxide, regular 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000

 Silicon carbide 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000

Imports for consumption (U.S.):

 Fused aluminum oxide 285,000 64,200 185,000 223,000 193,000

 Silicon carbide 127,000 78,000 143,000 129,000 113,000

Exports (U.S.):

 Fused aluminum oxide 21,900 12,300 20,000 19,900 19,500

 Silicon carbide 17,000 20,700 23,100 27,800 19,000

Consumption, apparent (U.S.):

 Fused aluminum oxide NA NA NA NA NA

 Silicon carbide 145,000 92,300 155,000 136,000 130,000

Price, value of imports, dollars per ton (U.S.):

 Fused aluminum oxide, regular 512 608 555 627 555

 Fused aluminum oxide, high-purity 1,230 1,170 1,300 1,360 1,180

 Silicon carbide 835 557 793 1,260 1,280

Net import reliance2 as a percentage

of apparent consumption (U.S.):

 Fused aluminum oxide NA NA NA NA NA

 Silicon carbide 76 62 77 74 73

Recycling: Up to 30% of fused aluminum oxide may be recycled, and about 5% of silicon carbide is recycled.

Import Sources (2008–11): Fused aluminum oxide, crude: China, 81%; Venezuela, 8%; Canada, 8%; and other, 3%. 

Fused aluminum oxide, grain: Brazil, 28%; Germany, 22%; Austria, 19%; Italy, 7%; and other, 24%. Silicon carbide,

crude: China, 68%; South Africa, 11%; Romania, 6%; Netherlands, 6%; and other, 9%. Silicon carbide, grain: China, 

44%; Brazil, 23%; Norway, 7%; Russia, 6%; and other, 20%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Fused aluminum oxide, crude 2818.10.1000 Free.

12–31–12

White, pink, ruby artificial

corundum, greater than 97.5% 

fused aluminum oxide, grain 2818.10.2010 1.3% ad val.

Artificial corundum, not elsewhere

specified or included, fused 

aluminum oxide, grain 2818.10.2090 1.3% ad val.

Silicon carbide, crude 2849.20.1000 Free.

Silicon carbide, grain 2849.20.2000 0.5% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: None.

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Donald W. Olson [(703) 648–7721, dolson@usgs.gov]
15

ABRASIVES (MANUFACTURED)

Events, Trends, and Issues: In 2012, China was the world’s leading producer of abrasive fused aluminum oxide and 

abrasive silicon carbide, with production of nearly 695,000 tons and 450,000 tons, respectively, nearly at capacity. 

Imports and higher operating costs continued to challenge abrasives producers in the United States and Canada. 

Foreign competition, particularly from China, is expected to persist and further curtail production in North America. 

Abrasives markets are greatly influenced by activity in the manufacturing sector in the United States. During 2012, 

these manufacturing sectors included the aerospace, automotive, furniture, housing, and steel industries. The U.S. 

abrasive markets also are influenced by economic and technological trends. 

World Production Capacity

Fused aluminum oxide Silicon carbide

:

2011 2012 2011

United States and Canada 60,400 60,400 42,600 42,600

2012

Argentina — — 5,000 5,000

Australia 50,000 50,000 — — 

Austria 60,000 60,000 — — 

Brazil 50,000 50,000 43,000 43,000

China 700,000 700,000 455,000 455,000

France 40,000 40,000 16,000 16,000

Germany 80,000 80,000 36,000 36,000

India 40,000 40,000 5,000 5,000

Japan 25,000 25,000 60,000 60,000

Mexico — — 45,000 45,000

Norway — — 80,000 80,000

Venezuela — — 30,000 30,000

Other countries 80,000 80,000 190,000

World total (rounded) 1,190,000 1,190,000 1,010,000 1,010,000

 190,000

World Resources: Although domestic resources of raw materials for the production of fused aluminum oxide are 

rather limited, adequate resources are available in the Western Hemisphere. Domestic resources are more than 

adequate for the production of silicon carbide.

Substitutes: Natural and manufactured abrasives, such as garnet, emery, or metallic abrasives, can be substituted 

for fused aluminum oxide and silicon carbide in various applications.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. — Zero. 1

Rounded to the nearest 5,000 tons to protect proprietary data.

2

Defined as imports – exports.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
16

ALUMINUM1

(Data in thousand metric tons of metal unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: In 2012, 5 companies operated 10 primary aluminum smelters; 4 smelters were 

closed temporarily for the entire year. Based on published market prices, the value of primary metal production was 

$4.32 billion. Aluminum consumption was centered in the East Central United States. Transportation accounted for an 

estimated 34% of domestic consumption; the remainder was used in packaging, 26%; building, 12%; electrical, 9%; 

machinery, 8%; consumer durables, 7%; and other, 4%.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production:

2012e

 Primary 2,658 1,727 1,726 1,986 2,000

 Secondary (from old scrap) 1,500 1,260 1,250 1,450 1,600

Imports for consumption 3,710 3,680 3,610 3,710 4,500

Exports 3,280 2,710 3,040 3,420 3,600

Consumption, apparent2 3,940 3,320 3,460 3,550 4,520

Price, ingot, average U.S. market (spot),

cents per pound 120.5 79.4 104.4 116.1 98.0

Stocks:

 Aluminum industry, yearend 1,220 937 1,010 1,060 1,100

 LME, U.S. warehouses, yearend3 1,290 2,200 2,230 2,360 2,300

Employment, number4 38,000 33,800 29,200 30,300 35,000

Net import reliance5 as a percentage of

apparent consumption E 10 14 3 20

Recycling: In 2012, aluminum recovered from purchased scrap in the United States was about 3.4 million tons, of 

which about 53% came from new (manufacturing) scrap and 47% from old scrap (discarded aluminum products). 

Aluminum recovered from old scrap was equivalent to about 35% of apparent consumption.

Import Sources (2008–11): Canada, 62%; Russia, 7%; China, 5%; Mexico, 4%; and other, 22%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Unwrought (in coils) 7601.10.3000 2.6% ad val.

12–31–12

Unwrought (other than aluminum alloys) 7601.10.6000 Free.

Unwrought (billet) 7601.20.9045 Free.

Waste and scrap 7602.00.0000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: Not applicable.1

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: During the first quarter of 2012, the leading U.S. aluminum producer announced that its 

smelter in Alcoa, TN, which had been closed temporarily in 2009, would be closed permanently. The same company 

also announced that two potlines at its Rockdale, TX, smelter also would be permanently closed. Failure to obtain 

favorable power supply contracts was cited as the reason for the permanent closures. Throughout the year, the 

owners of smelters in Hannibal, OH, Hawesville, KY, and Mt. Holly, SC, were negotiating power supply contracts to 

reduce costs. If power costs were not reduced, closures of these smelters would likely take place. During the third 

quarter of 2012, two potlines were closed temporarily at the Hannibal, OH, smelter. The owners of smelters in 

Columbia Falls, MT, and Ravenswood, WV, were negotiating power supply contracts to reopen those smelters, which 

had been temporarily shut down in 2009. Work on an expansion project continued at a smelter in New Madrid, MO, 

that would increase primary aluminum capacity to 279,000 tons per year from 263,000 tons per year by yearend 

2012. An expansion of the smelter in Sebree, KY, also was expected to be completed by yearend 2012, increasing 

the aluminum smelting capacity to 210,000 tons per year from 196,000 tons per year. By the beginning of the fourth 

quarter of 2012, domestic smelters operated at about 70% of rated or engineered capacity.

Reliance upon imports of aluminum increased in 2012 as primary production remained near the level in 2011, and net 

imports increased to supply domestic manufacturers. Canada, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates accounted for 

about 72% of total U.S. imports. Total aluminum exports from the United States increased by 5% in 2012 compared

Prepared by E. Lee Bray [(703) 648–4979, lbray@usgs.gov]
17

ALUMINUM

with the amount exported in 2011, and imports of crude and semifabricated aluminum in 2012 were 21% higher than 

the amount imported in 2011. China, Canada, Mexico, and the Republic of Korea, in descending order, received 

approximately 85% of total United States exports. Scrap to China accounted for 40% of total aluminum exports.

The monthly average U.S. market price for primary ingot quoted by Platts Metals Week started the year at $1.034 per 

pound and reached a peak of $1.079 per pound in March. The monthly average price began a downward trend, 

reaching $0.939 per pound in August. The monthly average price increased to $1.033 per pound in September. 

Prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) followed the trend of U.S. market prices.

World primary aluminum production increased slightly in 2012 compared with production in 2011. New capacity in 

China, India, and Qatar, and restarting smelters that had been shut down in 2008 and early in 2009, accounted for 

most of the increased production. The increased production from these smelters was partially offset by shutdowns 

primarily in the second half of the year as aluminum prices declined. Other factors cited for the shutdowns included 

currency valuations, labor disputes, power price increases, and power shortages, in Australia, Canada, the 

Netherlands, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Venezuela. World inventories of metal held by 

producers, as reported by the International Aluminium Institute, remained in a narrow range through August at about 

2.4 million tons since yearend 2011. Inventories of primary aluminum metal held by the LME worldwide increased 

slightly during the year to 5.1 million tons in mid-October from 5.0 million tons at yearend 2011.

World Smelter Production and Capacity

 Production Yearend capacity

:

 2011 2012e 2011

United States 1,986 2,000 3,160 2,900

2012e

Argentina 440 455 455 455

Australia 1,950 1,900 1,980 1,980

Bahrain 881 900 900 970

Brazil 1,440 1,450 1,700 1,700

Canada 2,980 2,700 3,020 3,020

China 18,100 19,000 25,000 25,000

Germany 433 405 620 620

Iceland 800 800 800 800

India 1,670 1,700 2,310 3,150

Mozambique 562 550 570 570

Norway 1,070 1,000 1,230 1,230

Qatar 390 585 585 585

Russia 3,990 4,200 4,450 4,450

South Africa 809 600 900 900

United Arab Emirates 1,800 1,850 1,800 1,850

Other countries 5,100 4,760 6,540

World total (rounded) 44,400 44,900 56,000 56,400

 6,250

World Resources: Domestic aluminum requirements cannot be met by domestic bauxite resources. Domestic 

nonbauxitic aluminum resources are abundant and could meet domestic aluminum demand. A process for recovering 

alumina from clay was being tested in Canada to prove if it would be economically competitive with the processes 

now used for recovering alumina from bauxite. Processes for using other aluminum-bearing resources have not been 

proven to be economically competitive with those now used for bauxite. The world reserves for bauxite are sufficient 

to meet world demand for metal well into the future.

Substitutes: Composites can substitute for aluminum in aircraft fuselages and wings. Glass, paper, plastics, and 

steel can substitute for aluminum in packaging. Magnesium, steel, and titanium can substitute for aluminum in ground 

transportation and structural uses. Composites, steel, vinyl, and wood can substitute for aluminum in construction. 

Copper can replace aluminum in electrical applications.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter.

1

See also Bauxite and Alumina.

2

Domestic primary metal production + recovery from old aluminum scrap + net import reliance; excludes imported scrap. 3

Includes aluminum alloy.

4

Alumina and aluminum production workers (North American Industry Classification System—3313). Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of 

Labor Statistics.

5

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
18

ANTIMONY

(Data in metric tons of antimony content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: There was no antimony mine production in the United States in 2012. Primary 

antimony metal and oxide was produced by one company in Montana, using foreign feedstock. The estimated 

distribution of antimony uses was as follows: flame retardants, 35%; transportation, including batteries, 29%; 

chemicals, 16%; ceramics and glass, 12%; and other, 8%.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production:

2012e

 Mine (recoverable antimony) — — — — — 

 Smelter:

 Primary W W W W W 

 Secondary 3,180 3,020 3,520 3,230 3,100

Imports for consumption 29,000 20,200 26,200 23,500 24,000

Exports of metal, alloys, oxide,

and waste and scrap1 2,200 2,100 2,550 4,170 3,900

Consumption, apparent2 30,400 21,200 27,000 22,700 23,100

Price, metal, average, cents per pound3 280 236 401 650 602

Stocks, yearend 1,490 1,420 1,560 1,430 1,520

Employment, plant, numbere 10 15 15 20 20

Net import reliance4 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 90 86 87 86 87

Recycling: Traditionally, the bulk of secondary antimony has been recovered as antimonial lead, most of which was 

generated by and then consumed by the battery industry. Changing trends in that industry in recent years, however, 

have generally reduced the amount of secondary antimony produced; the trend to low-maintenance batteries has 

tilted the balance of consumption away from antimony and toward calcium as an additive.

Import Sources (2008–11): Metal: China, 74%; Mexico, 12%; Peru, 3%; and other, 11%. Ore and concentrate: Italy, 

45%; Bolivia, 26%; China, 23%; and other, 6%. Oxide: China, 63%; Mexico, 15%; Belgium, 9%; Bolivia, 9%; and 

other, 4%. Total: China, 67%; Mexico, 15%; Belgium, 7%; Bolivia, 4%; and other, 7%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Ore and concentrates 2617.10.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Antimony oxide 2825.80.0000 Free.

Antimony and articles thereof,

Unwrought antimony; powder 8110.10.0000 Free.

Waste and scrap 8110.20.0000 Free.

Other 8110.90.0000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by James F. Carlin, Jr. [(703) 648–4985, jcarlin@usgs.gov]
19

ANTIMONY

Events, Trends, and Issues: In 2012, antimony production from domestic source materials was derived mostly from 

recycling lead-acid batteries. Recycling supplied only a minor portion of estimated domestic consumption, and the 

remainder came from imports. Only one domestic smelter in Montana continued to make antimony products. The 

company that operated the domestic smelter progressed further with the development of its Mexican operations. Its 

150-ton Puerto Blanca mill and Madero smelter were being supplied by more than seven Mexican antimony mines. 

Four furnaces were operating at the Mexican smelter, and three of them were being retrofitted for increased 

production. They were designed to handle low-grade antimony oxide ore, which predominates in Mexico. The 

Mexican combination flotation and gravity mill was delivering concentrates to the smelter. The mill recovered the 

sulfides and some of the oxides not recoverable by flotation methods. A large precrusher was being installed to 

handle oversize rock from the Los Juarez property.

In China, the world’s leading antimony producer, the Government continued to shut down antimony mines and 

smelters in an effort to control environmental issues and resolve safety problems. The price of antimony remained in 

a fairly narrow band during 2012. The price started the year at about $5.70 per pound, rose to $6.30 per pound by 

early July, and finished September at about $5.80 per pound. Prices continued to be influenced by production 

constrictions in China, combined with moderate world consumption increases.

Several new antimony mine projects were being evaluated and developed in Armenia, Australia, Canada, China, 

Georgia, Italy, Laos, Russia, and Turkey.

World Mine Production and Reserves: The reserves figure for South Africa was changed based on new information 

from official Government sources in that country.

 Mine production Reserves5

2011

United States — — — 

2012e

Bolivia 3,900 4,000 310,000

China 150,000 150,000 950,000

Russia (recoverable) 3,300 3,300 350,000

South Africa 4,700 5,000 27,000

Tajikistan 2,000 2,000 50,000

Other countries 14,100 13,100

World total (rounded) 178,000 180,000 1,800,000

 150,000

World Resources: U.S. resources of antimony are mainly in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada. Principal 

identified world resources are in Bolivia, China, Russia, and South Africa. Additional antimony resources may occur in 

Mississippi Valley-type lead deposits in the Eastern United States.

Substitutes: Compounds of chromium, tin, titanium, zinc, and zirconium substitute for antimony chemicals in paint, 

pigments, and enamels. Combinations of cadmium, calcium, copper, selenium, strontium, sulfur, and tin can be used 

as substitutes for hardening lead. Selected organic compounds and hydrated aluminum oxide are widely accepted 

substitutes as flame retardants.

e

Estimated. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. — Zero. 1

Gross weight, for metal, alloys, waste, and scrap.

2

Domestic mine production + secondary production from old scrap + net import reliance.

3

New York dealer price for 99.5% to 99.6% metal, c.i.f. U.S. ports.

4

Defined as imports - exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 5

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
20

ARSENIC

(Data in metric tons of arsenic unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Arsenic trioxide and primary arsenic metal have not been produced in the United 

States since 1985. However, limited quantities of arsenic metal have been recovered from gallium-arsenide (GaAs) 

semiconductor scrap. The principal use for arsenic trioxide was for the production of arsenic acid used in the 

formulation of chromated copper arsenide (CCA) preservatives for the pressure treating of lumber used primarily in 

nonresidential applications. Three companies produced CCA preservatives in the United States. Ammunition used by 

the United States military was hardened by the addition of less than 1% arsenic metal, and the grids in lead-acid 

storage batteries were strengthened by the addition of arsenic metal. Arsenic metal was also used as an antifriction 

additive for bearings, to harden lead shot, and in clip-on wheel weights. Arsenic compounds were used in fertilizers, 

fireworks, herbicides, and insecticides. High-purity arsenic (99.9999%) was used by the electronics industry for GaAs 

semiconductors that are used for solar cells, space research, and telecommunication. Arsenic was also used for 

germanium-arsenide-selenide specialty optical materials. Indium-gallium-arsenide was used for short-wave infrared 

technology. The value of arsenic compounds and metal consumed domestically in 2012 was estimated to be about $6 

million.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Imports for consumption:

2012e

 Metal 376 438 769 628 950

 Trioxide 4,810 4,660 4,530 4,990 5,950

Exports, metal 1,050 354 481 705 220

Estimated consumption1 4,130 4,740 4,820 4,910 6,680

Value, cents per pound, average:2

 Metal (China) 125 121 72 74 77

 Trioxide (Morocco) 19 20 20 22 22

Net import reliance3 as a percentage of

estimated consumption 100 100 100 100 100

Recycling: Arsenic metal was recycled from GaAs semiconductor manufacturing, and arsenic contained in the 

process water at wood treatment plants where CCA was used was also recycled. Electronic circuit boards, relays, 

and switches may contain arsenic, though no arsenic was recovered from them during recycling to recover other 

contained metals. There was no domestic recovery of arsenic from arsenic-containing residues and dusts generated 

at nonferrous smelters in the United States.

Import Sources (2008–11): Metal: China, 86%; Japan, 13%; and other, 1%. Arsenic trioxide: Morocco, 70%; China, 

18%; and Belgium, 12%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Metal 2804.80.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Acid 2811.19.1000 2.3% ad val.

Trioxide 2811.29.1000 Free.

Sulfide 2813.90.1000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Daniel L. Edelstein [(703) 648–4978, dedelste@usgs.gov]
21

ARSENIC

Events, Trends, and Issues: Human health and environmental concerns led to a voluntary ban on the use of CCA 

wood preservatives in most residential applications at yearend 2003. However, because of known performance and 

lower cost, CCA was still allowed in treated wood for use in nonresidential applications. Owing to the residential ban, 

however, imports of arsenic trioxide declined to an average of 6,800 tons per year gross weight during 2007 to 2011, 

from an average of almost 28,000 tons per year during 1999 to 2003.

Arsenic metal exports from 2005 to 2008 were at extraordinary high levels. It is likely that much of the material 

reported as arsenic was arsenic compounds, including arsenic acid and CCA that became available for export 

following the phase-out of the residential use of CCA preserved wood. Other materials that were reported under this 

category included arsenical lead and residues containing arsenic, which continue to be reported under this category. 

As the United States does not produce arsenic metal, it is likely that only a small portion of material exported under 

this category was pure arsenic metal.

In 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a reregistration eligibility decision (RED) in which it 

determined that CCA wood preservatives were eligible for reregistration as a pesticide for use in treating lumber for 

certain outdoor applications, exclusive of those for use in most residential settings. The RED included labeling 

guidelines and detailed worker and environmental protection guidelines for wood-preserving plants using CCA. By 

December 31, 2013, all wood-preserving plants using CCA were to be upgraded to fully meet RED requirements.

In 2012, market conditions continued to improve for GaAs-based products. GaAs demand, while still driven mainly by 

cellular handsets and other high-speed wireless applications, increased owing to rapid growth of feature-rich, 

application-intensive, third- and fourth-generation “smartphones.” See the section on gallium for details.

World Production and Reserves

 Production Reserves4

: 

(arsenic trioxide)

 2011

United States — — 

2012e

Belgium 1,000 1,000

Chile 10,000 10,000 World reserves are thought to be

China 25,000 25,000 about 20 times annual world

Morocco 8,000 6,000 production.

Russia 1,500 1,500

Other countries5 300

World total (rounded) 45,800 44,000

 300

World Resources: Arsenic may be obtained from copper, gold, and lead smelter flue dust as well as from roasting 

arsenopyrite, the most abundant ore mineral of arsenic. Arsenic has been recovered from realgar and orpiment in 

China, Peru, and the Philippines; from copper-gold ores in Chile; and was associated with gold occurrences in 

Canada. Orpiment and realgar from gold mines in Sichuan Province, China, were stockpiled for later recovery of 

arsenic. Arsenic also may be recovered from enargite, a copper mineral. Global resources of copper and lead contain 

approximately 11 million tons of arsenic.

Substitutes: Substitutes for CCA in wood treatment include alkaline copper quaternary, ammoniacal copper 

quaternary, ammoniacal copper zinc arsenate, copper azole, and copper citrate. Treated wood substitutes include 

concrete, steel, plasticized wood scrap, or plastic composite material.

e

Estimated. — Zero. 1

Estimated to be the same as net imports. 2

Calculated from U.S. Census Bureau import data. 3

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 4

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 5

In addition to Bolivia, Iran, Japan, and Portugal, which are included in “other countries,” Mexico and Peru have reported arsenic trioxide production 

in recent years, but information is inadequate to make estimates for production in current years, if any.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
22

ASBESTOS

(Data in metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Asbestos has not been mined in the United States since 2002. The United States is 

dependent on imports to meet manufacturing needs. Asbestos consumption in the United States was estimated to be 

1,060 tons, based on asbestos imports through July 2012. The chloralkali industry accounted for an estimated 57% of 

U.S. consumption; roofing products, about 41%; and unknown applications, 2%.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production (sales), mine — — — — — 

2012e

Imports for consumption 1,460 869 1,040 1,180 1,060

Exports1 368 59 171 169 55

Consumption, estimated 1,460 869 1,040 1,180 1,060

Price, average value, dollars per ton2 746 787 786 931 1,790

Net import reliance3 as a percentage of

estimated consumption 100 100 100 100 100

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11): Canada, 87%; Zimbabwe, 5%; and other, 8%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Crocidolite 2524.10.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Amosite 2524.90.0010 Free.

Chrysotile:

 Crudes 2524.90.0030 Free.

 Milled fibers, group 3 grades 2524.90.0040 Free.

 Milled fibers, group 4 and 5 grades 2524.90.0045 Free.

 Other, chrysotile 2524.90.0055 Free.

Other 2524.90.0060 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 10% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Robert L. Virta [(703) 648–7726, rvirta@usgs.gov]
23

ASBESTOS

Events, Trends, and Issues: U.S. imports and consumption of asbestos declined 10% in 2012. All asbestos 

imported and used in the United States was chrysotile, solely sourced from Brazil. This is the first year in more than 

100 years that chrysotile was not imported from Canada. There was no chrysotile produced in Canada in 2012 so 

domestic consumers sought other sources for their supply. The increase in the average value of all imported 

chrysotile was because only high-valued chrysotile was imported from Brazil; there were no imports of lower valued 

chrysotile from other countries in 2012. Based on current trends, U.S. asbestos consumption is likely to remain near 

the 1,000-ton level, as it has in the past 4 years.

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production Reserves4

:

 2011

United States — — Small

2012e

Brazil 302,000 300,000 Moderate

Canada 50,000 — Large

China 440,000 440,000 Large

Kazakhstan 223,000 240,000 Large

Russia 1,000,000 1,000,000 Large

Other countries 19,000 20,000

World total (rounded) 2,030,000 2,000,000 Large

Moderate

World Resources: The world has 200 million tons of identified resources of asbestos. U.S. resources are large but 

are composed mostly of short-fiber asbestos, for which use is more limited than long-fiber asbestos in asbestosbased products.

Substitutes: Numerous materials substitute for asbestos in products. Substitutes include calcium silicate, carbon 

fiber, cellulose fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, steel fiber, wollastonite, and several organic fibers, such as aramid, 

polyethylene, polypropylene, and polytetrafluoroethylene. Several nonfibrous minerals or rocks, such as perlite, 

serpentine, silica, and talc, are considered to be possible asbestos substitutes for products in which the reinforcement 

properties of fibers were not required.

e

Estimated. — Zero. 1

Probably includes nonasbestos materials and reexports.

2

Average Customs value for U.S. chrysotile imports, all grades combined. Prices for individual commercial products are no longer published.

3

Defined as imports – exports. 4

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
24

BARITE

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Domestic producers of crude barite sold or used for grinding an estimated 654,000 

tons in 2012 valued at about $58 million, a decrease in production of about 8% compared with that of 2011. Most of 

the production came from four major mines in Nevada followed by a significantly smaller sales volume from a single 

mine in Georgia. In 2012, an estimated 3.5 million tons of barite (from domestic production and imports) was sold by 

crushers and grinders operating in nine States. Nearly 95% of the barite sold in the United States was used as a 

weighting agent in gas- and oil-well drilling fluids. The majority of Nevada crude barite was ground in Nevada and 

Wyoming and then sold primarily to gas-drilling customers in Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, and 

Wyoming. Crude barite was shipped to a Canadian grinding mill in Lethbridge, Alberta, which supplies the western 

Canada drilling mud market. The barite imports to Louisiana and Texas ports mostly went to offshore drilling 

operations in the Gulf of Mexico and to onshore operations in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Barite is also used as a filler, extender, or weighting agent in products such as paints, plastics, and rubber. Some 

specific applications include its use in automobile brake and clutch pads and automobile paint primer for metal 

protection and gloss, and to add weight to rubber mudflaps on trucks and to the cement jacket around underwater 

petroleum pipelines. In the metal-casting industry, barite is part of the mold-release compounds. Because barite 

significantly blocks x-ray and gamma-ray emissions, it is used as aggregate in high-density concrete for radiation 

shielding around x-ray units in hospitals, nuclear powerplants, and university nuclear research facilities. Ultrapure 

barite consumed as liquid is used as a contrast medium in medical x-ray examinations.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Sold or used, mine 648 396 662 710 654

2012e

Imports for consumption 2,620 1,430 2,110 2,320 2,810

Exports 62 49 109 98 150

Consumption, apparent1 (crude and ground) 3,210 1,780 2,660 2,930 3,310

Consumption2 (ground and crushed) 2,840 2,410 2,570 2,910 3,470

Estimated price, average value, 

dollars per ton, f.o.b. mine 73 80 77 86 89

Employment, mine and mill, numbere 350 330 350 350 350

Net import reliance3 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 80 78 75 76 80

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11): China, 92%; India, 4%; Morocco, 2%; and other, 2%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Crude barite 2511.10.5000 $1.25 per metric ton.

12–31–12

Ground barite 2511.10.1000 Free.

Oxide, hydroxide, and peroxide 2816.40.2000 2% ad val.

Other chlorides 2827.39.4500 4.2% ad val.

Other sulfates of barium 2833.27.0000 0.6% ad val.

Carbonate 2836.60.0000 2.3% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by M. Michael Miller [(703) 648–7716, mmiller1@usgs.gov]
25

BARITE

Events, Trends, and Issues: During 2012, the number of drill rigs operating in the United States decreased, mainly 

as a result of low natural gas prices. At the beginning of 2012, there were 2,007 rigs operating offshore and onshore 

in the United States, but by early November, the number had decreased to 1,800. Because oil and gas drilling is the 

dominant use of barite in the United States, the count of operating drill rigs is a good barometer of barite consumption 

or if the industry is stockpiling. Based on the decreased rig count and the estimated increase in barite imports, it is 

likely that the barite industry is stockpiling in order to provide adequate supplies when demand increases and as a 

hedge against rising barite prices.

With the worldwide oil and gas drilling boom, the demand for barite is strong. China and India hold a controlling 

position in barite supply and have increased prices substantially in recent years. As a result, there is an increased 

effort to discover and develop new barite resources. While China and India will continue to be the dominant barite 

producers and exporters, mine projects in various stages of development are ongoing in Kazakhstan, Liberia, Mexico, 

and Zimbabwe.

Barite prices increased in 2012 compared with those at yearend 2011. The October published price range for Chinese 

unground barite, free on board (f.o.b.) China, was in the range of $146 to $158 per ton, an increase of about $22 per 

ton. The price range for Indian unground barite, f.o.b. Chennai, was in the range of $160 to $170 per ton, an increase 

of about $21 per ton. The price range for Moroccan unground barite, f.o.b. Morocco, was in the range of $140 to $152 

per ton, an increase of about $35 per ton.

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production Reserves4

:

 2011

United States 710 654 15,000

2012e

Algeria 40 60 29,000

China 4,100 4,000 100,000

Germany 70 70 1,000

India 1,350 1,400 32,000

Iran 350 350 NA

Kazakhstan 5

200 200 NA

Mexico 157 160 7,000

Morocco 600 650 10,000

Pakistan 58 60 1,000

Peru 87 90 NA

Russia 62 60 12,000

Turkey 230 250 4,000

United Kingdom 50 50 100

Vietnam 85 85 NA

Other countries 220 220

World total (rounded) 8,370 8,400 240,000

 24,000

World Resources: In the United States, identified resources of barite are estimated to be 150 million tons, and 

undiscovered resources include an additional 150 million tons. The world’s barite resources in all categories are about 

2 billion tons, but only about 740 million tons is identified resources.

Substitutes: In the drilling mud market, alternatives to barite include celestite, ilmenite, iron ore, and synthetic 

hematite that is manufactured in Germany. None of these substitutes, however, has had a major impact on the barite 

drilling mud industry.

e

Estimated. NA Not available.

1

Sold or used by domestic mines + imports – exports. 2

Imported and domestic barite, crushed and ground, sold or used by domestic grinding establishments.

3

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 4

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 5

Estimated marketable barite; however, reported production figures may be significantly higher.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
26

BAUXITE AND ALUMINA1

(Data in thousand metric dry tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Nearly all bauxite consumed in the United States was imported; of the total, more 

than 95% was converted to alumina. Of the total alumina used, more than 90% went to primary aluminum smelters 

and the remainder went to nonmetallurgical uses. Annual alumina production capacity was 5.64 million tons, with four 

Bayer refineries operating throughout the year. Domestic bauxite was used in the production of nonmetallurgical 

products, such as abrasives, chemicals, and refractories.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, bauxite, mine NA NA NA NA NA

2012e

Imports of bauxite for consumption2 12,400 7,770 9,320 10,700 11,100

Imports of alumina3 2,530 1,860 1,790 2,280 1,850

Exports of bauxite2 31 45 54 75 52

Exports of alumina3 1,150 946 1,520 1,620 1,660

Consumption, apparent, bauxite and alumina

(in aluminum equivalents)4 3,450 2,360 2,320 2,750 2,620

Price, bauxite, average value U.S. imports (f.a.s.)

dollars per ton 26 30 29 39 36

Stocks, bauxite, industry, yearend2 W 1,780 1,450 1,500 1,500

Net import reliance,5 bauxite and alumina,

as a percentage of apparent consumption 100 100 100 100 100

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11):

6 Bauxite: Jamaica, 43%; Guinea, 22%; Brazil, 19%; Guyana, 6%; and other, 10%. 

Alumina: Australia, 34%; Suriname, 22%; Brazil, 17%; Jamaica, 14%; and other, 13%. Total: Jamaica, 34%; Brazil, 

20%; Guinea, 19%; Australia, 13%; and other, 14%.

Tariff: Import duties on bauxite and alumina were abolished in 1971 by Public Law 92–151. Duties can be levied only 

on such imports from nations with nonnormal trade relations. However, all countries that supplied commercial 

quantities of bauxite or alumina to the United States during the first 9 months of 2012 had normal-trade-relations 

status.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None

Prepared by E. Lee Bray [(703) 648–4979, lbray@usgs.gov]
27

BAUXITE AND ALUMINA

Events, Trends, and Issues: The average monthly price (free alongside ship) for U.S. imports of metallurgical-grade 

alumina began the year at $383 per ton, and in July the price was $374 per ton. During the first 7 months of the year, 

the price ranged between $356 per ton to $463 per ton.

Based on production data from the International Aluminium Institute, world alumina production during 2012 increased 

by 5% compared with that in 2011. Bauxite production increased slightly in 2012 compared with production in 2011. 

Increases in bauxite production from expanded, new, and reopened mines in Australia, Brazil, China, Guinea, and 

India were mostly offset by declines in production from mines in Indonesia, which enacted strict mine export tariffs 

during 2012.

World Bauxite Mine Production and Reserves: Production and reserve estimates for Brazil and Indonesia have 

been revised or added based on new information available through Government reports and other sources.

 Mine production Reserves7

2011

United States NA NA 20,000

2012e

Australia 70,000 73,000 6,000,000

Brazil 31,800 34,000 2,600,000

China 45,000 48,000 830,000

Greece 2,100 2,000 600,000

Guinea 17,600 19,000 7,400,000

Guyana 1,820 1,850 850,000

India 19,000 20,000 900,000

Indonesia 37,100 30,000 1,000,000

Jamaica 10,200 10,300 2,000,000

Kazakhstan 5,500 5,300 160,000

Russia 5,890 6,100 200,000

Sierra Leone 1,460 1,200 180,000

Suriname 4,000 4,200 580,000

Venezuela 4,500 4,500 320,000

Vietnam 600 300 2,100,000

Other countries 2,850 3,100

World total (rounded) 259,000 263,000 28,000,000

 2,100,000

World Resources: Bauxite resources are estimated to be 55 to 75 billion tons, in Africa (32%), Oceania (23%), South 

America and the Caribbean (21%), Asia (18%), and elsewhere (6%). Domestic resources of bauxite are inadequate to 

meet long-term U.S. demand, but the United States and most other major aluminum-producing countries have 

essentially inexhaustible subeconomic resources of aluminum in materials other than bauxite.

Substitutes: Bauxite is the only raw material used in the production of alumina on a commercial scale in the United 

States. However, the vast U.S. resources of clay are technically feasible sources of alumina. Other domestic raw 

materials, such as alunite, anorthosite, coal wastes, and oil shales, offer additional potential alumina sources. 

Although it would require new plants using different technology, alumina from these nonbauxitic materials could 

satisfy the demand for primary metal, refractories, aluminum chemicals, and abrasives. A process for recovering 

alumina from clay was being tested in Canada to prove if it would be economically competitive with the processes 

now used for recovering alumina from bauxite. Processes for using other aluminum-bearing resources have not been 

proven to be economically competitive with those now used for bauxite. Synthetic mullite, produced from kyanite and 

sillimanite, substitutes for bauxite-based refractories. Although more costly, silicon carbide and alumina-zirconia can 

substitute for bauxite-based abrasives.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.

1

See also Aluminum. As a general rule, 4 tons of dried bauxite is required to produce 2 tons of alumina, which, in turn, provides 1 ton of primary 

aluminum metal.

2

Includes all forms of bauxite, expressed as dry equivalent weights.

3

Calcined equivalent weights.

4

The sum of U.S. bauxite production and net import reliance.

5

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes (all in aluminum equivalents). Treated as separate 

commodities, the U.S. net import reliance as a percentage of apparent consumption equaled 100% for bauxite in 2008–11. For 2008–11, the U.S. 

net import reliance as a percentage of apparent consumption ranged from 4% to 35% for alumina.

6

Based on aluminum equivalents.

7

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
28

BERYLLIUM

(Data in metric tons of beryllium content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: One company in Utah mined bertrandite ore, which it converted, along with imported 

beryl, into beryllium hydroxide. Some of the beryllium hydroxide was shipped to the company’s plant in Ohio, where it 

was converted into beryllium-copper master alloy, metal, and (or) oxide—some of which was sold. Estimated 

beryllium consumption of 220 tons was valued at about $103 million, based on the estimated unit value for beryllium 

in imported beryllium-copper master alloy. Based on sales revenues, 42% of beryllium use was estimated to be in 

consumer electronics and telecommunications products, 11% was estimated to be in defense-related applications, 

11% was estimated to be in industrial components and commercial aerospace applications, 8% was estimated to be 

in energy applications, and the remainder was used in appliances, automotive electronics, medical devices, and other 

applications.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, mine shipmentse 175 120 180 235 200

2012e

Imports for consumption1 70 24 271 92 106

Exports2 112 23 39 21 63

Government stockpile releases3 47 19 29 22 (4

) 

Consumption:

 Apparent5 218 170 456 333 220

 Reported, ore 220 150 200 250 190

Unit value, annual average, beryllium-copper master

alloy, dollars per pound contained beryllium6 159 154 228 203 209

Stocks, ore, consumer, yearend 60 30 15 10 30

Net import reliance7 as a percentage

of apparent consumption 20 29 61 29 10

Recycling: Beryllium was recycled from new scrap generated during the manufacture of beryllium products, as well 

as old scrap. Detailed data on the quantities of beryllium recycled are not available but may represent as much as 

30% of apparent consumption.

Import Sources (2008–11):

1 Russia, 44%; Kazakhstan, 26%; Japan, 6%; Kenya, 5%; and other, 19%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Beryllium ores and concentrates 2617.90.0030 Free.

12–31–12

Beryllium oxide and hydroxide 2825.90.1000 3.7% ad val.

Beryllium-copper master alloy 7405.00.6030 Free.

Beryllium:

 Unwrought, including powders 8112.12.0000 8.5% ad val.

 Waste and scrap 8112.13.0000 Free.

 Other 8112.19.0000 5.5% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: The Defense Logistics Agency, U.S. Department of Defense, had a goal of retaining 45 tons 

of hot-pressed beryllium powder in the National Defense Stockpile. Disposal limits for beryllium materials in the fiscal 

year 2013 Annual Materials Plan are as follows: beryllium metal, 54 tons of contained beryllium. 

Stockpile Status—9–30–128

 Uncommitted Authorized Disposal plan Disposals

Material inventory for disposal FY 2012 FY 2012

Beryllium metal:

 Hot-pressed powder 83 38 — 3 

 Vacuum-cast 6 6 54 8 

Events, Trends, and Issues: Market conditions weakened for beryllium-based products in 2012. During the first half

of 2012, the leading U.S. beryllium producer reported volume shipments of strip and bulk beryllium-copper alloy 

products to be 29% and slightly lower, respectively, than those during the first half of 2011. Sales of beryllium

Prepared by Brian W. Jaskula [(703) 648–4908, bjaskula@usgs.gov] 
29

BERYLLIUM

products for key markets, including automotive electronics, consumer electronics, defense and science, industrial xray products, medical equipment, and telecommunications infrastructure were lower than those during the first half of 

2011. Sales of beryllium hydroxide and beryllium products for commercial aerospace and industrial components, 

however, were higher than those during the first half of 2011.

In an effort to ensure current and future availability of high-quality domestic beryllium to meet critical defense needs, 

the U.S. Department of Defense in 2005, under the Defense Production Act, Title III, invested in a public-private 

partnership with the leading U.S. beryllium producer to build a new $90.4 million primary beryllium facility in Ohio. 

Construction of the facility was completed in 2011. The startup activities of the new facility continued throughout 2012, 

and the facility produced a small, nonproduction-level quantity of pure beryllium metal. Approximately two-thirds of the 

facility’s output was to be allocated for defense and Government-related end uses, the remaining output going to the 

private sector. Plant capacity was reported to be 73 tons per year of high-purity beryllium metal. Primary beryllium 

facilities, the last of which closed in the United States in 2000, traditionally produced the feedstock used to make 

beryllium metal products.

Owing to several large shipments of beryllium metal imported from Russia in 2010, total beryllium imports in that year

were more than 10 times higher than those of 2009, and 4 times higher than those of 2008. Although imported from 

Russia, the beryllium metal was most likely sourced from Kazakhstan, as beryllium purchase contracts were 

established in 2010 between companies in the United States and Kazakhstan.

Because of the toxic nature of beryllium, various international, national, and State guidelines and regulations have 

been established regarding beryllium in air, water, and other media. Industry is required to carefully control the 

quantity of beryllium dust, fumes, and mists in the workplace, which adds to the final cost of beryllium products.

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine productione Reserves9

: 

 2011

United States 235 200 The United States has very little beryl that can be

2012

China10 22 25 economically handsorted from pegmatite deposits.

Mozambique 2 2 The Spor Mountain area in Utah, an epithermal

Other countries 1 1

 World total (rounded) 260 230 which was being mined. Proven bertrandite reserves

deposit, contains a large bertrandite resource, 

in Utah total about 15,200 tons of contained 

beryllium. World beryllium reserves are not 

sufficiently well delineated to report consistent figures 

for all countries.

World Resources: World identified resources of beryllium have been estimated to be more than 80,000 tons. About 

65% of these resources is in nonpegmatite deposits in the United States—the Gold Hill and Spor Mountain areas in 

Utah and the Seward Peninsula area in Alaska account for most of the total.

Substitutes: Because the cost of beryllium is high compared with that of other materials, it is used in applications in 

which its properties are crucial. In some applications, certain metal matrix or organic composites, high-strength 

grades of aluminum, pyrolytic graphite, silicon carbide, steel, or titanium may be substituted for beryllium metal or 

beryllium composites. Copper alloys containing nickel and silicon, tin, titanium, or other alloying elements or phosphor 

bronze alloys (copper-tin-phosphorus) may be substituted for beryllium-copper alloys, but these substitutions can 

result in substantially reduced performance. Aluminum nitride or boron nitride may be substituted for beryllium oxide. 

e

Estimated. 

1

Includes estimated beryllium content of imported ores and concentrates, oxide and hydroxide, unwrought metal (including powders), beryllium 

articles, waste and scrap, and beryllium-copper master alloy. 2

Includes estimated beryllium content of exported unwrought metal (including powders), beryllium articles, and waste and scrap.

3

Change in total inventory level from prior yearend inventory.

4

Less than 1⁄2 unit. 5

The sum of U.S. mine shipments and net import reliance. 6

Calculated from gross weight and customs value of imports; beryllium content estimated to be 4%.

7

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 8

See Appendix B for definitions. 9

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

10Official sources for China’s beryllium production in 2011 and 2012 reported lower figures than industry sources, which estimated that China 

produced more than 60 metric tons of contained beryllium for each year.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
30

BISMUTH

(Data in metric tons of bismuth content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: The United States ceased production of primary refined bismuth in 1997 and is thus 

highly import dependent for its supply. A small amount of bismuth is recycled by some domestic firms. Bismuth is 

contained in some lead ores mined domestically, but the bismuth-containing residues are not processed domestically 

and may be exported. The value of reported consumption of bismuth was approximately $19 million.

The Safe Drinking Water Act Amendment of 1996 required that all new and repaired fixtures and pipes for potable 

water supply be lead free after August 1998. As a result, a wider market was opened for bismuth as a metallurgical 

additive to lead-free pipes. Bismuth use in water meters and fixtures is one particular application that has increased in 

recent years. An application with major growth potential is the use of zinc-bismuth alloys to achieve thinner and more 

uniform galvanization. Another promising new application is the use of a bismuth-tellurium oxide alloy in a film paste 

for use in the manufacture of semiconductor devices. Bismuth was also used domestically in the manufacture of 

ceramic glazes, crystal ware, and pigments; as an additive to free-machining steels; and as an additive to malleable 

iron castings.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production:

2012e

 Refinery — — — — ––

 Secondary (old scrap) 100 60 80 80 80

Imports for consumption, metal 1,930 1,250 1,620 1,750 1,830 

Exports, metal, alloys, and scrap 375 397 1,040 1,030 900

Consumption:

 Reported 1,080 820 884 715 840

 Apparent 1,560 1,010 660 796 998

Price, average, domestic dealer, dollars per pound 12.73 7.84 8.76 11.47 10.17

Stocks, yearend, consumer 228 134 134 138 150

Net import reliance1 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 94 94 88 90 92

Recycling: All types of bismuth-containing new and old alloy scrap were recycled and contributed about 10% of U.S. 

bismuth consumption, or 80 tons.

Import Sources (2008–11): China, 52%; Belgium, 36%; United Kingdom, 5%; and other, 7%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Bismuth and articles thereof, including waste

12–31–12

and scrap 8106.00.0000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by James F. Carlin, Jr. [(703) 648–4985, jcarlin@usgs.gov] 
31

BISMUTH

Events, Trends, and Issues: Owing to its unique properties, bismuth has a wide variety of applications, including 

use in free-machining steels, brass, pigments, and solders, as a nontoxic replacement for lead; in pharmaceuticals, 

including bismuth subsalicylate, the active ingredient in over-the-counter stomach remedies; in the foundry industry, 

as an additive to enhance metallurgical quality; in the construction field, as a triggering mechanism for fire sprinklers; 

and in holding devices for grinding optical lenses. Researchers in the European Union, Japan, and the United States 

are investigating the possibilities of using bismuth in lead-free solders. Researchers also are examining liquid leadbismuth coolants for use in nuclear reactors. Work is proceeding toward developing a bismuth-containing metalpolymer bullet.

A strike, which lasted most of the past 3 years, at Peru’s only bismuth producer eliminated Peru’s bismuth output.

The price of bismuth started 2012 at $11.75 per pound and decreased slightly throughout the year, ending October at 

$9.25 per pound. The estimated average price of bismuth in 2012 was about 11% below that in 2011. Industry 

analysts attributed the lower price to decreased world demand.

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production Reserves2

:

2011

United States — — — 

2012e

Bolivia 100 100 10,000

Canada 92 100 5,000

China 7,000 6,000 240,000

Mexico 980 1,000 10,000

Other countries 130 200

World total (rounded) 8,300 7,400 320,000

 50,000

World Resources: Bismuth, at an estimated 8 parts per billion by weight, ranks 69th in elemental abundance in the 

Earth’s crust and is about twice as abundant as gold. World reserves of bismuth are usually based on bismuth 

content of lead resources because bismuth production is most often a byproduct of processing lead ores; in China, 

bismuth production is a byproduct of tungsten and other metal ore processing. Bismuth minerals rarely occur in 

sufficient quantities to be mined as principal products; the Tasna Mine in Bolivia and a mine in China are the only 

mines that produced bismuth from a bismuth ore.

Substitutes: Bismuth can be replaced in pharmaceutical applications by alumina, antibiotics, and magnesia. Titanium 

dioxide-coated mica flakes and fish-scale extracts are substitutes in pigment uses. Indium can replace bismuth in lowtemperature solders. Resins can replace bismuth alloys for holding metal shapes during machining, and glycerinefilled glass bulbs can replace bismuth alloys in triggering devices for fire sprinklers. Free-machining alloys can contain 

lead, selenium, or tellurium as a replacement for bismuth.

Bismuth, on the other hand, is an environmentally friendly substitute for lead in plumbing and many other applications, 

including fishing weights, hunting ammunition, lubricating greases, and soldering alloys.

e

Estimated. — Zero. 1

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 2

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013 
32

BORON

(Data in thousand metric tons of boric oxide (B2O3) unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Two companies in southern California produced borates in 2012, and most of the 

boron products consumed in the United States were manufactured domestically. To avoid disclosing company 

proprietary data, U.S. boron production and consumption in 2012 were withheld. The leading boron producer mined 

borate ores containing kernite, tincal, and ulexite by open pit methods and operated associated compound plants. 

The kernite was used for boric acid production and the tincal was used as a feedstock for sodium borate production. 

A second company produced borates from brines extracted through solution mining techniques. Boron minerals and 

chemicals were principally consumed in the North Central and the Eastern United States. In 2012, the glass and 

ceramics industries remained the leading domestic users of boron products, consuming an estimated 80% of the total 

borates marketplace. Boron was also used as a component in abrasives, cleaning products, insecticides, and in the 

production of semiconductors.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production1 W W W W W 

2012e

Imports for consumption, gross weight:

 Borax 1 1 (2

) (2) (2) 

 Boric acid 50 36 50 57 57

 Colemanite 30 31 50 20 20

 Ulexite 75 28 1 5 5 

Exports, gross weight:

 Boric acid 303 171 264 235 190

 Refined sodium borates 519 417 423 492 398

Consumption:

 Apparent W W W W W 

 Reported W W W W W 

Price, average value of mineral imports

at port of exportation, dollars per ton 302 339 361 361 360

Employment, number 1,310 1,220 1,180 1,180 1,190

Net import reliance3 as a percentage of

apparent consumption E E E E E 

Recycling: Insignificant.

Import Sources (2008–11): Borates: Turkey, 50%; Argentina, 15%; Chile, 13%; Russia, 10%; and other, 12%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Natural borates:

12–31–12

 Sodium 2528.00.0005 Free.

 Calcium 2528.00.0010 Free.

 Other 2528.00.0050 Free.

Boric acids 2810.00.0000 1.5% ad val.

Borates:

 Refined borax:

 Anhydrous 2840.11.0000 0.3% ad val.

 Other 2840.19.0000 0.1% ad val.

 Other 2840.20.0000 3.7% ad val.

 Perborates:

 Sodium 2840.30.0010 3.7% ad val.

 Other 2840.30.0050 3.7% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: Borax, 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Robert D. Crangle, Jr. [(703) 648–6410, rcrangle@usgs.gov
33

BORON

Events, Trends, and Issues: Elemental boron is a metalloid that has limited commercial applications. Although the 

term “boron” is commonly referenced, it does not occur in nature in an elemental state. Boron combines with oxygen 

and other elements to form boric acid, or inorganic salts called borates. Boron compounds, chiefly borates, are 

commercially important; therefore, boron products were priced and sold based on their boric oxide content (B2O3), 

varying by ore and compound and by the absence or presence of calcium and sodium. The four borates—colemanite, 

kernite, tincal, and ulexite—make up 90% of the borates used by industry worldwide. Although borates were used in

more than 300 applications, more than three-quarters of the world’s supply is sold into the following four end uses:

ceramics, detergents, fertilizer, and glass.

Consumption of borates is expected to increase in 2012 and the coming years, spurred by strong demand in the 

Asian and South American agricultural, ceramic, and glass markets. In particular, boron consumption in the global 

fiberglass industry was projected to increase by 7% annually through 2013, spurred by a projected 19% increase in 

Chinese consumption. World consumption of borates was projected to reach 2.0 million tons of B2O3 by 2014, 

compared with 1.5 million metric tons of B2O3 in 2010. Demand for borates was expected to shift slightly away from 

detergents and soaps toward glass and ceramics.

Because China has low-grade boron reserves and demand for boron is anticipated to rise in that country, Chinese 

imports from Chile, Russia, Turkey, and the United States were expected to increase during the next several years. 

European and emerging markets were requiring more stringent building standards with respect to heat conservation. 

Consequently, increased consumption of borates for fiberglass insulation was expected. Continued investment in new 

refineries and technologies and the continued rise in demand were expected to fuel growth in world production during 

the next several years. 

World Production and Reserves

 Production—All forms4 Reserves5

:

 2011

United States W W 40,000

2012e

Argentina 600 600 2,000

Bolivia 135 140 NA

Chile 489 500 35,000

China 100 100 32,000

Iran 1 1 1,000

Kazakhstan 30 30 NA

Peru 293 300 4,000

Russia 400 400 40,000

Turkey 2,500 2,500

World total (rounded) 6

4,550 64,600 210,000

 60,000

World Resources: Deposits of borates are associated with volcanic activity and arid climates, with the largest 

economically viable deposits located in the Mojave Desert of the United States, the Alpide belt in southern Asia, and 

the Andean belt of South America. U.S. deposits consist primarily of tincal, kernite, and borates contained in brines, 

and to a lesser extent ulexite and colemanite. About 70% of all Turkish deposits are colemanite. Small deposits are 

being mined in South America. At current levels of consumption, world resources are adequate for the foreseeable 

future.

Substitutes: The substitution of other materials for boron is possible in detergents, enamel, insulation, and soaps. 

Sodium percarbonate can replace borates in detergents and requires lower temperatures to undergo hydrolysis, 

which is an environmental consideration. Some enamels can use other glass-producing substances, such as 

phosphates. Insulation substitutes include cellulose, foams, and mineral wools. In soaps, sodium and potassium salts 

of fatty acids can act as cleaning and emulsifying agents.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter. NA Not available. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.

1

Minerals and compounds sold or used by producers; includes both actual mine production and marketable products.

2

Less than 1⁄2 unit.

3

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 4

Gross weight of ore in thousand metric tons. 5

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

6

Excludes U.S. production.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
34

BROMINE

(Data in metric tons of bromine content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Bromine was recovered from underground brines by two companies in Arkansas. 

Bromine was the leading mineral commodity, in terms of value, produced in Arkansas. The two bromine companies in 

the United States accounted for about one-third of world production capacity.

Primary uses of bromine compounds are in flame retardants, drilling fluids, brominated pesticides (mostly methyl 

bromide), and water treatment. Bromine is also used in the manufacture of dyes, insect repellents, perfumes, 

pharmaceuticals, and photographic chemicals. Other bromine compounds are used in a variety of applications, 

including chemical synthesis, mercury control, and paper manufacturing.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production W W W W W

2012e

Imports for consumption, elemental

bromine and compounds1 41,200 36,000 45,400 47,100 61,000

Exports, elemental bromine and compounds 9,640 6,130 8,150 7,150 5,000

Consumption, apparent W W W W W 

Employment, numbere 1,000 1,000 950 950 950

Net import reliance2 as a percentage

of apparent consumption <25 <25 <25 <25 <50

Recycling: Some bromide solutions were recycled to obtain elemental bromine and to prevent the solutions from 

being disposed of as hazardous waste. Hydrogen bromide is emitted as a byproduct in many organic reactions. This 

byproduct waste is recycled with virgin bromine brines and is a major source of bromine production. Plastics 

containing bromine flame retardants can be incinerated as solid organic waste, and the bromine can be recovered. 

This recycled bromine is not included in the virgin bromine production reported to the U.S. Geological Survey by 

companies but is included in data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Import Sources (2008–11): Israel, 79%; China, 12%; Germany, 5%; and other, 4%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Bromine 2801.30.2000 5.5% ad val.

12–31–12

Hydrobromic acid 2811.19.3000 Free.

Potassium or sodium bromide 2827.51.0000 Free.

Ammonium, calcium, or zinc bromide 2827.59.2500 Free.

Other bromides and bromide oxides 2827.59.5100 3.6% ad val.

Potassium bromate 2829.90.0500 Free.

Sodium bromate 2829.90.2500 Free.

Ethylene dibromide 2903.31.0000 5.4% ad val.

Methyl bromide 2903.39.1520 Free.

Bromochloromethane 2903.79.1000 Free.

Tetrabromobisphenol A 2908.19.2500 5.5% ad val.

Decabromodiphenyl and

octabromodiphenyl oxide 2909.30.0700 5.5% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: Brine wells, 5% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Joyce A. Ober [(703) 648–7717, jober@usgs.gov] 
35

BROMINE

Events, Trends, and Issues: Although one of the leading bromine producers in the world, the United States’ 

dominance has decreased as other countries, such as Israel, Japan, and Jordan, strengthened their positions as 

world producers of elemental bromine. During 2012, construction began at a project in Jordan to double capacity to 

200,000 tons per year at the joint-venture bromine operation of a United States bromine company and a Jordanian 

company. Phase one of the project was expected to be completed by yearend. China also is a significant bromine 

producer; environmental restrictions to protect farmland, limits to plant expansions, and shutdowns of unlicensed 

bromine operations have resulted in stable production levels. Companies announced price increases, although they 

did not announce prices, for bromine and bromine compound in 2012, but at a slower pace than the past few years. 

Price increases were influenced by increases in the costs of energy, raw materials, regulatory compliance, and 

transportation.

An official publication from the Government of Jordan listed unexpectedly high bromine production beginning in 2010. 

Discrepancies between reported capacity and production estimates possibly could be the result of double counting of 

bromine production and derivative compounds. The discrepancies remained unexplained.

The leading use of bromine is in flame retardants; however, this use is in decline because of the environmental 

considerations and potential health effects related to specific bromine flame-retardant compounds. In 2010, U.S. 

bromine chemical producers and importers reached an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to 

voluntarily phase out the production, importation, and use of decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca-BDE), a widely used 

flame retardant, in all consumer products by December 2012, and in all products yearend 2013.

The use of bromine to mitigate mercury emissions at powerplants was a growth market for bromine producers. 

Bromine compounds bond with mercury in flue gases from coal-fired powerplants creating mercuric bromide, a 

substance that is more easily captured in flue-gas scrubbers than the mercuric chloride that is produced at many 

facilities. Wide acceptance of the new technology would likely increase demand for bromine, counteracting, at least in 

part, the decline expected from the ban on Deca-BDE.

World Production and Reserves

Production Reserves3

: 

 2011

United States W W 11,000,000

2012e

Azerbaijan 3,500 3,500 300,000

China 150,000 150,000 NA

Germany 1,500 1,900 NA

India 1,500 1,500 NA

Israel 202,000 200,000 NA

Japan 20,000 20,000 NA

Jordan 300,000 200,000 NA

Spain 100 100 1,400,000

Turkmenistan 150 150 700,000

Ukraine 4,100 4,100

World total (rounded) 4

680,000 4580,000 Large

 NA

World Resources: Bromine is found principally in seawater, evaporitic (salt) lakes, and underground brines 

associated with petroleum deposits. In the Middle East, the Dead Sea is estimated to contain 1 billion tons of 

bromine. Seawater contains about 65 parts per million of bromine, or an estimated 100 trillion tons. Bromine is also 

recovered from seawater as a coproduct during evaporation to produce salt.

Substitutes: Chlorine and iodine may be substituted for bromine in a few chemical reactions and for sanitation 

purposes. There are no comparable substitutes for bromine in various oil and gas well completion and packer 

applications that do not harm the permeability of the production zone and that control well “blowouts.” Because 

plastics have a low ignition temperature, alumina, magnesium hydroxide, organic chlorine compounds, and 

phosphorus compounds can be substituted for bromine as fire retardants in some uses. Bromine compounds and 

bromine acting as a synergist are used as fire retardants in plastics, such as those found in electronics.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.

1

Imports calculated from items shown in Tariff section.

2

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 3

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 4

Excludes U.S. production.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
36

CADMIUM

(Data in metric tons of cadmium content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Two companies in the United States produced the majority of refined cadmium in 

2012. One company, operating in Tennessee, recovered primary cadmium as a byproduct of zinc leaching from 

roasted sulfide concentrates. The other company, operating in Pennsylvania, thermally recovered secondary 

cadmium metal from spent nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries and other cadmium-bearing scrap. Cadmium metal and 

compounds are mainly consumed for alloys, coatings, nickel-cadmium batteries, pigments, and plastic stabilizers.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, refinery1 777 633 637 W W 

2012e

Imports for consumption:

 Metal only 153 117 216 201 270

 Metal, alloys, scrap 197 122 221 211 260

Exports:

 Metal only 295 276 40 63 260

 Metal, alloys, scrap 421 661 306 271 730

Consumption of metal, apparent 528 199 477 W W 

Price, metal, annual average,2 dollars per kilogram 5.92 2.87 3.90 2.76 1.98

Stocks, yearend, producer and distributor 132 27 102 W W 

Net import reliance3 as a percentage of

apparent consumption E E E E E 

Recycling: Cadmium is mainly recovered from spent consumer and industrial NiCd batteries. Other waste and scrap 

from which cadmium can be recovered includes copper-cadmium alloy scrap, some complex nonferrous alloy scrap, 

and cadmium-containing dust from electric arc furnaces (EAF). The amount of cadmium recycled was not disclosed.

Import Sources (2008–11): Metal:4 Australia, 24%; Mexico, 19%; Canada, 17%; Germany, 12%; and other, 28%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations5

Cadmium oxide 2825.90.7500 Free.

12–31–12

Cadmium sulfide 2830.90.2000 3.1% ad val.

Pigments and preparations based

on cadmium compounds 3206.49.6010 3.1% ad val.

Unwrought cadmium and powders 8107.20.0000 Free.

Cadmium waste and scrap 8107.30.0000 Free.

Wrought cadmium and other articles 8107.90.0000 4.4% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Global production in 2012 increased compared with that of 2011 owing to a recovery in 

production in Japan following the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which caused several cadmium-producing 

refineries to temporarily close in 2011. Approximately 70% of the world’s primary cadmium metal was produced in 

Asia. Leading producers were China, the Republic of Korea, and Japan.

Cadmium consumption remained flat in 2012 when compared with that of 2011 creating a surplus of metal in the 

market. According to data published by the World Bureau of Metal Statistics, cadmium was primarily consumed in 

China (33%), Belgium (32%), and Japan (12%). Cadmium for NiCd batteries accounted for the majority of global 

consumption. The remainder was distributed as follows, in order of descending consumption: pigments, coatings and 

plating, stabilizers for plastics, nonferrous alloys, and other specialized uses (including photovoltaic devices). The 

percentage of cadmium consumed globally for NiCd battery production has been increasing, while the percentages 

for the other traditional end uses of cadmium—specifically coatings, pigments, and stabilizers—have gradually 

decreased owing to environmental and health concerns. 

Prepared by Amy C. Tolcin [(703) 648–4940, atolcin@usgs.gov]
37

CADMIUM

A significant use for cadmium coatings is in the aerospace industry. Fasteners in landing gear and parachutes are 

commonly coated with cadmium for corrosion resistance. A U.S.-based company recently developed an ultrahighstrength stainless steel for landing gear components that would eliminate the need for cadmium plating. The company 

is currently undertaking the multiyear process of qualifying the steel alloy for commercial use.

In China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced that the production, sale, and use of leadacid batteries with a cadmium content of more than 0.002% would be prohibited by 2014. Lead-acid batteries used to 

power electric bicycles sold in China were reported to contain some cadmium.

World Refinery Production and Reserves: Reserve data were revised, excluding those for China, Germany, and 

Poland, based on new company information and country reports.

 Refinery production Reserves6

 2011

United States W W 32,000

2012e

Australia 390 390 NA

Canada 1,770 1,780 23,000

China 7,000 7,000 92,000

Germany 300 300 — 

India 630 620 35,000

Japan 1,760 2,130 — 

Kazakhstan 1,400 1,400 30,000

Korea, Republic of 4,000 4,100 — 

Mexico 1,480 1,610 47,000

Netherlands 570 540 — 

Peru 572 690 55,000

Poland 450 450 16,000

Russia 700 700 44,000

Other countries 1,190 1,200

World total (rounded) 22,200 23,000 500,000

130,000

World Resources: Cadmium is generally recovered as a byproduct from zinc concentrates. Zinc-to-cadmium ratios in 

typical zinc ores range from 200:1 to 400:1. Sphalerite (ZnS), the most economically significant zinc mineral, 

commonly contains minor amounts of other elements; cadmium, which shares certain similar chemical properties with 

zinc, will often substitute for zinc in the sphalerite crystal lattice. The cadmium mineral greenockite (CdS) is frequently 

associated with weathered sphalerite and wurtzite. Zinc-bearing coals of the Central United States and Carboniferous 

age coals of other countries also contain large subeconomic resources of cadmium.

Substitutes: Lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride batteries are replacing NiCd batteries in some applications. 

However, the higher cost of these substitutes restricts their use in less-expensive products. Except where the surface 

characteristics of a coating are critical (for example, fasteners for aircraft), coatings of zinc or vapor-deposited 

aluminum can be substituted for cadmium in many plating applications. Cerium sulfide is used as a replacement for 

cadmium pigments, mostly in plastics. Barium/zinc or calcium/zinc stabilizers can replace barium/cadmium stabilizers 

in flexible polyvinylchloride applications.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter. NA Not available. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. — Zero. 1

Cadmium metal produced as a byproduct of lead-zinc refining plus metal from recycling. 2

Average New York dealer price for 99.95% purity in 5-short-ton lots. Source: Platts Metals Week. 3

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 4

Imports for consumption of unwrought metal and metal powders (Tariff no. 8107.20.0000).

5

No tariff for Australia, Canada, Mexico, and Peru for items shown.

6

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
38

CEMENT

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: About 71 million tons of portland cement and 2.0 million tons of masonry cement 

were produced in 2012; the output was from 98 plants in 35 States. Cement also was produced at two plants in 

Puerto Rico. Production continued to be very low compared with levels in 2002–07, which exceeded 90 million tons 

per year, and reflected recent plant idlings and closures and idlings of spare kilns at active plants. Although somewhat 

higher than levels in 2009–11, sales volumes in 2012 were still nearly 51 million tons less than the record level in 

2005. The overall value of sales was about $7.5 billion. Most of the cement was used to make concrete, worth at least 

$41 billion. About 70% of cement sales went to ready-mixed concrete producers, 11% to concrete product 

manufacturers, 9% to contractors (mainly road paving), 4% to oil and gas well drillers, and 3% each to building 

materials dealers and other users. Texas, Missouri, California, Michigan, and Florida were, in descending order, the 

five leading cement-producing States and accounted for about one-half of U.S. production.

Salient Statistics—United States:

1 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production:

2012e

 Portland and masonry cement2 86,310 63,929 66,447 67,895 73,000

 Clinker 78,382 56,116 59,802 61,241 66,500

Shipments to final customers, includes exports 97,322 71,489 71,169 73,402 79,100

Imports of hydraulic cement for consumption 10,744 6,211 6,013 5,812 6,200

Imports of clinker for consumption 621 556 613 606 750

Exports of hydraulic cement and clinker 823 884 1,178 1,414 1,800

Consumption, apparent3 96,800 71,500 71,200 72,200 79,100

Price, average mill value, dollars per ton 103.50 99.00 92.00 89.50 95.00

Stocks, cement, yearend 8,360 6,080 6,170 6,270 4,200

Employment, mine and mill, numbere 15,000 13,000 12,000 11,500 10,500

Net import reliance4 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 11 8 8 7 7 

Recycling: Cement kiln dust is routinely recycled to the kilns, which also can burn a variety of waste fuels and 

recycled raw materials such as slags and fly ash. Various secondary materials can be incorporated as supplementary 

cementitious materials in blended cements and in the cement paste in concrete. Cement is not directly recycled, but 

there is significant recycling of concrete for use as aggregate.

Import Sources (2008–11):

5 Canada, 45%; Republic of Korea, 15%; China, 12%; Mexico, 7%; and other, 21%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Cement clinker 2523.10.0000 Free.

12–31–12

White portland cement 2523.21.0000 Free.

Other portland cement 2523.29.0000 Free.

Aluminous cement 2523.30.0000 Free.

Other hydraulic cement 2523.90.0000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: Not applicable. Certain raw materials for cement production have depletion allowances.

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Cement sales improved modestly in 2012 owing to higher spending levels for new 

residential construction and for nonresidential buildings. Except for slightly higher levels of spending for roads, 

spending for public sector construction remained below the already low levels of 2011. High numbers of home 

foreclosures, high levels of unemployment, reduced tax revenues to the States, and tight credit continued to constrain 

spending levels in all construction sectors. Nevertheless, higher cement sales volumes allowed for a significant 

increase in cement imports and in cement production; the latter, however, remained well below capacity output at 

almost all plants. Most multikiln plants continued to operate only one kiln in 2012. One idle plant was formally closed 

in 2011, and at least one other plant that was idle in 2011 was formally closed in 2012. In addition, one plant that was

active in 2011 closed in 2012. No new cement plants opened in 2012. Antidumping remedies were sought by one 

Texas cement producer against cement imports from Greece and the Republic of Korea.

Prepared by Hendrik G. van Oss [(703) 648–7712, hvanoss@usgs.gov]
39

CEMENT

The manufacture of clinker for cement releases a great deal of carbon dioxide. The results of the first mandatory 

reporting survey (2010) of the cement industry’s greenhouse gas emissions were released by the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency in early 2012. Carbon dioxide reduction strategies by the cement industry mainly aim at reducing 

emissions per ton of cement product rather than by a plant overall. Approaches include installation of more fuelefficient kilns, partial substitution of noncarbonate sources of calcium oxide in the kiln raw materials, and partial 

substitution of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM), such as pozzolans, for portland cement in the finished 

cement products and in concrete. Because SCM do not require the energy-intensive clinker manufacturing (kiln) 

phase of cement production, their use, or the use of inert additives or extenders, reduces the unit monetary and 

environmental costs of the cement component of concrete. The ASTM C-595 standard for blended cement was 

amended in 2012 to allow for the addition of up to 15% limestone in some blends. Research continued toward 

developing cements that require less energy to manufacture than portland cement, and (or) that use more benign raw 

materials.

The cement industry was seeking a delay until 2015 in the implementation of the 2010 National Emissions Standards 

for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) protocol for cement plants. The protocol would significantly lower the 

acceptable emissions levels of mercury and certain other pollutants. It was unclear how many plants would be able to 

comply with the new limits; the mercury limits were expected to make it difficult for cement plants to continue to burn 

fly ash as a raw material for clinker manufacture.

World Production and Capacity:

 Cement production Clinker capacitye

 2011 2012e 2011 2012

United States (includes Puerto Rico) 68,600 74,000 6106,000 6105,000

Brazil 64,100 70,000 56,000 57,000

China 2,100,000 2,150,000 1,700,000 1,750,000

Egypt 44,000 44,000 46,000 46,000

Germany 33,500 34,000 31,000 31,000

India 240,000 250,000 250,000 250,000

Indonesia 30,000 31,000 45,000 46,000

Iran 61,000 65,000 70,000 75,000

Italy 33,100 32,000 46,000 46,000

Japan 51,300 52,000 55,000 55,000

Korea, Republic of 48,300 49,000 50,000 50,000

Mexico 35,400 36,000 42,000 42,000

Pakistan 32,000 32,000 42,000 42,000

Russia 55,600 60,000 75,000 80,000

Saudi Arabia 48,400 43,000 55,000 55,000

Spain 22,200 20,000 42,000 41,000

Thailand 36,700 33,000 48,000 50,000

Turkey 63,400 60,000 65,000 66,000

Vietnam 59,000 65,000 65,000 68,000

Other countries (rounded) 470,000 500,000 440,000 450,000

World total (rounded) 3,600,000 3,700,000 3,300,000 3,400,000

World Resources: Although individual plant reserves are subject to exhaustion, cement raw materials, especially 

limestone, are geologically widespread and abundant, and overall shortages are unlikely in the future.

Substitutes: Most portland cement is used either in making concrete or mortars and, as such, competes in the 

construction sector with concrete substitutes, such as aluminum, asphalt, clay brick, rammed earth, fiberglass, glass, 

steel, stone, and wood. A number of materials, especially fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag, develop 

good hydraulic cementitious properties by reacting with the lime released by the hydration of portland cement. Where 

not constrained in supply, these SCM are increasingly being used as partial substitutes for portland cement in many 

concrete applications.

e

Estimated.

1

Portland plus masonry cement unless otherwise noted; excludes Puerto Rico. 2

Includes cement made from imported clinker.

3

Production of cement (including from imported clinker) + imports (excluding clinker) – exports + adjustments for stock changes. 4

Defined as imports (cement and clinker) – exports. 5

Hydraulic cement and clinker.

6

Capacity includes nearly 3 million tons at plants classified as being in indefinite idle status rather than closed.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
40

CESIUM

(Data in kilograms of cesium content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: The United States is 100% import reliant on the principal cesium mineral, pollucite; 

however, occurrences of pollucite are known in pegmatites in Maine and South Dakota. Pollucite occurs in zoned 

pegmatites worldwide, associated with lepidolite, petalite, and spodumene, with the largest known deposit at Bernic 

Lake, Manitoba, Canada. Canada is the leading producer and supplier of pollucite concentrate, which is imported for 

processing by one company in the United States. The principal end use of cesium is in formate brines, a high-density, 

low-viscosity fluid used for high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT) oil and gas drilling and exploration. Other 

significant end uses of cesium are in biomedical, chemical, and electronic applications, as well as in research. 

Cesium nitrate is used as a colorant and oxidizer in the pyrotechnic industry, in petroleum cracking, in scintillation 

counters, and in x-ray phosphors.

Cesium is used as an atomic resonance frequency standard in atomic clocks, playing a vital role in global positioning 

satellites, Internet, and cellular telephone transmissions and aircraft guidance systems. Cesium clocks monitor the 

cycles of microwave radiation emitted by cesium’s electrons and use these cycles as a time reference. Owing to the 

high accuracy of the cesium atomic clock, the international definition of a second is based on the cesium atom. The 

U.S. primary time and frequency standard is based on a cesium fountain clock at the National Institute of Standards 

and Technology in Boulder, CO.

Reactor-produced cesium-131 and cesium-137 are used primarily to treat cancer. Both have been used in 

brachytherapy, where the radioactive source is placed within the cancerous area. With a shorter half-life and higher 

energy, cesium-131 is used as an alternative to iodine-125 and palladium-103 in the treatment of prostate cancer. 

Cesium-137 also is widely used in industrial gauges, in mining and geophysical instruments, and for sterilization of 

food, sewage, and surgical equipment. Cesium can be used in ferrous and nonferrous metallurgy to remove gases 

and other impurities, as well as being a “getting” agent in vacuum tubes.

Salient Statistics—United States: Consumption, import, and export data for cesium have not been available since 

the late 1980s. Because cesium metal is not traded in commercial quantities, a market price is unavailable. Only a

few thousand kilograms of cesium are consumed in the United States every year. In 2012, one company offered 1-

gram ampoules of 99.8% (metal basis) cesium for $55.50 each and 99.98% (metal basis) cesium for $68.20, an 

increase of 3.5% from that of 2011 for both products. The price for 50 grams of 99.8% (metals basis) cesium was 

$684.00, and 100 grams of 99.98% (metal basis) cesium was priced at $1,876.00, an increase of 3.5% from that of 

2011 for both products.

Recycling: Cesium formate brines are typically rented by oil and gas exploration clients. After completion of the well, 

the used cesium formate is returned and reprocessed for subsequent drilling operations. Approximately 85% of the 

cesium formate can be retrieved and recycled for further use. There is no data available on the amount used or 

recovered.

Import Sources (2008–11): Canada is the chief source of pollucite concentrate imported by the United States.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Alkali metals, other 2805.19.9000 5.5% ad val.

12–31–12

Chlorides, other 2827.39.9000 3.7% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Christopher A. Tuck [(703) 648–4912, ctuck@usgs.gov]
41

CESIUM

Events, Trends, and Issues: Domestic cesium occurrences will remain uneconomic unless market conditions 

change, such as the discovery of new end uses or increased consumption for existing end uses. Commercially useful 

quantities of inexpensive cesium are available as a byproduct of the production of lithium. Increases in lithium 

exploration may yield discoveries of additional cesium resources, which may lead to expanded commercial 

applications. No known human health issues are associated with naturally occurring cesium, and its use has minimal 

environmental impact. Radioactive isotopes of cesium have been known to cause adverse health effects.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has indicated that cesium-137 is one of several radioactive materials that 

may be used in radiological dispersion devices or “dirty bombs.” Cesium-137 is regulated in the United States by the 

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The NRC monitors 

devices containing cesium-137 and requires users to obtain specific licenses for these devices. The EPA places a 

maximum allowance of cesium-137 that can be released into the air by nuclear facilities and requires the cleanup of 

contaminated soil and groundwater. The NRC agreed to encourage research into finding and implementing 

alternatives but concluded that a near-term replacement was not practical and would be detrimental to current 

emergency medical capabilities.

Health officials in Japan have been monitoring radioactive cesium levels for food safety associated with the 2011 

Fukushima nuclear disaster. Between April 1 and September 19, 2012, approximately 12% of the meat and produce 

inspected by local health ministry officials was found to exceed cesium levels designated as safe for human 

consumption. Of the contaminated food items, about one-half originated from the Fukushima Prefecture and were 

banned from shipment until the radiation levels drop to within normal limits. In September, independent researchers 

reported that cesium-137 and cesium-135 particles had been identified throughout the Northern Hemisphere as a 

result of the migration of radioactive materials from the Fukushima-Daiichi site through global wind currents. 

World Mine Production and Reserves: Pollucite, mainly formed in association with lithium-rich, lepidolite-bearing or 

petalite-bearing zoned granite pegmatites, is the principal cesium ore mineral. Cesium reserves are therefore 

estimated based on the occurrence of pollucite, which is mined as a byproduct of the lithium mineral lepidolite. Most

pollucite contains 5% to 32% Cs2O. Data on cesium resources and mine production are either limited or not available. 

The main pollucite zone at Bernic Lake in Canada contains approximately 390,000 tons of pollucite, with an average 

Cs2O content of 24%, and a secondary zone of approximately 100,000 tons of pollucite contains an average of 5% 

Cs2O. Sites near Lake Ontario have identified cesium resources; plans for estimation and production are scheduled to 

begin spring of 2013. Zimbabwe currently produces cesium in small quantities as a byproduct of lithium operations. 

Reserve data were altered to reflect changes in estimates based on information from National Resources Canada.

 Reserves1

Canada 99,000,000

Zimbabwe 64,000,000

Other countries

World total (rounded) 163,000,000

 NA

World Resources: World resources of cesium have not been estimated. Cesium is associated with lithium-bearing 

pegmatites worldwide, and cesium resources have been identified in the United States, Canada, Namibia, and 

Zimbabwe. Lower concentrations are also known in brines in Chile and China and in geothermal systems in 

Germany, India, and Tibet.

Substitutes: Cesium and rubidium can be used interchangeably in many applications because they have similar 

physical properties and atomic radii. Cesium, however, is more electropositive than rubidium, making it a preferred 

material for some applications.

NA Not available.

1

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
42

CHROMIUM

(Data in thousand metric tons gross weight unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: In 2012, the United States was expected to consume about 6% of world chromite 

ore production in various forms of imported materials, such as chromite ore, chromium chemicals, chromium 

ferroalloys, chromium metal, and stainless steel. One U.S. company mined chromite ore in Oregon from which it 

produced foundry sand. Imported chromite ore was consumed by one chemical firm to produce chromium chemicals. 

One company produced chromium metal. Stainless- and heat-resisting-steel producers were the leading consumers 

of ferrochromium. Superalloys require chromium. The value of chromium material consumption in 2011 was $1,010

million as measured by the value of net imports, excluding stainless steel, and was expected to be about $1,100 

million in 2012. 

Salient Statistics—United States:

1 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production:

2012e

 Mine — — — — NA

 Recycling2 146 141 144 147 150 

Imports for consumption 559 273 499 531 560

Exports 287 280 274 232 210

Government stockpile releases 11 25 15 4 4 

Consumption:

 Reported (includes recycling) 401 369 396 401 400

 Apparent3 (includes recycling) 432 160 384 451 490

Unit value, average annual import (dollars per metric ton):

 Chromite ore (gross weight) 227 227 212 355 435

 Ferrochromium (chromium content) 3,728 2,085 2,564 2,603 2,420

 Chromium metal (gross weight) 11,078 9,896 11,322 14,090 13,981

Stocks, yearend, held by U.S. consumers 7 7 7 6 6 

Net import reliance4 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 66 12 62 67 70

Recycling: In 2012, recycled chromium (contained in reported stainless steel scrap receipts) accounted for 30% of 

apparent consumption.

Import Sources (2008–11): Chromium contained in chromite ore, chromium ferroalloys and metal, and stainless 

steel mill products and scrap: South Africa, 34%; Kazakhstan, 17%; Russia, 10%; Mexico, 5%; and other, 34%.

Tariff:

5

 Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Ore and concentrate 2610.00.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Ferrochromium:

Carbon more than 4% 7202.41.0000 1.9% ad val.

Carbon more than 3% 7202.49.1000 1.9% ad val.

Other:

 Carbon more than 0.5% 7202.49.5010 3.1% ad val.

 Other 7202.49.5090 3.1% ad val.

Ferrochromium silicon 7202.50.0000 10% ad val.

Chromium metal:

Unwrought, powder 8112.21.0000 3% ad val.

Waste and scrap 8112.22.0000 Free.

Other 8112.29.0000 3% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: In fiscal year (FY) 2012, which ended on September 30, 2012, the Defense Logistics 

Agency, DLA Strategic Materials reported disposals of 190 tons of high-carbon ferrochromium, 4,268 tons of lowcarbon ferrochromium, and 146 tons of chromium metal. Disposals in the following table are estimated as the change 

in DLA Strategic Materials’ reported current year minus previous year physical inventory, with adjustments for 

accounting changes when appropriate. Metallurgical-grade chromite ore and ferrochromium silicon stocks were 

exhausted in FY 2002; chemical- and refractory-grade chromite ore stocks were exhausted in FY 2004. The DLA 

Strategic Materials announced that maximum disposal limits for FY 2013 were 59,152 tons of ferrochromium and 454

tons of chromium metal.

Prepared by John F. Papp [(703) 648–4963, jpapp@usgs.gov] 
43

CHROMIUM

Stockpile Status—9–30–126

 Average

 Uncommitted Authorized Disposal plan Disposals chromium

Material inventory for disposal FY 2012 FY 2012 content

Ferrochromium:

High-carbon 95.2 — 7

90.7 — 71.4%

Low-carbon 50.8 — (

7

) 4.27 71.4%

Chromium metal 4.09 — 0.454 0.146 100%

Events, Trends, and Issues: The chromium market was characterized as slow with escalating production cost and 

dismal demand while ferrochromium prices drifted downward for several months. Ferrochromium producers reduced 

production and closed furnaces. Several ferrochromium plants, or interest in plants, were made available in Albania, 

Russia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Nationalism in South Africa, India, and Turkey led to control of chromite ore 

exports, interest in export control, and raised the specter of nationalization yet again in South Africa, where labor 

relations have deteriorated. Eskom, the South African state electrical power agency, has been buying back electrical 

power in South Africa, which appears to mean that it has insufficient power for both the ferrochromium industry sector 

and other sectors. Transnet, South Africa’s domestic transportation system, advanced plans to expand its rail, port, 

and transport infrastructure that should secure the transportation and export of chromite ore and ferrochromium. 

Chromite ore producers sought to export their ore, primarily to China, while the Governments of India, South Africa, 

and Zimbabwe preferred to process their ore domestically. Analysts predicted a 20% increase in the U.S. 

ferrochromium price in 2013 based on production cutbacks in South Africa and rising ferrochromium prices in Asia 

and Europe. The Defense Logistics Agency resumed the sale of ferrochromium in October 2012 after a 16-month 

hiatus. 

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production8 Reserves9

:

 2011 2012e

United States — NA 620

(shipping grade)10

India 3,850 3,800 54,000

Kazakhstan 3,800 3,800 210,000

South Africa 10,200 11,000 200,000

Other countries 5,450 5,300

World total (rounded) 23,300 24,000 >460,000

 NA

World Resources: World resources are greater than 12 billion tons of shipping-grade chromite, sufficient to meet 

conceivable demand for centuries. About 95% of the world’s chromium resources is geographically concentrated in 

Kazakhstan and southern Africa; U.S. chromium resources are mostly in the Stillwater Complex in Montana.

Substitutes: Chromium has no substitute in stainless steel, the leading end use, or in superalloys, the major strategic 

end use. Chromium-containing scrap can substitute for ferrochromium in some metallurgical uses.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. — Zero. 1

Data in thousand metric tons of contained chromium unless otherwise noted.

2

Recycling production is based on reported stainless steel scrap receipts.

3

Calculated consumption of chromium; equal to production (from mines and recycling) + imports – exports + stock adjustments. 4

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 5

In addition to the tariff items listed, certain imported chromium materials (see 26 U.S.C. sec. 4661, 4662, and 4672) are subject to excise tax.

6

See Appendix B for definitions.

7

Disposal plan for ferrochromium without distinction between high-carbon and low-carbon ferrochromium; total included in high-carbon. 8

Mine production units are thousand metric tons, gross weight, of marketable chromite ore. 9

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 10Reserves units are thousand metric tons of shipping-grade chromite ore, which is deposit quantity and grade normalized to 45% Cr2O3. 

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
44

CLAYS

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: In 2012, clay and shale production was reported in 40 States. About 180 companies 

operated approximately 750 clay pits or quarries. The leading 20 firms supplied about 55% of the tonnage and 85% of 

the value for all types of clay sold or used in the United States. In 2012, sales or use was estimated to be 25.7 million 

tons valued at $1.57 billion. Uses for specific clays were estimated to be as follows: ball clay—38% floor and wall tile, 

20% sanitaryware, and 42% other uses; bentonite—30% drilling mud, 27% absorbents, 14% iron ore pelletizing, 16% 

foundry sand bond, and 13% other uses; common clay—46% brick, 24% lightweight aggregate, 20% cement, and 

10% other uses; fire clay—57% heavy clay products, 43% refractory products and other uses; fuller’s earth—75% 

absorbent uses and 25% other uses; and kaolin—50% paper and 50% other uses.

Salient Statistics—United States:

1 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production (sold or used): 

2012e

 Ball clay 967 831 912 886 900

 Bentonite 4,910 3,650 4,630 4,810 4,800

 Common clay 17,500 12,500 12,100 11,700 11,900

 Fire clay 296 320 216 215 230

 Fuller’s earth2 2,340 2,010 2,040 1,950 2,000

 Kaolin 6,740 5,290 5,420 5,770

 Total2, 3 32,700 24,500 25,400 25,300 25,700 

 5,900

Imports for consumption:

 Artificially activated clay and earth 30 27 19 18 20

 Kaolin 194 281 239 550 540

 Other 13 17 26 33

 Total3 237 325 284 601 660

100

Exports:

 Ball clay 65 35 45 49 70

 Bentonite 1,090 709 953 1,020 1,000 

 Fire clay4 393 328 404 371 280

 Fuller’s earth 127 90 100 105 95

 Kaolin 2,960 2,290 2,470 2,490 2,570

 Clays, not elsewhere classified 466 374 383 565

 Total3 5,100 3,830 4,360 4,600 4,600

 590

Consumption, apparent 27,800 21,000 21,300 21,300 21,700

Price, average, dollars per ton:

 Ball clay 46 45 45 46 47

 Bentonite 49 57 56 68 68

 Common clay 12 12 12 12 12

 Fire clay 40 38 28 29 30

 Fuller’s earth 98 102 98 100 102

 Kaolin 134 135 145 142 145

Employment, number:

 Mine 1,060 875 828 810 900

 Mill 5,020 4,540 4,400 4,200 4,300

Net import reliance5 as a percentage of

apparent consumption E E E E E 

Recycling: Insignificant.

Import Sources (2008–11): Brazil, 80%; Mexico, 5%; Canada, 4%; United Kingdom, 2%; and other, 9%.

Prepared by Robert L. Virta [(703) 648–7726, rvirta@usgs.gov]
45

CLAYS

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Kaolin and other kaolinitic clays,

12–31–12

whether or not calcined 2507.00.0000 Free.

Bentonite 2508.10.0000 Free.

Fire clay 2508.30.0000 Free.

Common blue clay and other ball clays 2508.40.0110 Free.

Decolorizing and fuller’s earths 2508.40.0120 Free.

Other clays 2508.40.0150 Free.

Chamotte or dina’s earth 2508.70.0000 Free.

Activated clays and earths 3802.90.2000 2.5% ad val.

Expanded clays and other mixtures 6806.20.0000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: Ball clay, bentonite, fire clay, fuller’s earth, and kaolin, 14% (Domestic and foreign); clay used 

in the manufacture of common brick, lightweight aggregate, and sewer pipe, 7.5% (Domestic and foreign); clay used 

in the manufacture of drain and roofing tile, flower pots, and kindred products, 5% (Domestic and foreign); clay from 

which alumina and aluminum compounds are extracted, 22% (Domestic); and ball clay, bentonite, china clay, sagger 

clay, and clay used or sold for use dependent on its refractory properties, 14% (Domestic).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Increased commercial and residential housing construction is likely to result in slightly 

increased sales of common clay and fire clay for heavy clay products and ball clay for ceramic tile and sanitaryware 

manufacture. Bentonite sales may increase for foundry sand bond, although sales for drilling mud and pet litter were 

expected to decline. Fuller’s earth could see slight gains as sales increase for agriculture and fluid purification 

applications. Kaolin production is likely to increase slightly as ceramic markets increase and paper markets stabilize.

World Mine Production and Reserves:

6 Reserves are large in many countries, but additional data are not available.

 Mine production

 Bentonite Fuller’s earth Kaolin

 2011 2012e 2011 2012e 2011

United States (sales) 4,810 4,800 2

1,950 22,000 5,770 5,900 

2012e

Brazil (beneficiated) 532 540 — — 2,200 2,250

Czech Republic (crude) 160 180 — — 3,610 3,600 

Germany (sales) 350 350 — — 4,900 4,500

Greece (crude) 850 900 — — — — 

Italy 110 110 3 3 640 640 

Mexico 54 54 107 100 120 120

Spain 155 160 820 820 49 50

Turkey 1,000 1,000 — — 700 1,000

Ukraine (crude) 185 210 — — 1,100 1,300 

United Kingdom (sales) — — — — 900 900 

Uzbekistan (crude) — — — — 5,500 5,500 

Other countries 2,100 2,000 330 300 8,410

 World total (rounded) 10,300 10,000 2

3,210 23,200 33,900 34,000

 8,300

World Resources: Resources of all clays are extremely large.

Substitutes: Clays compete with calcium carbonate in filler and extender applications; diatomite, organic litters, 

polymers, silica gel, and zeolites in absorbent applications; and various siding types in building construction.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter. — Zero. 1

Excludes Puerto Rico. 2

Excludes attapulgite.

3

Data may not add to totals shown because of independent rounding. 4

Also includes refractory-grade kaolin. 5

Defined as imports – exports. 6

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
46

COBALT

(Data in metric tons of cobalt content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Significant U.S. cobalt mine production has not been reported since 1971, and 

production of refined cobalt from imported nickel-copper-cobalt matte ceased in 1985. U.S. supply comprised imports, 

stock releases, and secondary (scrap) materials. The sole U.S. producer of extra-fine cobalt powder, in Pennsylvania, 

used cemented carbide scrap as feed. Seven companies were known to produce cobalt compounds. About 51% of 

the cobalt consumed in the United States was used in superalloys, mainly in aircraft gas turbine engines; 8% in 

cemented carbides for cutting and wear-resistant applications; 16% in various other metallic applications; and 25% in 

a variety of chemical applications. The total estimated value of cobalt consumed in 2012 was $275 million.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production:

2012e

 Mine — — — — — 

 Secondary 1,930 1,790 2,000 2,210 2,100

Imports for consumption 10,700 7,680 11,100 10,600 11,000

Exports 2,850 2,440 2,640 3,390 3,700

Shipments from Government stockpile excesses1 203 180 -8 — — 

Consumption:

 Reported (includes secondary) 8,820 7,470 8,030 9,100 8,400

 Apparent2 (includes secondary) 10,100 7,580 10,300 9,230 9,400

Price, average, dollars per pound:

 Spot, cathode3 39.01 17.86 20.85 17.99 14.00

 London Metal Exchange (LME), cash XX XX XX 16.01 13.50

Stocks, yearend: 

 Industry 1,160 780 880 1,040 990

 LME, U.S. warehouse XX XX 23 43 50

Net import reliance4 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 81 76 81 76 78

Recycling: In 2012, cobalt contained in purchased scrap represented an estimated 25% of cobalt reported 

consumption.

Import Sources (2008–11): Cobalt contained in metal, oxide, and salts: China, 20%; Norway, 14%; Russia, 12%; 

Finland, 10%; and other, 44%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations5

Cobalt ores and concentrates 2605.00.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Chemical compounds:

 Cobalt oxides and hydroxides 2822.00.0000 0.1% ad val.

 Cobalt chlorides 2827.39.6000 4.2% ad val.

 Cobalt sulfates 2833.29.1000 1.4% ad val.

 Cobalt carbonates 2836.99.1000 4.2% ad val.

 Cobalt acetates 2915.29.3000 4.2% ad val.

Unwrought cobalt, alloys 8105.20.3000 4.4% ad val.

Unwrought cobalt, other 8105.20.6000 Free.

Cobalt mattes and other intermediate

products; cobalt powders 8105.20.9000 Free.

Cobalt waste and scrap 8105.30.0000 Free.

Wrought cobalt and cobalt articles 8105.90.0000 3.7% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile:

Stockpile Status—9–30–126

Uncommitted Authorized Disposal plan Disposals

Material inventory for disposal FY 2012 FY 2012

Cobalt 301 301 301 — 

Prepared by Kim B. Shedd [(703) 648–4974, kshedd@usgs.gov]
47

COBALT

Events, Trends, and Issues: In recent years, global cobalt production has been higher than consumption, resulting 

in a market surplus and downward pressure on prices. This trend is expected to continue in the near-term as 

production from new projects and expansions to existing operations adds to supply. China was the world’s leading 

producer of refined cobalt, and much of its production was from cobalt-rich ore and partially refined cobalt imported 

from Congo (Kinshasa). In recent years, significant stocks of cobalt feed have accumulated in China. China is a 

leading supplier of cobalt imports to the United States.

During the first 6 months of 2012, world availability of refined cobalt (as measured by production and U.S. 

Government shipments) was 8% lower than that of the same period in 2011. China showed the largest decrease in 

production, which was attributed to a reduction in global demand for cobalt. 

Worldwide cobalt inventories in London Metal Exchange (LME) warehouses increased to approximately 430 tons in

early November 2012 from 304 tons at yearend 2011.

World Mine Production and Reserves: Reserves for Australia and Brazil were revised based on information from 

Government reports. Reserves for Canada and “Other countries” were revised based on company reports.

 Mine production Reserves7

 2011

United States — — 33,000

2012e

Australia 3,900 4,500 81,200,000

Brazil 3,500 3,700 89,000

Canada 7,100 6,700 140,000

China 6,800 7,000 80,000

Congo (Kinshasa) 60,000 60,000 3,400,000

Cuba 4,000 3,700 500,000

Morocco 2,200 1,800 20,000

New Caledonia9 3,200 3,500 370,000

Russia 6,300 6,200 250,000

Zambia 5,400 3,000 270,000

Other countries 6,700 9,000

World total (rounded) 109,000 110,000 7,500,000

1,100,000

World Resources: Identified cobalt resources of the United States are estimated to be about 1 million tons. Most of 

these resources are in Minnesota, but other important occurrences are in Alaska, California, Idaho, Missouri, 

Montana, and Oregon. With the exception of resources in Idaho and Missouri, any future cobalt production from these 

deposits would be as a byproduct of another metal. Identified world cobalt resources are about 15 million tons. The 

vast majority of these resources are in nickel-bearing laterite deposits, with most of the rest occurring in nickel-copper 

sulfide deposits hosted in mafic and ultramafic rocks in Australia, Canada, and Russia, and in the sedimentary copper 

deposits of Congo (Kinshasa) and Zambia. In addition, as much as 1 billion tons of hypothetical and speculative 

cobalt resources may exist in manganese nodules and crusts on the ocean floor.

Substitutes: In some applications, substitution for cobalt would result in a loss in product performance. Potential 

substitutes include barium or strontium ferrites, neodymium-iron-boron, or nickel-iron alloys in magnets; cerium, iron, 

lead, manganese, or vanadium in paints; cobalt-iron-copper or iron-copper in diamond tools; copper-iron-manganese

for curing unsaturated polyester resins; iron-cobalt-nickel, nickel, cermets, or ceramics in cutting and wear-resistant 

materials; iron-phosphorous, manganese, nickel-cobalt-aluminum, or nickel-cobalt-manganese in lithium-ion batteries; 

nickel-based alloys or ceramics in jet engines; nickel in petroleum catalysts; and rhodium in hydroformylation 

catalysts.

e

Estimated. XX Not applicable. — Zero. 1

Negative numbers are the result of inventory adjustments.

2

The sum of U.S. net import reliance and secondary production, as estimated from consumption of purchased scrap.

3

As reported by Platts Metals Week.

4

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 5

Tariffs for certain countries and items may be eliminated under special trade agreements. 6

See Appendix B for definitions.

7

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 

8

For Australia, Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC)-compliant reserves were about 420,000 tons. 9

Overseas territory of France.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
48

COPPER

(Data in thousand metric tons of copper content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: U.S. mine production of copper in 2012 increased by 4% to about 1.15 million tons, 

and was valued at about $9 billion. Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, and Montana—in descending order of 

production—accounted for more than 99% of domestic mine production; copper also was recovered in Alaska, Idaho, 

and Missouri. Twenty-eight mines recovered copper, 18 of which accounted for about 99% of production. Three 

primary smelters, 3 electrolytic and 4 fire refineries, and 15 electrowinning facilities operated during 2012. Refined 

copper and scrap were used at about 30 brass mills, 15 rod mills, and 500 foundries and miscellaneous consumers. 

Copper and copper alloys products were used in building construction, 45%; electric and electronic products, 23%; 

transportation equipment, 12%; consumer and general products, 12%; and industrial machinery and equipment, 8%.1

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production:

2012e

 Mine 1,310 1,180 1,110 1,110 1,150

 Refinery:

 Primary 1,220 1,110 1,060 993 975

 Secondary 54 46 38 37 60

Copper from all old scrap 156 138 143 153 170

Imports for consumption:

 Ores and concentrates 1 (2

) 1 15 9 

 Refined 724 664 605 670 600

General imports, refined 721 645 583 649 600

Exports:

 Ores and concentrates 301 151 137 252 290

 Refined 37 81 78 40 180

Consumption:

 Reported, refined 2,020 1,650 1,760 1,760 1780

 Apparent, unmanufactured3 1,990 1,580 1,740 1,730 1770

Price, average, cents per pound:

 Domestic producer, cathode 319.2 241.2 348.3 405.9 370

 London Metal Exchange, high-grade 315.5 233.6 341.7 399.8 363

Stocks, yearend, refined, held by U.S.

producers, consumers, and metal exchanges 199 434 384 409 200

Employment, mine and mill, thousands 11.9 8.3 9.5 10.6 11.1

Net import reliance4 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 31 21 32 34 35

Recycling: Old scrap, converted to refined metal and alloys, provided 170,000 tons of copper, equivalent to 10% of 

apparent consumption. Purchased new scrap, derived from fabricating operations, yielded 650,000 tons of contained 

copper. Of the total copper recovered from scrap (including aluminum- and nickel-based scrap), brass mills recovered 

71%; miscellaneous manufacturers, foundries, and chemical plants, 15%; ingot makers, 9%; and copper smelters and 

refiners, 5%. Copper in all old and new, refined or remelted scrap contributed about 33% of the U.S. copper supply.

Import Sources (2008–11): Unmanufactured: Chile, 43%; Canada, 32%; Peru, 12%; Mexico, 9%; and other, 4%.

Refined copper accounted for 84% of unwrought copper imports.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations5

Copper ores and concentrates 2603.00.0000 1.7¢/kg on lead content.

12–31–12

Unrefined copper anode 7402.00.0000 Free.

Refined and alloys; unwrought 7403.00.0000 1.0% ad val.

Copper wire (rod) 7408.11.6000 3.0% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 15% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Although refined copper prices remained volatile during the first 10 months of 2012, 

they traded within a narrower range than in recent years. The COMEX spot copper price began 2012 at $3.53 per 

pound of copper, rose to $3.92 per pound in April, and declined to a low of $3.28 per pound in June before trending 

back to $3.85 per pound in September. The copper supply and demand balance remained tight, in part owing to an 

Prepared by Daniel L. Edelstein [(703) 648–4978, dedelste@usgs.gov] 
49

COPPER

80% year-on-year increase in China’s net imports in the first half of 2012, well in excess of industrial demand. U.S. 

exports of refined copper through June were nearly four times those for all of 2011, and domestic stocks declined to 

about one-half those at yearend 2011. The International Copper Study Group (ICSG)6 projected that global refined 

copper demand in 2012 would exceed production by about 400,000 tons, the third consecutive year of production 

deficit. Global consumption and production of copper were projected to increase by 1.5% and 2.6%, respectively. 

U.S. mine production rose by about 4% in 2011, as increases in Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada, were partially 

offset by lower production in Utah. Although total refined production remained unchanged, electrolytic refinery 

production declined by 9% owing to maintenance shutdowns at the three integrated domestic smelters. In June, a 

new integrated fire refinery and wire-rod mill were commissioned that were expected to increase domestic production 

of and consumption of fire-refined copper. In 2013, domestic mine and refined production of copper were expected to 

increase by more than 10%, and according to ICSG projections, global refined copper output was expected to exceed 

demand owing to more modest demand growth in China and a 6% growth in global refined production.

World Mine Production and Reserves: The reserve estimate for Peru was revised downward to reflect official 

reported numbers.

 Mine production Reserves7

 2011

United States 1,110 1,150 39,000

2012e

Australia 958 970 886,000

Canada 566 530 10,000

Chile 5,260 5,370 190,000

China 1,310 1,500 30,000

Congo (Kinshasa) 520 580 20,000

Indonesia 543 430 28,000

Kazakhstan 417 420 7,000

Mexico 443 500 38,000

Peru 1,240 1,240 76,000

Poland 427 430 26,000

Russia 713 720 30,000

Zambia 668 675 20,000

Other countries 1,970 2,100

 World total (rounded) 16,100 17,000 680,000

 80,000

World Resources: A 1998 USGS assessment estimated 550 million tons of copper contained in identified and 

undiscovered resources in the United States.9 Subsequent USGS reports estimated 1.3 billion tons and 196 million 

tons of copper in the Andes Mountains of South America and in Mexico, respectively, contained in identified, mined, 

and undiscovered resources.10, 11A preliminary assessment indicates that global land-based resources exceed 3 

billion tons. Deep-sea nodules and submarine massive sulfides are unconventional copper resources.

Substitutes: Aluminum substitutes for copper in power cable, electrical equipment, automobile radiators, and cooling 

and refrigeration tube; titanium and steel are used in heat exchangers; optical fiber substitutes for copper in 

telecommunications applications; and plastics substitute for copper in water pipe, drain pipe, and plumbing fixtures.

e

Estimated.

1

Some electrical components are included in each end use. Distribution for 2010 by the Copper Development Association, Inc., 2011. 2

Less than 1⁄2 unit.

3

Defined as primary refined production + copper from old scrap converted to refined metal and alloys + refined imports – refined exports ± changes 

in refined stocks. General imports were used to calculate apparent consumption.

4

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes for refined copper. 5

No tariff for Canada, Chile, Mexico, and Peru for items shown. Tariffs for other countries may be eliminated under special trade agreements. 6

International Copper Study Group, 2012, Forecast 2012–2013: Lisbon, Portugal, International Copper Study Group press release, October 10, 1 p. 7

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 8 For Australia, Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC)-compliant reserves were about 25 million tons. 9

U.S. Geological Survey National Mineral Resource Assessment Team, 2000, 1998 assessment of undiscovered deposits of gold, silver, copper, 

lead, and zinc in the United States: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1178, 21 p.

10Cunningham, C.G., and others, 2008, Quantitative mineral resource assessment of copper, molybdenum, gold, and silver in undiscovered 

porphyry copper deposits in the Andes Mountains of South America: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008–1253, 282 p. 11Hammarstrom, J.M., and others, 2010, Global mineral resource assessment—Porphyry copper assessment of Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey 

Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5090–A, 176 p.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
50

DIAMOND (INDUSTRIAL)

(Data in million carats unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: In 2012, total domestic production of industrial diamond was estimated to be 104 

million carats, and the United States was one of the world’s leading markets. Domestic output was synthetic grit, 

powder, and stone. Two firms, one in Pennsylvania and another in Ohio, accounted for all of the production. Nine 

firms produced polycrystalline diamond from diamond powder. Three companies recovered used industrial diamond 

as one of their principal operations. Total domestic secondary production of industrial diamond was estimated to be 

37 million carats. The following industry sectors were the major consumers of industrial diamond: computer chip 

production, construction, machinery manufacturing, mining services (drilling for mineral, oil, and gas exploration), 

stone cutting and polishing, and transportation systems (infrastructure and vehicles). Stone cutting and highway 

building, milling, and repair consumed most of the industrial diamond stone. About 97% of the U.S. industrial diamond 

market now uses synthetic industrial diamond because its quality can be controlled and its properties can be 

customized to fit specific requirements.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Bort, grit, and dust and powder; natural and synthetic:

2012e

 Production:

 Manufactured diamonde 48.3 38.3 39.3 41.5 44

 Secondary 33.9 33.5 33.4 34.7 37

 Imports for consumption 492 246 596 726 630

 Exports1 116 67 113 148 160

 Consumption, apparent 458 251 556 654 550

 Price, value of imports, dollars per carat 0.15 0.17 0.14 0.13 0.13

 Net import reliance2 as a percentage of

 apparent consumption 82 71 87 88 85

Stones, natural and synthetic:

 Production:

 Manufactured diamonde 83.1 52.7 53.7 56.7 60

 Secondary 0.36 0.46 0.46 0.31 0.33

 Imports for consumption3 3.22 1.4 1.72 2.46 2.8

 Exports1 — — — — — 

 Sales from Government stockpile excesses 0.47 — — — — 

 Consumption, apparent 87.1 54.6 55.9 59.4 63

 Price, value of imports, dollars per carat 12.89 13.31 18.78 19.67 12.90

 Net import reliance2 as a percentage of

 apparent consumption 4 3 3 4 4 

Recycling: In 2012, the amount of diamond bort, grit, and dust and powder recycled was estimated to be 37 million 

carats. Lower prices of newly produced industrial diamond appear to be reducing the number and scale of diamond 

stone recycling operations. In 2012, it was estimated that 330,000 carats of diamond stone was recycled.

Import Sources (2008–11): Bort, grit, and dust and powder; natural and synthetic: China, 77%; Ireland, 12%; 

Republic of Korea, 4%; Russia, 3%; and other, 4%. Stones, primarily natural: Botswana, 45%; South Africa, 22%; 

India, 11%; Namibia, 8%; and other, 14%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Industrial Miners’ diamonds, carbonados 7102.21.1010 Free.

12–31–12

Industrial Miners’ diamonds, other 7102.21.1020 Free.

Industrial diamonds, simply sawn,

cleaved, or bruted 7102.21.3000 Free.

Industrial diamonds, not worked 7102.21.4000 Free.

Industrial diamonds, other 7102.29.0000 Free.

Grit or dust and powder of natural

or synthetic diamonds 7105.10.0000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Donald W. Olson [(703) 648–7721, dolson@usgs.gov]
51

DIAMOND (INDUSTRIAL)

Events, Trends, and Issues: In 2012, China was the world’s leading producer of synthetic industrial diamond, with 

annual production exceeding 4 billion carats. The United States is likely to continue to be one of the world’s leading 

markets for industrial diamond into the next decade and likely will remain a significant producer and exporter of 

synthetic industrial diamond as well. U.S. demand for industrial diamond is likely to continue in the construction sector 

as the United States continues building, milling, and repairing the Nation’s highway system. Industrial diamond coats 

the cutting edge of saws used to cut cement in highway construction and repair work.

Demand for synthetic diamond grit and powder is expected to remain greater than that for natural diamond material. 

Constant-dollar prices of synthetic diamond products probably will continue to decline as production technology 

becomes more cost effective; the decline is even more likely if competition from low-cost producers in China and 

Russia continues to increase.

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production Reserves5

:

4

 2011

United States — — NA

2012e

Australia 8 8 110

Botswana 23 24 130

China 1 1 10

Congo (Kinshasa) 16 16 150

Russia 15 15 40

South Africa 4 4 70

Other countries 10 10

World total (rounded) 77 78 600

 85

World Resources: Natural diamond resources have been discovered in more than 35 countries. Natural diamond 

accounts for about 3% of all industrial diamond used, while synthetic diamond accounts for the remainder. At least 15 

countries have the technology to produce synthetic diamond.

Substitutes: Materials that can compete with industrial diamond in some applications include manufactured 

abrasives, such as cubic boron nitride, fused aluminum oxide, and silicon carbide. Globally, synthetic diamond rather 

than natural diamond is used for about 99% of industrial applications.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. — Zero. 1

Reexports no longer are combined with exports because increasing amounts of U.S. reexports obscure apparent consumption rates.

2

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 3

May include synthetic miners’ diamond.

4

Natural industrial diamond only. Note that synthetic diamond production far exceeds natural industrial diamond output. Worldwide production of 

manufactured industrial diamond totaled at least 4.4 billion carats in 2012; the leading producers included Belarus, China, Ireland, Japan, Russia, 

South Africa, Sweden, and the United States. 5

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
52

DIATOMITE

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: In 2012, domestic production of diatomite was estimated at 820,000 tons with an 

estimated processed value of $226 million, f.o.b. plant. Seven companies produced diatomite at 10 mining areas and 

9 processing facilities in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Diatomite is frequently used in filter aids, 75%; 

absorbents, 12%; fillers, 12%; and less than 1% for other applications, including specialized pharmaceutical and 

biomedical uses. The unit value of diatomite varied widely in 2012, from approximately $100.00 per ton for use as an 

absorbent to more than $400 per ton for limited specialty markets, including art supplies, cosmetics, and DNA 

extraction. The average unit value for filter-grade diatomite was $274 per ton.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production1 764 575 595 813 820

2012e

Imports for consumption 3 1 1 2 4 

Exports 151 88 86 106 98

Consumption, apparent 616 488 510 709 726

Price, average value, dollars per ton, f.o.b. plant 224 255 299 269 275

Stocks, producer, yearende 40 40 40 40 40

Employment, mine and plant, numbere 700 670 660 660 660

Net import reliance2 as a percentage

of apparent consumption E E E E E 

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11): Italy, 23%; Spain, 20%; Netherlands, 14%; and other, 43%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Siliceous fossil meals, including diatomite 2512.00.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Robert D. Crangle, Jr. [(703) 648–6410, rcrangle@usgs.gov]
53

DIATOMITE

Events, Trends, and Issues: The amount of domestically produced diatomite sold or used by producers in 2012 

increased slightly compared with that of 2011. Apparent domestic consumption increased slightly in 2012, and

exports decreased by 8%. Imports of diatomite increased by approximately 2 tons. Filtration (including the purification 

of beer, liquors, and wine, and the cleansing of greases and oils) continued to be the largest end use for diatomite, 

also known as diatomaceous earth. Domestically, production of diatomite used as an absorbent was the next largest 

use. An important application for diatomite is the removal of microbial contaminants, such as bacteria, protozoa, and 

viruses in public water systems. Other applications for diatomite include filtration of human blood plasma, 

pharmaceutical processing, and use as a nontoxic insecticide.

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production Reserves3

: 

2011

United States1 813 820 250,000

2012e

Argentina 62 60 NA

China 440 440 110,000

Denmark4 (processed) 225 230 NA

France 75 75 NA

Japan 100 100 NA

Mexico 90 90 NA

Spain 50 50 NA

Turkey 45 50 NA

Other countries 160 170

World total (rounded) 2,100 2,100 Large

 NA

World Resources: World resources of crude diatomite are adequate for the foreseeable future. Transportation costs 

will continue to determine the maximum economic distance most forms of diatomite may be shipped and still remain 

competitive with alternative materials.

Substitutes: Many materials can be substituted for diatomite. However, the unique properties of diatomite assure its 

continuing use in many applications. Expanded perlite and silica sand compete for filtration. Synthetic filters, notably

ceramic, polymeric, or carbon membrane filters and filters made with cellulose fibers, are becoming competitive as

filter media. Alternate filler materials include clay, ground limestone, ground mica, ground silica sand, perlite, talc, and 

vermiculite. For thermal insulation, materials such as various clays, exfoliated vermiculite, expanded perlite, mineral 

wool, and special brick can be used.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter. NA Not available.

1

Processed ore sold and used by producers.

2

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 3

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

4

Includes sales of moler production.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
54

FELDSPAR

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: U.S. feldspar production in 2012 was valued at about $39 million. The three leading 

producers accounted for about 83% of the production, with four other companies supplying the remainder. Producing 

States were North Carolina, Virginia, Idaho, California, Oklahoma, Georgia, and South Dakota, in descending order of 

estimated tonnage. Feldspar processors reported coproduct recovery of mica and silica sand.

Feldspar is ground to about 20 mesh for glassmaking and to 200 mesh or finer for most ceramic and filler 

applications. It was estimated that feldspar shipments went to at least 30 States and to foreign destinations, including 

Canada and Mexico. In pottery and glass, feldspar functions as a flux. The estimated 2012 end-use distribution of 

domestic feldspar was glass, 70%, and pottery and other uses, 30%.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, marketablee 650 550 550 650 630

2012e

Imports for consumption 2 2 2 2 2 

Exports 15 8 17 17 22

Consumption, apparente 637 544 535 635 610

Price, average value, marketable production,

dollars per ton 62 65 61 62 62

Employment, mine, preparation plant,

and office, numbere 400 350 340 380 370

Net import reliance1 as a percentage

of apparent consumption E E E E E 

Recycling: There is no recycling of feldspar by producers; however, glass container producers use cullet (recycled 

glass), thereby reducing feldspar consumption.

Import Sources (2008–11): Mexico, 71%; Germany, 25%; Australia, 2%; and other, 2%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Feldspar 2529.10.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Glass, including beverage containers and insulation for housing and building 

construction, continued to be the leading end use of feldspar in the United States. Most feldspar consumed by the 

glass industry is for the manufacture of container glass. The glass container industry was moderately stable, although 

competing materials in some market segments, such as baby food, fruit juices, mineral water, and wine, and a recent 

trend to import less expensive containers from China, continued to present challenges. Additionally, increasing use of 

post-consumer glass collected through local government and neighborhood recycling programs continued to provide 

additional competition for traditional raw materials, such as feldspar in the manufacture of glass containers. 

While recovery for world economic markets from the economic recession in 2008 and 2009 continued to be slow, 

gradual improvements of 2010 and 2011 continued in 2012. Residential flat glass markets improved slightly in 2012, 

but remained somewhat sluggish. Housing starts and completions were expected to continue to increase during 2012, 

based on the increases in each during the first 6 months of 2012. Spending on commercial construction, which had 

decreased in the first 8 months of 2010 and 2011 from each prior year, increased by 20% in 2012 for the same 

period. Automotive glass markets increased also.

Prepared by Arnold O. Tanner [(703) 648–4791, atanner@usgs.gov]
55

FELDSPAR

Fiberglass consumption for thermal insulation was forecast to expand in line with housing and commercial building 

construction in the United States through 2013. Domestic feldspar consumption has been gradually shifting from 

ceramics toward glass markets. Another growing segment in the glass industry was solar glass, used in the 

production of solar cells.

Feldspar use in tile and sanitaryware in the United States and Western Europe continued to be sluggish because of 

the slow rebound of the housing market from the economic recession, some closures of plants, and increased 

imports. The main growth of sanitaryware continued to be in China, Mexico, the Middle East, South America, and 

South East Asia. 

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production Reserves2

: 

 2011

United Statese 650 630 NA

2012e

Argentina 215 200 NA

Brazil 115 115 NA

Bulgaria 80 80 NA

China 2,100 2,200 NA

Colombia 85 NA NA

Czech Republic 407 420 28,000

Egypt 406 400 5,000

France 650 650 NA

Germany 218 220 NA

India 420 410 38,000

Iran 500 500 NA

Italy 4,700 4,700 NA

Iraq NA NA 3

3,200

Japan 650 600 NA

Korea, Republic of 500 400 NA

Malaysia 400 400 NA

Mexico 382 380 NA

Poland 450 450 10,600

Portugal 113 115 11,000

Saudi Arabia 50 50 NA

South Africa 95 100 NA

Spain 590 600 NA

Thailand 600 600 NA

Turkey 6,000 4,000 NA

Venezuela 200 250 NA

Other countries 580 750

World total (rounded) 21,200 19,000 Large

 NA

World Resources: Identified and hypothetical resources of feldspar are more than adequate to meet anticipated 

world demand. Quantitative data on resources of feldspar existing in feldspathic sands, granites, and pegmatites 

generally have not been compiled. Ample geologic evidence indicates that resources are large, although not always 

conveniently accessible to the principal centers of consumption.

Substitutes: Imported nepheline syenite was the major alternative material. Feldspar also can be replaced in some 

of its end uses by clays, electric furnace slag, feldspar-silica mixtures, pyrophyllite, spodumene, or talc.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter. NA Not available.

1

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 2

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

3

Feldspathic sand.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
56

FLUORSPAR

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Fluorspar (calcium fluoride) production was expected to begin at the Klondike II 

fluorspar mine in Kentucky. In addition, some fluorspar was sold from stockpiles produced as a byproduct of 

limestone quarrying. Byproduct calcium fluoride was recovered from industrial waste streams, although data are not 

available on exact quantities. Domestically, production of hydrofluoric acid (HF) in Louisiana and Texas was by far the 

leading use for acid-grade fluorspar. HF is the primary feedstock for the manufacture of virtually all fluorine-bearing 

chemicals and is also a key ingredient in the processing of aluminum and uranium. Other uses included as a flux in 

steelmaking, in iron and steel casting, primary aluminum production, glass manufacture, enamels, welding rod

coatings, cement production, and other uses or products. In 2012, an estimated 73,000 tons of fluorosilicic acid 

(equivalent to about 128,000 tons of 92% fluorspar) was recovered from phosphoric acid plants processing phosphate 

rock. Fluorosilicic acid was used primarily in water fluoridation.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production:

2012e

 Finished, all grades NA NA NA NA NA

 Fluorspar equivalent from phosphate rock 111 114 128 124 128

Imports for consumption:

 Acid grade 496 417 442 560 475

 Metallurgical grade 76 58 97 167 145

 Total fluorspar imports 572 475 539 727 620

 Fluorspar equivalent from hydrofluoric acid

 plus cryolite 209 175 209 209 220

Exports 19 14 18 24 21

Consumption:

 Apparent1 529 473 492 672 605

 Reported 506 400 446 454 480

Stocks, yearend, consumer and dealer2 115 103 131 162 156

Net import reliance3 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 100 100 100 100 100

Recycling: A few thousand tons per year of synthetic fluorspar is recovered—primarily from uranium enrichment, but 

also from petroleum alkylation and stainless steel pickling. Primary aluminum producers recycle HF and fluorides from 

smelting operations. HF is recycled in the petroleum alkylation process.

Import Sources (2008–11): Mexico, 69%; China, 20%; South Africa, 8%; and other, 3%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Acid grade (97% or more CaF2) 2529.22.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Metallurgical grade (less than 97% CaF2) 2529.21.0000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: The last of the Government stocks of fluorspar officially were sold in fiscal year 2007.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Development work continued on the Klondike II Mine in Livingston County, KY. The 

incline being driven from the surface was expected to hit the vein orebody by yearend 2012. In addition, exploration 

work began in adjoining Crittenden County, KY, by parties unrelated to the Klondike II Mine project. The drilling 

program was targeting southern Crittenden County, an area that had limited fluorspar production in the past.

After a long, slow development process, the Nui Phao fluorspar mining project in Vietnam made major progress in 

2012 and commissioning of the mine and mill is scheduled for the end of the first quarter in 2013. At full production, 

the project was expected to produce more than 200,000 tons per year of acid-grade fluorspar for export.

Other noteworthy developments in the international fluorspar industry included the sale of the United Kingdom’s sole 

fluorspar producer, which shut down yearend 2010, and the announcement that it would reopen in early 2013. 

Russia’s primary fluorspar producer became a wholly owned subsidiary of Russia’s leading aluminum company, 

which announced plans to invest about $3 million to modernize the fluorspar mining operation north of Vladivostok.

Prepared by M. Michael Miller [(703) 648–7716, mmiller1@usgs.gov]
57

FLUORSPAR

In September 2011, China appealed the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that its export restrictions on several 

industrial raw materials (including fluorspar) were inconsistent with WTO rules. In January 2012, the WTO Appellate 

Body affirmed a WTO dispute settlement panel’s July 2011 finding that found China’s export restraints on these 

materials to be inconsistent with China’s WTO obligations and rejected China’s attempts to portray its export 

restraints as conservation or environmental protection measures or measures taken to manage critical shortages of 

supply.

Fluorspar prices remained relatively stable in 2012 despite weak demand, especially by the global fluorochemicals 

industry. The price of Chinese acid-grade fluorspar (free on board China), however, had decreased by at least $30 

per ton by the summer of 2012.

World Mine Production and Reserves: Production estimates for individual countries were made using country or 

company specific data where available; other estimates were made based on general knowledge of end-use markets. 

The reserve estimate for Mongolia has been revised based on new information.

 Mine production Reserves4, 5

 2011

United States NA NA NA

2012e

Brazil 26 25 1,000

China 4,700 4,200 24,000

Kazakhstan 67 60 NA

Kenya 117 107 2,000

Mexico 1,207 1,200 32,000

Mongolia 416 420 22,000

Morocco 79 75 NA

Namibia 80 80 3,000

Russia 260 150 NA

South Africa 240 220 41,000

Spain 124 120 6,000

Other countries 200 190

World total (rounded) 7,520 6,850 240,000

110,000

World Resources: Identified world fluorspar resources were approximately 500 million tons of contained fluorspar. 

The quantity of fluorine present in phosphate rock deposits is enormous. Current U.S. reserves of phosphate rock are 

estimated to be 1.4 billion tons, which at 3.5% fluorine would contain about 101 million tons of 100% calcium fluoride 

(fluorspar) equivalent. World reserves of phosphate rock are estimated to be 65 billion tons, equivalent to about 4.7 

billion tons of 100% calcium fluoride equivalent.

Substitutes: Aluminum smelting dross, borax, calcium chloride, iron oxides, manganese ore, silica sand, and 

titanium dioxide have been used as substitutes for fluorspar fluxes. Byproduct fluorosilicic acid has been used as a 

substitute in aluminum fluoride production and also has the potential to be used as a substitute in HF production.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. 1

Excludes fluorspar production withheld for proprietary reasons and fluorspar equivalent of fluorosilicic acid, hydrofluoric acid, and cryolite. 2

Industry stocks for two leading consumers and fluorspar distributors. 3

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 4

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

5

Measured as 100% calcium fluoride.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
58

GALLIUM

(Data in kilograms of gallium content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: No domestic primary gallium recovery was reported in 2012. One company in Utah 

recovered and refined gallium from scrap and impure gallium metal. Imports of gallium, which supplied most of U.S. 

gallium consumption, were valued at about $32 million. Gallium arsenide (GaAs) and gallium nitride (GaN) electronic 

components represented about 99% of domestic gallium consumption. About 71% of the gallium consumed was used 

in integrated circuits (ICs). Optoelectronic devices, which include laser diodes, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), 

photodetectors, and solar cells, represented the remaining 29% of gallium consumption. Optoelectronic devices were 

used in areas such as aerospace, consumer goods, industrial equipment, medical equipment, and 

telecommunications. Uses of ICs included defense applications, high-performance computers, and 

telecommunications.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, primary — — — — — 

2012e

Imports for consumption 41,100 35,900 59,200 85,700 58,000

Exports NA NA NA NA NA

Consumption, reported 28,700 24,900 33,500 35,300 35,000

Price, yearend, dollars per kilogram1 579 449 600 688 556

Stocks, consumer, yearend 3,820 4,100 4,970 6,850 7,350

Employment, refinery, number 20 20 20 20 20

Net import reliance2 as a percentage

of reported consumption 99 99 99 99 99

Recycling: Old scrap, none. Substantial quantities of new scrap generated in the manufacture of GaAs-base devices 

were reprocessed.

Import Sources (2008–11): Germany, 32%; United Kingdom, 27%; China, 15%; Canada, 11%; and other, 15%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Gallium arsenide wafers, undoped 2853.00.0010 2.8% ad val.

12–31–12

Gallium arsenide wafers, doped 3818.00.0010 Free.

Gallium metal 8112.92.1000 3.0% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: Not applicable.

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Imports of gallium and GaAs wafers continued to supply almost all U.S. demand for 

gallium. Gallium prices decreased throughout 2012 when significant increases in gallium production exceeded the 

declining demand from LED producers. Chinese gallium capacity expanded tremendously in 2011 and 2012 on the 

expectation of a strong LED-based backlighting market, which failed to materialize. In January, the price for low-grade 

(99.99%-pure) gallium in Asia and Europe averaged $580 per kilogram. By July, the average low-grade price had 

decreased to $320 per kilogram. By early October, the average low-grade price had decreased to $280 per kilogram.

Market conditions continued to improve for GaAs- and GaN-based products in 2012. GaAs demand, while still driven 

mainly by cellular handsets and other high-speed wireless applications, increased owing to rapid growth of featurerich, application-intensive, third- and fourth-generation “smartphones,” which employ up to 10 times the amount of 

GaAs content than standard cellular handsets. Smartphones accounted for 37% of all handset sales in 2012. Owing 

to the rise of GaAs content in smartphones and increased penetration of GaAs-based LEDs in general lighting and 

automotive applications, the GaAs substrate market was forecast to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 

nearly 11%, increasing to $650 million by 2017.

Owing to the large power-handling capabilities, high-switching frequencies, and higher voltage capabilities of GaN 

technology, GaN-based products, which historically have been used in defense and military applications, have begun 

to gain acceptance in cable television transmission, commercial wireless infrastructure, power electronics, and 

satellite markets. The GaN power device market was forecast to increase at an average growth rate of nearly 29%, to 

reach $178 million in 2015.

Prepared by Brian W. Jaskula [(703) 648–4908, bjaskula@usgs.gov]
59

GALLIUM

In 2012, the worldwide LED market, a significant driver for GaN-based technologies, increased by only 1.5% in 

revenues from that of 2011 owing to slower-than-expected growth in LED backlighting, LED supply outpacing 

demand, and to lower LED prices. Although televisions were increasingly built with LED backlighting in 2012, 

improvements in technology required up to 50% fewer LEDs. LED-backlit televisions accounted for 63% of the 

television market in 2012, and were forecast to account for 93% of the market in 2013. By 2014, the strongest 

segments of the LED market were expected to be in general lighting, followed by signs and automotive applications.

A Colorado-based rare-earth mining company purchased the parent company of the largest gallium refiner in Canada 

and the United States. The gallium refinery purchase was expected to enhance the specialty value-added rare 

metals-processing capability of the Colorado company. It also commenced operations of a new gallium trichloride 

plant in the Republic of Korea, which would primarily supply Asian markets.

Sustained high-energy prices continued to spark interest in solar energy in 2012. Copper-indium-gallium diselenide 

(CIGS), a thin-film photovoltaic technology, has been slow to enter the commercial market owing to a complicated 

manufacturing process that has impeded commercial mass production of CIGS panels. Decreased prices of siliconbased solar cells also slowed demand for the more expensive CIGS technology. These two factors resulted in a large 

oversupply of CIGS modules that caused prices to be reduced by 20% in 2011 and remain low throughout 2012. In an 

effort to keep CIGS technology viable and competitive, CIGS manufacturers, beginning in 2011, trimmed production 

costs, increased production capacities, improved module conversion efficiencies, and increased CIGS adoption in 

commercial rooftops.

World Production and Reserves:

3 In 2012, world primary gallium production was estimated to be 273 metric tons, 

7% less than the 2011 world primary production of 292 tons. China, Germany, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine were the 

leading producers; countries with lesser output were Hungary, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Russia. Refined 

gallium production was estimated to be about 354 tons; this figure includes primary gallium production and some 

possible scrap refining. China, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States were the principal producers of 

refined gallium. Gallium was recycled from new scrap in Canada, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the 

United States. World primary gallium production capacity in 2012 was estimated to be 474 tons; refinery capacity, 270

tons; and recycling capacity, 198 tons.

Gallium occurs in very small concentrations in ores of other metals. Most gallium is produced as a byproduct of 

treating bauxite, and the remainder is produced from zinc-processing residues. Only part of the gallium present in 

bauxite and zinc ores is recoverable, and the factors controlling the recovery are proprietary. Therefore, an estimate 

of current reserves comparable to the definition of reserves of other minerals cannot be made. The world bauxite 

reserves are so large that much of them will not be mined for many decades; hence, most of the gallium in the bauxite 

reserves cannot be considered to be available in the short term.

World Resources: The average content of gallium in bauxite is 50 parts per million (ppm). U.S. bauxite deposits 

consist mainly of subeconomic resources that are not generally suitable for alumina production owing to their high 

silica content. Recovery of gallium from these deposits is therefore unlikely. Some domestic zinc ores contain as 

much as 50 ppm gallium and, as such, could be a significant resource. World resources of gallium in bauxite are 

estimated to exceed 1 billion kilograms, and a considerable quantity could be present in world zinc reserves. The 

foregoing estimate applies to total gallium content; only a small percentage of this metal in bauxite and zinc ores is 

economically recoverable.

Substitutes: Liquid crystals made from organic compounds are used in visual displays as substitutes for LEDs. 

Researchers also are working to develop organic-based LEDs that may compete with GaAs in the future. Indium 

phosphide components can be substituted for GaAs-based infrared laser diodes in some specific-wavelength 

applications, and GaAs competes with helium-neon lasers in visible laser diode applications. Silicon is the principal 

competitor with GaAs in solar-cell applications. GaAs-based ICs are used in many defense-related applications 

because of their unique properties, and there are no effective substitutes for GaAs in these applications. GaAs in 

heterojunction bipolar transistors is being challenged in some applications by silicon-germanium.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. — Zero. 1

Estimated based on the average values of U.S. imports for 99.9999%- and 99.99999%-pure gallium. 2

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 3

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013 
60

GARNET (INDUSTRIAL)1

(Data in metric tons of garnet unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Garnet for industrial use was mined in 2012 by four firms—one in Idaho, one in 

Montana, and two in New York. The estimated value of crude garnet production was about $9.8 million, while refined 

material sold or used had an estimated value of $9.7 million. Major end uses for garnet were waterjet cutting, 35%; 

abrasive blasting media, 30%; water filtration, 20%; abrasive powders, 10%; and other end uses, 5%.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production (crude) 62,900 45,600 52,600 56,400 56,000

2012e

Sold by producers 49,800 22,100 28,900 33,700 34,000

Imports for consumptione 92,300 71,100 79,700 116,000 120,000

Exportse 12,500 13,200 11,700 14,500 15,000

Consumption, apparente, 2 143,000 104,000 121,000 158,000 159,000

Price, range of value, dollars per ton3 50–2,000 50–2,000 50–2,000 50–2,000 50–2,000

Employment, mine and mill, numbere 160 160 160 160 160

Net import reliance4 as a percentage

of apparent consumption 56 56 56 64 65

Recycling: Small amounts of garnet reportedly are recycled.

Import Sources (2008–11):

e India, 45%; Australia, 34%; China, 15%; Canada, 5%; and other, 1%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Emery, natural corundum, natural garnet,

12–31–12

and other natural abrasives, crude 2513.20.1000 Free.

Emery, natural corundum, natural

garnet, and other natural abrasives,

other than crude 2513.20.9000 Free.

Natural abrasives on woven textile 6805.10.0000 Free.

Natural abrasives on paper or paperboard 6805.20.0000 Free.

Natural abrasives sheets, strips,

disks, belts, sleeves, or similar form 6805.30.1000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Donald W. Olson [(703) 648–7721, dolson@usgs.gov]
61

GARNET (INDUSTRIAL)

Events, Trends, and Issues: During 2012, domestic U.S. production of crude garnet concentrates was essentially 

the same as the production in 2011. U.S. garnet consumption increased slightly compared with that of 2011. In 2012, 

imports were estimated to have increased slightly compared with those of 2011, and exports were estimated to have 

increased 5% from those of 2011. The 2012 estimated domestic sales of garnet was essentially the same as the 

sales in 2011. In 2012, the United States remained a net importer. Garnet imports have supplemented U.S. 

production in the domestic market; Australia, Canada, China, and India were major garnet suppliers.

The garnet market is very competitive. To increase profitability and remain competitive with foreign imported material, 

production may be restricted to only high-grade garnet ores or other salable mineral products that occur with garnet, 

such as kyanite, marble, mica minerals, sillimanite, staurolite, wollastonite, or metallic ores. 

World Mine Production and Reserves: The reserve data for India were revised based on information reported by 

the Government of India.

Mine production Reserves5

 2011

United States 56,400 56,000 5,000,000

2012e

Australia 263,000 260,000 Moderate to Large 

China 506,000 510,000 Moderate to Large

India 800,000 800,000 6,700,000

Other countries 36,000 36,000

World total (rounded) 1,660,000 1,700,000 Moderate to Large

 6,500,000

World Resources: World resources of garnet are large and occur in a wide variety of rocks, particularly gneisses and 

schists. Garnet also occurs in contact-metamorphic deposits in crystalline limestones, pegmatites, serpentinites, and 

vein deposits. In addition, alluvial garnet is present in many heavy-mineral sand and gravel deposits throughout the 

world. Large domestic resources of garnet also are concentrated in coarsely crystalline gneiss near North Creek, NY; 

other significant domestic resources of garnet occur in Idaho, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and 

Oregon. In addition to those in the United States, major garnet deposits exist in Australia, Canada, China, and India, 

where they are mined for foreign and domestic markets; deposits in Russia and Turkey also have been mined in 

recent years, primarily for internal markets. Additional garnet resources are in Chile, Czech Republic, Pakistan, South 

Africa, Spain, Thailand, and Ukraine; small mining operations have been reported in most of these countries.

Substitutes: Other natural and manufactured abrasives can substitute to some extent for all major end uses of 

garnet. In many cases, however, the substitutes would entail sacrifices in quality or cost. Fused aluminum oxide and 

staurolite compete with garnet as a sandblasting material. Ilmenite, magnetite, and plastics compete as filtration 

media. Diamond, corundum, and fused aluminum oxide compete for lens grinding and for many lapping operations. 

Emery is a substitute in nonskid surfaces. Finally, quartz sand, silicon carbide, and fused aluminum oxide compete for 

the finishing of plastics, wood furniture, and other products.

e

Estimated. 

1

Excludes gem and synthetic garnet.

2

Defined as crude production – exports + imports. 3

Includes crude and refined garnet; most crude concentrate is $75 to $210 per ton, and most refined material is $75 to $290 per ton.

4

Defined as imports – exports. 5

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
62

GEMSTONES1

(Data in million dollars unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: The combined value of U.S. natural and synthetic gemstone output decreased by 

about 3% in 2012 from that of 2011. The natural gemstone production value increased slightly from that of 2011, 

while synthetic gemstone production value decreased by nearly 5% during the same period. Domestic gemstone 

production included agate, beryl, coral, garnet, jade, jasper, opal, pearl, quartz, sapphire, shell, topaz, tourmaline, 

turquoise, and many other gem materials. In decreasing order, Arizona, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, California, 

Tennessee, Montana, Colorado, Arkansas, and Idaho produced 87% of U.S. natural gemstones. Laboratory-created 

gemstones were manufactured by five firms in Florida, New York, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Arizona, in 

decreasing order of production. Major gemstone uses were carvings, gem and mineral collections, and jewelry. The 

apparent consumption in the table below is much lower than the actual consumption, owing to the exports, including 

reexports.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production:2

2012e

 Natural3 11.5 9.3 10.0 11.0 11

 Laboratory-created (synthetic) 51.4 27.2 30.8 31.9 30

Imports for consumption 20,900 13,600 19,600 23,500 22,000

Exports, including reexports4 15,300 10,500 14,100 18,200 18,000

Consumption, apparent 5,670 3,080 5,510 5,360 4,300

Price Variable, depending on size, type, and quality

Employment, mine, numbere 1,200 1,000 1,100 1,100 1,100

Net import reliance5 as a percentage

of apparent consumption 99 99 99 99 99

Recycling: Gemstones are often recycled by being resold as estate jewelry, reset, or recut, but this report does not 

account for those stones.

Import Sources (2008–11 by value): Israel, 44%; India, 25%; Belgium, 17%; South Africa, 5%; and other, 9%. 

Diamond imports accounted for 95% of the total value of gem imports.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Pearls, imitation, not strung 7018.10.1000 4.0% ad val.

12–31–12

Imitation precious stones 7018.10.2000 Free.

Pearls, natural 7101.10.0000 Free.

Pearls, cultured 7101.21.0000 Free.

Diamond, unworked or sawn 7102.31.0000 Free.

Diamond, 1⁄2 carat or less 7102.39.0010 Free.

Diamond, cut, more than 1⁄2 carat 7102.39.0050 Free.

Precious stones, unworked 7103.10.2000 Free.

Precious stones, simply sawn 7103.10.4000 10.5% ad val.

Rubies, cut 7103.91.0010 Free.

Sapphires, cut 7103.91.0020 Free.

Emeralds, cut 7103.91.0030 Free.

Other precious stones, cut but not set 7103.99.1000 Free.

Other precious stones 7103.99.5000 10.5% ad val.

Synthetic, cut but not set 7104.90.1000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Donald W. Olson [(703) 648–7721, dolson@usgs.gov]
63

GEMSTONES

Events, Trends, and Issues: In 2012, the U.S. market for gem-quality diamonds was estimated to be about $22 

billion, accounting for more than 35% of world demand. This was an increase of about 20% compared with that of 

2011. The domestic market for natural, nondiamond gemstones was estimated to be about $1 billion, which was a 

20% increase from that of 2011. The United States is expected to continue dominating global gemstone consumption.

World Gem Diamond Mine Production6 and Reserves

Mine production Reserves7

:

 2011

Angola 7,500 7,200 World reserves of diamond-bearing

2012e

Australia 86 70 deposits are substantial. No reserve

Botswana 22,900 24,000 data are available for other gemstones.

Brazil 25 25

Canada 10,800 10,500

Central African Republic 240 200

China 100 100

Congo (Kinshasa) 3,900 3,900

Ghana 240 180

Guinea 230 200

Guyana 50 50

Lesotho 450 450

Namibia 1,130 1,400

Russia 17,800 18,500

Sierra Leone 280 300

South Africa 2,800 2,800

Tanzania 51 51

Other countries 1,350

World total (rounded) 69,900 71,000

 1,350

World Resources: Most diamond-bearing ore bodies have a diamond content that ranges from less than 1 carat per 

ton to about 6 carats per ton. The major gem diamond reserves are in southern Africa, Australia, Canada, and 

Russia.

Substitutes: Plastics, glass, and other materials are substituted for natural gemstones. Synthetic gemstones 

(manufactured materials that have the same chemical and physical properties as gemstones) are common 

substitutes. Simulants (materials that appear to be gems, but differ in chemical and physical characteristics) also are 

frequently substituted for natural gemstones.

e

Estimated.

1

Excludes industrial diamond and garnet. See Diamond (Industrial) and Garnet (Industrial). 2

Estimated minimum production.

3

Includes production of freshwater shell.

4

Reexports account for between 78% and 83% of the totals.

5

Defined as imports – exports and reexports. 6

Data in thousands of carats of gem diamond.

7

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
64

GERMANIUM

(Data in kilograms of germanium content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Germanium production in the United States comes from either the refining of 

imported germanium compounds or domestic industry-generated scrap. Germanium for domestic consumption also 

was obtained from materials imported in chemical form and either directly consumed or consumed in the production 

of other germanium compounds. Germanium was recovered from zinc concentrates produced at a domestic zinc 

mine in Alaska. These concentrates were exported to Canada for processing. 

A germanium refinery in Utica, NY, produced germanium tetrachloride for optical fiber production. Another refinery in 

Quapaw, OK, produced refined germanium compounds for the production of fiber optics, infrared devices, and 

substrates for electronic devices. The major end uses for germanium, worldwide, were estimated to be fiber-optic 

systems, 30%; infrared optics, 25%; polymerization catalysts, 25%; electronics and solar electric applications, 15%; 

and other (phosphors, metallurgy, and chemotherapy), 5%. Domestically, the end use distribution was different and 

was estimated to be infrared optics, 50%; fiber-optic systems, 30%; electronics and solar electric applications, 15%; 

and other (phosphors, metallurgy, and chemotherapy), 5%. Germanium is not used in polymerization catalysts in the 

United States. The estimated value of germanium metal consumed in 2012, based on the annual average U.S. 

producer price, was about $55 million.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, refinerye 4,600 4,600 3,000 3,000 3,000

2012e

Total imports1 67,600 60,200 44,700 38,500 49,500

Total exports1 17,900 21,200 8,000 5,900 12,800

Shipments from Government stockpile excesses 102 68 — — — 

Consumption, estimated 54,000 44,000 40,000 36,000 40,000

Price, producer, yearend, dollars per kilogram:

 Zone refined 1,490 940 1,200 1,450 1,680

 Dioxide, electronic grade 960 580 720 1,250 1,380

Stocks, producer, yearend NA NA NA NA NA

Employment, plant,2 numbere 70 70 100 100 100

Net import reliance3 as a percentage of

estimated consumption 90 90 90 90 90 

Recycling: Worldwide, about 30% of the total germanium consumed is produced from recycled materials. During the 

manufacture of most optical devices, more than 60% of the germanium metal used is routinely recycled as new scrap. 

Germanium scrap was also recovered from the window blanks in decommissioned tanks and other military vehicles.

Import Sources (2008–11):

4 China, 51%; Belgium, 24%; Russia, 16%; Germany, 6%; and other, 3%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Germanium oxides 2825.60.0000 3.7% ad val.

12–31–12

Metal, unwrought 8112.92.6000 2.6% ad val.

Metal, powder 8112.92.6500 4.4% ad val.

Metal, wrought 8112.99.1000 4.4% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: The Defense Logistics Agency, DLA Strategic Materials did not allocate any germanium for 

sale in the fiscal year 2013 Annual Materials Plan.

Stockpile Status—9–30–125

Uncommitted Authorized Disposal plan Disposals

Material inventory for disposal FY 2012 FY 2012

Germanium 16,362 16,362 3,000 — 

Prepared by David E. Guberman [(703) 648–4977, dguberman@usgs.gov]
65

GERMANIUM

Events, Trends, and Issues: Germanium prices were relatively stable during the first quarter of 2012 following 

increases in 2011. They declined during the late spring and summer months and then increased substantially during 

the third quarter of the year. Tightness in the global germanium market, particularly for germanium dioxide, pushed 

prices higher in 2012 compared to those in 2011. This was not necessarily a reflection of significant increases in 

global germanium consumption but more likely a sign of temporary supply disruptions and speculation of further 

tightness. Germanium dioxide prices increased by 49% to $1,375 per kilogram in late September from $925 per 

kilogram in mid-March. Factors that contributed to the germanium dioxide price increase included an export tax on 

germanium dioxide produced in China that tightened global supply, coupled with the shutdown of three Chinese 

germanium dioxide plants owing to environmental concerns in early 2012. Prices also increased owing to speculation 

of increased germanium dioxide consumption for use in polymerization catalysts by Japanese beverage bottle 

manufacturers after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, and this was partially reflected in a 46% increase in 

germanium dioxide imports in Japan in 2011 compared with 2010 imports. Japanese consumption of germanium 

tetrachloride, used in production of fiber-optic cores, increased substantially during the first half of 2012 compared 

with that of the same period of 2011. In September 2012, China’s State Reserve Bureau announced plans to 

purchase 20 metric tons of germanium metal for its national stockpile. It had not been able to acquire that quantity of 

germanium as of early October owing to several Chinese germanium plants being closed for installation of 

environmental protection equipment. Contributing to the perceived supply tightness in the global germanium market, 

in mid-2012, a leading Chinese germanium dioxide producer entered into an agreement to sell 375 metric tons of 

germanium dioxide during a 6-year period to a single consumer that specializes in hydro and solar projects.

In the third quarter of 2012, a smelter in Tennessee began to process zinc concentrates from a mine complex in 

Tennessee into an intermediate germanium concentrate product. Also in 2012, the U.S. germanium tetrachloride 

producer announced that it had acquired a new manufacturing plant in Rome, NY, to produce gallium-, germanium-, 

indium-, and tin-based compounds for use in semiconductors, solar cells, and optical fibers. The Oklahoma 

germanium refiner consolidated global production of germanium blanks for infrared optics to its Quapaw plant. 

According to leading producers of germanium-related products, consumption of germanium substrates used in lightemitting diodes and solar cells increased during the first half of 2012 compared with that of the same period of 2011.

During the same period, consumption of substrates for use in space-based applications declined owing to delays in 

satellite programs. Cuts in defense spending have reduced consumption of germanium for infrared optical devices for 

military use; however, more commercial applications for infrared detectors have emerged in recent years.

World Refinery Production and Reserves

 Refinery productione Reserves6

:

 2011

United States 3,000 3,000 450,000

2012

China 80,000 90,000 NA

Russia 5,000 5,000 NA

Other countries 30,000 30,000

World total 118,000 128,000 NA

 NA

World Resources: The available resources of germanium are associated with certain zinc and lead-zinc-copper 

sulfide ores. Significant amounts of germanium are contained in ash and flue dust generated in the combustion of 

certain coals for power generation. Reserves exclude germanium contained in coal ash.

Substitutes: Silicon can be a less-expensive substitute for germanium in certain electronic applications. Some 

metallic compounds can be substituted in high-frequency electronics applications and in some light-emitting-diode 

applications. Zinc selenide and germanium glass substitute for germanium metal in infrared applications systems but 

often at the expense of performance. Titanium has the potential to be a substitute as a polymerization catalyst.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. — Zero. 1

In addition to the gross weight of wrought and unwrought germanium and waste and scrap that comprise these figures, this series includes 

estimated germanium content of germanium dioxide. This series does not include germanium tetrachloride and other germanium compounds for 

which data are not available.

2

Employment related to primary germanium refining is indirectly related to zinc refining.

3

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government stock changes; rounded to nearest 5%. 4

Imports are based on the gross weight of wrought and unwrought germanium and waste and scrap, but not germanium tetrachloride and other 

germanium compounds for which data are not available.

5

See Appendix B for definitions.

6

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
66

GOLD

(Data in metric tons1 of gold content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Gold was produced at about 50 lode mines, a few large placer mines (all in Alaska), 

and numerous smaller placer mines (mostly in Alaska and in the Western States). In addition, a small amount of 

domestic gold was recovered as a byproduct of processing base metals, chiefly copper. Thirty operations yielded 

more than 99% of the gold produced in the United States. In 2012, the value of mine production was about $12.6 

billion. Commercial-grade refined gold came from about 2 dozen producers. A few dozen companies, out of several 

thousand companies and artisans, dominated the fabrication of gold into commercial products. U.S. jewelry 

manufacturing was heavily concentrated in New York, NY, and Providence, RI, areas, with lesser concentrations in 

California, Florida, and Texas. Estimated uses were jewelry and arts, 66%; dental, 12%; electrical and electronics, 

5%; and other, 17%.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012e

Production:

Mine 233 223 231 234 230

Refinery:

Primary 168 170 175 220 220

Secondary (new and old scrap) 181 189 198 263 240

Imports for consumption2 231 320 604 *535 330

Exports2 567 381 383 *514 710

Consumption, reported 176 150 180 168 150

Stocks, yearend, Treasury3 8,140 8,140 8,140 8,140 8,140

Price, dollars per ounce4 874 975 1,227 1,572 1,700

Employment, mine and mill, number5 9,560 9,650 10,300 11,200 12,000

Net import reliance6 as a percentage of

apparent consumption E E 40 E E

Recycling: In 2012, 240 tons of new and old scrap was recycled, more than the reported consumption.

Import Sources (2008–11):

2 Mexico, 57%; Canada, 20%; Colombia, 9%; Peru, 3%; and other, 11%.

Tariff: Most imports of unwrought gold, including bullion and doré, enter the United States duty free.

Depletion Allowance: 15% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: The U.S. Department of the Treasury maintains stocks of gold (see salient statistics above), 

and the U.S. Department of Defense administers a Governmentwide secondary precious-metals recovery program.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Domestic gold mine production in 2012 was estimated to be slightly less than the level 

of 2011. The decreases were mainly from one mine in Nevada and one mine in Utah. These decreases were partly 

offset by several mines in Nevada that increased the tonnage of ore processed, and one mine in Montana that 

reached normal operations level after a period of redevelopment in 2010 and 2011. 

Worldwide gold production was flat because increases in production from Canada, China, Ghana, Mali, Mexico, 

Russia, and Tanzania were offset by production losses in Argentina, Australia, Papua New Guinea, and South Africa. 

Gold production in China continued to increase, and the country remained the leading gold-producing nation, followed 

by Australia, the United States, Russia, and South Africa.

Domestic and global jewelry consumption continued to drop because the price of gold continued to increase and a 

depressed economic environment curtailed consumer spending. In 2012, other industrial applications for gold also 

dropped as consumers found cheaper substitutes. The estimated gold price in 2012 was 8% higher than the price in 

2011. In the first 10 months of 2012, Engelhard’s daily price of gold ranged from a low of $1,543.27 per troy ounce on 

May 30 to a high of $1,795.45 per troy ounce in early October. The price increased steadily until March, when the 

price fell through May, before recovering and starting to increase again until October when it started to decline again.

Prepared by Micheal W. George [(703) 648–4962, mgeorge@usgs.gov]
67

GOLD

With the increase in the price of gold and the global economic instability that began in 2008, investment in gold 

continued to increase, as investors seek safe-haven investments. Gold Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) have gained 

popularity with investors. According to some industry analysts, investing in gold in the traditional manner is not as 

accessible and carries higher costs owing to insurance, storage, and higher markups. The claimed advantage of the 

ETF is that the investor can purchase gold ETF shares through a stockbroker without being concerned about these 

problems. Each share represents one-tenth of an ounce of allocated gold.

World Mine Production and Reserves: Reserve data for Brazil, Chile, Ghana, and Peru were revised based on 

information from the respective country Governments.

Mine production Reserves7

2011 2012e

United States 234 230 3,000

Australia 258 250 7,400

Brazil 62 56 2,600

Canada 97 102 920

Chile 45 45 3,900

China 362 370 1,900

Ghana 80 89 1,600

Indonesia 96 95 3,000

Mexico 84 87 1,400

Papua New Guinea 66 60 1,200

Peru 164 165 2,200

Russia 200 205 5,000

South Africa 181 170 6,000

Uzbekistan 91 90 1,700

Other countries 640 645 10,000

World total (rounded) 2,660 2,700 52,000

World Resources: An assessment of U.S. gold resources indicated 33,000 tons of gold in identified (15,000 tons) 

and undiscovered (18,000 tons) resources.8 Nearly one-quarter of the gold in undiscovered resources was estimated 

to be contained in porphyry copper deposits. The gold resources in the United States, however, are only a small 

portion of global gold resources.

Substitutes: Base metals clad with gold alloys are widely used in electrical and electronic products, and in jewelry to 

economize on gold; many of these products are continually redesigned to maintain high-utility standards with lower 

gold content. Generally, palladium, platinum, and silver may substitute for gold.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter.

1

One metric ton (1,000 kilograms) = 32,150.7 troy ounces.

2

Refined bullion, doré, ores, concentrates, and precipitates.

Excludes:

a. Waste and scrap.

b. Official monetary gold.

c. Gold in fabricated items.

d. Gold in coins.

e. Net bullion flow (in tons) to market from foreign stocks at the New York Federal Reserve Bank: 220 (2008), 0 (2009), 0 (2010), -4 (2011), and 

0 (2012, estimate). 3

Includes gold in Exchange Stabilization Fund. Stocks were valued at the official price of $42.22 per troy ounce. 4

Engelhard’s average gold price quotation for the year. In 2012, the price was estimated by the USGS based on monthly data from January through 

October. 5

Data from Mine Safety and Health Administration.

6

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 7

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

8

U.S. Geological Survey National Mineral Resource Assessment Team, 2000, 1998 assessment of undiscovered deposits of gold, silver, copper, 

lead, and zinc in the United States: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1178, 21 p.

*Corrections posted on July 3, 2013.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
68

GRAPHITE (NATURAL)

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Although natural graphite was not produced in the United States in 2012, 

approximately 90 U.S. firms, primarily in the Northeastern and Great Lakes regions, used it for a wide variety of 

applications. The major uses of natural graphite in 2012, in decreasing order by tonnage, were refractory applications, 

steelmaking, brake linings, foundry operations, batteries, and lubricants. These uses consumed 70% of the total 

natural graphite used during 2012.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, mine — — — — — 

2012e

Imports for consumption 58 33 65 72 56

Exports 8 11 6 6 6 

Consumption, apparent1 50 22 60 66 50

Price, imports (average dollars per ton at foreign ports):

 Flake 753 694 720 1,180 1,530

 Lump and chip (Sri Lankan) 2,550 1,410 1,700 1,820 1,990

 Amorphous 203 249 257 301 329

Net import reliance2 as a percentage

of apparent consumption 100 100 100 100 100

Recycling: Refractory brick and linings, alumina-graphite refractories for continuous metal castings, magnesiagraphite refractory brick for basic oxygen and electric arc furnaces, and insulation brick led the way in recycling of 

graphite products. The market for recycled refractory graphite material is growing, with material being recycled into 

products such as brake linings and thermal insulation.

Recovering high-quality flake graphite from steelmaking kish is technically feasible, but not practiced at the present 

time. The abundance of graphite in the world market inhibits increased recycling efforts. Information on the quantity 

and value of recycled graphite is not available.

Import Sources (2008–11): China, 51%; Mexico, 22%; Canada, 17%; Brazil, 6%; and other, 4%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Crystalline flake (not including flake dust) 2504.10.1000 Free.

12–31–12

Powder 2504.10.5000 Free.

Other 2504.90.0000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic lump and amorphous), 14% (Domestic flake), and 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Donald W. Olson [(703) 648–7721, dolson@usgs.gov]
69

GRAPHITE (NATURAL)

Events, Trends, and Issues: Worldwide demand for graphite has steadily increased throughout 2011 and into 2012. 

This increase resulted from the improvement of global economic conditions and its impact on industries that use 

graphite. Principal import sources of natural graphite were, in descending order of tonnage, China, Mexico, Canada, 

Brazil, and Madagascar, which combined accounted for 97% of the tonnage and 90% of the value of total imports. 

Mexico provided all the amorphous graphite, and Sri Lanka provided all the lump and chippy dust variety. China, 

Canada, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe were, in descending order of tonnage, the major suppliers of crystalline flake 

and flake dust graphite.

During 2012, China produced the majority of the world’s graphite. Chinese graphite production in 2012 decreased 

from that of 2011 because the Chinese government ordered the majority of graphite mines it controls in the Hunan 

province to be closed for environmental and resource protection.

Advances in thermal technology and acid-leaching techniques that enable the production of higher purity graphite 

powders are likely to lead to development of new applications for graphite in high-technology fields. Such innovative 

refining techniques have enabled the use of improved graphite in carbon-graphite composites, electronics, foils, 

friction materials, and special lubricant applications. Flexible graphite product lines, such as graphoil (a thin graphite 

cloth), are likely to be the fastest growing market. Large-scale fuel-cell applications are being developed that could 

consume as much graphite as all other uses combined.

World Mine Production and Reserves

Mine production Reserves3

:

 2011

United States — — — 

2012e

Brazil 73 75 360

Canada 25 26 (

4

) 

China 800 750 55,000

India 150 150 11,000

Korea, North 30 30 (

4

) 

Madagascar 4 5 940

Mexico 7 8 3,100

Norway 2 7 (

4

) 

Romania 20 7 (

4

) 

Russia 14 14 (

4

) 

Sri Lanka 4 4 (

4

) 

Turkey 10 10 (

4

) 

Ukraine 6 6 (

4

) 

Other countries 7 7

World total (rounded) 1,150 1,100 77,000

 (

4

)

World Resources: Domestic resources of graphite are relatively small, but the rest of the world’s inferred resources 

exceed 800 million tons of recoverable graphite.

Substitutes: Manufactured graphite powder, scrap from discarded machined shapes, and calcined petroleum coke 

compete for use in iron and steel production. Finely ground coke with olivine is a potential competitor in foundry facing 

applications. Molybdenum disulfide competes as a dry lubricant but is more sensitive to oxidizing conditions.

e

Estimated. — Zero. 1

Defined as imports – exports. 2

Defined as imports – exports. 3

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

4

Included with “World total.”

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
70

GYPSUM

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: In 2012, domestic production of crude gypsum was estimated to be 9.9 million tons 

with a value of about $69.3 million. The leading crude gypsum-producing States were, in descending order, 

Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa, Nevada, and California, which together accounted for 58% of total output. Overall, 47 

companies produced gypsum in the United States at 54 mines and plants in 34 States. Approximately 90% of 

domestic consumption, which totaled approximately 22 million tons, was accounted for by manufacturers of wallboard 

and plaster products. Approximately 1.5 million tons for cement production and agricultural applications and small 

amounts of high-purity gypsum for a wide range of industrial processes accounted for the remaining tonnage. At the

beginning of 2012, the production capacity of operating wallboard plants in the United States was about 33 billion 

square feet1 per year.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production:

2012e

 Crude 12,300 10,400 8,840 8,900 9,900

 Synthetic2 9,660 8,120 10,700 11,800 11,800

 Calcined3 17,900 13,800 12,100 11,900 12,100

Wallboard products sold (million square feet1

) 20,700 18,300 17,200 17,200 17,500

Imports, crude, including anhydrite 7,330 4,220 3,330 3,330 3,400

Exports, crude, not ground or calcined 149 156 360 316 500

Consumption, apparent4 29,100 22,600 22,500 23,700 24,600

Price:

 Average crude, f.o.b. mine, dollars per metric ton 8.70 8.50 6.90 7.00 7.00

 Average calcined, f.o.b. plant, dollars per metric ton 42.60 35.00 29.70 30.00 30.00

Employment, mine and calcining plant, numbere 5,400 4,500 4,500 4,500 4,500

Net import reliance5 as a percentage

of apparent consumption 25 18 13 13 12

Recycling: Some of the more than 4 million tons of gypsum scrap that was generated by wallboard manufacturing, 

wallboard installation, and building demolition was recycled. The recycled gypsum was used primarily for agricultural 

purposes and feedstock for the manufacture of new wallboard. Other potential markets for recycled gypsum include 

athletic field marking, cement production as a stucco additive, grease absorption, sludge drying, and water treatment.

Import Sources (2008–11): Canada, 60%; Mexico, 31%; Spain, 8%; and other, 1%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Gypsum; anhydrite 2520.10.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: U.S. gypsum production increased 11% compared with that of 2011 as the housing 

and construction markets increased in activity. Apparent consumption increased by 4% compared with that of 2011. 

The world’s leading gypsum producer, China, produced more than five times the amount produced in the United 

States, the world’s fourth ranked producer. Iran is thought to rank second in world production and supplied much of 

the gypsum needed for construction in the Middle East. Spain, the leading European producer, ranked third in the 

world and supplied crude gypsum and gypsum products to much of Western Europe. An increased use of wallboard 

in Asia, coupled with new gypsum product plants, spurred increased production in that region. As more cultures 

recognize the economy and efficiency of wallboard use, worldwide production of gypsum is expected to increase.

Demand for gypsum depends principally on the strength of the construction industry, particularly in the United States, 

where about 95% of consumed gypsum is used for building plasters, the manufacture of portland cement, and 

wallboard products. If the construction of wallboard manufacturing plants designed to use synthetic gypsum from flue 

gas desulfurization (FGD) units as feedstock continues, this will result in less mining of natural gypsum. The 

availability of inexpensive natural gas, however, may limit the increase of future FGD units and, therefore, the 

production of synthetic gypsum. Gypsum imports increased slightly compared with those of 2011. Exports, although 

very low compared with imports and often subject to wide fluctuations, increased by 56%.

Prepared by Robert D. Crangle, Jr. [(703) 648–6410, rcrangle@usgs.gov]
71

GYPSUM

World Mine Production and Reserves: Reserves for Brazil, India, and Poland were revised based on information 

from those countries.

 Mine production Reserves6

 2011

United States 8,900 9,900 700,000

2012e

Algeria 1,650 1,650 NA

Argentina 1,340 1,200 NA

Australia 3,500 3,000 NA

Brazil 2,750 2,800 230,000

Canada 2,560 2,200 450,000

China 48,000 48,000 NA

France 2,300 2,300 NA

Germany 2,020 2,050 NA

India 2,700 2,750 69,000

Iran 13,000 14,000 NA

Italy 4,130 4,100 NA

Japan 5,600 5,700 NA

Mexico 3,840 3,850 NA

Poland 1,200 1,200 55,000

Russia 3,000 3,100 NA

Saudi Arabia 2,100 2,300 NA

Spain 11,500 11,500 NA

Thailand 9,900 10,000 NA

Turkey 3,200 3,000 NA

United Kingdom 1,700 1,700 NA

Other countries 14,500 14,900

World total (rounded) 149,000 150,000 Large

 NA

World Resources: Reserves are large in major producing countries, but data for most are not available. Domestic 

gypsum resources are adequate but unevenly distributed. Large imports from Canada augment domestic supplies for 

wallboard manufacturing in the United States, particularly in the eastern and southern coastal regions. Imports from 

Mexico supplement domestic supplies for wallboard manufacturing along portions of the U.S. western seaboard. 

Large gypsum deposits occur in the Great Lakes region, the midcontinent region, and several Western States. 

Foreign resources are large and widely distributed; 87 countries produced gypsum in 2012. 

Substitutes: In such applications as stucco and plaster, cement and lime may be substituted for gypsum; brick, 

glass, metallic or plastic panels, and wood may be substituted for wallboard. Gypsum has no practical substitute in 

the manufacturing of portland cement. Synthetic gypsum generated by various industrial processes, including flue gas 

desulfurization of smokestack emissions, is very important as a substitute for mined gypsum in wallboard 

manufacturing, cement production, and agricultural applications (in descending tonnage order). In 2012, synthetic 

gypsum accounted for approximately 54% of the total domestic gypsum supply.

e

Estimated. NA Not available.

1

The Gypsum Association; multiply square feet by 9.29 x 10-2 to convert to square meters. 2

Data refer to the amount sold or used, not produced.

3

From domestic crude and synthetic.

4

Defined as crude production + total synthetic reported used + imports – exports. 5

Defined as imports – exports. 6

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
72

HELIUM

(Data in million cubic meters of contained helium gas1 unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: The estimated value of Grade-A helium (99.997% or better) extracted domestically 

during 2012 by private industry was about $830 million. Ten plants (five in Kansas, four in Texas, and one in 

Wyoming) extracted helium from natural gas and produced only a crude helium product that varied from 50% to 99% 

helium. Two plants (one in Colorado and one in Wyoming) extracted helium from natural gas and produced a GradeA helium product. Six plants, (four in Kansas, one in Oklahoma, and one in Texas) accepted a crude helium product 

from other producers and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) pipeline and purified it to a Grade-A helium 

product. Estimated 2012 domestic consumption of helium is 50 million cubic meters (1.8 billion cubic feet) and was 

used for cryogenic applications, 32%; for pressurizing and purging, 18%; for controlled atmospheres, 18%; for 

welding cover gas, 13%; leak detection, 4%; breathing mixtures, 2%; and other, 13%.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Helium extracted from natural gas2 80 78 75 71 75

2012e

Withdrawn from storage3 50 40 53 59 60

Grade-A helium sales 130 118 128 130 135

Imports for consumption — — — — — 

Exports4 70 71 77 82 85

Consumption, apparent4 60 47 51 48 50

Net import reliance5 as a percentage

of apparent consumption E E E E E

Price: In fiscal year (FY) 2012, the price for crude helium to Government users was $2.36 per cubic meter ($65.50 per 

thousand cubic feet) and to nongovernment users was $2.73 per cubic meter ($75.75 per thousand cubic feet). The 

price for the Government-owned helium is mandated by the Helium Privatization Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–273). 

The estimated price range for private industry’s Grade-A gaseous helium was about $6.13 per cubic meter ($170 per 

thousand cubic feet), with some producers posting surcharges to this price.

Recycling: In the United States, helium used in large-volume applications is seldom recycled. Some low-volume or 

liquid boiloff recovery systems are used. In Western Europe and Japan, helium recycling is practiced when 

economically feasible.

Import Sources (2008–11): None.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Helium 2804.29.0010 3.7% ad val.

12–31–12

Depletion Allowance: Allowances are applicable to natural gas from which helium is extracted, but no allowance is 

granted directly to helium.

Government Stockpile: Under Public Law 104–273, the BLM manages the Federal Helium Program, which includes 

all operations of the Cliffside Field helium storage reservoir, in Potter County, TX, and the Government’s crude helium 

pipeline system. The BLM no longer supplies Federal agencies with Grade-A helium. Private firms that sell Grade-A 

helium to Federal agencies are required to purchase a like amount of (in-kind) crude helium from the BLM. The 

Helium Privatization Act of 1996 mandated that all Federal Conservation helium stored in Bush Dome at the Cliffside 

Field be offered for sale, except 16.6 million cubic meters (600 million cubic feet).

In FY 2012, privately owned companies purchased about 4.3 million cubic meters (154 million cubic feet) of in-kind 

crude helium. In addition to this, privately owned companies also purchased 58.2 million cubic meters (2,100 million 

cubic feet) of open market sales helium. During FY 2012, the BLM’s Amarillo Field Office, Helium Operations 

(AMFO), accepted about 10.1 million cubic meters (363 million cubic feet) of private helium for storage and 

redelivered nearly 62.2 million cubic meters (2,494 million cubic feet). As of September 30, 2012, about 35.4 million

cubic meters (1,277 million cubic feet) of privately owned helium remained in storage at Cliffside Field.

Stockpile Status—9–30–126

 Uncommitted Authorized Disposal plan Disposals

Material inventory for disposal FY 2012 FY 2012

Helium 352.9 352.9 63.8 63.4

Prepared by John E. Hamak7 [(806) 356–1031, jhamak@blm.gov]
73

HELIUM

Events, Trends, and Issues: In 2012, BLM continued to use a pricing mechanism based on the requirements of the 

Helium Privatization Act of 1996. During 2012, BLM helium prices to nongovernment buyers increased to $2.73 per 

cubic meter ($75.50 per thousand cubic feet) of gas delivered. In 2013, increased cost recovery measures are 

expected to be implemented at various natural gas fields throughout the United States, including the Hugoton and 

Riley Ridge Fields. The AMFO conducted four open market helium offerings in FY 2012, selling a total of 58.2 million 

cubic meters (2,100 million cubic feet) of helium. By the end of the decade, international helium extraction facilities 

are likely to become the main source of supply for world helium uses. Seven international helium plants are in 

operation and more are planned for the next 3 to 5 years. Expansions to facilities are planned in Algeria and Qatar. 

Additionally, a new extraction facility associated with LNG production in Qatar is expected to be online within the next 

2 years. In 2012, demand exceeded the ability of the BLM’s Crude Helium Enrichment Unit to supply its customers 

along the crude helium pipeline. As a result, the BLM allocated helium to the refiners along the pipeline. The shortage 

of helium and allocations are expected to continue in 2013 and may become greater as the storage reservoir 

production declines.

World Production and Reserves

 Production Reserves8

:

 2011

United States (extracted from natural gas) 71 75 4,000

2012e

United States (from Cliffside Field) 59 60 (

9

) 

Algeria 20 20 1,800

Canada NA NA NA

China NA NA NA

Poland 3 3 30

Qatar 13 15 NA

Russia 6 — 1,700

Other countries NA NA

World total (rounded) 172 173 NA

 NA

World Resources: As of December 31, 2006, the total helium reserves and resources of the United States were 

estimated to be 20.6 billion cubic meters (744 billion cubic feet). This includes 4.25 billion cubic meters (153.2 billion 

cubic feet) of measured reserves, 5.33 billion cubic meters (192.2 billion cubic feet) of probable resources, 5.93 billion 

cubic meters (213.8 billion cubic feet) of possible resources, and 5.11 billion cubic meters (184.4 billion cubic feet) of 

speculative resources. Included in the measured reserves are 0.67 billion cubic meters (24.2 billion cubic feet) of 

helium stored in the Cliffside Field Government Reserve, and 0.065 billion cubic meters (2.3 billion cubic feet) of 

helium contained in Cliffside Field native gas. The Hugoton (Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas), Panhandle West, 

Panoma, Riley Ridge in Wyoming, and Cliffside Fields are the depleting fields from which most U.S.-produced helium 

is extracted. These fields contained an estimated 3.9 billion cubic meters (140 billion cubic feet) of helium.

Helium resources of the world, exclusive of the United States, were estimated to be about 31.3 billion cubic meters 

(1.13 trillion cubic feet). The locations and volumes of the major deposits, in billion cubic meters, are Qatar, 10.1; 

Algeria, 8.2; Russia, 6.8; Canada, 2.0; and China, 1.1. As of December 31, 2010, the AMFO had analyzed about 

22,000 gas samples from 26 countries and the United States, in a program to identify world helium resources.

Substitutes: There is no substitute for helium in cryogenic applications if temperatures below –429 °F are required. 

Argon can be substituted for helium in welding, and hydrogen can be substituted for helium in some lighter-than-air 

applications in which the flammable nature of hydrogen is not objectionable. Hydrogen is also being investigated as a 

substitute for helium in deep-sea diving applications below 1,000 feet.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter. NA Not available. — Zero. 1

Measured at 101.325 kilopascals absolute (14.696 psia) and 15 °C; 27.737 cubic meters of helium = 1 Mcf of helium at 70 °F and 14.7 psia.

2

Both Grade-A and crude helium. 3

Extracted from natural gas in prior years.

4

Grade-A helium. 5

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 6

See Appendix B for definitions.

7

Team Leader, Resources and Evaluation Group, Bureau of Land Management, Amarillo Field Office, Helium Operations, Amarillo, TX.

 8See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 

9

Included in United States (extracted from natural gas) reserves.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
74

INDIUM

(Data in metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Indium was not recovered from ores in the United States in 2012. Two companies, 

one in New York and the other in Rhode Island, produced indium metal and indium products by upgrading lower 

grade imported indium metal. High-purity indium shapes, alloys, and compounds were also produced from imported 

indium by several additional firms. Production of indium tin oxide (ITO) continued to be the leading end use of indium 

and accounted for most global indium consumption. ITO thin-film coatings were primarily used for electrically 

conductive purposes in a variety of flat-panel devices—most commonly liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Other end uses 

included solders and alloys, compounds, electrical components and semiconductors, and research. The estimated 

value of primary indium metal consumed in 2012, based on the annual average New York dealer price, was about 

$49 million.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, refinery — — — — — 

2012e

Imports for consumption1 144 105 117 146 110

Exports NA NA NA NA NA

Consumption, estimated 125 130 110 120 90

Price, annual average, dollars per kilogram: 

 U.S. producer2 685 500 565 720 650

 New York dealer3 519 382 552 685 540

 99.99% c.i.f. Japan4 479 348 546 680 510

Stocks, producer, yearend NA NA NA NA NA

Net import reliance5 as a percentage of

estimated consumption 100 100 100 100 100

Recycling: Data on the quantity of secondary indium recovered from scrap were not available. Indium is most 

commonly recovered from ITO. Sputtering, the process in which ITO is deposited as a thin-film coating onto a 

substrate, is highly inefficient; approximately 30% of an ITO target material is deposited onto the substrate. The 

remaining 70% consists of the spent ITO target material, the grinding sludge, and the after-processing residue left on 

the walls of the sputtering chamber. ITO recycling is concentrated in China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea—the 

countries where ITO production and sputtering take place.

An LCD manufacturer has developed a process to reclaim indium directly from scrap LCD panels. Indium recovery 

from tailings was thought to have been insignificant, as these wastes contain low amounts of the metal and can be 

difficult to process. However, recent improvements to the process technology have made indium recovery from 

tailings viable when the price of indium is high.

Import Sources (2008–11):

1 China, 29%; Canada, 23%; Japan, 14%; Belgium, 11%; and other, 23%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Unwrought indium, including powders 8112.92.3000 Free.

12–31–12

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: The annual average New York dealer price of indium decreased by approximately 21% 

in 2012 from that of 2011. The New York dealer price range for indium began the year at $630 to $670 per kilogram 

and decreased through late July, reaching a low of $485 to $520 per kilogram. The price range then increased 

beginning in September to $500 to $540 per kilogram, where it remained through early November. The U.S. producer 

price for indium began the year at $785 per kilogram. The price declined to $580 per kilogram in May and remained at 

that level through early November.

Prepared by Amy C. Tolcin [(703) 648–4940, atolcin@usgs.gov]
75

INDIUM

Japanese imports of indium were 115 tons during the first 8 months of 2012, a decrease of almost 70% compared 

with those during the same period in 2011. Leading import sources included the Republic of Korea, Canada, and the 

United States, in descending order of quantity. During the time period, imports from China decreased by 94% year on 

year, while imports from the United States increased by 184%.

The Chinese indium export quota decreased slightly in 2012 from that of 2011 to 231 tons, of which the quota for the 

first half of the year was set at 139 tons, and the quota for the second half of the year totaled 92 tons. The number of 

companies that received export licenses remained at 18 in 2012.

World Refinery Production and Reserves

 Refinery production Reserves6

:

 2011

United States — — Quantitative estimates of reserves are not

2012e

Belgium 30 30 available.

Brazil 5 5 

Canada 75 70

China 380 390

Japan 70 70

Korea, Republic of 70 70

Russia 5 5 

Other countries 27

World total (rounded) 662 670

 30

World Resources: Indium’s abundance in the continental crust is estimated to be approximately 0.05 part per million. 

Trace amounts of indium occur in base metal sulfides—particularly chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and stannite—by ionic 

substitution. Indium is most commonly recovered from the zinc-sulfide ore mineral sphalerite. The average indium 

content of zinc deposits from which it is recovered ranges from less than 1 part per million to 100 parts per million. 

Although the geochemical properties of indium are such that it occurs with other base metals—copper, lead, and tin—

and to a lesser extent with bismuth, cadmium, and silver, most deposits of these metals are subeconomic for indium.

Vein stockwork deposits of tin and tungsten host the highest known concentrations of indium. However, the indium 

from this type of deposit is usually difficult to recover economically. Other major geologic hosts for indium 

mineralization include volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits, sediment-hosted exhalative massive sulfide deposits, 

polymetallic vein-type deposits, epithermal deposits, active magmatic systems, porphyry copper deposits, and skarn 

deposits.

Substitutes: Indium’s recent price volatility and various supply concerns associated with the metal have accelerated 

the development of ITO substitutes. Antimony tin oxide coatings, which are deposited by an ink-jetting process, have 

been developed as an alternative to ITO coatings in LCDs and have been successfully annealed to LCD glass. 

Carbon nanotube coatings, applied by wet-processing techniques, have been developed as an alternative to ITO 

coatings in flexible displays, solar cells, and touch screens. Poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) has also 

been developed as a substitute for ITO in flexible displays and organic light-emitting diodes. PEDOT can be applied in 

a variety of ways, including spin coating, dip coating, and printing techniques. Graphene quantum dots have been 

developed to replace ITO electrodes in solar cells and also have been explored as a replacement for ITO in LCDs. 

Researchers have recently developed a more adhesive zinc oxide nanopowder to replace ITO in LCDs. Gallium 

arsenide can substitute for indium phosphide in solar cells and in many semiconductor applications. Hafnium can 

replace indium in nuclear reactor control rod alloys.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. — Zero. 1

Imports for consumption of unwrought indium and indium powders (Tariff no. 8112.92.3000).

2

Indium Corp.’s price for 99.97%-purity metal; 1-kilogram bar in lots of 10,000 troy ounces. Source: Platts Metals Week. 3

Price is based on 99.99%-minimum-purity indium at warehouse (Rotterdam); cost, insurance, and freight (in minimum lots of 50 kilograms). 

Source: Platts Metals Week.

4

Price is based on 99.99%-purity indium, primary or secondary, shipped to Japan. Source: Platts Metals Week. 5

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes; exports were assumed to be no greater than the 

difference between imports and consumption.

6

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
76

IODINE

(Data in metric tons elemental iodine unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Iodine was produced in 2012 by two companies operating in Oklahoma, and one 

company in Montana. Production in 2012 was estimated to have slightly increased from that of 2011. To avoid 

disclosing company proprietary data, U.S. iodine production in 2012 was withheld. The operation at Woodward, OK, 

continued production of iodine from subterranean brines. Another company continued production at Vici, OK. Prices 

for iodine have increased in recent years owing to high demand, which has led to high utilization of capacity. The 

Japanese earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 tightened iodine supplies through disruptions in Japanese iodine 

production and panic buying of potassium iodide anti-radiation tablets. The average cost, insurance, and freight value 

of iodine imports in 2012 was estimated to be $41.00 per kilogram.

Domestic and imported iodine were used by downstream manufacturers to produce many intermediate iodine 

compounds, making it difficult to establish an accurate end-use pattern. Of the consumers that participate in an 

annual U.S. Geological Survey canvass, 17 plants reported consumption of iodine in 2011. Iodine and iodine 

compounds reported were unspecified organic and inorganic compounds, including ethyl and methyl iodide, 50%; 

ethylenediamine dihydroiodide, 5%; crude iodine, 4%; povidine-iodine, 9%; hydriodic acid, 3%; potassium iodide, 

11%; resublimed iodine, 2%; sodium iodide, 3%; and other inorganic compounds, 13%.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012e

Production W W W W W

Imports for consumption, crude content 6,300 5,190 5,710 6,590 5,200

Exports 950 1,160 1,070 900 1,000

Consumption:

Apparent W W W W W

Reported 4,580 4,550 4,640 4,740 4,700

Price, average c.i.f. value, dollars per kilogram,

crude 21.52 25.55 24.39 38.13 41.00

Employment, numbere 30 30 30 30 30

Net import reliance1 as a percentage

of reported consumption 100 89 100 100 88

Recycling: Small amounts of iodine were recycled, but no data were reported.

Import Sources (2008–11): Chile, 84%; Japan, 15%; and other, 1%.

Tariff: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

12–31–12

Iodine, crude 2801.20.0000 Free.

Iodide, calcium or copper 2827.60.1000 Free.

Iodide, potassium 2827.60.2000 2.8% ad val.

Iodides and iodide oxides, other 2827.60.5100 4.2% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Désirée E. Polyak [(703) 648–4909, dpolyak@usgs.gov]
77

IODINE

Events, Trends, and Issues: In response to strong demand for iodine in recent years driven by the liquid crystal 

display (LCD) and x-ray contrast media industries, coupled with a supply shortfall resulting from the Japanese 

disaster in 2011, iodine prices were expected to remain at record high levels at the end of 2012 and into 2013.

With a projected global economic recovery, demand for iodine used in biocides, iodine salts, LCDs, synthetic fabric 

treatments, and x-ray contrast media was expected to increase at a rate of between 3.5% and 4% per year during the 

next decade.

As in recent years, Chile was the world’s leading producer of iodine, followed by Japan and the United States. Chile 

accounted for more than 59% of world production in 2011, having two of the leading iodine producers in the world. 

The Chilean producers were operating near capacity and were expected to expand production in response to 

changes in demand and to capitalize on price increases. The third largest Chilean producer initiated a new project at 

Algorta, Chile, which was expected to replace its current operation at Lagunas, Chile.

World Mine Production and Reserves: The reserve data for Chile were revised based on information reported by 

the Government of Chile.

Mine production Reserves2

2011 2012e

United States W W 250,000

Azerbaijan 300 300 170,000

Chile 16,000 17,000 1,800,000

China 590 600 4,000

Indonesia 75 75 100,000

Japan 9,300 9,400 5,000,000

Russia 300 300 120,000

Turkmenistan 270 270 170,000

Uzbekistan 2 2 NA

World total (rounded) 326,800 328,000 7,600,000

World Resources: In addition to the reserves shown above, seawater contains 0.06* parts per million iodine, or 

approximately 90 billion* tons. Seaweeds of the Laminaria family are able to extract and accumulate up to 0.45% 

iodine on a dry basis. Although not as economical as the production of iodine as a byproduct of gas, nitrate, and oil, 

the seaweed industry represented a major source of iodine prior to 1959 and remains a large resource.

Substitutes: There are no comparable substitutes for iodine in many of its principal applications, such as in animal 

feed, catalytic, nutritional, pharmaceutical, and photographic uses. Bromine and chlorine could be substituted for 

iodine in biocide, colorant, and ink, although they are usually considered less desirable than iodine. Antibiotics can be 

used as a substitute for iodine biocides.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. 1

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 2

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 3

Excludes U.S. production.

*Corrections posted on July 3, 2013.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
78

IRON AND STEEL1

(Data in million metric tons of metal unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: The iron and steel industry and ferrous foundries produced goods in 2012 that were 

estimated to be valued at $112 billion. Pig iron was produced by 5 companies operating integrated steel mills in 15 

locations. About 48 companies produce raw steel at about 108 minimills. Combined production capability was about 

118 million tons. Indiana accounted for 23% of total raw steel production, followed by Ohio, 14%; Michigan, 7%; and 

Pennsylvania, 6%. The distribution of steel shipments was estimated to be warehouses and steel service centers, 

26%; construction, 16%; transportation (predominantly automotive), 15%; cans and containers, 3%; and other, 40%.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Pig iron production2 33.7 19.0 26.8 30.2 33

2012e

Steel production: 91.9 59.4 80.5 86.4 91

 Basic oxygen furnaces, percent 42.6 38.2 38.7 39.7 41

 Electric arc furnaces, percent 57.4 61.8 61.3 60.3 59

Continuously cast steel, percent 96.4 97.5 97.4 98.0 99

Shipments:

 Steel mill products 89.4 56.4 75.7 83.3 89

 Steel castingse, 3 0.7 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4

 Iron castingse, 3 7.4 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0

Imports of steel mill products 29.0 14.7 21.7 25.9 31

Exports of steel mill products 12.2 8.4 11.0 12.2 13

Apparent steel consumption4 102 63 80 90 101

Producer price index for steel mill products

(1982=100)5 220.6 165.2 191.7 216.2 200

Steel mill product stocks at service centers, 

yearend6 7.8 5.6 7.0 7.6 7 

Total employment, average, number: 

 Blast furnaces and steel mills 99,000 85,000 87,000 94,000 90,000

 Iron and steel foundriese 86,000 86,000 86,000 86,000 86,000

Net import reliance7 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 13 11 6 7 11

Recycling: See Iron and Steel Scrap and Iron and Steel Slag.

Import Sources (2008–11): Canada, 24%; European Union, 16%; Mexico, 11%; Republic of Korea, 8%; and other, 

41%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Pig iron 7201.00.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Carbon steel:

 Semifinished 7207.00.0000 Free.

 Sheets, hot-rolled 7208.10.0000 Free.

 Hot-rolled, pickled 7208.10.1500 Free.

 Cold-rolled 7209.00.0000 Free.

 Galvanized 7210.00.0000 Free.

 Bars, hot-rolled 7213.00.0000 Free.

 Structural shapes 7216.00.0000 Free.

Stainless steel:

 Semifinished 7218.00.0000 Free.

 Cold-rolled sheets 7219.31.0000 Free.

 Bars, cold-finished 7222.20.0000 Free.

 

Depletion Allowance: Not applicable.

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Michael D. Fenton [(703) 648–4972, mfenton@usgs.gov]
79

IRON AND STEEL

Events, Trends, and Issues: The expansion or contraction of gross domestic product (GDP) may be considered a 

predictor of the health of the steelmaking and steel manufacturing industries, worldwide and domestically. The World 

Bank’s (WB) global GDP growth forecast for 2013 and 2014 was 3.0% and 3.3%, respectively, after 2.5% in 2012. 

The WB forecast that the U.S. economy would expand in 2013 and 2014 at rates of 2.4% and 2.8%, respectively.

According to the Institute of Supply Management (ISM), economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in 

October 2012 for the second consecutive month following 3 consecutive months of slight contraction, and the overall 

economy grew for the 41st consecutive month. The ISM manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index fluctuated 

between 49.6 and 54.8 during the 12 months ending October 2012 while averaging 52.2, which corresponds to a 

3.2% increase in real GDP. An index in excess of 42.6 for a period of time generally indicates an expansion of the 

overall economy.

MEPS International Inc. forecast total world steel production in 2012 to be 5% more than that in 2011. MEPS also 

forecast changes in steel production in 2012 in Asia (excluding China), Africa/Middle East, China, the Commonwealth 

of Independent States/other Europe, European Union, North America, and South America, of 2.4%, 8.1%, 7.9%, 

3.6%, 1.6%, 4.7%, and 5.4%, respectively. China accounted for about 47% of world steel production.

According to the World Steel Association, world apparent steel consumption (ASC) was expected to increase by 2.1% 

to 1.41 billion tons in 2012, and increase by 3.2% to 1.46 billion tons in 2013. ASC in China, the world's leading

producer and consumer of steel, is expected to increase by 2.5% and by 3.1% in 2012 and 2013, to 640 million tons 

and 659 million tons, respectively. ASC for North America is expected to increase by 7.5% in 2012 to 130 million tons 

and by 3.6% in 2013 to135 million tons. ASC for India is expected to increase by 5.5% and 5.0% in 2012 and 2013, 

respectively. The global steel industry has been struggling from the impact of the debt crisis in Europe and slowing 

demand and oversupply in China. The global economy unexpectedly deteriorated during the second quarter of 2012 

owing to continued uncertainty in the Euro area and a sharper than expected slowing of the China economy.

World Production

 Pig iron Raw steel

: 

 2011 2012e 2011

United States 30 33 86 91

2012e

Brazil 31 27 33 35

China 630 670 683 720

France 10 10 16 16

Germany 28 27 44 43

India 39 42 72 76

Japan 81 82 108 108

Korea, Republic of 42 42 69 70

Russia 50 51 68 72

Ukraine 29 29 35 34

United Kingdom 7 7 10 10

Other countries 113 80 296

World total (rounded) 1,090 1,100 1,520 1,500

 225

World Resources: Not applicable. See Iron Ore.

Substitutes: Iron is the least expensive and most widely used metal. In most applications, iron and steel compete 

either with less expensive nonmetallic materials or with more expensive materials that have a performance 

advantage. Iron and steel compete with lighter materials, such as aluminum and plastics, in the motor vehicle 

industry; aluminum, concrete, and wood in construction; and aluminum, glass, paper, and plastics in containers.

e

Estimated. 

1

Production and shipments data source is the American Iron and Steel Institute; see also Iron Ore and Iron and Steel Scrap.

2

More than 95% of iron made is transported in molten form to steelmaking furnaces located at the same site.

3

U.S. Census Bureau.

4

Defined as steel shipments + imports - exports + adjustments for industry stock changes - semifinished steel product imports. 5

U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

6

Metals Service Center Institute.

7

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
80

IRON AND STEEL SCRAP1

(Data in million metric tons of metal unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Total value of domestic purchases (receipts of ferrous scrap by all domestic 

consumers from brokers, dealers, and other outside sources) and exports was estimated to be $39.4 billion in 2012, 

22% less than that of 2011. U.S. apparent steel consumption, an indicator of economic growth, increased to about 

101 million tons in 2012. Manufacturers of pig iron, raw steel, and steel castings accounted for about 32% of scrap 

consumption by the domestic steel industry, using scrap together with pig iron and direct-reduced iron to produce 

steel products for the appliance, construction, container, machinery, oil and gas, transportation, and various other 

consumer industries. The ferrous castings industry consumed most of the remaining 68% to produce cast iron and 

steel products, such as motor blocks, pipe, and machinery parts. Relatively small quantities of scrap were used for 

producing ferroalloys, for the precipitation of copper, and by the chemical industry; these uses collectively totaled less 

than 1 million tons.

During 2012, raw steel production was about 91 million tons, up about 5.3% from that of 2011; annual steel mill 

capability utilization was about 78% compared with 74% for 2011. Net shipments of steel mill products were about 89 

million tons compared with 83* million tons for 2011.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012e

Production:

Home scrap 12 10 10 *10 *10

Purchased scrap2 73 70 66 *72 *72

Imports for consumption3 4 3 4 4 4

Exports3 22 22 21 24 23

Consumption, reported 68 54 60 *63 57

Price, average, dollars per metric ton delivered,

No. 1 Heavy Melting composite price, Iron Age

Average, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Chicago 349 208 319 392 375

Stocks, consumer, yearend 4.3 3.1 3.3 *4.1 4.0

Employment, dealers, brokers, processors, number4 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000

Net import reliance5 as a percentage of

reported consumption E E E E E

Recycling: Recycled iron and steel scrap is a vital raw material for the production of new steel and cast iron 

products. The steel and foundry industries in the United States have been structured to recycle scrap, and, as a 

result, are highly dependent upon scrap.

In the United States, the primary source of old steel scrap was the automobile. The recycling rate for automobiles in 

2011, the latest year for which statistics were available, was about 95%. In 2011, the automotive recycling industry 

recycled more than 15.5 million tons of steel from end-of-life vehicles through more than 300 car shredders, the 

equivalent of nearly 11.9 million automobiles. More than 12,500 vehicle dismantlers throughout North America resell 

parts.

The recycling rates for appliances and steel cans in 2011 were 90% and nearly 71%, respectively; this is the latest 

year for which statistics were available. Recycling rates for construction materials in 2011 were, as in 2010, about 

98% for plates and beams and 70% for rebar and other materials. The recycling rates for appliance, can, and 

construction steel are expected to increase not only in the United States, but also in emerging industrial countries at 

an even greater rate. Public interest in recycling continues, and recycling is becoming more profitable and convenient 

as environmental regulations for primary production increase.

Recycling of scrap plays an important role in the conservation of energy because the remelting of scrap requires 

much less energy than the production of iron or steel products from iron ore. Also, consumption of iron and steel 

scrap by remelting reduces the burden on landfill disposal facilities and prevents the accumulation of abandoned steel 

products in the environment. Recycled scrap consists of approximately 47% post-consumer (old, obsolete) scrap, 8% 

prompt scrap (produced in steel-product manufacturing plants), and 45% home scrap (recirculating scrap from current 

operations).

Import Sources (2008–11): Canada, 79%; Mexico, 10%; United Kingdom, 5%; Sweden, 3%; and other, 3%.

Prepared by Michael D. Fenton (703) 648–4972, mfenton@usgs.gov]
81

IRON AND STEEL SCRAP

Tariff: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

12–31–12

Iron and steel waste and scrap:

No. 1 Bundles 7204.41.0020 Free.

No. 1 Heavy Melting 7204.49.0020 Free.

No. 2 Heavy Melting 7204.49.0040 Free.

Shredded 7204.49.0070 Free.

Depletion Allowance: Not applicable.

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Hot-rolled steel prices decreased steadily during 2012 from a high in January of about 

$820 per ton to about $650 per ton in October 2012. During the first 11 months of 2012, prices of hot-rolled steel were 

lower than those in 2011. The producer price index for steel mill products increased to 222 in May 2011 from 153 in 

May 2009 and then decreased steadily to an estimated low of 199 in October 2012. Steel mill production capability 

utilization peaked at 80.9% in April 2012 from a low of 40.8% in April 2009.

Scrap prices fluctuated during the first 8 months of 2012, between about $311 and $421 per ton. Composite prices 

published by Scrap Price Bulletin for No. 1 Heavy Melting steel scrap delivered to purchasers in Chicago, IL, and 

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, PA, averaged about $376 per ton during the first 8 months of 2012. As reported by Scrap 

Price Bulletin, the average price for nickel-bearing stainless steel scrap delivered to purchasers in Pittsburgh was 

about $1,762 per ton during the first 10 months of 2012, which was 19% lower than the 2011 average price of $2,182 

per ton. Exports of ferrous scrap decreased in 2012 to an estimated 23 million tons from 24.3 million tons during 

2011, mainly to Turkey, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Canada, and, China, in descending order of export tonnage. 

Export scrap value decreased* from $11.4 billion in 2011 to an estimated $10.1 billion in 2012.

Continuing and growing concern about the European Union sovereign-debt and banking crises* have adversely 

affected steel consumer confidence; depressed steel demand, production, and prices; and, thus, caused ferrous 

scrap prices to fluctuate considerably. World steel consumption was expected to increase by 2.1% in 2012 and 3.2% 

in 2013, following 15% annual growth in 2010 and 5.6% in 2011, according to the World Steel Association.

The 2008–12 global economic recession, which began in December 2007, adversely affected the entire world 

economy, including substantial slowing of the economic growth in developed and underdeveloped countries, including 

the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific countries. Purchases of new steel products by consumers have been 

delayed while recycling activity has declined, which has led to a steep decline in the global supply of scrap steel. The 

anticipated recovery of the global economy is expected to cause increased demand for, and the availability of, steel 

scrap. Global scrap steel consumption may reach 570 million tons by 2015.

World Mine Production and Reserves: Not applicable.

World Resources: Not applicable.

Substitutes: About 2.6 million tons of direct-reduced iron was used in the United States in 2012 as a substitute for 

iron and steel scrap, up from 1.6 million tons in 2011.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter.

1

See also Iron Ore and Iron and Steel.

2

Receipts – shipments by consumers + exports – imports. 3

Includes used rails for rerolling and other uses, and ships, boats, and other vessels for scrapping.

4

Estimated, based on 2002 Census of Wholesale Trade for 2007 through 2011. 5

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes.

*Corrections posted on April 2, 2013.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
82

IRON AND STEEL SLAG

(Data in million metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Ferrous slags are coproducts of iron- and steelmaking and are sold primarily to the 

construction industry. Data on U.S. slag production are unavailable, but it is estimated to have been in the range of 17 

to 22 million tons in 2012. Sales improved modestly but remained constrained by continued low levels of construction 

spending, particularly in the public sector. An estimated 16 million tons of iron and steel slag, valued at about $270 

million1 (f.o.b. plant), was sold in 2012. Iron (blast furnace) slag accounted for about 50% of the tonnage sold and had 

a value of about $250 million; nearly 85% of this value was granulated slag. Steel slag produced from basic oxygen 

and electric arc furnaces accounted for the remainder.2 Slag was processed by nearly 30 companies servicing active 

iron and (or) steel facilities or reprocessing old slag piles at about 120 sites in 32 States; included in this tally are a 

number of facilities that grind and sell ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) based on imported unground 

feed.

The prices listed in the table below are weighted, rounded averages for iron and steel slags sold for a variety of 

applications. Actual prices per ton ranged widely in 2012 from a few cents for some steel slags at a few locations to 

about $100 for some GGBFS. Air-cooled iron slag and steel slag are mainly used as aggregates in concrete (aircooled iron slag only), asphaltic paving, fill, and road bases; both slag types also are used as a feed for cement kilns.

Almost all GGBFS is used as a partial substitute for portland cement in concrete mixes or in blended cements. 

Pelletized slag is generally used for lightweight aggregate but can be ground into material similar to GGBFS. Owing to 

their low unit values, most slag types can be shipped by truck only over short distances, but rail and waterborne 

transportation can be longer. The much higher unit value of GGBFS allows this slag to be shipped economically over 

longer distances.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, marketed1, 3 18.8 12.5 15.8 15.4 16.0

2012e

Imports for consumption4 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6

Exports (

5

) (5) 0.1 (5) 0.1

Consumption, apparent4, 6 18.8 12.5 15.8 15.4 16.0

Price average value, dollars per ton, f.o.b. plant 18.00 19.00 17.00 16.50 17.00

Stocks, yearend NA NA NA NA NA

Employment, numbere 2,100 2,000 2,100 2,000 1,800

Net import reliance7 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 7 10 8 9 9 

Recycling: Slag is commonly returned to the blast and steel furnaces as ferrous and flux feed, but data on these 

returns are incomplete. Entrained metal, particularly in steel slag, is routinely recovered during slag processing for 

return to the furnaces, but data on metal returns are unavailable.

Import Sources (2008–11): Granulated blast furnace slag (mostly unground) is the dominant type of ferrous slag 

imported, but official import data include significant tonnages of nonslag materials (such as cenospheres, fly ash, and 

silica fume) and slags or other residues of various metallurgical industries (such as copper slag) whose unit values 

are outside the range expected for granulated slag. The official data appear to have underreported the granulated 

slag imports in some recent years, but likely not in 2011. Based on official data, the principal country sources for 

2008–11 were Japan, 43%; Canada, 37%; Italy, 8%; South Africa, 7%; and other, 5%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Granulated slag 2618.00.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Slag, dross, scale, from

manufacture of iron and steel 2619.00.3000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: Not applicable.

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Hendrik G. van Oss [(703) 648–7712, hvanoss@usgs.gov] 
83

IRON AND STEEL SLAG

Events, Trends, and Issues: Blast furnace slag availability overall is becoming increasingly constrained by the 

general decline in recent years in the number of active U.S. blast furnaces (with three closing in 2012, perhaps 

permanently), the lack of construction of new furnaces, and the depletion of old slag piles. At yearend 2012, 

granulation cooling was installed at only three active blast furnaces but was being evaluated for installation at other 

sites, contingent on the sites remaining active. Pelletized blast furnace slag was in very limited supply, but it was 

uncertain if any additional pelletizing capacity was being planned. Production of basic oxygen furnace steel slag from 

integrated iron and steel works has increased recently as some previously idled steel furnaces were restarted, but 

slag availability for the construction market remained constrained by significant volumes of slag being returned to the 

furnaces and by the uncertain fate of the blast furnaces. Slag from electric arc steel furnaces (largely fed with steel 

scrap) remains relatively abundant. Where slag availability has not been a problem, slag (as aggregate) sales to the 

construction sector have sometimes been less volatile than those of natural aggregates or of cement. In contrast, 

sales of GGBFS have trended more in line with those of cement, but, for both environmental and performance 

reasons, this slag’s share of the cementitious material market has increased in recent years, although it remains a 

very small share. Sales prices for GGBFS remain lower than those for portland cement; however, the differences 

have become small owing to significant declines in cement prices in recent years. Draft regulations released in 2009–

11 to restrict emissions (especially of mercury) by U.S. cement plants and to reclassify fly ash as a hazardous waste 

for disposal purposes have the potential to reduce the supply of these cementitious materials to the U.S. market and 

could lead to an increase in demand for GGBFS. Long-term growth in the supply of GGBFS will mainly depend on

imports, either of ground or unground material.

World Mine Production and Reserves: Slag is not a mined material and thus the concept of reserves does not 

apply to this mineral commodity. Slag production data for the world are unavailable, but it is estimated that annual 

world iron slag output in 2012 was on the order of 270 to 320 million tons, and steel slag about 150 to 230 million 

tons, based on typical ratios of slag to crude iron and steel output.

World Resources: Not applicable.

Substitutes: Slag competes with crushed stone and sand and gravel as aggregates in the construction sector. Fly 

ash, natural pozzolans, and silica fume are common alternatives to GGBFS as cementitious additives in blended 

cements and concrete. Slags (especially steel slag) can be used as a partial substitute for limestone and some other 

natural (rock) materials as raw material for clinker (cement) manufacture. Some other metallurgical slags, such as 

copper slag, can compete with ferrous slags in some specialty markets but are generally in much more restricted 

supply than ferrous slags.

e

Estimated. NA Not available.

1

The data (obtained from an annual survey of slag processors) pertain to the quantities of processed slag sold rather than that processed or 

produced during the year. The data exclude any entrained metal that may be recovered during slag processing and returned to iron and, especially, 

steel furnaces, and are incomplete regarding slag returns to the furnaces.

2

There were very minor sales of open hearth furnace steel slag from stockpiles but no domestic production of this slag type in 2008–12. 3

Data include sales of imported granulated blast furnace slag, either after domestic grinding or still unground, and exclude sales of pelletized slag 

(proprietary but very small). Overall, actual production of blast furnace slag may be estimated as equivalent to 25% to 30% of crude (pig) iron 

production and steel furnace slag as about 10% to 15% of crude steel output.

4

Comparison of official (U.S. Census Bureau) with unofficial import data suggest that the official data may have understated the true imports of 

granulated slag, at least prior to 2010, by amounts up to about 1 million tons per year. The USGS canvass appears to capture only part of the 

imported slag. 5

Less than 0.05 million metric tons. 6

Although definable as total sales of slag (including those from imported feed) minus exports, apparent consumption of slag does not significantly 

differ from total sales owing to the very small export tonnages.

7

Defined as total imports of slag minus exports of slag. Data are not available to allow adjustments for changes in stocks.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013 
84

IRON ORE1

(Data in million metric tons of usable ore2 unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: In 2012, mines in Michigan and Minnesota shipped 97% of the usable ore produced 

in the United States, with an estimated value of $6.0 billion. Thirteen iron ore mines (11 open pits, 1 reclamation 

operation, and 1 dredging operation), 9 concentration plants, and 9 pelletizing plants operated during the year. Almost 

all ore was concentrated before shipment. Eight of the mines operated by three companies accounted for virtually all 

of the production. The United States was estimated to have produced and consumed 2% of the world’s iron ore 

output.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, usable 53.6 26.7 49.9 54.7 53.2

2012e

Shipments 53.6 27.6 50.6 55.6 54.1

Imports for consumption 9.2 3.9 6.4 5.3 5.2

Exports 11.1 3.9 10.0 11.1 11.8 

Consumption:

 Reported (ore and total agglomerate)3 51.9 31.0 42.3 46.3 45.0

 Apparente 49.7 25.7 48.0 49.1 49.6

Price,4 U.S. dollars per metric ton 70.43 92.76 98.79 99.45 101.00 

Stocks, mine, dock, and consuming

plant, yearend, excluding byproduct ore 4.07 5.06 3.47 3.26 3.50

Employment, mine, concentrating and

pelletizing plant, quarterly average, number 4,770 3,530 4,780 5,270 5,290

Net import reliance5 as a percentage of

apparent consumption (iron in ore) E E E E E 

Recycling: None (see Iron and Steel Scrap section).

Import Sources (2008–11): Canada, 76%; Brazil, 7%; Russia, 5%; Chile, 4%; and other, 8%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Concentrates 2601.11.0030 Free.

12–31–12

Coarse ores 2601.11.0060 Free.

Fine ores 2601.11.0090 Free.

Pellets 2601.12.0030 Free.

Briquettes 2601.12.0060 Free.

Sinter 2601.12.0090 Free.

Roasted Iron Pyrites 2601.20.0000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 15% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: U.S. iron ore production was slightly less in 2012 owing to reduced steel consumption

and destocking. In Cedar City, UT, the former Mountain Lion Mine returned to production and was renamed the Iron 

Mountain Project, selling crushed iron ore to China under contract. Construction of an iron nugget plant, planned for 

production in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, was determined to be not commercially viable. However, after closing 

down in June $60 million was invested in the Empire Mine, bringing it back into production in August. It was expected 

to remain in operation until at least 2015.

Following a 30% decrease in the worldwide price for iron ore fines sold in European and Asian markets in the first 

three quarters of 2012, owing to an increase in global iron ore production and project development, the price 

stabilized in the fourth quarter of 2012. Major iron-ore-mining companies continued to reinvest profits in mine 

development, but increases in production capacity outstripped expected consumption throughout early 2012, as 

economic growth that had been dominated by China slowed. Declining demand in China led to drops in spot prices 

for iron ore, and the delay, cancellation, or reorganization of major production improvement projects worldwide. 

Global prices declined steadily since 2011, and in September 2012, they reached the lowest benchmark prices since 

2009. 

Prepared by Christopher A. Tuck [(703) 648–4912, ctuck@usgs.gov]
85

IRON ORE

Slight price rebounds in the fourth quarter were expected to be maintained through yearend of 2012 because of 

supply constraints from decreased exports; 1.6 million tons of output losses from worker strikes at Sishen Mine, South 

Africa; 1 million tons of shipment losses resulting from protests at Carajas Mine, Brazil: and 5 million tons per month 

of export losses owing to mining bans in Goa, India. This decline in supply led to prices increasing by approximately 

30% in October 2012. It was estimated that in 2012, China imported more than 60% of the world’s total iron ore trade, 

the Republic of Korea reported increases in imports of 15%, and Japan’s imports fell by 4.4%. International iron ore

imports are indicators of iron ore consumption, demonstrating that iron ore consumption in Asia is currently a key 

factor for the expansion of the international iron ore industry. Chinese companies are investing in all phases of mining 

and production, to include the takeover of a major iron ore producer in South Africa, for increased production of higher 

grade ore by Chinese mining groups. Despite overall weak iron ore prices, several major Australian producers 

planned to continue expansions of mines and shipping ports.

World Mine Production and Reserves: The mine production estimate for China is based on crude ore, rather than 

usable ore, which is reported for the other countries. Iron ore reserve estimates for Kazakhstan and Ukraine have 

been revised based on new information from those countries.

 Mine production Reserves6

 2011 2012e

United States 55 53 6,900 2,100

Crude ore Iron content

Australia 488 525 35,000 17,000

Brazil 373 375 29,000 16,000

Canada 34 40 6,300 2,300

China 1,330 1,300 23,000 7,200

India 240 245 7,000 4,500

Iran 28 28 2,500 1,400

Kazakhstan 25 25 2,500 900

Mauritania 12 12 1,100 700

Mexico 15 13 700 400

Russia 100 100 25,000 14,000

South Africa 60 61 1,000 650

Sweden 25 25 3,500 2,200

Ukraine 81 81 7

6,500 72,300

Venezuela 17 20 4,000 2,400

Other countries 59 61 12,000

World total (rounded) 2,940 3,000 170,000 80,000

 6,000

World Resources: U.S. resources are estimated to be about 27 billion tons of iron contained within 110 billion tons of 

ore. U.S. resources are mainly low-grade taconite-type ores from the Lake Superior district that require beneficiation 

and agglomeration prior to commercial use. World resources are estimated to exceed 230 billion tons of iron 

contained within greater than 800 billion tons of crude ore.

Substitutes: The only source of primary iron is iron ore, used directly as lump ore or converted to briquettes, 

concentrates, pellets, or sinter. At some blast furnace operations, ferrous scrap may constitute as much as 7% of the 

blast furnace feedstock. Scrap is extensively used in steelmaking in electric arc furnaces and in iron and steel 

foundries, but scrap availability can be an issue. Technological advancements were made, which allow hematite to be 

recovered from tailings basins and pelletized.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter.

1

See also Iron and Steel and Iron and Steel Scrap.

2

Agglomerates, concentrates, direct-shipping ore, and byproduct ore for consumption. 3

Includes weight of lime, flue dust, and other additives in sinter and pellets for blast furnaces.

4

Estimated from reported value of ore at mines. 5

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 6

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

7

For Ukraine, reserves consist of the A+B categories of the former Soviet Union’s reserves classification system.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013 
86

IRON OXIDE PIGMENTS

(Data in metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Iron oxide pigments (IOPs) are mined by three companies in three States in the 

United States. Production data, which were withheld by the U.S. Geological Survey to protect company proprietary 

data, were virtually unchanged in 2012 from those of 2011. There were six companies, including the three producers 

of natural IOPs, that processed and sold finished natural and synthetic IOPs. Sales by those companies were virtually 

unchanged in 2012 from those of 2011, still remaining well below the sales peak of 88,100 tons in 2007. About 60% 

of natural and synthetic finished IOPs were used in concrete and other construction materials, 25% in coatings and 

paints, 5% in foundry uses, and more than 2% each in industrial chemicals, animal food, magnetic tape and ink, and 

other uses.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, mine W W W W W 

2012e

Production, finished natural and synthetic IOP 83,300 50,800 54,700 48,000 48,000

Imports for consumption 155,000 106,000 151,000 158,000 150,000

Exports, pigment grade 4,740 5,640 8,750 8,650 8,000

Consumption, apparent1 234,000 151,000 197,000 197,000 190,000

Price, average value, dollars per kilogram2 1.39 1.46 1.48 1.54 1.54

Employment, mine and mill 65 58 60 58 58

Net import reliance3 as a percentage of

apparent consumption >50% >50% >50% >50% >50%

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11): Natural: Cyprus, 61%; Spain, 14%; France, 11%; and other, 14%. Synthetic: China, 

52%; Germany, 16%; Brazil, 7%; and other, 25%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Natural:

12–31–12

Micaceous iron oxides 2530.90.2000 2.9% ad val. 

Earth colors 2530.90.8015 Free.

Iron oxides and hydroxides containing

more than 70% Fe2O3: 

 Synthetic:

 Black 2821.10.0010 3.7% ad val.

 Red 2821.10.0020 3.7% ad val.

 Yellow 2821.10.0030 3.7% ad val.

 Other 2821.10.0040 3.7% ad val.

 Earth colors 2821.20.0000 5.5% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Arnold O. Tanner [(703) 648–4791, atanner@usgs.gov] 
87

IRON OXIDE PIGMENTS

Events, Trends, and Issues: In 2012, natural IOP production and sales increased slightly compared with those of 

2010 and 2011, reflecting the continued slow recovery of the U.S. and European economies from the economic 

recession in 2008 and 2009; moderate to strong growth continued in Asia. Domestically, residential construction, in 

which IOPs are used to color concrete block and brick, ready-mixed concrete, and roofing tiles, increased slightly. 

Housing starts and completions were expected to continue to increase during 2012, based on increases in both 

statistics during the first 6 months of 2012. Spending on commercial construction, which had decreased in the first 8 

months of 2010 and 2011 from each prior year, increased for the same period in 2012 by 20% from that of 2011. 

Exports of pigment-grade IOPs increased to some Asian markets, where economic recovery was taking place at a 

faster pace than in other regions. Exports also increased moderately to Mexico and some European and South 

American markets. Exports of other grades of IOPs and hydroxides also increased to markets in Asia, Germany, 

Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates. Total imports of natural and synthetic IOPs were trending slightly lower during 

the first 9 months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.

A major producer of finished natural and synthetic IOPs in the United States announced that it would build a new 

synthetic IOP production plant in Augusta, GA. The company planned to invest $115 million in the advanced 

technology facility, to be completed during the first half of 2013, which would be the first new IOP production plant 

built in the United States in nearly 35 years.

An increasing awareness of environmental issues, particularly in Europe and the United States, accompanied by an 

increasing demand for environmentally friendly products and industrial processes worldwide, presented challenges 

and opportunities for the pigments market. Efforts were underway to eliminate heavy metals and heavy-metal salts in 

the pigments for construction materials. Although losing some appeal because of toxicity, inorganic pigments with 

cadmium, chromium, or barium content were expected to continue to be the preferred types where heat, light, and 

chemical resistance properties were required.

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production Reserves4

: 

 2011

United States W W Moderate

2012e

Cyprus 12,000 12,000 Moderate

Germany5 220,000 230,000 Moderate

India 395,000 395,000 Large

Pakistan 6,100 6,000 Moderate

Spain 140,000 145,000 Large

Turkey 100,000 100,000 NA

United Kingdom 8,000 8,000 NA

Other countries 20,000 21,000

World total (rounded) 6

NA 6NA Large

Moderate

World Resources: Domestic and world resources for production of IOPs are adequate. Adequate resources are 

available worldwide for the manufacture of synthetic IOPs.

Substitutes: IOPs are probably the most important of the natural minerals suitable for use as pigments after milling. 

Because IOPs are low cost, color stable, and nontoxic, they can be economically used for imparting black, brown, 

yellow, and red coloring in large and relatively low-value applications. Other minerals may be used as colorants, but 

they generally cannot compete with IOPs because of the limited tonnages available. Synthetic IOPs are widely used 

as colorants and compete with natural IOPs in many color applications. Organic colorants are used for some colorant 

applications, but several of the organic compounds fade over time from exposure to sunlight.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.

1

Defined as production of finished natural and synthetic IOPs + imports – exports. 2

Unit value for finished iron oxide pigments sold or used by U.S. producers.

3

Defined as imports – exports. 4

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

5

Includes natural and synthetic iron oxide pigment.

6

A significant number of other countries undoubtedly produce iron oxide pigments, but output is not reported and no basis is available to formulate 

estimates of output levels. Such countries include Azerbaijan, China, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine. Unreported output likely is 

substantial.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
88

KYANITE AND RELATED MATERIALS

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: One firm in Virginia with integrated mining and processing operations produced 

kyanite from two hard-rock open pit mines and mullite by calcining kyanite. Another company produced synthetic 

mullite in Georgia from materials mined from two domestic sites, one in Alabama the other in Georgia. Commercially 

produced mullite is synthetic, produced from sintering or fusing such feedstock materials as kyanite or bauxitic kaolin; 

natural mullite occurrences typically are rare and uneconomic to mine. Of the kyanite-mullite output, 90% was 

estimated to have been used in refractories and 10% in other uses. Of the refractory usage, an estimated 60% to 

65% was used in ironmaking and steelmaking and the remainder in the manufacture of chemicals, glass, nonferrous 

metals, and other materials. The only source of commercially mined andalusite was produced in North Carolina as 

part of a mineral mixture of high-purity silica and alumina for use in a variety of refractory mineral products for the 

foundry and ceramics industries. 

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production:

2012e

 Mine1 97 71 93 98 95

 Synthetic mullitee 40 40 40 40 40

Imports for consumption (andalusite) 6 5 2 5 2 

Exports 36 26 38 38 36

Consumption, apparente 107 90 97 105 101

Price, average, dollars per metric ton:2

 U.S. kyanite, raw 229 283 283 300 300

 U.S. kyanite, calcined 357 383 422 448 450

 Andalusite, Transvaal, South Africa 263 352 336 335 350

Employment, kyanite mine, office, and plant, numbere 120 110 115 120 120

Employment, mullite plant, office, and plant, numbere 190 170 180 190 190

Net import reliance3 as a percentage of

apparent consumption E E E E E 

Recycling: Insignificant.

Import Sources (2008–11): South Africa, 86%; France, 7%; Peru, 4%; and other, 3%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Andalusite, kyanite, and sillimanite 2508.50.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Mullite 2508.60.0000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Arnold O. Tanner [(703) 648–4791, atanner@usgs.gov]
89

KYANITE AND RELATED MATERIALS

Events, Trends, and Issues: Crude steel production in the United States, which ranked third in the world in steel 

production, increased by 6% in the first 8 months of 2012 compared with that of the same period in 2011, indicating a 

similar increase in consumption for kyanite-mullite refractories. Total world steel production rose slightly during the 

first 8 months of 2012 compared with the same period in 2011. Of the total world refractories market, estimated to be 

approximately 24 million tons, crude steel manufacturing consumed around 70% of refractories production.

Increases in global demand for refractory products during 2010 and 2011 continued in 2012 although at a slower 

pace. Lower-than-expected growth in world steel production during 2012 was, in part, the result of a sluggish 

economy in Western Europe and slowing economic growth in China because of efforts by the Chinese Government to 

moderate growth, especially in its real estate sector. With steel production expanding, mullite received increasing 

consideration as an alternative aluminosilicate refractory mineral to less available refractory bauxite.

China is expected to continue to be the largest market for refractories, comprising the majority of global demand. The 

Asia Pacific region likely will continue to be the largest regional market. Above-average growth is expected in India. 

Eastern Europe, North America, and Western Europe had significant refractory demand because of their large 

industrial bases, but Eastern Europe is expected to have the highest growth of these regions, reflecting the area’s 

continued industrialization. North America and Western Europe (to a lesser degree) are expected to have solid growth 

prospects in the near term, showing continued recovery in manufacturing and steel production, but in the longer term 

growth may lag behind the worldwide average, with steel production shifting to less-developed areas. Demand for 

refractories in iron and steel production is expected to have the strongest gain in the next several years, depending 

on the rate of increase in steel production. Growth also is anticipated for refractories needed to produce other metals 

and in the industrial mineral market because of increasing production of cement, ceramics, glass, and other mineral 

products.

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production Reserves4

:

 2011

United Statese 98 95 Large

2012e

France 65 65 NA

India 25 25 1,400

South Africa 240 240 NA

Other countries 6 25

World total (rounded) 434 450 NA

 NA

World Resources: Large resources of kyanite and related minerals are known to exist in the United States. The chief 

resources are in deposits of micaceous schist and gneiss, mostly in the Appalachian Mountains area and in Idaho. 

Other resources are in aluminous gneiss in southern California. These resources are not economical to mine at 

present. The characteristics of kyanite resources in the rest of the world are thought to be similar to those in the 

United States.

Substitutes: Two types of synthetic mullite (fused and sintered), superduty fire clays, and high-alumina materials are 

substitutes for kyanite in refractories. Principal raw materials for synthetic mullite are bauxite, kaolin and other clays, 

and silica sand.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter. NA Not available.

1

Source: Mining Engineering. 2

Source: Industrial Minerals.

3

Defined as imports – exports. 4

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
90

LEAD

(Data in thousand metric tons of lead content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: The value of recoverable mined lead in 2012, based on the average North American 

producer price, was about $843 million. Six lead mines in Missouri, plus lead-producing mines in Alaska and Idaho, 

yielded all of the totals. Primary lead was processed at one smelter-refinery in Missouri. Of the plants that produced 

secondary lead, 14 had annual capacities of 30,000 tons or more and accounted for more than 99% of secondary 

production. Lead was consumed at about 76 manufacturing plants. The lead-acid battery industry continued to be the 

principal user of lead, accounting for about 86% of the reported U.S. lead consumption for 2012. Lead-acid batteries 

were primarily used as starting-lighting-ignition batteries for automobiles and trucks and as industrial-type batteries for 

uninterruptible power-supply equipment for computer and telecommunications networks and for motive power. During 

the first 8 months of 2012, 81.7 million lead-acid automotive batteries were shipped by North American producers, a 

2% increase from those shipped in the same period of 2011.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production:

2012e

 Mine, lead in concentrates 410 406 369 342 345

 Primary refinery 135 103 115 118 118

 Secondary refinery, old scrap 1,140 1,110 1,140 1,130 1,140

Imports for consumption:

 Lead in concentrates (

1

) (1) (1) (1) (1) 

 Refined metal, wrought and unwrought 314 253 272 315 300

Exports:

 Lead in concentrates 277 287 299 223 200

 Refined metal, wrought and unwrought 75 82 83 47 50

Consumption:

 Reported 1,440 1,290 1,430 1,440 1,420

 Apparent2 1,490 1,410 1,400 1,540 1,520

Price, average, cents per pound:

 North American Producer 120 86.9 109 122 114

 London Metal Exchange 94.8 78.0 97.4 109 91.0

Stocks, metal, producers, consumers, yearend 73 63 65 47 66

Employment:

 Mine and mill (peak), number3 1,200 1,200 1,500 1,550 1,550

 Primary smelter, refineries 340 310 290 290 290

 Secondary smelters, refineries 1,600 1,600 1,600 1,600 1,700

Net import reliance4 as a percentage of

apparent consumption E E E 4% 2%

Recycling: In 2012, about 1.14 million tons of secondary lead was produced, an amount equivalent to 80% of 

reported domestic lead consumption. Nearly all of it was recovered from old (post-consumer) scrap.

Import Sources (2008–11): Metal, wrought and unwrought: Canada, 79%; Mexico, 17%; and other, 4%.

Tariff: Item Number Normal Trade Relations5

Unwrought (refined) 7801.10.0000 2.5% ad val.

12–31–12

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: The global lead market was in surplus during 2012 owing to the buildup of lead stocks 

held in London Metal Exchange (LME) and producer warehouses. North American producer prices were relatively 

stable throughout the first 9 months of the year. LME lead prices were more volatile, averaging $2,094 per metric ton

in January, decreasing to $1,854 per metric ton in June, and rebounding to $2,169 per metric ton in September. 

Global stocks of lead held in LME warehouses decreased by 25% to 265,075 tons during the first 9 months of 2012. 

Domestic mine production in 2012 was expected to be relatively unchanged from that in the previous. In January, a 

silver-lead mine in Idaho that produced about 16,400 metric tons of lead in concentrate in 2011 was shut down for 

maintenance work and expected to be closed until 2013. A lead-producing mine in Alaska produced about 12% more 

lead in concentrate during the first 9 months of 2012 than it had in the corresponding period of 2011 owing to 

improved recovery rates.

Prepared by David E. Guberman [(703) 648–4977, dguberman@usgs.gov]
91

LEAD

In June, the operator of the only domestic primary lead smelter announced that it had decided not to proceed with 

plans to construct a new primary lead plant. The existing smelter will be closed by yearend 2013, according to an 

agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

The market for secondary lead was tight during the first half of 2012, partially owing to a mild winter in many regions 

that reduced the quantity of failed lead-acid batteries compared to previous years. Many lead producers, especially 

older plants, faced increased operating costs owing to recent regulatory changes. In 2012, a secondary lead producer 

announced plans to close a 65,000-ton-per-year smelter in Frisco, TX, by yearend 2012, and a 70,000-ton-per-year 

smelter in Reading, PA, by early 2013. The company operated three other secondary lead smelters. In September, a

leading domestic lead-acid battery manufacturer opened a new $150 million 132,000-ton-per-year secondary lead 

smelter in Florence, SC. Another producer was completing an expansion project at its secondary smelter in Tampa, 

FL, to increase refined lead capacity by about fivefold to 120,000 tons per year. 

Global mine production of lead was expected to increase by 11% in 2012 from that in 2011, to 5.20 million tons, 

mainly owing to production increases in China, and to a lesser extent in Mexico and Peru, offsetting declines in other 

regions. Global refined lead production was expected to increase by about 3% from that in 2011, to 10.9 million tons. 

Increased refined lead output was expected to be primarily driven by new production capacity in China (despite 

shutdowns of many smaller smelters) and increases in Italy, Kazakhstan, and Peru. Global lead consumption was 

expected to increase by about 3% in 2012 from that in 2011, to 10.8 million tons, partially owing to a 5% increase in 

Chinese lead consumption. The International Lead and Zinc Study Group forecast global refined lead production 

would exceed consumption by 180,000 tons by yearend 2012.

World Mine Production and Reserves: Reserve estimates for Australia and the United States were revised based 

on information from Government and industry sources.

Mine production Reserves6

2011

United States 342 345 5,000

2012e

Australia 621 630 36,000

Bolivia 100 110 1,600

Canada 59 53 450

China 2,350 2,600 14,000

India 115 118 2,600

Ireland 45 50 600

Mexico 220 245 5,600

Peru 230 235 7,900

Poland 60 60 1,700

Russia 105 105 9,200

South Africa 55 55 300

Sweden 62 60 1,100

Other countries 340 530

World total (rounded) 4,700 5,200 89,000

 3,000

World Resources: In recent years, significant lead resources have been demonstrated in association with zinc 

and/or silver or copper deposits in Australia, China, Ireland, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Russia, and the United States 

(Alaska). Identified lead resources of the world total more than 2 billion tons.

Substitutes: Substitution of plastics has reduced the use of lead in cable covering, cans, and containers. Aluminum, 

iron, plastics, and tin compete with lead in other packaging and coatings. Tin has replaced lead in solder for new or 

replacement potable water systems. In the electronics industry, there has been a move towards lead-free solders with 

compositions of bismuth, copper, silver, and tin. Steel and zinc were common substitutes for lead in wheel weights.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter.

1

Less than 1⁄2 unit.

2

Apparent consumption defined as mine production + secondary refined + imports (concentrates and refined) – exports (concentrates and refined) 

+ adjustments for Government and industry stock changes.

3

Includes lead and zinc-lead mines for which lead was either a principal product or significant byproduct. 4

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes; includes trade in both concentrates and refined lead. 5

No tariff for Canada, Mexico, and Peru for item shown.

6

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013 
92

LIME1

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: In 2012, an estimated 19.5 million tons (21.5 million short tons) of quicklime and 

hydrate was produced (excluding commercial hydrators), valued at about $2.3 billion. At yearend, 31 companies were

producing lime, which included 21 companies with commercial sales and 10 companies that produced lime strictly for 

internal use (for example, sugar companies). These companies had 76 primary lime plants (plants operating lime 

kilns) in 29 States and Puerto Rico. The 4 leading U.S. lime companies produced quicklime or hydrate in 24 States 

and accounted for about 75% of U.S. lime production. Principal producing States were, in descending order of 

production, Missouri, Kentucky, and Alabama (each with production of more than 2 million tons), and Ohio, Texas, 

Pennsylvania, and Nevada (each with production of more than 1 million tons). Major markets for lime were, in 

descending order of consumption, steelmaking, flue gas desulfurization, water treatment, construction, mining, paper 

and pulp, and precipitated calcium carbonate.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production2 19,900 15,800 18,300 19,100 19,500

2012e

Imports for consumption 307 422 445 512 484

Exports 174 108 215 231 194

Consumption, apparent 20,000 16,100 18,500 19,400 19,800

Quicklime average value, dollars per ton at plant 89.90 102.00 103.70 107.90 116.00

Hydrate average value, dollars per ton at plant 107.20 126.40 124.70 130.90 139.00

Employment, mine and plant, number 5,400 4,800 5,000 5,100 5,100

Net import reliance3 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 1 2 1 1 1 

Recycling: Large quantities of lime are regenerated by paper mills. Some municipal water-treatment plants 

regenerate lime from softening sludge. Quicklime is regenerated from waste hydrated lime in the carbide industry. 

Data for these sources were not included as production in order to avoid duplication.

Import Sources (2008–11): Canada, 88%; Mexico, 11%; and other, 1%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Calcined dolomite 2518.20.0000 3% ad. val.

12–31–12

Quicklime 2522.10.0000 Free.

Slaked lime 2522.20.0000 Free.

Hydraulic lime 2522.30.0000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: Limestone produced and used for lime production, 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: In 2012, domestic lime production was bolstered by increased steel production, which 

is the leading market for lime. U.S. steel production was projected to increase by more than 5% compared with that in 

2011. This increase in U.S. steel production and the accompanying increase in lime consumption was expected to 

account for more than one-half of the 2012 lime production increase.

Lime prices increased in 2012, with quicklime prices increasing by more than 7% and hydrate prices increasing by 

about 6% compared with those in 2011. This continued a trend of substantial annual price increases that began in 

2004 in which prices increased by about 5% to 7% per year (2009 being the exception when the price increase was 

much higher).

A leading North American lime company acquired a regional lime producer based in Wisconsin. The acquisition

included two lime plants in Wisconsin (Eden and Green Bay) and one in Michigan (Port Inland) and strengthened the 

acquiring company’s presence in the upper Midwest.

Two leading U.S. lime companies were taking advantage of the increased availability of low-priced natural gas by 

announcing plans to install gas-fired vertical shaft kilns. This type of kiln is more energy efficient than preheater rotary 

or straight rotary kilns. In Virginia, two vertical shaft kilns were being installed to replace rotary kilns at a plant that 

was idle during 2012. Plans were announced to install a vertical shaft kiln as a third kiln at Pennsylvania’s leading

lime plant, which would increase the plant’s capacity by 25%.

Prepared by M. Michael Miller [(703) 648–7716, mmiller1@usgs.gov]
93

LIME

World Lime Production and Limestone Reserves

Production Reserves4

: 

 2011

United States 19,100 19,500 Adequate for all 

2012e

Australia 2,000 2,000 countries listed.

Belgium 2,000 2,000

Brazil 7,700 7,700

Canada 1,960 2,000

China 200,000 210,000

France 3,900 3,900

Germany 7,000 6,800

India 15,000 15,000

Iran 2,800 2,800

Italy5 6,200 6,200

Japan (quicklime only) 9,000 8,000

Korea, Republic of 3,900 3,900

Mexico 6,400 6,400

Poland 1,800 2,000

Romania 2,000 2,000

Russia 8,200 8,200

South Africa (sales) 1,400 1,400

Spain 2,100 2,100

Turkey (sales) 4,500 4,500

Ukraine 4,250 3,900

United Kingdom 1,500 1,600

Vietnam 1,600 1,600

Other countries 16,700

World total (rounded) 331,000 340,000

 17,000

World Resources: Domestic and world resources of limestone and dolomite suitable for lime manufacture are 

adequate.

Substitutes: Limestone is a substitute for lime in many applications, such as agriculture, fluxing, and sulfur removal. 

Limestone, which contains less reactive material, is slower to react and may have other disadvantages compared with 

lime, depending on the application; however, limestone is considerably less expensive than lime. Calcined gypsum is 

an alternative material in industrial plasters and mortars. Cement, cement kiln dust, fly ash, and lime kiln dust are 

potential substitutes for some construction uses of lime. Magnesium hydroxide is a substitute for lime in pH control, 

and magnesium oxide is a substitute for dolomitic lime as a flux in steelmaking.

e

Estimated.

1

Data are for quicklime, hydrated lime, and refractory dead-burned dolomite. Includes Puerto Rico. 2

Sold or used by producers.

3

Defined as imports – exports. 4

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 5

Includes hydraulic lime.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
94

LITHIUM

(Data in metric tons of lithium content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: The only commercially active lithium mine in the United States was a brine 

operation in Nevada. The mine’s production capacity was expanded in 2012, and a new lithium hydroxide plant 

opened in North Carolina. Two companies produced a large array of downstream lithium compounds in the United 

States from domestic or South American lithium carbonate, lithium chloride, and lithium hydroxide. A U.S. recycling 

company produced a small quantity of lithium carbonate from solutions recovered during the recycling of lithium-ion 

batteries.

Although lithium markets vary by location, global end-use markets are estimated as follows: ceramics and glass, 30%; 

batteries, 22%; lubricating greases, 11%; air treatment, 4%; metallurgical, 4%; polymers, 3%; pharmaceuticals, 2%;

primary aluminum production, 1%; and other uses, 23%. Lithium use in batteries expanded significantly in recent 

years because rechargeable lithium batteries were being used increasingly in portable electronic devices and 

electrical tools.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production W W W W W 

2012e

Imports for consumption 3,160 1,890 1,960 2,850 2,700

Exports 1,450 919 1,410 1,310 1,300

Consumption:

 Apparent W W W W W 

 Estimated 2,300 1,300 1,100 1

2,000 12,000

Employment, mine and mill, number 68 68 68 68 68

Net import reliance2 as a percentage of

apparent consumption >50% >50% >50% >80% >70% 

Recycling: Recycled lithium content has been historically insignificant, but has increased steadily owing to the growth 

in consumption of lithium batteries. One U.S. company has recycled lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries since 1992 

at its Canadian facility in British Columbia. In 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded the company $9.5 million 

to construct the first U.S. recycling facility for lithium-ion batteries.

Import Sources (2008–11): Argentina, 52%; Chile, 44%; China, 3%; and other, 1%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Other alkali metals 2805.19.9000 5.5% ad val.

12–31–12

Lithium oxide and hydroxide 2825.20.0000 3.7% ad val.

Lithium carbonate:

U.S.P. grade 2836.91.0010 3.7% ad val.

Other 2836.91.0050 3.7% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Worldwide lithium production increased in 2012. Production volumes of two major 

lithium producers in Australia and Chile increased moderately through the third quarter of 2012. Argentina’s major 

lithium producer experienced weather-related complications during the year, which reduced production and delayed 

efforts to increase production capacity. Industry analysts and the major lithium producers expected worldwide 

consumption of lithium in 2012 to be between 25,900 and 28,200 tons, increasing by 7.5% to 10% from that of 2011. 

All of the major brine and mineral-based lithium producers increased their lithium prices in 2012. Many emerging 

companies continued exploring for lithium on claims worldwide. Numerous claims in Nevada, as well as in Argentina, 

Australia, Bolivia, and Canada, have been leased or staked.

Subsurface brines have become the leading raw material for lithium carbonate production worldwide because of lower 

production costs compared with the mining and processing costs for hard-rock ores. Owing to growing spodumene 

demand from China in the last several years, however, mineral-sourced lithium has gained market share on brinesourced lithium. Two brine operations in Chile dominate the world market, and a facility at a brine deposit in Argentina 

produced lithium carbonate and lithium chloride. One new brine operation in Argentina began limited commercial 

production in 2012, and several additional brine operations were under development. Brine operations in China 

produced lithium carbonate, lithium chloride, and lithium hydroxide. Lithium minerals were used directly as ore 

Prepared by Brian W. Jaskula [(703) 648–4908, bjaskula@usgs.gov]
95

LITHIUM

concentrates in ceramics and glass applications worldwide and, increasingly, as feedstock for lithium carbonate and 

other lithium compounds in China. 

Owing to China’s growing demand for high-quality spodumene by its chemical companies, Australia’s leading lithium 

ore miner doubled its production capacity, raising its total lithium carbonate equivalent production capacity to 110,000 

tons per year. A major lithium brine producer agreed to acquire the Australian lithium ore miner in 2012 to diversify its 

supply of lithium. An emerging Australian lithium ore producer continued lithium concentrate production in Western 

Australia and opened a lithium carbonate plant in China, where the lithium concentrate was to be converted to 

battery-grade lithium carbonate and supplied to the Asian market. Utilizing a unique reverse-osmosis process, a 

California company began producing high-purity lithium carbonate from geothermal brines. The reverse-osmosis 

process eliminates the need for solar evaporation, a crucial and lengthy procedure in common brine operations. Initial 

lithium carbonate production capacity was 500 tons per year.

Batteries, especially rechargeable batteries, are the uses for lithium compounds with the largest growth potential. 

Demand for rechargeable lithium batteries exceeds that of rechargeable nonlithium batteries for use in cellular 

telephones, cordless tools, MP3 players, and portable computers and tablets. Major automobile companies were 

developing lithium batteries for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles—vehicles with an internal combustion 

engine and a battery-powered electric motor. Nonrechargeable lithium batteries were used in calculators, cameras, 

computers, electronic games, watches, and other devices.

Lithium supply security has become a top priority for Asian technology companies. Strategic alliances and joint 

ventures have been, and are continuing to be, established with lithium exploration companies worldwide to ensure a 

reliable, diversified supply of lithium for Asia’s battery suppliers and vehicle manufacturers. 

World Mine Production and Reserves: The reserve estimates for Australia and Brazil have been revised based on 

new information from Government and industry sources.

 Mine production Reserves3

 2011

United States W W 38,000

2012e

Argentina 2,950 2,700 850,000

Australia 12,500 13,000 1,000,000

Brazil 320 490 46,000

Chile 12,900 13,000 7,500,000

China4 4,140 6,000 3,500,000

Portugal 820 820 10,000

Zimbabwe 470 500

World total (rounded) 5

34,100 537,000 13,000,000

 23,000

World Resources: The identified lithium resources total 5.5 million tons in the United States and approximately 34 

million tons in other countries. Among the other countries, identified lithium resources for Bolivia and Chile total 9 

million tons and in excess of 7.5 million tons, respectively. Identified lithium resources for Argentina, China, and 

Australia are 6.5 million tons, 5.4 million tons, and 1.7 million tons, respectively; while Canada, Congo (Kinshasa), 

Russia, and Serbia contain approximately 1 million tons each. Identified lithium resources for Brazil total 180,000 

tons. 

Substitutes: Substitution for lithium compounds is possible in batteries, ceramics, greases, and manufactured glass. 

Examples are calcium and aluminum soaps as substitutes for stearates in greases; calcium, magnesium, mercury, 

and zinc as anode material in primary batteries; and sodic and potassic fluxes in ceramics and glass manufacture. 

Lithium carbonate is not considered to be an essential ingredient in aluminum potlines. Substitutes for aluminumlithium alloys in structural materials are composite materials consisting of boron, glass, or polymer fibers in resins.

e

Estimated. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. 1

Rounded to one significant figure to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.

2

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 3

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

4

Official sources for China’s lithium production in 2011 and 2012 reported higher figures than industry sources, which reported, on average, 2,600 

metric tons of contained lithium for each year.

5

Excludes U.S. production.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013 
96

MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS1

(Data in thousand metric tons of magnesium content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Seawater and natural brines accounted for about 55% of U.S. magnesium 

compounds production in 2012. Magnesium oxide and other compounds were recovered from seawater by two

companies in California and Delaware; from well brines by one company in Michigan; and from lake brines by two 

companies in Utah. Magnesite was mined by one company in Nevada, and olivine was mined by one company in 

Washington. About 55% of the magnesium compounds consumed in the United States was used for refractories. The 

remaining 45% was used in agricultural, chemical, construction, environmental, and industrial applications. 

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production 274 239 261 306 300

2012e

Imports for consumption 342 173 279 316 270

Exports 25 13 16 20 17

Consumption, apparent 591 399 524 602 553

Stocks, producer, yearend NA NA NA NA NA

Employment, plant, numbere 370 300 300 300 275

Net import reliance2 as a percentage

of apparent consumption 54 40 50 49 46

Recycling: Some magnesia-based refractories are recycled, either for reuse as refractory material or for use as 

construction aggregate.

Import Sources (2008–11): China, 64%; Canada, 7%; Brazil, 7%; Australia, 6%; and other, 16%.

Tariff

 

:

3 Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Crude magnesite 2519.10.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Dead-burned and fused magnesia 2519.90.1000 Free.

Caustic-calcined magnesia 2519.90.2000 Free.

Kieserite 2530.20.1000 Free.

Epsom salts 2530.20.2000 Free.

Magnesium hydroxide 2816.10.0000 3.1% ad val.

Magnesium chloride 2827.31.0000 1.5% ad val.

Magnesium sulfate (synthetic) 2833.21.0000 3.7% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: Brucite, 10% (Domestic and foreign); dolomite, magnesite, and magnesium carbonate, 14% 

(Domestic and foreign); magnesium chloride (from brine wells), 5% (Domestic and foreign); and olivine, 22% 

(Domestic) and 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: The sole U.S. magnesite producer, which also owned a seawater magnesia plant in 

Florida, closed the Florida operation in 2011 leaving only two magnesia-from-seawater plants in the United States—

one in California and one in Delaware. The Norwegian olivine producer that owned the olivine operation in North 

Carolina decided to close the mine and plant in North Carolina and a processing plant in Indiana and supply the 

United States market with olivine from its Norway operations.

A class-action lawsuit that a group of U.S. farmers filed in 2010 against a U.S. magnesia producer and two other firms 

alleging that the three companies agreed to control the price of magnesia used in animal feed and fertilizers was 

voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs in September.

An Austrian-based magnesia and refractories producer purchased the magnesia producer in Serbia to add to its 

worldwide operations. The Serbian firm restarted production of dead-burned magnesia in March 2011 after 

completing a 4-year modernization project and owns magnesite mines in Cacak and Zlatibor. The Austrian firm had 

purchased magnesia operations in Ireland and Norway in 2011 and installed a new 76,000-ton-per-year rotary kiln at 

its Turkey operations to increase dead-burned magnesia production capacity there to 216,000 tons per year.

Prepared by Deborah A. Kramer [Contact E. Lee Bray, (703) 648–4979, lbray@usgs.gov] 
97

MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS

In the Netherlands, the magnesium chloride brine producer planned to increase its production capacity for deadburned magnesia at Veendam by 40,000 tons per year to 200,000 tons per year by 2013. The company also was 

drilling a new well to provide additional magnesium chloride salt raw material for its expansion.

Russia’s leading magnesite producer completed construction of a crushing plant in Siberia as part of development of 

magnesite mines in the area. The company also began furnace construction for the 100,000-ton-per-year magnesia 

plant. When completed, the plant will have the capacity to produce 200,000 tons per year of calcined magnesia and 

150,000 tons per year of fused magnesia. In January, a Greek magnesia producer completed installation of a new 

rotary kiln at its subsidiary in Turkey, which would double the caustic-calcined magnesia production capacity to 

32,000 tons per year there.

Several firms were installing fused magnesia production capacity because dead-burned magnesia was being 

replaced with fused magnesia in some steel furnaces. Fused magnesia has superior properties to dead-burned 

magnesia in some refractory applications, including a higher magnesia content, a higher density, and a larger crystal 

size. New production capacity also provides consumers with an alternative to fused magnesia produced in China. In 

Norway, one of the leading refractory manufacturers was installing 80,000 tons per year of fused magnesia capacity 

at its brine magnesia plant, which was scheduled to be operational by yearend 2012. The leading magnesia producer 

in Turkey added 35,000 tons per year of fused magnesia capacity for a total of 52,000 tons per year; this also was 

expected to be operational by yearend 2012. In Russia, the leading magnesia producer doubled its fused magnesia 

capacity to 100,000 tons per year by yearend. The leading magnesia producer in Iran announced that it would 

complete a 5,000-ton-per-year fused magnesia plant by early 2013.

World Magnesite Mine Production and Reserves: Reserve data for Brazil, China, Greece, and India were revised 

based on new information from these Governments. 

 Mine production Reserves4

 2011

United States W W 10,000

2012e

Australia 86 90 95,000

Austria 219 220 15,000

Brazil 140 140 86,000

China 4,180 4,300 500,000

Greece 86 90 80,000

India 101 100 20,000

Korea, North 43 45 450,000

Russia 346 350 650,000

Slovakia 172 180 35,000

Spain 133 130 10,000

Turkey 288 300 49,000

Other countries 135 150

World total (rounded) 5

5,930 5

6,100 2,400,000

 390,000

In addition to magnesite, there are vast reserves of well and lake brines and seawater from which magnesium 

compounds can be recovered.

World Resources: Resources from which magnesium compounds can be recovered range from large to virtually 

unlimited and are globally widespread. Identified world resources of magnesite total 12 billion tons, and of brucite, 

several million tons. Resources of dolomite, forsterite, magnesium-bearing evaporite minerals, and magnesia-bearing 

brines are estimated to constitute a resource in billions of tons. Magnesium hydroxide can be recovered from 

seawater.

Substitutes: Alumina, chromite, and silica substitute for magnesia in some refractory applications.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.

1

See also Magnesium Metal.

2

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 3

Tariffs are based on gross weight.

4

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

5

Excludes U.S. production. 

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
98

MAGNESIUM METAL1

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: In 2012, magnesium was produced by one company at a 63,500-ton-per-year plant 

in Utah by an electrolytic process that recovered magnesium from brines from the Great Salt Lake. Magnesium used 

as a constituent of aluminum-based alloys that were used for packaging, transportation, and other applications was 

the leading use for primary magnesium, accounting for 43% of primary metal use. Structural uses of magnesium 

(castings and wrought products) accounted for 40% of primary metal consumption. Desulfurization of iron and steel 

accounted for 11% of U.S. consumption of primary metal, and other uses were 6%.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production:

2012e

 Primary W W W W W 

 Secondary (new and old scrap) 88 69 72 75 75

Imports for consumption 83 47 53 48 53

Exports 14 20 15 12 18

Consumption:

 Reported, primary 65 51 56 59 60

 Apparent 2

130 380 2100 2110 2110

Price, yearend:

 U.S. spot Western, dollars per pound, average 3.15 2.30 2.43 2.13 2.20

 China free market, dollars per metric ton, average 2,665 2,950 2,925 3,025 3,250

Stocks, producer and consumer, yearend W W W W W 

Employment, numbere 400 400 400 400 400

Net import reliance4 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 50 33 38 33 31

Recycling: In 2012, about 24,000 tons of secondary production was recovered from old scrap.

Import Sources (2008–11): Israel, 32%; Canada, 25%; China, 13%; and other, 30%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Unwrought metal 8104.11.0000 8.0% ad val.

12–31–12

Unwrought alloys 8104.19.0000 6.5% ad val.

Wrought metal 8104.90.0000 14.8¢/kg on Mg content + 3.5% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: Dolomite, 14% (Domestic and foreign); magnesium chloride (from brine wells), 5% (Domestic 

and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: The U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA), revised 

the final results of its decision regarding imports of pure magnesium from a specific Chinese firm into the United 

States from May 1, 2006, through April 30, 2007, because the review was “tainted by fraud.” The ITA had originally 

calculated a dumping margin of 0.63% ad valorem, but amended the duty to 111.73% ad valorem. The U.S. Court of 

International Trade (CIT) denied an appeal from the U.S. magnesium producer that contested a 2011 decision by the 

U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to revoke antidumping duties on pure magnesium from Russia. In a 5-year 

sunset review of imports of magnesium from China and Russia, the ITC had determined that the duties on 

magnesium from China should be maintained, but the duties on magnesium from Russia should be discontinued. The 

U.S. producer challenged the ITC’s decision not to cumulate imports from China and Russia. The CIT determined that 

although there was some overlap in uses for the two different types of imports, the interchangeability was limited.

A U.S.-based aluminum and magnesium diecasting firm planned to add two new production lines at its Mexico, MO, 

facility by 2017 at a cost of $12.5 million. One of the production lines would be to manufacture oil sumps and head 

covers for a German automobile manufacturer, and the other to make battery cases for a U.S. auto manufacturer’s 

electric vehicles. The firm also expected to increase production of parts for a Japanese auto manufacturer.

Production resumed at the primary magnesium plant in Perak, Malaysia, in mid-February after the plant had been 

shut down for maintenance in mid-2011. The plant was expected to produce at its full capacity of 15,000 tons per year 

by mid-2013.

Prepared by Deborah A. Kramer [Contact E. Lee Bray, (703) 648–4979, lbray@usgs.gov]
99

MAGNESIUM METAL

Construction of a new 10,000-ton-per-year primary magnesium plant in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Republic of 

Korea, was completed in July, and, after trial production, the plant shipped its first magnesium ingot at the beginning 

of October. Magnesium produced at the new plant was projected to be supplied to a magnesium plate operation in 

Suncheon, Jeonnam Province, and to South Korean diecasting companies. 

In Australia, the company that planned to construct a magnesium-from-coal-fly-ash plant would reduce the size of its 

proposed plant to 5,000 tons per year from 10,000 tons per year. This reduction in capacity would also reduce the 

capital cost to $37 to $42 million from $106 million. Construction of the plant was scheduled to begin in Victoria in July 

2013, with production to begin a year later.

According to the China Non-Ferrous Metals Industry Association, China’s reported magnesium production was 

322,000 tons in the first half of 2012, 8.5% lower than that in the first half of 2011. Forty-nine percent of the output 

was from Shaanxi Province, 33% from Shanxi Province, and 5% from Ningxia Province. Production has shifted from 

Shanxi Province to Shaanxi Province because of lower energy costs; in Shaanxi Province, magnesium production 

plants use residual gas from coking operations as a fuel source. Analysts estimated that the cost of magnesium 

production in Shaanxi Province was $1,970 per ton compared with $2,610 per ton in Shanxi Province.

Considerable research and development work is taking place to adapt magnesium and its alloys for new applications, 

including a new family of alloys that shows potential as a bioabsorbable material. Because they have properties close 

to those of bone, magnesium alloys show promise as medical orthopedic implants, and they could be used as 

vascular stents. A consortium from academia and private industry received $2.7 million from the U.S. Department of 

Energy to develop a diecasting process to produce thin-walled magnesium alloy vehicle doors. This project was 

expected to develop an integrated supervacuum diecasting process using a new magnesium alloy to achieve a 50% 

energy savings compared to the multipiece, multistep, stamping and joining process currently used to manufacture 

car doors. By substituting magnesium for steel inner panels, car doors could weigh 60% less, resulting in fuel 

economy improvements and carbon emission savings. A U.S. auto manufacturer began testing a thermal forming 

process and a proprietary corrosion-resistance treatment that would enable magnesium alloy sheet to be used as a 

substitute for steel and aluminum in some automotive applications. The company planned to use the magnesium alloy 

sheet as a rear-deck inner-lid panel to reduce vehicle weight.

World Primary Production and Reserves

 Primary production Reserves5

: 

 2011

United States W W Magnesium metal is derived from seawater, natural

2012e

Brazil 16 16 brines, dolomite, and other minerals. The reserves

China 661 640 for this metal are sufficient to supply current and

Israel 30 30 future requirements. To a limited degree, the existing

Kazakhstan 21 21 natural brines may be considered to be a renewable

Malaysia 2 5 resource wherein any magnesium removed by

Russia 37 37 humans may be renewed by nature in a short span

Serbia 2 2 of time. 

Ukraine 2

World total6 (rounded) 771 750

 2

World Resources: Resources from which magnesium may be recovered range from large to virtually unlimited and 

are globally widespread. Resources of dolomite and magnesium-bearing evaporite minerals are enormous. 

Magnesium-bearing brines are estimated to constitute a resource in the billions of tons, and magnesium can be 

recovered from seawater at places along world coastlines.

Substitutes: Aluminum and zinc may substitute for magnesium in castings and wrought products. For iron and steel 

desulfurization, calcium carbide may be used instead of magnesium.

e

Estimated. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.

1

See also Magnesium Compounds.

2

Rounded to two significant digits to protect proprietary data.

3

Rounded to one significant digit to protect proprietary data.

4

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 5

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 6

Excludes U.S. production.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
100

MANGANESE

(Data in thousand metric tons gross weight unless otherwise specified)

Domestic Production and Use: Manganese ore containing 35% or more manganese has not been produced 

domestically since 1970. Manganese ore was consumed mainly by eight firms with plants principally in the East and 

Midwest. Most ore consumption was related to steel production, directly in pig iron manufacture and indirectly through 

upgrading ore to ferroalloys. Additional quantities of ore were used for such nonmetallurgical purposes as production 

of dry cell batteries, in plant fertilizers and animal feed, and as a brick colorant. Manganese ferroalloys were produced 

at two smelters. Construction, machinery, and transportation end uses accounted for about 29%, 10%, and 10%, 

respectively, of manganese consumption. Most of the rest went to a variety of other iron and steel applications. The 

value of domestic consumption, estimated from foreign trade data, was about $1.4 billion.

Salient Statistics—United States:

1 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, mine2 — — — — — 

2012e

Imports for consumption:

 Manganese ore 571 269 489 552 450

 Ferromanganese 448 153 326 348 420

 Silicomanganese3 365 130 297 348 370

Exports:

 Manganese ore 48 15 14 1 2 

 Ferromanganese 23 24 19 5 4 

 Silicomanganese 7 19 9 8 6 

Shipments from Government stockpile excesses:4

 Manganese ore 9 3 — –75 — 

 Ferromanganese 18 25 26 10 7 

Consumption, reported:5

 Manganese ore6 464 422 450 532 530

 Ferromanganese 304 242 292 303 310

 Silicomanganese 113 94 97 106 110

Consumption, apparent, manganese7 844 451 721 699 870

Price, average, 46% to 48% Mn metallurgical ore, 

dollars per metric ton unit, contained Mn:

 Cost, insurance, and freight (c.i.f.), U.S. portse 12.15 7.95 9.64 7.88 7.40

 CNF8 China, Ryan’s Notes 14.70 5.61 7.23 5.72 9

5.00

Stocks, producer and consumer, yearend:

 Manganese ore6 255 115 168 250 214

 Ferromanganese 27 31 32 25 26

 Silicomanganese 24 26 26 22 23

Net import reliance10 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 100 100 100 100 100

Recycling: Manganese was recycled incidentally as a constituent of ferrous and nonferrous scrap; however, scrap 

recovery specifically for manganese was negligible. Manganese is recovered along with iron from steel slag.

Import Sources (2008–11): Manganese ore: Gabon, 61%; Australia, 21%; South Africa, 7%; Brazil, 5%; and other, 

6%. Ferromanganese: South Africa, 51%; China, 13%; Ukraine, 8%; Republic of Korea, 7%; and other, 21%. 

Manganese contained in all manganese imports: South Africa, 25%; Gabon, 22%; Australia, 12%; China, 9%; and 

other, 32%.

Tariff: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Ore and concentrate 2602.00.0040/60 Free.

12–31–12

Manganese dioxide 2820.10.0000 4.7% ad val.

High-carbon ferromanganese 7202.11.5000 1.5% ad val.

Silicomanganese 7202.30.0000 3.9% ad val.

Metal, unwrought 8111.00.4700/4900 14% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Prepared by Lisa A. Corathers [(703) 648–4973, lcorathers@usgs.gov]
101

MANGANESE

Government Stockpile

Stockpile Status—9–30–1211

: 

Uncommitted Authorized Disposal plan Disposals

Material inventory for disposal FY 2012 FY 2012

Manganese ore12 292 292 91 — 

Ferromanganese, high-carbon 345 345 91 8 

Events, Trends, and Issues: U.S. steel production in 2012 was projected to be 4% more than that in 2011. Imports 

of manganese ferroalloys were expected to be substantially more in 2012 than in 201121% and 6% more for 

ferromanganese and silicomanganese, respectively. As a result, U.S. manganese apparent consumption increased 

by an estimated 24% to 870,000 tons in 2012. The annual average domestic manganese ore contract price followed 

the decrease in the average international price for metallurgical-grade ore set between Japanese consumers and 

major suppliers in 2012. More than 6 million metric tons per year of additional manganese ore production capacity 

was planned worldwide in 2012 through mine expansions and startups, the bulk (72%) of which was in South Africa.

World Mine Production and Reserves (metal content): Reserve estimates have been revised from those 

previously published for Australia, Gabon, India, and Mexico, based on reports by the Governments of Australia and 

India and the major manganese producers in Gabon and Mexico. 

 Mine production Reserves13

 2011

United States — — — 

2012e

Australia 3,200 3,400 97,000

Brazil 1,210 1,100 110,000

Burma 234 230 NA

China 2,800 3,000 44,000

Gabon 1,860 2,000 27,000

India 895 810 49,000

Kazakhstan 390 390 5,000

Malaysia 225 230 NA

Mexico 171 170 5,000

South Africa 3,400 3,500 150,000

Ukraine 330 310 140,000

Other countries 1,740 1,700

World total (rounded) 16,000 16,000 630,000

 Small

World Resources: Land-based manganese resources are large but irregularly distributed; those of the United States 

are very low grade and have potentially high extraction costs. South Africa accounts for about 75% of the world’s 

identified manganese resources, and Ukraine accounts for 10%.

Substitutes: Manganese has no satisfactory substitute in its major applications.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. — Zero. 1

Manganese content typically ranges from 35% to 54% for manganese ore and from 74% to 95% for ferromanganese.

2

Excludes insignificant quantities of low-grade manganiferous ore. 3

Imports more nearly represent amount consumed than does reported consumption.

4

Net quantity, in manganese content, defined as stockpile shipments – receipts. 5

Manganese consumption cannot be estimated as the sum of manganese ore and ferromanganese consumption because so doing would count 

manganese in ore used to produce ferromanganese twice. 6

Consumers only, exclusive of ore consumed at iron and steel plants.

7

Thousand metric tons, manganese content; based on estimated average content for all components except imports, for which content is reported. 8

Cost and freight (CNF) represents the costs paid by a seller to ship manganese ore by sea to a Chinese port; excludes insurance. 9

Average weekly price through October 2012. 10Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 11See Appendix B for definitions.

12Metallurgical grade.

13See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013 
102

MERCURY

(Data in metric tons of mercury content unless otherwise noted)1

Domestic Production and Use: Mercury has not been produced as a principal mineral commodity in the United 

States since 1992, when the McDermitt Mine, in Humboldt County, NV, closed. In 2012, mercury was recovered as a 

byproduct from processing gold-silver ore at several mines in Nevada; however, these production data were not 

reported. Secondary, or recycled, mercury was recovered by retorting end-of-use mercury-containing products that 

mainly included batteries, compact and traditional fluorescent lamps, dental amalgam, medical devices, and 

thermostats, as well as mercury-contaminated soils. The mercury was processed and refined for resale or exported. 

Secondary mercury production data were not reported. Mercury use is not carefully tracked in the United States; 

however, less than 50 metric tons per year of mercury was consumed domestically. The leading domestic end user of 

mercury was the chlorine-caustic soda industry. Owing to mercury toxicity and concerns for the environment and 

human health, overall mercury use has declined in the United States. Mercury has been released to the environment 

from mercury-containing car switches when the automobile is scrapped for recycling, from coal-fired powerplant 

emissions, and from incinerated mercury-containing medical devices. Mercury is no longer used in batteries and 

paints manufactured in the United States. Mercury was imported, refined, and then exported for global use in 

chlorine-caustic soda production, compact and traditional fluorescent lights, dental amalgam, and neon lights; 

however, its primary use is for small-scale gold mining in many parts of the world. Some button-type batteries, 

cleansers, fireworks, folk medicines, grandfather clocks, pesticides, and some skin-lightening creams and soaps may 

contain mercury.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production:

2012e

 Mine (byproduct) NA NA NA NA NA

 Secondary NA NA NA NA NA

Imports for consumption (gross weight), metal 155 206 294 110 280

Exports (gross weight), metal 732 753 459 132 110

Price, average value, dollars per flask, free market2 600 610 1,076 1,850 1,850

Net import reliance3 as a percentage of

apparent consumption E E E E NA

Recycling: In 2012, six companies in the United States accounted for the majority of secondary mercury recycling 

and production. Mercury-containing automobile convenience switches, barometers, compact and traditional 

fluorescent lamps, computers, dental amalgam, medical devices, thermostats, and some mercury-containing toys 

were collected by as many as 50 smaller companies and then the mercury-containing materials were shipped to 

larger companies for retorting and reclamation of the mercury. In addition, many recycling companies recovered 

mercury from waste themselves when retorting was not required. The increased use of nonmercury substitutes has 

resulted in a shrinking reservoir of mercury-containing products for recycling.

Import Sources (2008–11): Chile, 46%; Peru, 43%; Germany, 6%; Canada, 3%; and other, 2%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Mercury 2805.40.0000 1.7% ad val.

12–31–12

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: An inventory of 4,436 tons of mercury was held in storage at the Hawthorne Army Depot, 

Hawthorne, NV. About 1,200 tons of mercury also was held by the U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN. Sales 

of mercury from the National Defense Stockpile remained suspended.

Stockpile Status—9–30–124

Uncommitted Authorized Disposal plan Disposals

Material inventory for disposal FY 2012 FY 2012

Mercury 4,436 4,436 — — 

Events, Trends, and Issues: The United States was one of the five leading mercury-exporting countries in 2012; the 

principal export destinations were Indonesia, Nigeria, and Peru. The average monthly price of one flask of domestic 

mercury and free market mercury was unchanged at $1,850 throughout the year. Imports increased significantly in 

2012; this is the result of foreign companies storing mercury for 2 to 3 years before exporting it to the United States. 

Imports have fluctuated since 2000 on a 2- or 3-year cycle.

Prepared by Robert L. Virta [(703) 648–7726, rvirta@usgs.gov]
103

MERCURY

Global consumption of mercury was estimated to be 2,000 tons per year, and approximately 50% of this consumption 

came from the use of mercury compounds as a catalyst in the coal-based manufacture of vinyl chloride monomer in 

China. Use of nonmercury technology for chloralkali production and the ultimate closure of the world’s mercury-cell 

chloralkali plants may put a large quantity of mercury on the global market for recycling, sale, or, owing to export bans 

in Europe and the United States, storage. A major chlorine producer continued the conversion of one mercury cell 

plant in Tennessee to membrane technology and planned to discontinue chlorine manufacture at a plant in Georgia 

that used mercury cell technology. These changes were scheduled to be completed by yearend 2012, leaving only 2 

mercury cell chlorine-caustic soda plants in use in the United States, compared with 5 in 2008, and 14 in 1996.

Byproduct mercury production is expected to continue from large-scale domestic and foreign gold-silver mining and 

processing, as is secondary production of mercury from an ever-diminishing supply of mercury-containing products, 

such as automobile convenience switches and thermostats. However, the volume of byproduct mercury that enters 

the global supply from foreign gold-silver processing may fluctuate dramatically from year to year; for example, 

mercury in Chile and Peru is typically stockpiled until there is sufficient material for export. Domestic mercury 

consumption will continue to decline as nonmercury-containing products, such as digital thermometers, are 

substituted for those containing mercury.

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production Reserves5

:

2011

United States NA NA — 

2012e

Chile (byproduct) 100 90 NA

China 1,500 1,200 21,000

Kyrgyzstan 250 150 7,500

Mexico (reclaimed) 21 21 27,000

Peru (byproduct) 35 35 NA

Other countries 103 100

World total (rounded) 2,010 1,600 94,000

38,000

World Resources: China, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, and Ukraine have most of the world’s 

estimated 600,000 tons of mercury resources. Mexico reclaims mercury from Spanish Colonial silver mining waste. In 

Peru, mercury production from the Santa Barbara Mine (Huancavelica) stopped in the 1990s; however, Peru 

continues to be an important source of byproduct mercury imported into the United States. Spain, once a leading 

producer of mercury from its centuries-old Almaden Mine, stopped mining in 2003. In the United States, there are 

mercury occurrences in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Nevada, and Texas; however, mercury has not been mined as 

a principal mineral commodity since 1992. The declining consumption of mercury, except for small-scale gold mining, 

indicates that these resources are sufficient for another century or more of use.

Substitutes: For aesthetic or human health concerns, natural-appearing ceramic composites substitute for the darkgray mercury-containing dental amalgam. “Galistan,” an alloy of gallium, indium, and tin, or alternatively, digital 

thermometers, now replaces the mercury used in traditional mercury thermometers. At chloralkali plants around the 

world, mercury-cell technology is being replaced by newer diaphragm and membrane cell technology. Light-emitting 

diodes that contain indium substitute for mercury-containing fluorescent lamps. Lithium, nickel-cadmium, and zinc-air 

batteries replace mercury-zinc batteries in the United States; indium compounds substitute for mercury in alkaline 

batteries; and organic compounds have been substituted for mercury fungicides in latex paint.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter. NA Not available. — Zero. 1

Some international data and dealer prices are reported in flasks. One metric ton (1,000 kilograms) = 29.0082 flasks, and 1 flask = 76 pounds, or 

34.5 kilograms, or 0.035 ton. 2

Platts Metals Week average mercury price quotation for the year. Actual prices may vary significantly from quoted prices.

3

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 4

See Appendix B for definitions.

5

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
104

MICA (NATURAL)

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Scrap and flake mica production, excluding low-quality sericite, was estimated to be 

44,000 tons in 2012. Mica was mined in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Dakota. Scrap mica was 

recovered principally from mica and sericite schist and as a byproduct from feldspar, kaolin, and industrial sand 

beneficiation. The majority of domestic production was processed into small particle-size mica by either wet or dry 

grinding. Primary uses were joint compound, oil-well-drilling additives, paint, roofing, and rubber products. The value 

of 2012 scrap mica production was estimated to be $5.0 million.

A minor amount of sheet mica was produced in 2012 as a byproduct at a gemstone mine in Amelia, VA, and as 

incidental production from feldspar mining in the Spruce Pine area of North Carolina. The domestic consuming 

industry was dependent upon imports to meet demand for sheet mica. Most sheet mica was fabricated into parts for 

electronic and electrical equipment.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Scrap and flake:

2012e

 Production:1, 2

 Mine 85 51 53 50 44

 Ground 98 77 76 80 86

 Imports, mica powder and mica waste 25 20 26 27 26

 Exports, mica powder and mica waste 9 8 6 6 6 

 Consumption, apparent3 101 63 73 72 64

 Price, average, dollars per metric ton, reported:

 Scrap and flake 120 128 137 122 125

 Ground:

 Dry 251 284 285 281 285

 Wet 651 651 651 651 700

 Employment, mine, number NA NA NA NA NA

 Net import reliance4 as a percentage of

 apparent consumption 16 19 27 30 31

Sheet:

 Production, minee (

5

) (

5

) (5) (5) (5) 

 Imports, plates, sheets, strips; worked mica;

 split block; splittings; other >$1.00/kg 1.90 1.50 1.98 2.19 2.32

 Exports, plates, sheets, strips; worked mica;

 crude and rifted into sheet or splittings >$1.00/kg 2.06 1.11 0.93 1.04 1.59

 Shipments from Government stockpile excesses (5

) — — — — 

 Consumption, apparent (

6, 7) 6

0.39 1.05 1.15 0.74

 Price, average value, dollars per kilogram,

 muscovite and phlogopite mica, reported:

 Block 122 121 130 152 156

 Splittings 1.53 1.66 1.53 1.63 1.68

 Stocks, fabricator and trader, yearend NA NA NA NA NA

 Net import reliance4 as a percentage of 

 apparent consumption 100 100 100 100 100

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11): Scrap and flake: Canada, 34%; China, 34%; India, 22%; Finland, 7%; and other, 3%. 

Sheet: China, 25%; Brazil, 21%; Belgium, 18%; India, 17%; and other, 19%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Split block mica 2525.10.0010 Free.

12–31–12

Mica splittings 2525.10.0020 Free.

Unworked—other 2525.10.0050 Free.

Mica powder 2525.20.0000 Free.

Mica waste 2525.30.0000 Free.

Plates, sheets, and strips of agglomerated or

reconstructed mica 6814.10.0000 2.7% ad val.

Worked mica and articles of mica—other 6814.90.0000 2.6% ad val.

Prepared by Jason Christopher Willett [(703) 648–6473, jwillett@usgs.gov]
105

MICA (NATURAL)

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Domestic production and consumption of scrap and flake mica were estimated to 

decrease in 2012, for the third consecutive year. The decrease primarily resulted from decreased production of 

minerals from which mica is a byproduct, and it seemed that the slight recovery in construction materials markets had 

not resulted in increased mica consumption. Apparent consumption of sheet mica decreased in 2012. No 

environmental concerns are associated with the manufacture and use of mica products.

Significant stocks of sheet mica previously sold from the National Defense Stockpile (NDS) to domestic and foreign 

mica traders, brokers, and processors were exported, possibly resulting in understating apparent consumption in 

2006 through 2009. The NDS has not held mica since 2008, when the last stocks of muscovite block were sold. 

Future supplies for U.S. consumption were expected to come increasingly from imports, primarily from Brazil, China, 

India, and Russia.

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Scrap and flake Sheet

: 

Mine productione Reserves8 Mine productione Reserves8

 2011 2012 2011

All types:

2012

United States1 50 44 Large (

5

) (5) Very small

Argentina 9 9 Large — — NA

Canada 14 14 Large — — NA

China 760 760 Large — — NA

Finland: 70 70 Large NA

France 20 20 Large — — NA

India 7 7 Large 3.5 4.0 Very large

Korea, Republic of 35 36 Large — — NA

Russia 100 100 Large 1.5 1.5 Moderate

Other countries 25 26 Large 0.2 0.2

 World total (rounded) 1,090 1,100 Large 5.2 5.7 Very large

 Moderate

World Resources: Resources of scrap and flake mica are available in clay deposits, granite, pegmatite, and schist, 

and are considered more than adequate to meet anticipated world demand in the foreseeable future. World resources 

of sheet mica have not been formally evaluated because of the sporadic occurrence of this material. Large deposits of 

mica-bearing rock are known to exist in countries such as Brazil, India, and Madagascar. Limited resources of sheet 

mica are available in the United States. Domestic resources are uneconomic because of the high cost of hand labor 

required to mine and process sheet mica from pegmatites.

Substitutes: Some lightweight aggregates, such as diatomite, perlite, and vermiculite, may be substituted for ground 

mica when used as filler. Ground synthetic fluorophlogopite, a fluorine-rich mica, may replace natural ground mica for 

uses that require thermal and electrical properties of mica. Many materials can be substituted for mica in numerous 

electrical, electronic, and insulation uses. Substitutes include acrylic, cellulose acetate, fiberglass, fishpaper, nylatron, 

nylon, phenolics, polycarbonate, polyester, styrene, vinyl-PVC, and vulcanized fiber. Mica paper made from scrap 

mica can be substituted for sheet mica in electrical and insulation applications.

e

Estimated. NA Not available.

1

Sold or used by producing companies.

2

Excludes low-quality sericite used primarily for brick manufacturing. 3

Based on scrap and flake mica mine production.

4

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 5

Less than 1⁄2 unit.

6

See explanation in the Events, Trends, and Issues section.

7

Apparent consumption calculation in 2008 resulted in a negative number. 8

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
106

MOLYBDENUM

(Data in metric tons of molybdenum content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: In 2012, molybdenum, valued at about $1.7 billion (based on an average oxide 

price), was produced at 12 mines. Molybdenum ore was produced as a primary product at four mines—one each in 

Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, and New Mexico—whereas eight copper mines (four in Arizona, one each in Montana, 

Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah) recovered molybdenum as a byproduct. Three roasting plants converted 

molybdenite concentrate to molybdic oxide, from which intermediate products, such as ferromolybdenum, metal 

powder, and various chemicals, were produced. Iron and steel and superalloy producers accounted for about 76% of 

the molybdenum consumed.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, mine 55,900 47,800 59,400 63,700 57,000

2012e

Imports for consumption 14,500 11,400 19,700 21,100 21,000

Exports 34,700 27,900 31,600 35,400 34,000

Consumption:

 Reported1 21,100 17,700 19,200 19,300 18,000

 Apparent2 36,400 30,500 46,500 48,300 45,000

Price, average value, dollars per kilogram3 62.99 25.84 34.93 34.13 29.20

Stocks, mine and plant concentrates,

product, and consumer materials 7,000 7,700 8,800 9,800 8,800

Employment, mine and plant, number 940 920 940 940 940

Net import reliance4 as a percentage of

apparent consumption E E E E E 

Recycling: Molybdenum in the form of molybdenum metal or superalloys was recovered, but the amount was small. 

Although molybdenum is not recovered from scrap steel, recycling of steel alloys is significant, and some 

molybdenum content is reutilized. The amount of molybdenum recycled as part of new and old steel and other scrap 

may be as much as 30% of the apparent supply of molybdenum.

Import Sources (2008–11): Ferromolybdenum: Chile, 74%; Canada, 8%; United Kingdom, 6%; China, 3%; and 

other, 9%. Molybdenum ores and concentrates: Mexico, 32%; Chile, 24%; Peru, 24%; Canada, 16%; and other, 4%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Molybdenum ore and concentrates, roasted 2613.10.0000 12.8¢/kg + 1.8% ad val.

12–31–12

Molybdenum ore and concentrates, other 2613.90.0000 17.8¢/kg.

Molybdenum chemicals:

Molybdenum oxides and hydroxides 2825.70.0000 3.2% ad val.

Molybdates of ammonium 2841.70.1000 4.3% ad val.

Molybdates, all others 2841.70.5000 3.7% ad val.

Molybdenum pigments, molybdenum orange 3206.20.0020 3.7% ad val.

Ferroalloys, ferromolybdenum 7202.70.0000 4.5% ad val.

Molybdenum metals:

Powders 8102.10.0000 9.1¢/kg + 1.2% ad val.

Unwrought 8102.94.0000 13.9¢/kg + 1.9% ad val.

Wrought bars and rods 8102.95.3000 6.6% ad val.

Wrought plates, sheets, strips, etc. 8102.95.6000 6.6% ad val.

Wire 8102.96.0000 4.4% ad val.

Waste and scrap 8102.97.0000 Free.

Other 8102.99.0000 3.7% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic); 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Désirée E. Polyak [(703) 648–4909, dpolyak@usgs.gov]
107

MOLYBDENUM

Events, Trends, and Issues: U.S. mine output of molybdenum in concentrate in 2012 decreased by 11% from that of 

2011. U.S. imports for consumption slightly increased from those of 2011, while U.S. exports decreased by 4% from 

those of 2011. Domestic roasters operated close to full production levels in both 2011 and 2012. Reported U.S.

consumption of primary molybdenum products decreased by 4% from that of 2011. Apparent consumption of roasted 

molybdenum concentrates decreased by 7% from that of 2011. Mine capacity utilization in 2011 was about 75%.

Molybdenum prices slowly increased in the first 2 months of 2012 but decreased for the remainder of the year; the 

average price for 2012 was lower than that of 2011. However, molybdenum demand remained strong. Both byproduct 

and primary molybdenum production levels in the United States remained stable in 2012 compared with their 

relatively low levels in 2009. Byproduct molybdenum production commenced at the Chino Mine in Grant County, NM, 

and the Morenci Mine in Greenlee County, AZ. Byproduct molybdenum production at the Mission Mine in Pima 

County, AZ, continued to be suspended. 

World Mine Production and Reserves: Reserves for Armenia and Chile were revised based on new information

from those countries. 

Mine production Reserves5

2011 2012e

United States 63,700 57,000 2,700

(thousand metric tons)

Armenia 4,500 4,600 150

Canada 8,400 9,400 220

Chile 40,900 35,300 2,300

China 106,000 105,000 4,300

Iran 3,700 4,000 50

Kazakhstan — — 130

Kyrgyzstan 250 250 100

Mexico 10,900 10,900 130

Mongolia 1,960 1,950 160

Peru 19,100 19,500 450

Russiae 3,900 3,900 250

Uzbekistane 550 550

World total (rounded) 264,000 250,000 11,000

 60

World Resources: Identified resources of molybdenum in the United States are about 5.4 million tons, and in the rest 

of the world, about 14 million tons. Molybdenum occurs as the principal metal sulfide in large low-grade porphyry 

molybdenum deposits and as an associated metal sulfide in low-grade porphyry copper deposits. Resources of 

molybdenum are adequate to supply world needs for the foreseeable future.

Substitutes: There is little substitution for molybdenum in its major application as an alloying element in steels and 

cast irons. In fact, because of the availability and versatility of molybdenum, industry has sought to develop new 

materials that benefit from the alloying properties of the metal. Potential substitutes for molybdenum include 

chromium, vanadium, niobium (columbium), and boron in alloy steels; tungsten in tool steels; graphite, tungsten, and 

tantalum for refractory materials in high-temperature electric furnaces; and chrome-orange, cadmium-red, and 

organic-orange pigments for molybdenum orange.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter. —Zero. 1

Reported consumption of primary molybdenum products. 2

Apparent consumption of molybdenum concentrates roasted to make molybdenum oxide.

3

Time-weighted average price per kilogram of molybdenum contained in technical-grade molybdic oxide, as reported by Ryan’s Notes. 4

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 5

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
108

NICKEL

(Data in metric tons of nickel content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: The United States did not have any active nickel mines in 2011. An underground 

chalcopyrite-pentlandite mine, however, was being developed in Michigan and was scheduled to be in full production 

by 2014. Three mining projects were also in various stages of development in northeastern Minnesota. On a monthly 

or annual basis, 122 facilities reported nickel consumption. The principal consuming State was Pennsylvania, 

followed by Kentucky, North Carolina, and New York. Approximately 48% of the primary nickel consumed went into 

stainless and alloy steel production, 39% into nonferrous alloys and superalloys, 10% into electroplating, and 3% into 

other uses. End uses were as follows: transportation, 30%; fabricated metal products, 14%; electrical equipment, 

12%; petroleum industry, 10%; chemical industry, construction, household appliances, and industrial machinery, 8% 

each; and other, 2%. The estimated value of apparent primary consumption was $2.85 billion.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, refinery byproduct W W W W W 

2012e

Shipments of purchased scrap1 161,000 152,000 139,000 142,000 130,000

Imports:

 Primary 129,000 99,900 129,000 138,000 137,000

 Secondary 20,100 17,700 23,800 21,300 22,200

Exports:

 Primary 11,600 7,030 12,600 12,400 7,970

 Secondary 94,600 90,000 80,300 64,800 57,200

Consumption:

 Reported, primary 102,000 83,200 97,600 103,000 106,000

 Reported, secondary 86,700 79,900 81,900 89,300 95,100

 Apparent, primary 115,000 94,100 113,000 124,000 128,000

 Total2 202,000 174,000 195,000 214,000 223,000

Price, average annual, London Metal Exchange:

 Cash, dollars per metric ton 21,104 14,649 21,804 22,890 17,600

 Cash, dollars per pound 9.572 6.645 9.890 10.383 7.990

Stocks:

 Consumer, yearend 15,200 13,600 16,800 18,100 18,600

 Producer, yearend3 5,860 5,490 6,240 6,620 6,570

Net import reliance4 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 32 22 41 47 49

Recycling: About 95,000 tons of nickel was recovered from purchased scrap in 2012. This represented about 43% of 

reported secondary plus apparent primary consumption for the year.

Import Sources (2008–11): Canada, 36%; Russia, 17%; Australia, 11%; Norway, 10%; and other, 26%.

Tariff: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Nickel oxides, chemical grade 2825.40.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Ferronickel 7202.60.0000 Free.

Unwrought nickel, not alloyed 7502.10.0000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: The U.S. Government sold the last of the nickel in the National Defense Stockpile in 1999. 

The U.S. Department of Energy is holding 8,800 tons of nickel ingot contaminated by low-level radioactivity plus 5,080 

tons of contaminated shredded nickel scrap. Ongoing decommissioning activities at former nuclear defense sites are 

expected to generate an additional 20,000 tons of nickel in shredded scrap.

Events, Trends, and Issues: The U.S. economy continued to recover from the global recession of 2008–09, but the 

recovery was slow. In 2012, U.S. production of austenitic (nickel-bearing) stainless steel decreased to 1.41 million 

tons—slightly less than production in 2011 but 22% greater than the reduced output of 1.16 million tons in 2009. 

Stainless steel has traditionally accounted for two-thirds of primary nickel use worldwide, with more than one-half of 

the steel going into the construction, food processing, and transportation sectors. China, the world’s leading producer, 

cast a record-high 11.5 million tons of austenitic stainless steel in 2012.

Prepared by Peter H. Kuck [(703) 648–4965, pkuck@usgs.gov]
109

NICKEL

Nickel prices deteriorated during the spring and summer of 2011. In February 2012, the London Metal Exchange 

(LME) cash mean for 99.8%-pure nickel peaked briefly at $20,462 per metric ton after partially recovering from the

12-month decline. The cash price, however, started contracting again as the European debt situation worsened and 

the Chinese economy began to slow. Economic problems in Japan created by the March 2011 earthquake and 

tsunami reinforced the global slowdown. By August, the cash price had fallen to $15,654 per metric ton and was 

accompanied by the gradual buildup of stocks in LME warehouses to early 2011 levels. The average monthly LME 

cash price for October 2012 was $17,242 per ton. Global demand for austenitic stainless steel was projected to grow 

despite the depressed economic climate. Stainless steel producers in Finland, India, and the United States were 

constructing new meltshops and expanding operations in anticipation of growing demand, particularly in developing 

countries. Demand for superalloys is expected to be especially strong in the aerospace and power-generation 

sectors. Increased extraction of natural gas from shale and the discovery of gas fields in the Mozambique Channel 

are expected to accelerate orders for new turbines manufactured from nickel-bearing stainless steel and superalloys. 

New nickel mines were being developed in Brazil, Canada, East Africa, Oceania, and Southeast Asia to meet the 

projected long-term growth in demand. The $5.5 billion Ambatovy pressure-acid-leach project in Madagascar began 

shipping nickel metal briquettes in November 2012, and the Koniambo open pit mining and smelting complex in New 

Caledonia was scheduled to begin producing ferronickel in early 2013. Companies mining lateritic ore in the 

Philippines continued to ramp up production to meet increased demand from Chinese producers of nickel pig iron.

World Mine Production and Reserves: Estimates of reserves for Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Russia, 

and the United States were revised based on new information from company reports. 

 Mine production Reserves5

 2011

United States — — 7,100

2012e

Australia 215,000 230,000 620,000,000

Botswana 26,000 26,000 490,000

Brazil 109,000 140,000 7,500,000

Canada 220,000 220,000 3,300,000

China 89,800 91,000 3,000,000

Colombia 76,000 80,000 1,100,000

Cuba 71,000 72,000 5,500,000

Dominican Republic 21,700 24,000 970,000

Indonesia 290,000 320,000 3,900,000

Madagascar 5,900 22,000 1,600,000

New Caledonia7 131,000 140,000 12,000,000

Philippines 270,000 330,000 1,100,000

Russia 267,000 270,000 6,100,000

South Africa 44,000 42,000 3,700,000

Other countries 103,000 120,000

World total (rounded) 1,940,000 2,100,000 75,000,000

 4,600,000

World Resources: Identified land-based resources averaging 1% nickel or greater contain at least 130 million tons of 

nickel. About 60% is in laterites and 40% is in sulfide deposits. Extensive resources of nickel are also found in 

manganese crusts and nodules covering large areas of the ocean floor. The long-term decline in discovery of new 

sulfide deposits in traditional mining districts has forced exploration teams to shift to more challenging locations like 

east-central Africa and the Subarctic. Development of awaruite deposits in Canada may help alleviate projected 

shortages of nickel concentrate. Awaruite, a natural iron-nickel alloy, is easier to concentrate than pentlandite.

Substitutes: Low-nickel, duplex, or ultrahigh-chromium stainless steels are being substituted for austenitic grades in 

construction. Nickel-free specialty steels are sometimes used in place of stainless steel in the power-generating and 

petrochemical industries. Titanium alloys can substitute for nickel metal or nickel-based alloys in corrosive chemical 

environments. Lithium-ion batteries instead of nickel-metal hydride may be used in certain applications.

e

Estimated. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. — Zero. 1

Scrap receipts – shipments by consumers + exports – imports + adjustments for consumer stock changes. 2

Apparent primary consumption + reported secondary consumption.

3

Stocks of producers, agents, and dealers held only in the United States.

4

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 5

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

6

For Australia, Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC)-compliant reserves were about 7.0 million tons. 7

Overseas territory of France.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
110

NIOBIUM (COLUMBIUM)

(Data in metric tons of niobium content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Significant U.S. niobium mine production has not been reported since 1959. 

Domestic niobium resources are of low grade, some are mineralogically complex, and most are not commercially 

recoverable. Companies in the United States produced ferroniobium and niobium compounds, metal, and other alloys 

from imported niobium minerals, oxides, and ferroniobium. Niobium was consumed mostly in the form of ferroniobium 

by the steel industry and as niobium alloys and metal by the aerospace industry. Major end-use distribution of 

reported niobium consumption was as follows: steels, 58%; and superalloys, 42%. In 2011, the estimated value of 

niobium consumption was $424 million and was expected to be about $500 million in 2012, as measured by the value 

of imports.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012e

Production:

 Mine — — — — — 

 Secondary NA NA NA NA NA

Imports for consumptione, 1 9,230 4,400 8,500 9,500 9,200

Exportse, 1 781 195 281 363 430

Government stockpile releasese, 2 — — — — — 

Consumption:e

 Apparent 8,450 4,210 8,210 9,156 8,800

 Reported3 5,380 4,350 5,590 7,210 5,900

Unit value, ferroniobium, dollars per metric ton4 34,398 37,298 37,781 41,000 47,000

Net import reliance5 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 100 100 100 100 100

Recycling: Niobium was recycled when niobium-bearing steels and superalloys were recycled; scrap recovery 

specifically for niobium content was negligible. The amount of niobium recycled is not available, but it may be as 

much as 20% of apparent consumption.

Import Sources (2008–11): Niobium contained in niobium and tantalum ore and concentrate; ferroniobium; and 

niobium metal and oxide: Brazil, 85%; Canada, 10%; Germany, 2%; and other, 3%.

Tariff: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

 12–31–12

Synthetic tantalum-niobium concentrates 2615.90.3000 Free. 

Niobium ores and concentrates 2615.90.6030 Free. 

Niobium oxide 2825.90.1500 3.7% ad val.

Ferroniobium:

Less than 0.02% of P or S,

 or less than 0.4% of Si 7202.93.4000 5.0% ad val.

Other 7202.93.8000 5.0% ad val.

Niobium, unwrought:

Waste and scrap6 8112.92.0600 Free.

Alloys, metal, powders 8112.92.4000 4.9% ad val.

Niobium, other6 8112.99.9000 4.0% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: For fiscal year (FY) 2012, which ended on September 30, 2012, the Defense Logistics 

Agency, DLA Strategic Materials disposed of no niobium materials. The DLA Strategic Materials has not yet 

announced maximum disposal limits for niobium metal in FY 2013. The DLA Strategic Materials’ niobium mineral 

concentrate inventory was exhausted in FY 2007; niobium carbide powder, in FY 2002; and ferroniobium, in FY 2001.

Prepared by John F. Papp [(703) 648–4963, jpapp@usgs.gov] 
111

NIOBIUM (COLUMBIUM)

Stockpile Status—9–30–127

 Uncommitted Authorized Disposal plan Disposals

Material inventory for disposal FY 2012 FY 2012

Niobium metal 10.0 — — — 

Inventory in FY2012 is less than that of FY2011 owing to revised inventory in 2012, not to material purchase.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Niobium principally was imported in the form of ferroniobium and niobium unwrought 

metal, alloy, and powder. U.S. niobium import dependence was expected to be the same in 2012 as in 2011, when 

Brazil was the leading niobium supplier. By weight in 2011, Brazil supplied 85% of total U.S. niobium imports, 85% of 

ferroniobium, 85% of niobium metal, and 84% of niobium oxide. The leading suppliers of niobium in ore and 

concentrate were Australia (54%), Mozambique (13%), and Canada and Brazil (10%, each).

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production Reserves8

:

 2011

United States — — — 

2012e

Brazil 58,000 63,000 4,100,000

Canada 4,630 5,000 200,000

Other countries 732 700

World total (rounded) 63,400 69,000 >4,000,000

 NA

World Resources: World resources of niobium are more than adequate to supply projected needs. Most of the 

world’s identified resources of niobium occur mainly as pyrochlore in carbonatite [igneous rocks that contain more 

than 50% by volume carbonate (CO3) minerals] deposits and are outside the United States. The United States has 

approximately 150,000 tons of niobium resources in identified deposits, all of which were considered uneconomic at 

2012 prices for niobium.

Substitutes: The following materials can be substituted for niobium, but a performance or cost penalty may ensue: 

molybdenum and vanadium, as alloying elements in high-strength low-alloy steels; tantalum and titanium, as alloying 

elements in stainless and high-strength steels; and ceramics, molybdenum, tantalum, and tungsten in hightemperature applications.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. — Zero. 1

Imports and exports include the estimated niobium content of niobium and tantalum ores and concentrates, niobium oxide, ferroniobium, niobium 

unwrought alloys, metal, and powder.

2

Government stockpile inventory reported by DLA Strategic Materials is the basis for estimating Government stockpile releases.

3

Includes ferroniobium and nickel niobium.

4

Unit value is mass-weighted average U.S. import value of ferroniobium assuming 65% niobium content. To convert dollars per metric ton to dollars 

per pound, divide by 2,205.

5

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 6

This category includes other than niobium-containing material. 7

See Appendix B for definitions.

8

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
112

NITROGEN (FIXED)—AMMONIA

(Data in thousand metric tons of nitrogen unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Ammonia was produced by 13 companies at 25 plants in 16 States in the United 

States during 2012; 3 additional plants were idle for the entire year. Sixty-one percent of total U.S. ammonia 

production capacity was centered in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas because of their large reserves of natural gas, 

the dominant domestic feedstock. In 2012, U.S. producers operated at about 85% of their rated capacity. The United 

States was one of the world’s leading producers and consumers of ammonia. Urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium 

phosphates, nitric acid, and ammonium sulfate were the major derivatives of ammonia in the United States, in 

descending order of importance.

Approximately 87% of apparent domestic ammonia consumption was for fertilizer use, including anhydrous ammonia 

for direct application, urea, ammonium nitrates, ammonium phosphates, and other nitrogen compounds. Ammonia 

also was used to produce plastics, synthetic fibers and resins, explosives, and numerous other chemical compounds.

Salient Statistics—United States:

1 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production 2

7,870 27,700 28,290 39,350 49,470

2012e

Imports for consumption 6,020 4,530 5,540 5,600 5,090

Exports 192 16 35 26 42

Consumption, apparent 13,500 12,300 13,800 14,900 14,400

Stocks, producer, yearend 302 167 165 178 180

Price, dollars per ton, average, f.o.b. Gulf Coast5 590 251 396 531 575

Employment, plant, numbere 1,100 1,050 1,050 1,050 1,100

Net import reliance6 as a percentage

of apparent consumption 42 38 40 37 35

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11): Trinidad and Tobago, 60%; Russia, 15%; Canada, 10%; Ukraine, 6%; and other, 9%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Ammonia, anhydrous 2814.10.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Urea 3102.10.0000 Free.

Ammonium sulfate 3102.21.0000 Free.

Ammonium nitrate 3102.30.0000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: Not applicable.

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: The Henry Hub spot natural gas price ranged between $1.80 and $3.20 per million 

British thermal units for most of the year, with an average of about $2.70 per million British thermal units. Natural gas 

prices in 2012 were relatively stable; slightly higher prices were a result of increased demand for natural gas owing to 

hot temperatures and associated increases in demand for power generation. The average Gulf Coast ammonia price 

gradually increased from $612 per short ton at the beginning of 2012 to a high of around $655 per short ton in 

September. The average ammonia price for the year was estimated to be about $575 per short ton. The U.S. 

Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, projected that Henry Hub natural gas spot prices would 

average $3.34 per million British thermal units in 2013.

A long period of stable and low natural gas prices in the United States has made it economical for companies to 

upgrade existing plants and plan for the construction of new nitrogen projects.

Several companies have announced plans to build new ammonia plants in Azerbaijan, Canada, Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, 

Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago, which would add about 6.4 million tons of annual production capacity within the next 

2 to 4 years. The largest growth in ammonia production is in Canada because of the low natural gas prices.

Prepared by Lori E. Apodaca [(703) 648–7724, lapodaca@usgs.gov]
113

NITROGEN (FIXED)—AMMONIA

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. corn growers planted 39 million hectares of corn in the 2012 

crop year (July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012), which was 5% higher than the area planted in 2011. Expectations of 

corn acreage utilization increased in many States because of higher selling prices and expectations of better net 

returns from corn compared to other commodities. Corn plantings for the 2013 crop year were expected to decrease 

slightly to 37.2 million hectares. Overall corn acreage was expected to remain high owing in part to continued U.S. 

ethanol production and U.S. corn exports in response to a strong global demand for feed grains.

Nitrogen compounds also were an environmental concern. Overfertilization and the subsequent runoff of excess 

fertilizer may contribute to nitrogen accumulation in watersheds. Nitrogen in excess fertilizer runoff was suspected to 

be a cause of the hypoxic zone that arises in the Gulf of Mexico during the summer. Scientists continued to study the 

effects of fertilization on the Nation’s environmental health.

World Ammonia Production and Reserves

 Plant production Reserves7

:

 2011

United States 9,350 9,470 Available atmospheric nitrogen and sources

2012e

Australia 1,200 1,200 of natural gas for production of ammonia

Bangladesh 1,300 1,300 are considered adequate for all listed

Canada 3,900 3,900 countries.

China 41,700 44,000

Egypt 3,000 3,000

Germany 2,820 2,800

India 11,800 12,000

Indonesia 5,000 5,100

Iran 2,500 2,500

Japan 1,200 1,200

Netherlands 1,800 1,800

Oman 1,700 1,700

Pakistan 2,450 2,500 

Poland 1,700 1,700

Qatar 1,900 1,900

Romania 1,100 1,100

Russia 10,500 10,000

Saudi Arabia 2,600 2,600

Trinidad and Tobago 5,500 5,500

Ukraine 4,300 4,300

United Kingdom 1,100 1,100

Uzbekistan 1,000 1,000

Venezuela 1,160 1,200

Other countries 14,000

World total (rounded) 135,000 137,000

 14,000

World Resources: The availability of nitrogen from the atmosphere for fixed nitrogen production is unlimited. 

Mineralized occurrences of sodium and potassium nitrates, found in the Atacama Desert of Chile, contribute minimally 

to global nitrogen supply.

Substitutes: Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient that has no substitute. Also, there are no known practical 

substitutes for nitrogen explosives and blasting agents.

e

Estimated.

1

U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) data unless otherwise noted.

2

Annual and preliminary data as reported in Current Industrial Reports MQ325B (DOC). 3

Source: U.S. Census Bureau and The Fertilizer Institute; data adjusted by the U.S. Geological Survey.

4

Source: The Fertilizer Institute as adjusted by the U.S. Geological Survey.

5

Source: Green Markets.

6

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 7

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
114

PEAT

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)1

Domestic Production and Use: The estimated f.o.b. plant value of marketable peat production in the conterminous 

United States was $13.0 million in 2012. Peat was harvested and processed by about 35 companies in 12 of the 

conterminous States. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, which conducted its own canvass of producers, 

reported 61,500 cubic meters of peat was produced in 2011; output was reported only by volume.2 A production 

estimate was unavailable for Alaska for 2012. Florida and Minnesota were the leading producing States, in order of 

quantity harvested. Reed-sedge peat accounted for approximately 85% of the total volume produced, followed by 

sphagnum moss, 10%, hypnum moss, 4%, and humus, 1%. About 80% of domestic peat was sold for horticultural 

use, including general soil improvement, golf course construction, nurseries, and potting soils. Other applications 

included earthworm culture medium, mixed fertilizers, mushroom culture, packing for flowers and plants, seed 

inoculants, and vegetable cultivation. In the industrial sector, peat was used as an oil absorbent and as an efficient 

filtration medium for the removal of waterborne contaminants in mine waste streams, municipal storm drainage, and 

septic systems.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production 615 609 628 568 560

2012e

Commercial sales 647 644 605 595 570

Imports for consumption 936 906 947 982 940

Exports 3

57 77 69 49 75

Consumption, apparent4 1,440 1,440 1,560 1,500 1,500

Price, average value, f.o.b. mine, dollars per ton 26.42 23.24 24.39 22.73 23.00

Stocks, producer, yearend 152 149 100 133 100

Employment, mine and plant, numbere 620 610 610 600 580

Net import reliance5 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 57 58 60 61 62

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11): Canada, 96%; and other, 4%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Peat 2703.00.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Depletion Allowance: 5% (Domestic).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Lori E. Apodaca [(703) 648–7724, lapodaca@usgs.gov]
115

PEAT

Events, Trends, and Issues: Peat is an important component of growing media, and the demand for peat generally 

follows that of horticultural applications. In the United States, the short-term outlook is for production to average about 

560,000 tons per year and imported peat from Canada to account for more than 60% of domestic consumption.

Canada’s peat harvest showed improvement over the 2011 season. Eastern Canada had higher than expected 

volumes of peat being harvested, while central Canada was slightly above expectations. An early start of the season 

and favorable weather conditions contributed to the increase in peat production in eastern and central Canada.

World Mine Production and Reserves: Countries that reported by volume only and had insufficient data for 

conversion to tons were combined and included with “Other countries.”

 Mine production Reserves6

 2011

United States 568 560 150,000

2012e

Belarus 2,730 3,300 400,000

Canada 1,120 1,200 720,000

Estonia 960 970 60,000

Finland 6,460 6,400 6,000,000

Germany 2,930 2,900 (

7

) 

Ireland 3,300 3,700 (

7

) 

Latvia 1,120 1,000 76,000

Lithuania 326 330 190,000

Moldova 475 475 (

7

) 

Norway 425 300 (

7

) 

Poland 670 750 (

7

) 

Russia 1,650 1,300 1,000,000

Sweden 2,550 2,500 (

7

) 

Ukraine 454 600 (

7

) 

Other countries 540 510

World total (rounded) 26,300 26,800 10,000,000

 1,400,000

World Resources: Peat is a renewable resource, continuing to accumulate on 60% of global peatlands. However, 

the volume of global peatlands has been decreasing at a rate of 0.05% annually owing to harvesting and land 

development. Many countries evaluate peat resources based on volume or area because the variations in densities 

and thickness of peat deposits make it difficult to estimate tonnage. Volume data have been converted using the 

average bulk density of peat produced in that country. Reserve data were estimated based on data from International 

Peat Society publications and the percentage of peat resources available for peat extraction. More than 50% of the 

U.S. peatlands are located in undisturbed areas of Alaska. Total world resources of peat were estimated to be 

between 5 trillion and 6 trillion tons, covering about 400 million hectares.8

Substitutes: Natural organic materials such as composted yard waste and coir (coconut fiber) compete with peat in 

horticultural applications. Shredded paper and straw are used to hold moisture for some grass-seeding applications. 

The superior water-holding capacity and physiochemical properties of peat limit substitution alternatives.

e

Estimated.

1

See Appendix A for conversion to short tons.

2

Harbo. L.A., Mineral Specialist, Alaska Office of Economic Development, oral commun., September 5, 2012.

3

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; adjusted by the U.S. Geological Survey. 4

Defined as production + imports – exports + adjustments for industry stock changes. 5

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 6

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

7

Included with “Other countries.”

8

Lappalainen, Eino, 1996, Global peat resources: Jyvaskyla, Finland, International Peat Society, p. 55.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
116

PERLITE

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: The estimated value (f.o.b. mine) of processed crude perlite produced in 2012 was 

$24.5 million. Crude ore production came from eight mines operated by six companies in five Western States. New 

Mexico continued to be the major producing State. Processed crude perlite was expanded at 50 plants in 27 States. 

The principal end uses were building construction products, 54%; fillers, 15%; horticultural aggregate, 14%; and filter 

aid, 10%. The remaining 7% includes miscellaneous uses and estimated expanded perlite consumption whose use is 

unknown.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production1 434 348 414 420 424

2012e

Imports for consumptione 187 153 174 193 168

Exportse 37 33 42 36 35

Consumption, apparent 584 468 546 577 557

Price, average value, dollars per ton, f.o.b. mine 48 49 52 56 58

Employment, mine and mill 103 97 102 95 95

Net import reliance2 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 26 26 24 27 24

Recycling: Not available.

Import Sources (2008–11): Greece, 100%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Vermiculite, perlite and

12–31–12

chlorites, unexpanded 2530.10.0000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 10% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Wallace P. Bolen [(703) 648–7727, wbolen@usgs.gov]
117

PERLITE

Events, Trends, and Issues: The amount of processed crude perlite sold or used from U.S. mines increased slightly 

in 2012 compared with that reported for 2011. Imports decreased about 13% as demand for perlite-based 

construction products, fillers, and filter aid failed to sustain a modest recovery started in 2010.

The quantities of processed crude perlite sold or used each year from 2009 through 2012 had not recovered to levels 

seen prior to 2006, and in 2012 were still lower than they had been since the early 1980s. Imports declined for the 

first time since 2009 as decreased demand affected imports, even as domestic miners maintained production and 

sales levels near those attained in 2011.

Perlite mining generally takes place in remote areas, and its environmental impact is not severe. The mineral fines, 

overburden, and reject ore produced during ore mining and processing are used to reclaim the mined-out areas, and, 

therefore, little waste remains. Airborne dust is captured by baghouses, and there is practically no runoff that 

contributes to water pollution.

World Processed Perlite Production and Reserves: Greece surpassed the United States in processed perlite 

production starting in 2003. Estimates for 2012, however, indicate the United States may have once again overtaken 

Greece. Information for China and several other countries is unavailable, making it unclear whether or not Greece 

and the United States are the world’s leading producers. Reserve data previously reported for some countries have 

been removed because they were based on information that was judged to be no longer reliable. Updated reserve 

data for these countries were not available.

 Production Reserves3

 2011

United States 420 424 50,000

2012e

Greece 500 400 50,000

Hungary 65 70 NA

Italy 60 60 NA

Japan 300 200 NA

Mexico 30 30 NA

Turkey 250 400 NA

Other countries 150 150

World total (rounded) 1,770 1,700 NA

 NA

World Resources: Insufficient information is available to make reliable estimates of resources in perlite-producing 

countries.

Substitutes: Alternative materials can be substituted for all uses of perlite, if necessary. Long-established 

competitive commodities include diatomite, expanded clay and shale, pumice, slag, and vermiculite.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. 1

Processed perlite sold and used by producers. 2

Defined as imports - exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes; changes in stocks were not available and assumed to be 

zero for apparent consumption and net import reliance calculations.

3

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
118

PHOSPHATE ROCK

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Phosphate rock ore was mined by 6 firms at 11 mines in 4 States and upgraded to 

an estimated 29.2 million tons of marketable product valued at $2.9 billion, f.o.b. mine. Florida and North Carolina 

accounted for more than 85% of total domestic output; the remainder was produced in Idaho and Utah. Marketable 

product refers to beneficiated phosphate rock with phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) content suitable for phosphoric acid 

or elemental phosphorus production. More than 95% of the U.S. phosphate rock mined was used to manufacture wetprocess phosphoric acid and superphosphoric acid, which were used as intermediate feedstocks in the manufacture 

of granular and liquid ammonium phosphate fertilizers and animal feed supplements. Approximately 45% of the wetprocess phosphoric acid produced was exported in the form of upgraded granular diammonium and monoammonium 

phosphate (DAP and MAP, respectively) fertilizer, and merchant-grade phosphoric acid. The balance of the 

phosphate rock mined was for the manufacture of elemental phosphorus, which was used to produce phosphorus 

compounds for a variety of food-additive and industrial applications.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, marketable 30,200 26,400 25,800 28,100 29,200

2012e

Sold or used by producers 28,900 25,500 28,100 28,600 26,600

Imports for consumption 2,750 2,000 2,400 3,350 2,850

Consumption1 31,600 27,500 30,500 32,000 29,500

Price, average value, dollars per ton, f.o.b. mine2 76.76 127.19 76.69 96.64 96.90

Stocks, producer, yearend 6,340 8,120 5,620 4,580 5,800

Employment, mine and beneficiation plant, numbere 2,550 2,500 2,300 2,270 2,260

Net import reliance3 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 4 1 16 13 5 

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11): Morocco, 88%; and Peru, 12%.

Tariff: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

 

Natural calcium phosphates:

12–31–12

Unground 2510.10.0000 Free.

Ground 2510.20.0000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Domestic consumption and imports of phosphate rock were estimated to have been 

lower in 2012 compared with 2011, owing to the lower seasonal demand in the first quarter of the year, which resulted 

in the temporary closure of some fertilizer plants. World production of phosphate rock was estimated to have 

increased in 2012 primarily because of higher production in China and a new mine in Saudi Arabia, which opened late 

in 2010.

A Canadian company continued with development of a new underground phosphate rock mine in southeastern Idaho. 

The mine encompasses the site of three abandoned mines that operated intermittently from 1917 to 1975. The 

company planned to begin production in 2014 and produce 10 million metric tons of phosphate concentrate over the 

life of the mine. The company planned to sell the phosphate rock for domestic use and export.

The sole North American producer of elemental phosphorus was expected to open a new phosphate rock mine in 

2013 to replace its current mine in Idaho that was nearing depletion. The company’s phosphate and phosphorus 

production capacity will remain the same after the new mine is operational. U.S. mine production capacity at the end 

of 2012 was 34.7 million tons per year.

Prepared by Stephen M. Jasinski [(703) 648–7711, sjasinsk@usgs.gov]
119

PHOSPHATE ROCK

World phosphate rock production capacity was projected to increase from 220 million tons per year in 2012 to 256 

million tons per year, with more than 50% of the growth in North Africa. The largest expansion project was in progress 

in Morocco, where phosphate rock production capacity was being increased from 30 million tons per year to 50 million 

tons per year by 2018. Elsewhere in Africa, phosphate rock mines and expansions were under development in

Angola, Congo (Brazzaville), Egypt, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Senegal, 

South Africa, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zambia. Outside of Africa, phosphate rock mines were in various stages of 

development in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Kazakhstan, and New Zealand.

The projected increases in annual production capacity for phosphate rock will supply the associated projected 

increase in phosphoric acid and fertilizer production. World population growth ensures the need for phosphate 

fertilizer to grow crops for food and biofuels. World consumption of P2O5 in fertilizer was projected to increase from 

41.9 million tons in 2012 to 45.3 million tons in 2016.

World Mine Production and Reserves: Reserves for Brazil and Peru were updated with information from 

Government agencies in each country. Reserve data for Iraq were updated based on a report prepared jointly by the 

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Iraqi Ministry of Industry and Minerals in 2012.

Mine production Reserves4

 2011

United States 28,100 29,200 1,400,000

2012e

Algeria 1,500 1,500 2,200,000

Australia 2,650 2,600 490,000

Brazil 6,200 6,300 270,000

Canada 900 900 2,000

China5 81,000 89,000 3,700,000

Egypt 3,500 3,000 100,000

India 1,250 1,260 6,100

Iraq 30 150 460,000

Israel 3,100 3,000 180,000

Jordan 6,500 6,500 1,500,000

Mexico 1,510 1,700 30,000

Morocco and Western Sahara 28,000 28,000 50,000,000

Peru 2,540 2,560 820,000

Russia 11,200 11,300 1,300,000

Saudi Arabia 1,000 1,700 750,000

Senegal 980 980 180,000

South Africa 2,500 2,500 1,500,000

Syria 3,100 2,500 1,800,000

Togo 730 865 60,000

Tunisia 5,000 6,000 100,000

Other countries 6,790 6,000

World total (rounded) 198,000 210,000 67,000,000

 390,000

World Resources: Domestic reserve data were based on USGS and individual company information. Phosphate 

rock resources occur principally as sedimentary marine phosphorites. The largest sedimentary deposits are found in 

northern Africa, China, the Middle East, and the United States. Significant igneous occurrences are found in Brazil, 

Canada, Finland, Russia, and South Africa. Large phosphate resources have been identified on the continental 

shelves and on seamounts in the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. World resources of phosphate rock are more 

than 300 billion tons.

Substitutes: There are no substitutes for phosphorus in agriculture.

e

Estimated.

1

Defined as phosphate rock sold or used + imports.

2

Marketable phosphate rock, weighted value, all grades.

3

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 4

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 5

Production data for large mines only. 

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
120

PLATINUM-GROUP METALS

(Platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, osmium)

(Data in kilograms unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: The Stillwater and East Boulder Mines in south-central Montana were the only 

primary platinum-group metals (PGMs) mines in the United States and were owned by one company. Small quantities 

of PGMs were also recovered as byproducts of copper refining. The leading demand sector for PGMs continued to be 

catalysts to decrease harmful emissions in both light- and heavy-duty vehicles. PGMs are also used in the chemical 

sector as catalysts for manufacturing bulk chemicals such as nitric acid and in the production of specialty silicones; in 

the petroleum refining sector; and in laboratory equipment, including crucibles for growing high-purity single crystals 

for use in the electronics sector. Also in the electronics sector, PGMs are used in computer hard disks to increase 

storage capacity, in multilayer ceramic capacitors, and in hybridized integrated circuits. PGMs are used by the glass 

manufacturing sector in the production of fiberglass, liquid crystal displays, and flat-panel displays. Platinum alloys, in 

cast or wrought form, are commonly used for jewelry. Platinum, palladium, and a variety of complex gold-silvercopper alloys are used as dental restorative materials. Platinum, palladium, and rhodium are used as investment tools 

in the form of exchange-traded notes and exchange-traded funds.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Mine production:1

2012e

 Platinum 3,580 3,830 3,450 3,700 3,700

 Palladium 11,900 12,700 11,600 12,400 12,200

Imports for consumption:

 Platinum 150,000 183,000 152,000 129,000 164,000

 Palladium 120,000 69,700 70,700 98,900 81,500

 Rhodium 12,600 11,200 12,800 13,100 13,000

 Ruthenium 49,800 21,200 14,100 13,200 12,500

 Iridium 2,550 1,520 3,530 2,880 1,300

 Osmium 11 68 76 48 75

Exports:

 Platinum 15,600 15,600 16,900 11,300 10,000

 Palladium 26,400 30,300 38,100 32,000 36,000

 Rhodium 1,980 1,220 2,320 1,370 1,600

 Other PGMs 6,450 4,020 3,720 1,150 800

Price,2 dollars per troy ounce:

 Platinum 1,578.26 1,207.55 1,615.56 1,724.51 1,580.00

 Palladium 355.12 265.65 530.61 738.51 650.00

 Rhodium 6,533.57 1,591.32 2,459.07 2,204.35 1,300.00

 Ruthenium 324.60 97.28 198.45 165.85 115.00

 Iridium 448.34 420.40 642.15 1,035.87 1,070.00

Employment, mine, number1 1,360 1,270 1,350 1,570 1,500

Net import reliance as a percentage of

apparent consumptione

 Platinum 89 95 91 89 91

 Palladium 79 62 49 64 54

Recycling: An estimated 150,000 kilograms of PGMs was recovered globally from new and old scrap in 2012.

Import Sources (2008–11): Platinum: Germany, 17%; South Africa, 14%; United Kingdom, 9%; Canada, 7%; and 

other, 53%. Palladium: Russia, 39%; South Africa, 24%; United Kingdom, 11%; Norway, 5%; and other, 21%.

Tariff: All unwrought and semimanufactured forms of PGMs can be imported duty free.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile

Stockpile Status—9–30–123

: Sales of iridium and platinum from the National Defense Stockpile remained suspended 

through FY 2012.

Uncommitted Authorized Disposal plan Disposals

Material inventory for disposal FY 2012 FY 2012

Platinum 261 261 4

778 — 

Iridium 18 18 4

186 — 

Prepared by Patricia J. Loferski [(703) 648–7708, ploferski@usgs.gov]
121

PLATINUM-GROUP METALS

Events, Trends, and Issues: The global economy continued to struggle, and average annual prices for palladium, 

platinum, rhodium, and ruthenium were lower in 2012 than those of 2011 owing to economic concerns. Prices for 

platinum, palladium, rhodium, and ruthenium increased from the beginning of the year until late February in response 

to supply disruptions caused by a 6-week workers’ strike at a major PGM producer in South Africa that began in 

January. Prices decreased after resolution of the strike. In August, prices again spiked in response to workers’ strike 

actions that erupted into violence at another major PGM producer in South Africa. Strikes spread to several other 

South African PGM mining companies resulting in supply disruptions, and prices remained elevated through 

September in response. The iridium price decreased in July and August owing to decreased buying. The platinum 

price was above that for rhodium for the first time since 2004, and continued to be below that for gold throughout the 

year.

The single domestic mining company continued progress on expansion projects adjacent to its two existing mines. 

The projects were expected to increase production, and one of the projects was expected to be completed in 2015 

and the other in 2017. Test work continued on precious metals refinery technology.

A new palladium trading service was launched in China, which allowed private individuals to trade palladium via 

account, to let investors amass quantities of palladium through regular small investments in order to spread cost and 

diversify risks. In Canada, a new platinum and palladium exchange-traded fund (ETF) was scheduled to be launched 

and would be backed by physical metal held at the Royal Canadian Mint. The ETF was intended for long-term 

investment rather than short-term investment on price fluctuations. Unlike traditional ETFs, investors could redeem 

the physical metal.

World Mine Production and Reserves

Mine production PGMs

:

 Platinum Palladium Reserves5

 2011 2012e 2011

United States 3,700 3,700 12,400 12,200 900,000

2012e

Canada 7,000 6,500 14,000 13,000 310,000

Colombia 1,230 660 NA NA (

6

) 

Russia 25,000 26,000 86,000 82,000 1,100,000

South Africa 145,000 128,000 82,000 72,000 63,000,000

Zimbabwe 10,600 11,500 8,200 8,900 (

6

) 

Other countries 2,500 2,500 12,200 12,000

World total (rounded) 195,000 179,000 215,000 200,000 66,000,000

 800,000

World Resources: World resources of PGMs in mineral concentrations that can be mined economically are 

estimated to total more than 100 million kilograms. The largest reserves are in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa.

Substitutes: Most motor vehicle manufacturers have substituted palladium for the more expensive platinum in 

gasoline-engine catalytic converters. As much as 25% palladium can routinely be substituted for platinum in diesel 

catalytic converters; new technologies have increased that proportion to around 50% in some applications. For other 

end uses, some PGMs can be substituted for other PGMs, with some losses in efficiency.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. — Zero. 1

Estimates from published sources. 2

Engelhard Corporation unfabricated metal.

3

See Appendix B for definitions.

4

Actual quantity limited to remaining inventory.

5

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

6

Included with “Other countries.” 

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
122

POTASH

(Data in thousand metric tons of K2O equivalent unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: In 2012, the production value of marketable potash, f.o.b. mine, was about $675 

million. Potash was produced in Michigan, New Mexico, and Utah. Most of the production was from southeastern New 

Mexico, where two companies operated three mines. New Mexico sylvinite and langbeinite ores were beneficiated by 

flotation, dissolution-recrystallization, heavy-media separation, or combinations of these processes, and provided 

more than 75% of total U.S. producer sales. In Utah, which has three operations, one company extracted 

underground sylvinite ore by deep-well solution mining. Solar evaporation crystallized the sylvinite ore from the brine 

solution, and a flotation process separated the potassium chloride (muriate of potash or MOP) from byproduct sodium 

chloride. Two companies processed surface and subsurface brines by solar evaporation and flotation to produce 

MOP, potassium sulfate (sulfate of potash or SOP), and byproducts. In Michigan, one company used deep-well 

solution mining and mechanical evaporation for crystallization of MOP and byproduct sodium chloride.

The fertilizer industry used about 85% of U.S. potash sales, and the chemical industry used the remainder. More than 

60% of the potash produced was MOP. Potassium magnesium sulfate (sulfate of potash-magnesia or SOPM) and 

SOP, which are required by certain crops and soils, also were produced.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, marketable1 1,100 720 930 1,000 900

2012e

Sales by producers, marketable1 1,100 630 1,000 1,000 950

Imports for consumption 5,800 2,220 4,760 4,980 4,000

Exports 222 303 297 202 195

Consumption:1

 Apparent2 6,700 2,600 5,500 5,800 4,700

 Reported3 6,700 2,500 5,500 5,800 4,800

Price, dollars per metric ton of K2O,

average, muriate, f.o.b. mine4 675 800 630 745 750

Employment, number:

 Mine 525 510 540 550 550

 Mill 615 640 650 650 650

Net import reliance5 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 84 73 83 83 81

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11): Canada, 84%; Russia, 11%; and other, 5%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Potassium nitrate 2834.21.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Potassium chloride 3104.20.0000 Free.

Potassium sulfate 3104.30.0000 Free.

Potassic fertilizers, other 3104.90.0100 Free.

Potassium-sodium nitrate mixtures 3105.90.0010 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: U.S. production in 2012 was estimated to have been lower than that in 2011 owing to 

some companies reducing stocks and weaker demand. World consumption was estimated to have been lower in 

2012 compared with that of 2011 because of weak demand for potash in China and India. 

Development of several new potash mines in the Western United States continued in 2012. The leading U.S. 

producer reported significant progress in the conversion of an underground mine in New Mexico to a solution mine. 

The new mine was scheduled to begin production in late 2013 and gradually ramp up production through 2015 to 

nearly full capacity of 200,000 tons per year.

Prepared by Stephen M. Jasinski [(703) 648–7711, sjasinsk@usgs.gov] 
123

POTASH

A Canadian company began a feasibility study for the development of a new potash mine in Lea County, NM, 97 

kilometers from Carlsbad, NM. The mine was expected to produce SOP and SOPM only and would have an annual 

production capacity of 700,000 tons per year of SOP and SOPM combined. The company expected to begin 

production by 2016.

A Colorado-based company began development of an underground potash mine near Holbrook, AZ. The company 

plans to mine 2 million tons per year of potash for about 40 years. This would be the first potash mine to be 

developed in the vast Holbrook Basin Deposit. Late in 2012, a Chinese company agreed to purchase 25% of the 

annual output from the mine for export to China. The mine was expected to begin production in late 2015 or early 

2016.

World consumption of potash was projected to grow at a rate of about 3% per year through 2016, owing to world 

population growth and the associated need for food and biofuels. To meet this growth in consumption, almost 40 new 

mines or capacity expansions are planned to be completed worldwide by 2017. The majority of the projects were 

located in Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Congo (Brazzaville), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Laos, Mexico, 

Peru, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, the United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan. 

World Mine Production and Reserves: Reserve data for China and Russia were obtained from official Government 

sources and may not be comparable to the reserve definition in Appendix C. Reserves for Chile and Germany were 

revised based on information reported by the leading producer in those countries.

 Mine production Reserves6

 2011

United States 1

1,000 1900 130,000

2012e

Belarus 5,500 5,650 750,000

Brazil 454 460 300,000

Canada 11,000 9,000 4,400,000

Chile 980 900 150,000

China 3,700 3,900 210,000

Germany 3,010 3,000 140,000

Israel 1,960 1,900 7

40,000

Jordan 1,380 1,400 7

40,000

Russia 6,500 6,500 3,300,000

Spain 420 425 20,000

United Kingdom 427 430 22,000

Other countries — —

World total (rounded) 36,400 34,000 9,500,000

 50,000

World Resources: Estimated domestic potash resources total about 7 billion tons. Most of these lie at depths 

between 1,800 and 3,100 meters in a 3,110-square-kilometer area of Montana and North Dakota as an extension of 

the Williston Basin deposits in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada. The Paradox Basin in Utah contains resources 

of about 2 billion tons, mostly at depths of more than 1,200 meters. The Holbrook Basin of Arizona contains resources 

of about 0.7 to 2.5 billion tons. A large potash resource lies about 2,100 meters under central Michigan and contains 

approximately 40 million tons. Estimated world resources total about 250 billion tons.

Substitutes: There are no substitutes for potassium as an essential plant nutrient and an essential nutritional 

requirement for animals and humans. Manure and glauconite (greensand) are low-potassium-content sources that 

can be profitably transported only short distances to the crop fields.

e

Estimated. –– Zero. 1

Data are rounded to no more than two significant digits to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.

2

Defined as production + imports – exports. 3

Defined as sales + imports – exports. 4

Average prices based on actual sales; excludes soluble and chemical muriates.

5

Defined as imports – exports. 6

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 7

Total reserves in the Dead Sea are arbitrarily divided equally between Israel and Jordan for inclusion in this tabulation.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
124

PUMICE AND PUMICITE

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: In 2012, domestic production of pumice and pumicite was estimated to be 515,000 

tons with an estimated processed value of about $12.4 million, f.o.b. plant. Production took place at 11 operations in 7

States. Pumice and pumicite were mined in Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Kansas, in 

descending order of production. Approximately 54% of all production came from Oregon and Nevada. About 50% of 

mined pumice was used in the production of construction building block; horticulture consumed 33%; concrete 

admixture and aggregate, 8%; abrasives, 5%; and the remaining 4% was used for absorbent, filtration, laundry stone 

washing, and other applications.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, mine1 791 410 390 489 515

2012e

Imports for consumption 65 26 34 23 100

Exportse 15 11 13 14 11

Consumption, apparent 841 425 411 498 604

Price, average value, dollars per ton, f.o.b.

mine or mill 20.13 29.97 20.00 22.89 24.00

Employment, mine and mill, number 220 150 145 140 140

Net import reliance2 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 6 4 5 2 15

Recycling: Not available.

Import Sources (2008–11): Greece, 81%; Iceland, 4%; Mexico, 3%; Montserrat, 2%; and other, 10%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Pumice, crude or in irregular

12–31–12

pieces, including crushed 2513.10.0010 Free.

Pumice, other 2513.10.0080 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 5% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Robert D. Crangle, Jr. [(703) 648–6410, rcrangle@usgs.gov
125

PUMICE AND PUMICITE

Events, Trends, and Issues: The amount of domestically produced pumice and pumicite sold or used in 2012 

increased to 515,000 tons, compared with 489,000 tons in 2011. Exports decreased and imports increased compared 

with those of 2011. Approximately 98% of pumice imports originated from Greece, Iceland, and Mexico in 2012, and 

primarily supplied markets in the eastern and gulf coast regions of the United States.

Although pumice and pumicite are plentiful in the Western United States, legal challenges and public land 

designations could limit access to known deposits. Pumice and pumicite production is sensitive to mining and 

transportation costs. An increase in fuel prices would likely lead to increases in production expenditures; imports and 

competing materials could become more attractive than domestic products.

All known domestic pumice and pumicite mining in 2012 was accomplished through open pit methods, generally in 

remote areas where land-use conflicts were not severe. Although the generation and disposal of reject fines in mining 

and milling resulted in local dust issues at some operations, the environmental impact was restricted to a relatively 

small geographic area.

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production Reserves3

:

 2011

United States1 489 515 Large in the United States. Quantitative

2012e

Cameroon 600 600 estimates of reserves for most countries

Chile 850 850 are not available.

Ecuador 800 800

Greece 1,230 400

Iran 1,500 1,500

Italy 3,020 3,000

Saudi Arabia 950 1,000

Spain 600 600

Syria 900 700

Turkey 4,500 4,500

Other countries 2,600

World total (rounded) 18,000 17,000

 2,700

World Resources: The identified U.S. resources of pumice and pumicite are concentrated in the Western States and 

estimated to be more than 25 million tons. The estimated total resources (identified and undiscovered) in the Western 

and Great Plains States are at least 250 million tons and may total more than 1 billion tons. Turkey and Italy are the 

leading producers of pumice and pumicite, followed by Iran, Greece, Saudi Arabia, and Chile. Large resources of 

pumice and pumicite have been identified on all continents.

Substitutes: The costs of transportation determine the maximum economic distance pumice and pumicite can be 

shipped and still remain competitive with alternative materials. Competitive resources that may be substituted for 

pumice and pumicite include crushed aggregates, diatomite, expanded shale and clay, and vermiculite.

e

Estimated.

1

Quantity sold and used by producers.

2

Defined as imports – exports. 3

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
126

QUARTZ CRYSTAL (INDUSTRIAL) 

(Data in metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Cultured quartz crystal production capacity exists in the United States, but after 

years of inactivity, facilities would require considerable refurbishment to be brought online. In the past several years, 

cultured quartz crystal was increasingly produced overseas, primarily in Asia. Electronic applications accounted for 

most industrial uses of quartz crystal; other uses included special optical applications. Lascas1 mining and processing 

in Arkansas ended in 1997 and, in 2012, no U.S. firms reported the production of cultured quartz crystals.

Virtually all quartz crystal used for electronics was cultured rather than natural crystal. Electronic-grade quartz crystal 

was essential for making filters, frequency controls, and timers in electronic circuits employed for a wide range of 

products, such as communications equipment, computers, and many consumer goods, such as electronic games and 

television receivers.

Salient Statistics—United States: The U.S. Census Bureau, which is the primary Government source of U.S. trade 

data, does not provide specific import or export statistics on lascas. The U.S. Census Bureau collects import and 

export statistics on electronic and optical-grade quartz crystal; however, the quartz crystal import and export 

quantities and values reported in previous years included zirconia that was inadvertently reported to be quartz crystal. 

The price of as-grown cultured quartz was estimated to be $170 per kilogram in 2012. The price of lumbered quartz, 

which is as-grown quartz that has been processed by sawing and grinding, was estimated to be $400 per kilogram in 

2012; however prices ranged from $20 per kilogram to more than $900 per kilogram, depending on the application. 

Other salient statistics were not available.

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11): The United States is 100% import reliant on cultured quartz crystal. Although no 

definitive data exist listing import sources for cultured quartz crystal, imported material is thought to be mostly from 

China, Japan, and Russia.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Sands:

12–31–12

95% or greater silica 2505.10.10.00 Free.

Less than 95% silica 2505.10.50.00 Free.

Quartz (including lascas) 2506.10.00.50 Free.

Piezoelectric quartz 7104.10.00.00 3% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: As of September 30, 2012, the Defense Logistics Agency, DLA Strategic Materials 

contained 7,134 kilograms of natural quartz crystal. The stockpile has 11 weight classes for natural quartz crystal that 

range from 0.2 kilogram to more than 10 kilograms. The stockpiled crystals, however, are primarily in the larger 

weight classes. The larger pieces are suitable as seed crystals, which are very thin crystals cut to exact dimensions, 

to produce cultured quartz crystal. In addition, many of the stockpiled crystals could be of interest to the specimen 

and gemstone industry. Little, if any, of the stockpiled material is likely to be used in the same applications as cultured 

quartz crystal. No natural quartz crystal was sold from the DLA Strategic Materials stockpile in 2012, and the Federal 

Government does not intend to dispose of or sell any of the remaining material. Previously, only individual crystals in 

the DLA Strategic Materials stockpile inventory that weighed 10 kilograms or more and could be used as seed 

material were sold.

Stockpile Status—9–30–122

 Uncommitted Authorized Disposal plan Disposals

Material inventory for disposal FY 2012 FY 2012

Quartz crystal 7 (

3

) — — 

Prepared by Thomas P. Dolley [(703) 648–7710, tdolley@usgs.gov]
127

QUARTZ CRYSTAL (INDUSTRIAL)

Events, Trends, and Issues: Reports indicate that demand for quartz crystal devices will continue to increase, and 

consequently, worldwide quartz crystal production is expected to remain strong well into the future. Growth of the 

consumer electronics market (for products such as personal computers, electronic games, and cellular telephones) 

will continue to drive global production. The growing global electronics market may require additional quartz crystal 

production capacity worldwide.

World Mine Production and Reserves:

4 This information is unavailable, but the global reserves for lascas are 

thought to be large.

World Resources: Limited resources of natural quartz crystal suitable for direct electronic or optical use are available 

throughout the world. World dependence on these resources will continue to decline because of the increased 

acceptance of cultured quartz crystal as an alternative material; however, use of cultured quartz crystal will mean an 

increased dependence on lascas for growing cultured quartz.

Substitutes: Quartz crystal is the best material for frequency-control oscillators and frequency filters in electronic 

circuits. Other materials, such as aluminum orthophosphate (the very rare mineral berlinite), langasite, lithium niobate, 

and lithium tantalate, which have larger piezoelectric coupling constants, have been studied and used. The cost 

competitiveness of these materials, as opposed to cultured quartz crystal, is dependent on the type of application the 

material is used for and the processing required.

— Zero. 1

Lascas is a nonelectronic-grade quartz used as a feedstock for growing cultured quartz crystal and for production of fused quartz. 2

See Appendix B for definitions.

3

Less than 1⁄2 unit. 4

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
128

RARE EARTHS1

[Data in metric tons of rare-earth oxide (REO) content unless otherwise noted]

Domestic Production and Use

fluocarbonate mineral, was mined as a primary product in California. Rare-earth concentrates produced at Mountain 

Pass, CA, were further processed into rare-earth compounds and metal products. The United States continued to be 

a major consumer, exporter, and importer of rare-earth products in 2012. The estimated value of refined rare earths 

imported by the United States in 2012 was $615 million, a decrease from $802 million imported in 2011. Based on 

reported data through August 2012, the estimated 2012 distribution of rare earths by end use, in decreasing order, 

was as follows: catalysts, 62%; metallurgical applications and alloys, 13%; glass polishing and ceramics, 9%; 

permanent magnets, 7%; phosphors, 3%; and other, 6%.

: Rare earths were mined by one company in 2012. Bastnäsite, a rare-earth

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, bastnäsite concentrates — — — — 7,000

2012e

Exports:2 

 Cerium compounds 1,380 840 1,350 1,640 1,100

 Rare-earth metals, alloys 1,390 4,930 1,380 3,030 1,700

 Other rare-earth compounds 663 455 1,690 3,620 1,900

 Ferrocerium, alloys 4,490 2,970 3,460 2,010 860

 Thorium ore (monazite or various thorium materials) — 18 1 — — 

Imports:2 

 Cerium compounds 2,080 1,500 1,770 1,120 1,200

 Ferrocerium, alloys 125 102 131 186 430

 Mixed rare-earth chlorides 1,310 411 956 382 540

 Mixed REOs 2,400 4,750 5,480 1,830 480

 Rare-earth oxides, compounds 8,820 5,080 3,980 3,770 2,700

 Rare-earth metals, alloy 679 226 525 468 280

 Thorium ore (monazite or various thorium materials) — — 26 17 24

Consumption, apparent (excludes thorium ore) 3 7,410 W W W NA

Price, dollars per kilogram, yearend:

 Bastnäsite concentrate, REO basis 8.82 5.73 6.87 NA 15.00

 Monazite concentrate, REO basis 0.48 0.87 0.87 2.70 NA

 Mischmetal, metal basis, metric ton quantity4

 8–9 8–9 45–55 47–50 17–18

Stocks, producer and processor, yearend W W W W NA

Employment, mine and mill, number at yearend 100 110 220 230 370

Net import reliance5 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 100 100 100 100 NA

Recycling: Small quantities, mostly permanent magnet scrap.

Import Sources (2008–11): Rare-earth metals, compounds, etc.: China, 86%; France, 4%; Japan, 3%; and other, 

7%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Thorium ores and concentrates (monazite) 2612.20.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium

whether or not intermixed or interalloyed 2805.30.0000 5.0% ad val.

Cerium compounds 2846.10.0000 5.5% ad val.

Mixtures of REOs (except cerium oxide) 2846.90.2010 Free.

Mixtures of rare-earth chlorides

(except cerium chloride) 2846.90.2050 Free.

Rare-earth compounds, individual

REOs (excludes cerium compounds) 2846.90.8000 3.7% ad val.

Ferrocerium and other pyrophoric alloys 3606.90.3000 5.9% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: Monazite, 22% on thorium content and 14% on rare-earth content (Domestic), 14% (Foreign); 

bastnäsite and xenotime, 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Joseph Gambogi [(703) 648–7718, jgambogi@usgs.gov]
129

RARE EARTHS

Events, Trends, and Issues: The rare-earth separation plant at Mountain Pass, CA, continued to operate throughout 

2012. The company resumed mining operations and neared completion of new processing facilities. Bastnäsite 

concentrates and other rare-earth intermediates and refined products were produced from newly mined ore at 

Mountain Pass. Based on 8 months of trade data, domestic consumption of rare-earth imports in 2012 declined to 

5,700 tons compared with 7,790 tons in 2011. Sluggish economic conditions and improved material efficiencies 

resulted in decreased consumption of REO. In the wake of significant price increases in 2011, prices for most rareearth products declined in 2012. For example, prices for neodymium oxide used to produce magnets began the year 

at $195 per kilogram, but fell to $80 per kilogram by yearend. The increased use of light emitting diodes, in lieu of 

other more rare-earth intensive technologies, reduced consumption of europium and yttrium.

Claiming domestic needs and environmental concerns, China continued efforts to restrict the supply of REO. Rareearth producers were required to submit to environmental inspections and their feed material was to come from 

licensed rare-earth mines. Rare-earth traders were required to have registered capital of at least ¥50 million ($8 

million). Following requests by the European Union, Japan, and the United States, the World Trade Organization set 

up an investigation into China's restrictive rare-earth trade policies. In India, a 10,000-ton-per-year monazite 

processing plant to produce REO was expected to be commissioned by yearend. In Malaysia, the commissioning of a 

rare-earth-oxide processing plant was delayed by appeals from environmental activists, but was expected to start 

operating by yearend. 

Exploration efforts to develop rare-earth projects continued in 2012. Exploration and development assessments in the 

United States included Bear Lodge, WY, Bokan, AK, Diamond Creek, ID, Elk Creek, NE, La Paz, AZ, Lemhi Pass, IDMT, Pea Ridge, MO, Round Top, TX, and Thor, NV. Additional assessments were underway in Australia, Brazil, 

Canada, China, Finland, Greenland, India, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Sweden, 

Tanzania, Turkey, and Vietnam.

World Mine Production and Reserves: Brazilian reserves were updated based on data published by the 

Departamento Nacional de Produção Mineral. Other countries were revised to include the Commonwealth of 

Independent States. 

 Mine productione Reserves6

 2011

United States — 7,000 13,000,000

2012

Australia 2,200 4,000 1,600,000

Brazil 250 300 36,000

China 105,000 95,000 55,000,000

India 2,800 2,800 3,100,000

Malaysia 280 350 30,000

Other countries NA NA

World total (rounded) 111,000 110,000 110,000,000

 41,000,000

World Resources: Rare earths are relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust, but discovered minable concentrations 

are less common than for most other ores. U.S. and world resources are contained primarily in bastnäsite and 

monazite. Bastnäsite deposits in China and the United States constitute the largest percentage of the world’s rareearth economic resources, while monazite deposits constitute the second largest segment. Apatite, cheralite, 

eudialyte, loparite, phosphorites, rare-earth-bearing (ion adsorption) clays, secondary monazite, spent uranium 

solutions, and xenotime make up most of the remaining resources. Undiscovered resources are thought to be very 

large relative to expected demand.

Substitutes: Substitutes are available for many applications but generally are less effective.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. — Zero. 1

Data include lanthanides and yttrium but exclude most scandium. See also Scandium and Yttrium.

2

REO equivalent or contents of various materials were estimated. Data from U.S. Census Bureau.

3

Defined as production + imports – exports + adjustments for industry stock changes. In 2012, insufficient data were available to determine stocks 

changes used to calculate apparent consumption.

4

Price range from Elements—Rare Earths, Specialty Metals and Applied Technology and Web-based High Tech Materials, Longmont, CO, and 

Hefa Rare Earth Canada Co. Ltd., Richmond, British Columbia, Canada.

5

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for industry stock changes. In 2012, insufficient data were available to determine stocks changes used 

to calculate net import reliance.

6

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
130

RHENIUM

(Data in kilograms of rhenium content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: During 2012, ores containing rhenium were mined at seven operations (four in 

Arizona, and one each in Montana, New Mexico, and Utah). Rhenium compounds are included in molybdenum 

concentrates derived from porphyry copper deposits, and rhenium is recovered as a byproduct from roasting such 

molybdenum concentrates. Rhenium-containing products included ammonium perrhenate (APR), metal powder, and 

perrhenic acid. The major uses of rhenium were in petroleum-reforming catalysts and in superalloys used in hightemperature turbine engine components, representing an estimated 20% and 70%, respectively, of end use. 

Bimetallic platinum-rhenium catalysts were used in petroleum-reforming for the production of high-octane 

hydrocarbons, which are used in the production of lead-free gasoline. Rhenium improves the high-temperature 

(1,000° C) strength properties of some nickel-based superalloys. Rhenium alloys were used in crucibles, electrical 

contacts, electromagnets, electron tubes and targets, heating elements, ionization gauges, mass spectrographs, 

metallic coatings, semiconductors, temperature controls, thermocouples, vacuum tubes, and other applications. The 

estimated value of rhenium consumed in 2012 was about $82 million.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production1 7,910 5,580 6,100 8,610 9,400

2012e

Imports for consumption 43,700 31,500 33,600 33,500 34,000

Exports NA NA NA NA NA

Consumption, apparent 51,600 37,100 39,700 42,100 44,000

Price,2 average value, dollars per kilogram,

gross weight:

 Metal pellets, 99.99% pure 10,400 7,500 4,720 4,670 4,000

 Ammonium perrhenate 10,300 7,580 4,630 4,360 4,000

Stocks, yearend, consumer, producer, dealer NA NA NA NA NA

Employment, number Small Small Small Small Small

Net import reliance3 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 85 85 85 80 78

Recycling: Molybdenum-rhenium and tungsten-rhenium scrap continued to be processed by a growing number of 

companies, mainly in the United States and Germany. All spent platinum-rhenium catalysts were recycled.

Import Sources (2008–11): Rhenium metal powder: Chile, 89%; Netherlands, 5%; Germany, 3%; and other, 3%. 

Ammonium perrhenate: Kazakhstan, 29%; United Kingdom, 16%; Poland, 11%; Republic of Korea, 11%; and other, 

33%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Salts of peroxometallic acids, other— 

12–31–12

ammonium perrhenate 2841.90.2000 3.1% ad val.

Rhenium, etc., (metals) waste and scrap 8112.92.0600 Free.

Rhenium, (metals) unwrought; powders 8112.92.5000 3% ad val.

Rhenium, etc., (metals) wrought; etc. 8112.99.9000 4% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Désirée E. Polyak [(703) 648–4909, dpolyak@usgs.gov]
131

RHENIUM

Events, Trends, and Issues: During 2012, the United States continued to rely on imports for much of its supply of 

rhenium, and Chile and Kazakhstan supplied most of the imported rhenium. Rhenium imports for consumption 

increased slightly from that of 2011. Rhenium production in the United States increased by 9% owing to increased 

production of byproduct molybdenum concentrates in the United States. Six of the seven copper-molybdenum mines 

increased byproduct molybdenum production levels in 2012. Owing to the scarcity and minor output of rhenium, its 

production and processing pose no known threat to the environment. In areas where it is recovered, pollution-control 

equipment for sulfur dioxide removal also prevents most of the rhenium from escaping into the atmosphere.

In 2012, the catalytic-grade APR price remained at $4,250 per kilogram until March, when the price decreased to 

$3,950 per kilogram. In November, the price decreased further to $3,800 per kilogram. Rhenium metal pellet price 

started out the year at $4,630 per kilogram until the end of February, when it decreased to $4,190 per kilogram. In 

early March, the price increased to $4,300 per kilogram until August, when the price decreased to $3,640 per 

kilogram. In early November, the price decreased again to $3,400 per kilogram.

Consumption of catalyst-grade APR by the petroleum industry was expected to remain at high levels. Demand for 

rhenium in the aerospace industry, although more unpredictable, was expected to continue to increase. However, the 

major aerospace companies were expected to continue testing superalloys that contain half the rhenium used in 

currently designed engine blades, as well as testing rhenium-free alloys for other engine components. New 

technology continued to be developed to allow recycling of superalloy scrap. Secondary rhenium recycling rates 

continued to increase worldwide.

World Mine Production and Reserves: Production data for Canada and Peru were revised based on new 

information from industry sources.

 Mine production4 Reserves5

 2011

United States 8,610 9,400 390,000

2012e

Armenia 600 600 95,000

Canada — — 32,000

Chile6 27,000 27,000 1,300,000

Kazakhstan 3,000 3,000 190,000

Korea, Republic of 500 500 NA

Peru — — 45,000

Poland 6,000 6,200 NA

Russia 500 500 310,000

Uzbekistan 3,000 3,000 NA

Other countries 1,500 1,500

World total (rounded) 50,700 52,000 2,500,000

 91,000

World Resources: Most rhenium occurs with molybdenum in porphyry copper deposits. Identified U.S. resources are 

estimated to be about 5 million kilograms, and the identified resources of the rest of the world are approximately 6 

million kilograms. Rhenium is also associated with copper minerals in sedimentary deposits in Armenia, Kazakhstan,

Poland, Russia, and Uzbekistan, where ore is processed for copper recovery, and the rhenium-bearing residues are 

recovered at the copper smelter.

Substitutes: Substitutes for rhenium in platinum-rhenium catalysts are being evaluated continually. Iridium and tin 

have achieved commercial success in one such application. Other metals being evaluated for catalytic use include 

gallium, germanium, indium, selenium, silicon, tungsten, and vanadium. The use of these and other metals in 

bimetallic catalysts might decrease rhenium’s share of the existing catalyst market; however, this would likely be 

offset by rhenium-bearing catalysts being considered for use in several proposed gas-to-liquid projects. Materials that 

can substitute for rhenium in various end uses are as follows: cobalt and tungsten for coatings on copper x-ray 

targets, rhodium and rhodium-iridium for high-temperature thermocouples, tungsten and platinum-ruthenium for 

coatings on electrical contacts, and tungsten and tantalum for electron emitters.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. — Zero. 1

Based on 80% recovery of estimated rhenium contained in MoS2 concentrates. 2

Average price per kilogram of rhenium in pellets or catalytic-grade ammonium perrhenate, from Metal Bulletin. 3

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 4

Estimated amount of rhenium recovered in association with copper and molybdenum production.

5

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

6

Estimated rhenium recovered from roaster residues from Belgium, Chile, and Mexico.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013 
132

RUBIDIUM

(Data in kilograms of rubidium content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Rubidium is not mined in the United States; however, occurrences are known in 

Maine and South Dakota, and rubidium is associated with some evaporite mineral occurrences in other States. 

Rubidium concentrate is imported from Canada for processing in the United States. Applications for rubidium and its 

compounds include biomedical research, electronics, specialty glass, and pyrotechnics. Biomedical applications 

include rubidium salts used in the treatment of epilepsy and rubidium-82 used as a blood-flow tracer. Rubidium is 

used to generate electricity in some photoelectric cells, commonly referred to as solar panels, or as an electrical 

signal generator in motion sensor devices. Rubidium is used in gas cell oscillators, which are required as an atomic 

resonance frequency standard in some atomic clocks, playing a vital role in global positioning systems (GPS). 

Rubidium-rich feldspars are used in ceramic applications for spark plugs and electrical insulators because of their 

high dielectric capacity. 

Salient Statistics—United States: U.S. salient statistics, such as consumption, exports, and imports, are not 

available. U.S rubidium consumption was small and may amount to only a few thousand kilograms per year. One 

mine in Canada produced rubidium ore as a byproduct, which was processed as concentrate; however, production 

data for that mine are not available. Part of that concentrate was exported to the United States for further processing. 

No market price for rubidium is published because the metal is not traded in commercial quantities. In 2012, one 

company offered 1-gram ampoules of 99.75%-grade rubidium (metal basis) for $74.60 each, a 3.5% increase from 

that of 2011. The price for 100 grams of the same material was $1,367.00, also a 3.5% increase from that of 2011. 

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11): The United States is 100% import reliant on byproduct rubidium concentrate imported 

from Canada. 

Tariff: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Alkali metals, other 2805.19.9000 5.5% ad val.

12–31–12

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Christopher A. Tuck [(703) 648–4912, ctuck@usgs.gov]
133

RUBIDIUM

Events, Trends, and Issues: Rubidium has been commercially available as a byproduct of lithium chemicals 

production for 40 years. The use of rubidium was primarily in chemical, medical and electronics research. The use of 

rubidium in atomic clocks continued to increase, with emphasis on new ultra-accuracy atomic clocks. Rubidium-82 

was being used to create quantum gates that transfer information within atomic circuit technology for quantum 

computing. Research into the use of rubidium in superconductors was increasing.

The use of rubidium-82 positron emission tomography (PET) combined with computed tomography angiography 

(CTA) in the evaluation and care of patients with suspected coronary artery disease continues to increase. Recent 

improvements in PET/CT scanning machines have led to licensing, which could allow for the replacement of 

technetium-99 with rubidium-82 as a safer, efficient, and stable component.

Cold atom traps, which will utilize supercooled rubidium atoms to detect gravitational changes with great sensitivity, 

were under development and were expected to be marketable within 5 years. Applications could include the 

subsurface detection of oil wells, tracking geologic faults and continental plate movement, climate change research, 

and higher gravitational sensitivity for satellites and space research vessels.

World Mine Production and Reserves:

1 No minerals exist in which rubidium is the predominant metallic element; 

however, rubidium may be taken up in trace amounts in the lattices of potassium feldspars and micas during the 

crystallization of pegmatites. The rubidium-bearing minerals lepidolite and pollucite may be found in zoned 

pegmatites, which are exceptionally coarse-grained plutonic rocks that formed late in the crystallization of a silicic 

magma. Lepidolite, the principal source of rubidium, can contain up to 3.5% rubidium oxide, and pollucite contains up 

to 1.5% rubidium oxide. Mines reported to produce rubidium as a by-product are in Canada, China, and Zimbabwe. 

Canadian reserves were estimated from data collected by Natural Resources Canada.

 Reserves1

Canada 113,000,000

Other countries NA

World total NA

World Resources: World resources of rubidium are unknown. In addition to several significant rubidium-bearing 

zoned pegmatites in Canada, pegmatite occurrences have been identified in Afghanistan, Namibia, Peru, Russia, and 

Zambia. Minor amounts of rubidium are reported in brines in northern Chile and China and in evaporites in France, 

Germany, and the United States (New Mexico and Utah).

Substitutes: Rubidium and cesium have similar physical properties and may be used interchangeably in many 

applications; however, cesium is a preferred material in many applications because it is more electropositive than 

rubidium.

NA Not available.

1

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013 
134

SALT

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Domestic production of salt decreased by 11% in 2012. The total value was 

estimated to be more than $1.6 billion. Twenty-eight companies operated 67 plants in 16 States. The estimated 

percentage of salt sold or used, by type, was salt in brine, 47%; rock salt, 36%; vacuum pan, 9%; and solar salt, 8%.

Salt for highway deicing consumed about 41% of total salt sales. The chemical industry accounted for about 39% with 

salt in brine representing about 94% of the type of salt used for feedstock. The chlorine and caustic soda 

manufacturing sector was the main consumer within the chemical industry. The remaining markets for salt, in 

declining order, were distributors, 8%; food processing, 4%, agricultural, 3%; general industrial and other uses 

combined with exports, 2% each; and primary water treatment, 1%.

Salient Statistics—United States:

1 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production 48,000 46,000 43,300 45,000 40,200

2012e

Sold or used by producers2 47,400 43,100 43,500 45,500 40,200

Imports for consumption 13,800 14,700 12,900 13,800 10,500

Exports 1,030 1,450 595 846 1,000

Consumption:

 Reported 53,100 45,000 48,600 47,600 49,700

 Apparent2 60,200 56,400 55,800 58,500 49,700

Price, average value of bulk, pellets and packaged

salt, dollars per ton, f.o.b. mine and plant:

 Vacuum and open pan salt 158.59 178.67 180.08 174.00 175.00

 Solar salt 64.33 72.09 57.41 51.11 50.00

 Rock salt 31.39 36.08 35.67 38.29 36.00

 Salt in brine 7.99 7.85 7.49 8.15 8.00

Employment, mine and plant, numbere 4,100 4,100 4,100 4,100 4,100

Net import reliance3 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 21 24 22 22 19

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11): Canada, 37%; Chile, 36%; Mexico, 9%; The Bahamas, 5%; and other, 13%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Salt (sodium chloride) 2501.00.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Depletion Allowance: 10% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues

 

: The 2011–12 winter was relatively mild nationwide. Many municipalities and local and 

State transportation departments reported an overabundance of rock salt inventories. As a result, rock salt production 

and imports in 2012 were substantially less than the previous year. Many contracts between the salt supplier and the 

consumer require that the customer must take delivery of at least 80 percent of its order, thereby adding additional 

salt to overfilled storage facilities. Because of the low demand for deicing salt, a few salt companies were forced to 

temporarily lay off many of their mine workers.

A Japanese company developed a lamp for camping or emergency uses that is powered by saltwater. The lightemitting-diode lantern uses salt dissolved in water as an electrolyte with a set of magnesium and carbon rods that 

serve as the positive and negative electrodes. The lantern produces enough illumination for 8 hours. The magnesium 

rod is good for about 120 hours of use but replacement rods can be purchased separately.

 

Prepared by Dennis S. Kostick [Contact Wallace P. Bolen, (703) 648–7727, wbolen@usgs.gov]
135

SALT

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched its Aquarius instrument on a satellite in June 

2011. Since then, NASA produced the first global map of the salinity of the Earth’s ocean surface to measure salinity 

variations and their connections between global rainfall, ocean currents, and climate variations. The data showed 

higher salinity in the subtropics and lower salinity in the equatorial rain belts. The salinity changes are linked to the 

influence of freshwater around the planet on ocean circulation. Many scientists have been studying global weather 

changes using a network of 3,000 floating sensors, called Argo. The Argo Ocean Profiling Network collects data from 

different depths including changes in salinity by measuring the electrical conductance of the seawater. The 

researchers have reported a 4 percent increase in the overall salinity of the oceans over the last half of the 20th 

century, and global ocean surface temperatures rising 0.5 degrees Celsius (0.9 degrees Farenheit).

The majority of local and State governments reportedly have ample supplies of rock salt for the winter of 2012–13. 

However, many weather forecasters indicate that it may be very severe in many parts of the United States, and that

could reduce the deicing salt inventories substantially. It is anticipated that the domestic salt industry will be able to 

provide adequate salt supplies from domestic and foreign sources for emergency use in the event of adverse winter 

weather.

World Production and Reserves

 Production Reserves4

:

 2011

United States1 45,000 40,200 Large. Economic and subeconomic

2012e

Australia 11,700 11,700 deposits of salt are substantial in

Bahamas, The 10,000 10,000 principal salt-producing countries.

Brazil 7,020 7,100 The oceans contain a virtually

Canada 12,600 11,000 inexhaustible supply of salt.

Chile 9,970 9,500

China 72,000 73,000

France 6,100 6,100

Germany 18,800 18,500

India 17,000 17,000

Mexico 8,810 8,800

Netherlands 5,000 5,000

Poland 3,740 3,900

Spain 4,350 4,400

Turkey 4,000 3,000

Ukraine 4,900 5,900

United Kingdom 5,800 5,800

Other countries 39,300

World total (rounded) 286,000 280,000

 39,000

World Resources: World continental resources of salt are practically unlimited, and the salt content in the oceans is 

virtually inexhaustible. Domestic resources of rock salt and salt from brine are in the Northeast, Central Western, and 

Gulf Coast States. Saline lakes and solar evaporation salt facilities are near populated regions in the Western United 

States. Almost every country in the world has salt deposits or solar evaporation operations of various sizes.

Substitutes: There are no economic substitutes or alternates for salt. Calcium chloride and calcium magnesium 

acetate, hydrochloric acid, and potassium chloride can be substituted for salt in deicing, certain chemical processes, 

and food flavoring, but at a higher cost.

e

Estimated.

1

Excludes Puerto Rico production.

2

Reported stock data are incomplete. For apparent consumption and net import reliance calculations, changes in annual stock totals are assumed 

to be the difference between salt produced and salt sold or used.

3

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 4

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
136

SAND AND GRAVEL (CONSTRUCTION)1

(Data in million metric tons unless otherwise noted)2

Domestic Production and Use: Construction sand and gravel valued at $6.4 billion was produced by an estimated 

4,000 companies and government agencies from about 6,500 operations in 50 States. Leading producing States, in 

order of decreasing tonnage, were California, Texas, Minnesota, Michigan, Utah, Ohio, Colorado, New York, 

Washington, and Arizona, which together accounted for about 49% of the total output. It is estimated that about 43% 

of construction sand and gravel was used as concrete aggregates; 26% for road base and coverings and road 

stabilization; 12% each as asphaltic concrete aggregates and other bituminous mixtures and construction fill; 1% 

each for concrete products, such as blocks, bricks, and pipes; plaster and gunite sands; and snow and ice control; 

and the remaining 4% for filtration, golf courses, railroad ballast, roofing granules, and other miscellaneous uses.

The estimated output of construction sand and gravel in the 48 conterminous States, 366 million tons shipped for 

consumption in the first 6 months of 2012, was nearly 8% higher than the 340 million tons estimated for the same 

period in 2011. A milder than usual climate in the first quarter of 2012 contributed to a better than average production 

for the quarter. Additional production information by quarter for each State, geographic region, and the United States 

is published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in its quarterly Mineral Industry Surveys for Crushed Stone and 

Sand and Gravel.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production 1,060 831 795 e

802 842

2012e

Imports for consumption 5 3 3 3 3 

Exports (

3

) (3) (3) (3) (3) 

Consumption, apparent 1,060 834 798 e

805 845

Price, average value, dollars per ton 7.44 7.51 7.31 e

7.50 7.65

Employment, mines, mills, and shops, number 35,200 30,800 29,500 29,800 31,500

Net import reliance4 as a percentage

of apparent consumption (

3

) (3) (3) (3) (3) 

Recycling: Recycling of asphalt road surface layers, cement concrete surface layers, and concrete structures was 

increasing.

Import Sources (2008–11): Canada, 83%; The Bahamas, 8%; Mexico, 7%; and other, 2%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Sand, silica and quartz, less than 95% silica 2505.10.5000 Free.

12–31–12

Sand, other 2505.90.0000 Free.

Pebbles and gravel 2517.10.0015 Free.

Depletion Allowance: Common varieties, 5% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Wallace P. Bolen [(703) 648–7727, wbolen@usgs.gov]
137

SAND AND GRAVEL (CONSTRUCTION)

Events, Trends, and Issues: With U.S. economic activity slowly improving, construction sand and gravel output for 

2012 increased about 5% compared with that of 2011. The total number of employees in the U.S. construction sand 

and gravel industry increased by 6% in 2012 compared with that of 2011. Growth in housing starts in 2012 is 

increasing demand for construction sand and gravel in many States. Growth was also seen in some nonresidential 

construction, especially within the sectors of communications, power generation, and nonhighway transportation. One 

analyst forecast an 8% increase in total construction in 2013 for the United States.5

The construction sand and gravel industry remained concerned with environmental, health, permitting, safety, and 

zoning regulations. Movement of sand and gravel operations away from densely populated centers was expected to 

continue where regulations and local sentiment discouraged them. Resultant shortages of construction sand and 

gravel would likely result in higher-than-average price increases in industrialized and urban areas.

World Mine Production and Reserves

Mine production Reserves6

: 

 2010

United States e

802 842 Reserves are controlled largely by land

2011e

Other countries7 NA NA

World total NA NA

use and/or environmental concerns.

World Resources: Sand and gravel resources of the world are plentiful. However, because of environmental 

restrictions, geographic distribution, and quality requirements for some uses, sand and gravel extraction is 

uneconomic in some cases. The most important commercial sources of sand and gravel have been glacial deposits, 

river channels, and river flood plains. Use of offshore deposits in the United States is mostly restricted to beach 

erosion control and replenishment. Other countries routinely mine offshore deposits of aggregates for onshore 

construction projects.

Substitutes: Crushed stone, the other major construction aggregate, is often substituted for natural sand and gravel, 

especially in more densely populated areas of the Eastern United States. Crushed stone remains the dominant choice 

for construction aggregate use. Increasingly, recycled asphalt and portland cement concretes are being substituted 

for virgin aggregate, although the percentage of total aggregate supplied by recycled materials remained very small in 

2012.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. 1

See also Sand and Gravel (Industrial) and Stone (Crushed). 2

See Appendix A for conversion to short tons.

3

Less than 1⁄2 unit.

4

Defined as imports – exports. 5

Rock Products. FMI releases third quarter construction outlook report. (Accessed November 19, 2012, at 

http://www.rockproducts.com/index.php/news-late/11814-fmi-releases-third-quarter-construction-outlook-report.html.) 6

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 7

No reliable production information for most countries is available owing to the wide variety of ways in which countries report their sand and gravel 

production. Some countries do not report production for this mineral commodity. Production information for some countries is available in the 

country chapters of the USGS Minerals Yearbook.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
138

SAND AND GRAVEL (INDUSTRIAL)1

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Industrial sand and gravel valued at about $2.2 billion was produced by 87 

companies from 159 operations in 33 States. Leading States, in order of tonnage produced, were Texas, Illinois, 

Wisconsin, Minnesota, Arkansas, Missouri, Michigan, and Oklahoma. Combined production from these States 

represented 73% of the domestic total. About 57% of the U.S. tonnage was used as hydraulic fracturing sand and 

well-packing and cementing sand, 17% as glassmaking sand, 11% as foundry sand, 4% as whole-grain fillers and 

building products, 2% as other whole-grain silica, 2% as ground and unground sand for chemicals, 1% as golf course 

sand, 1% for abrasive sand for sandblasting, and 5% for other uses.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production 30,400 27,500 32,300 43,700 49,500

2012e

Imports for consumption 355 95 132 316 280

Exports 3,100 2,150 3,950 4,330 4,700

Consumption, apparent 27,700 25,500 28,500 39,700 45,100

Price, average value, dollars per ton 30.82 34.25 35.60 45.76 44.78

Employment, quarry and mill, numbere 1,400 1,400 1,400 1,400 1,400

Net import reliance2 as a percentage

of apparent consumption E E E E E 

Recycling: There is some recycling of foundry sand, and recycled cullet (pieces of glass) represents a significant 

proportion of reused silica.

Import Sources (2008–11): Canada, 55%; Mexico, 40%; and other, 5%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

95% or more silica and not

12–31–12

more than 0.6% iron oxide 2505.10.1000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: Industrial sand or pebbles, 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Domestic sales of industrial sand and gravel increased in 2012 compared with those of 

2011. Mined output was sufficient to accommodate many uses, which included ceramics, chemicals, fillers (ground 

and whole-grain), container, filtration, flat and specialty glass, foundry, and recreational uses. Increased demand for 

hydraulic fracturing sand in support of production of natural gas from shale gas deposits has led to production 

capacity upgrades and ongoing permitting and opening of numerous new mines. U.S. apparent consumption was 

about 45.1 million tons in 2012, up 14% from that of the previous year. Imports of industrial sand and gravel in 2012 

decreased to about 280,000 tons from 316,000 tons in 2011. Imports of silica are generally of two types—small 

shipments of very high-purity silica or a few large shipments of lower grade silica shipped only under special 

circumstances (for example, very low freight rates). Exports of industrial sand and gravel in 2012 increased to 4.7 

million tons from 4.33 million tons in 2011.

Prepared by Thomas P. Dolley [(703) 648–7710, tdolley@usgs.gov]
139

SAND AND GRAVEL (INDUSTRIAL)

The United States was the world’s leading producer and consumer of industrial sand and gravel based on estimated 

world production figures. It was difficult to collect definitive data on silica sand and gravel production in most nations 

because of the wide range of terminology and specifications from country to country. The United States remained a 

major exporter of silica sand and gravel, shipping it to almost every region of the world. The high level of exports was 

attributed to the high-quality and advanced processing techniques used in the United States for a large variety of 

grades of silica sand and gravel, meeting virtually every specification.

The industrial sand and gravel industry continued to be concerned with safety and health regulations and 

environmental restrictions in 2012. Local shortages of industrial sand and gravel were expected to continue to 

increase owing to local zoning regulations and land development alternatives, including ongoing development and 

permitting of operations producing hydraulic fracturing sand. Operations that use hydraulic fracturing sand to produce 

hydrocarbons may also undergo increased scrutiny. These situations are expected to cause future sand and gravel 

operations to be located farther from high-population centers.

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine productione Reserves3

:

 2011

United States 43,700 49,500

2012

Australia 5,600 5,600 Large. Industrial sand and gravel

Belgium 1,800 1,800 deposits are widespread.

Canada 1,430 1,300

Chile 1,240 1,300

Czech Republic 1,350 1,400 

Egypt 1,800 1,800

Finland 2,250 2,250

France 5,000 5,000

French Guyana 1,500 1,500

Germany 7,770 7,500

India 1,800 1,800

Iran 1,500 1,500

Italy 19,800 19,800

Japan 2,900 3,000

Latvia 1,360 1,360

Mexico 2,570 2,600

Norway 1,200 1,200

Poland 2,460 2,600

South Africa 2,900 2,900

Spain 5,000 5,000

Turkey 5,000 4,000

United Kingdom 3,760 3,800

Other countries 14,000

World total (rounded) 138,000 140,000

 14,000

World Resources: Sand and gravel resources of the world are large. However, because of their geographic 

distribution, environmental restrictions, and quality requirements for some uses, extraction of these resources is 

sometimes uneconomic. Quartz-rich sand and sandstones, the main sources of industrial silica sand, occur 

throughout the world.

Substitutes: Alternative materials that can be used for glassmaking and for foundry and molding sands are chromite, 

olivine, staurolite, and zircon sands.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter. 1

See also Sand and Gravel (Construction). 2

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 3

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
140

SCANDIUM1

(Data in kilograms of scandium oxide content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Domestically, scandium-bearing minerals have not been mined nor recovered from 

mine tailings since 1990, although quantities sufficient to meet demand were available in domestic mine tailings and 

process residues. Principal sources were imports from China, Russia, and Ukraine. Domestic companies with 

scandium-processing capabilities were in Mead, CO, and Urbana, IL. Capacity to produce ingot and distilled 

scandium metal was in Ames, IA; Phoenix, AZ; and Urbana, IL. Scandium used in the United States was derived from 

foreign sources. 

Demand for scandium increased slightly in 2012. The principal use for scandium in 2012 was in aluminum alloys for 

aerospace components and sporting equipment. Other uses for scandium included analytical standards, electronics, 

high-intensity metal halide lamps, lasers, metallurgical research, and oil-well tracers. 

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Price, yearend, dollars:

2012e

 Per kilogram, oxide, 99.0% purity 900 900 900 900 NA

 Per kilogram, oxide, 99.9% purity2 1,400 1,400 1,400 3,700 3,700

 Per kilogram, oxide, 99.99% purity2 1,620 1,620 1,620 4,700 4,700

 Per kilogram, oxide, 99.999% purity2 2,540 2,540 2,540 5,200 5,200

 Per kilogram, oxide, 99.9995% purity2 3,260 3,260 3,260 5,900 5,900

 Per gram, dendritic, metal3 188.00 189.00 193.00 199.00 206.00

 Per gram, metal, ingot4 152.00 155.00 158.00 163.00 169.00

 Per gram, scandium acetate, 99.99% purity5, 6 NA NA 47.00 48.40 50.10

 Per gram, scandium chloride, 99.9% purity5 57.40 60.40 62.40 138.00 143.00

 Per gram, scandium fluoride, 99.9% purity5 224.20 224.60 229.00 235.80 244.00

 Per gram, scandium iodide, 99.999% purity5 201.00 203.00 207.00 213.00 220.00

 Per kilogram, scandium-aluminum alloy2 74.00 74.00 74.00 220.00 220.00

Net import reliance7 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 100 100 100 100 100

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11): Although no definitive data exist listing import sources, imported material is thought to be 

mostly from China.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Mineral substances not elsewhere specified or

12–31–12

included, including scandium ores 2530.90.8050 Free.

Rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium,

whether or not intermixed or interalloyed,

including scandium 2805.30.0000 5.0% ad val.

Mixtures of rare-earth oxides except cerium

oxide, including scandium oxide mixtures 2846.90.2010 Free.

Rare-earth compounds, including individual

rare-earth oxides, hydroxides, nitrates,

and other individual compounds,

including scandium oxide 2846.90.8000 3.7% ad val.

Aluminum alloys, other, including scandium-aluminum 7601.20.9090 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: The supply of domestic and foreign scandium metal remained stable. In New South 

Wales, Australia, a joint venture continued the development of the the Nyngan deposit; however, at yearend, the 

project was stalled pending the resolution of a legal dispute between the partners. In northern Queensland, Australia, 

metallurgical test work was completed in preparation for the development of a scandium-cobalt-nickel deposit.

Several projects were underway to improve the technology to recover scandium.

Prepared by Joseph Gambogi [(703) 648–7718, jgambogi@usgs.gov]
141

SCANDIUM

Global scandium consumption was estimated to be less than 10 tons. Scandium-aluminum baseball and softball bats 

remained popular high-end sports equipment, and sports equipment remained the leading use of scandium; however, 

scandium producers continued to compete with carbon fiber and carbon nanotube technology for market share. 

Scandium’s use in metal halide lighting continued. Scandium, as the metal or the iodide, was added to halide light 

bulbs to adjust the color to simulate natural sunlight. New demand is expected to come from future fuel-cell markets 

and aerospace and specialty metal alloys. 

Nominal prices for domestically produced scandium oxide remained unchanged while prices for other scandium 

compounds increased moderately compared with those of the previous year. Scandium metal prices increased 

moderately in 2012, and the total market remained very small. 

World Mine Production and Reserves:

8 No scandium was mined in the United States in 2012. Scandium was 

produced as byproduct material in China, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine. Foreign mine production data were not 

available. Scandium occurs in many ores in trace amounts, but has not been found in sufficient concentration to be 

mined as a primary product. As a result of its low concentration, scandium has been produced exclusively as a 

byproduct during processing of various ores or recovered from previously processed tailings or residues.

World Resources: Resources of scandium are abundant, especially when considered in relation to demand. 

Scandium is rarely concentrated in nature because of its lack of affinity for the common ore-forming anions. It is 

widely dispersed in the lithosphere and forms solid solutions in more than 100 minerals. In the Earth's crust, scandium 

is primarily a trace constituent of ferromagnesium minerals. Concentrations in these minerals (amphibole-hornblende, 

biotite, and pyroxene) typically range from 5 to 100 parts per million scandium oxide equivalent. Ferromagnesium 

minerals commonly occur in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks. Enrichment of scandium also occurs in aluminum 

phosphate minerals, beryl, cassiterite, columbite, garnet, muscovite, rare-earth minerals, and wolframite. Scandium 

that was produced domestically was primarily from the scandium-yttrium silicate mineral thortveitite, and from 

byproduct leach solutions from uranium operations. One of the principal domestic scandium resources is the fluorite 

tailings from the mined-out Crystal Mountain deposit near Darby, MT. Tailings from the mined-out fluorite operations, 

which were generated from 1952 to 1971, contain thortveitite and associated scandium-enriched minerals. Resources 

also are contained in the tantalum residues previously processed at Muskogee, OK. Smaller resources are 

associated with molybdenum, titanium-tungsten, and tungsten minerals from the Climax molybdenum deposit in 

Colorado and in crandallite, kolbeckite, and variscite at Fairfield, UT. Other lower grade domestic resources are 

present in ores of aluminum, cobalt, iron, molybdenum, nickel, phosphate, tantalum, tin, titanium, tungsten, zinc, and 

zirconium. Process residues from tungsten operations in the United States also contain significant amounts of 

scandium.

Foreign scandium resources are known in Australia, China, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Norway, Russia, and Ukraine. 

Resources in Australia are contained in nickel and cobalt deposits in Lake Innes and Syerston, New South Wales. 

China’s resources are in iron, tin, and tungsten deposits in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang 

Provinces. Resources in Russia are in apatites and eudialytes in the Kola Peninsula and in uranium-bearing deposits 

in Kazakhstan. Scandium in Madagascar is contained in pegmatites in the Befanomo area. Resources in Norway are 

dispersed in the thortveitite-rich pegmatites of the Iveland-Evje Region and in a deposit in the northern area of 

Finnmark. In Ukraine, scandium is recovered as a byproduct of iron ore processing at Zheltye Voda. An occurrence of 

the mineral thortveitite is reported from Kobe, Japan. Undiscovered scandium resources are thought to be very large.

Substitutes: In applications such as lighting and lasers, scandium is generally not subject to substitution. Titanium 

and aluminum high-strength alloys, as well as carbon fiber and carbon nanotube material, may substitute in sporting 

goods, especially baseball and softball bats and bicycle frames. Light-emitting diodes, also known as LEDs, are 

beginning to displace halides in industrial lighting, residential safety and street lighting, and buoys and maritime lamp 

applications.

e

Estimated. NA Not available.

1

See also Rare Earths.

2

Scandium oxide (as a white powder) and scandium-aluminum master alloy (with a 2% scandium metal content and sold in metric ton quantities) 

from Stanford Materials Corp. 2012. The significant price increase in 2011 was based on a price quote received in November 2012. 3

Scandium pieces, 99.9% purity, distilled dendritic; prices converted from 2-gram prices, from Alfa Aesar, a Johnson Matthey company. 4

Metal ingot pieces, 99.9% purity, from Alfa Aesar, a Johnson Matthey company.

5

Acetate, chloride, and fluoride, in crystalline or crystalline aggregate form and scandium iodide as ultradry powder from Alfa Aesar, a Johnson 

Matthey company; fluoride price converted from 5-gram quantity. 6

Scandium acetate, 99.9% purity listing beginning in 2010.

7

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for industry stock changes. 8

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
142

SELENIUM

(Data in metric tons of selenium content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Primary selenium was recovered from anode slimes generated in the electrolytic 

refining of copper. One copper refinery in Texas reported production of primary selenium. One copper refiner 

exported semirefined selenium for toll-refining in Asia, and one other refiner generated selenium-containing slimes, 

which were exported for processing.

In glass manufacturing, selenium is used to decolorize the green tint caused by iron impurities in container glass and 

other soda-lime silica glass and is used in architectural plate glass to reduce solar heat transmission. Cadmium 

sulfoselenide pigments are used in plastics, ceramics, and glass to produce a ruby-red color. Selenium is used in 

catalysts to enhance selective oxidation; in plating solutions, where it improves appearance and durability; in blasting 

caps and gun bluing; in rubber compounding chemicals; in the electrolytic production of manganese to increase 

yields; and in brass alloys to improve machinability.

Selenium is used as a human dietary supplement and in antidandruff shampoos. The leading agricultural uses are as 

a dietary supplement for livestock and as a fertilizer additive to enrich selenium-poor soils. It is used as a metallurgical 

additive to improve machinability of copper, lead, and steel alloys. Historically, the primary electronic use was as a 

photoreceptor on the replacement drums for older plain paper photocopiers; these have been replaced by newer 

models that do not use selenium in the reproduction process. Selenium is also used in thin-film photovoltaic copper 

indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) solar cells.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, refinery W W W W W 

2012e

Imports for consumption, metal and dioxide 519 263 480 601 475

Exports, metal, waste and scrap 562 618 919 1,440 1,000

Consumption, apparent1 519 263 480 601 475

Price, dealers, average, dollars per pound,

100-pound lots, refined 32.29 23.07 37.83 66.35 58.00

Stocks, producer, refined, yearend W W W W W 

Net import reliance2 as a percentage of

apparent consumption E E E E E 

Recycling: Domestic production of secondary selenium was estimated to be very small because most scrap 

xerographic and electronic materials were exported for recovery of the contained selenium.

Import Sources (2008–11): Belgium, 25%; Germany, 12%; Japan, 12%; China, 11%; and other, 40%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Selenium metal 2804.90.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Selenium dioxide 2811.29.2000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Micheal W. George [(703) 648–4962, mgeorge@usgs.gov]
143

SELENIUM

Events, Trends, and Issues: The supply of selenium is directly affected by the supply of the materials from which it 

is a byproduct—copper, and to a lesser extent, nickel. Estimated domestic selenium production was slightly higher in 

2012 compared with that of 2011 owing to a slight increase in copper production.

In 2012, the price of selenium dropped owing to the decrease in consumption in China. During the first half of 2012, 

Chinese manganese producers were operating at 30% to 40% of capacity because of higher energy costs, export 

tariffs, and drop in demand for manganese. As a result, they consumed less selenium dioxide. Domestic and global 

use of selenium in glass increased with an increase in glass production. The use of selenium in fertilizers and 

supplements in the plant-animal-human food chain and as human vitamin supplements also increased as its health 

benefits were more widely documented. Although small amounts of selenium are considered beneficial, it can be 

hazardous in larger quantities. Selenium consumption in solar cells decreased, because in 2012, the solar cell market 

was oversupplied, which led several solar manufacturers to file for bankruptcy or curtail some of their production.

World Refinery Production and Reserves: Selenium reserves in Chile were revised substantially upward because 

of an increase in copper reserves based on company reports and new developments.

 Refinery production Reserves3

 2011

United States W W 10,000

2012e

Belgium 200 200 — 

Canada 35 35 6,000

Chile 90 90 25,000

Finland 60 60 — 

Germany 650 650 — 

Japan 630 650 — 

Peru 59 60 13,000

Philippines 65 70 500

Russia 145 145 20,000

Other countries4 46 40

World total (rounded) 5

1,980 52,000 98,000

23,000

World Resources: Reserves for selenium are based on identified copper deposits. Coal generally contains between 

0.5 and 12 parts per million of selenium, or about 80 to 90 times the average for copper deposits. The recovery of 

selenium from coal, although technically feasible, does not appear likely in the foreseeable future because it is 

currently not economical.

Substitutes: High-purity silicon has replaced selenium in high-voltage rectifiers. Silicon is also the major substitute 

for selenium in low- and medium-voltage rectifiers and solar photovoltaic cells. Organic pigments have been 

developed as substitutes for cadmium sulfoselenide pigments. Other substitutes include cerium oxide as either a 

colorant or decolorant in glass; tellurium in pigments and rubber; bismuth, lead, and tellurium in free-machining alloys; 

and bismuth and tellurium in lead-free brasses. Sulfur dioxide can be used as a replacement for selenium dioxide in 

the production of electrolytic manganese metal.

The selenium-tellurium photoreceptors used in some xerographic copiers and laser printers have been replaced by 

organic photoreceptors in newer machines. Amorphous silicon and cadmium telluride are the two principal 

competitors to CIGS in thin-film photovoltaic power cells.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. — Zero. 1

Imports for consumption were used as a proxy for apparent consumption.

2

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 3

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

4

In addition to the countries listed, Australia, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan are known to 

produce refined selenium, but output is not reported, and information is inadequate for formulation of reliable production estimates. 5

Excludes U.S. production.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
144

SILICON

(Data in thousand metric tons of silicon content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Estimated value of silicon alloys and metal produced in the United States in 2012 

was $1.44 billion. Three companies produced silicon materials in seven plants east of the Mississippi River. 

Ferrosilicon and metallurgical-grade silicon metal were each produced in four plants. One company produced both 

products at two plants. Most ferrosilicon was consumed in the ferrous foundry and steel industries, predominantly in 

the eastern United States. The main consumers of silicon metal were producers of aluminum and aluminum alloys 

and the chemical industry. The semiconductor and solar industries, which manufacture chips for computers and 

photovoltaic cells from high-purity silicon, respectively, accounted for only a small percentage of silicon demand.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production:

2012e

 Ferrosilicon, all grades1 180 139 176 W W 

 Silicon metal2 W W W W W 

 Total W W W 326 410

Imports for consumption:

 Ferrosilicon, all grades1 190 70 157 156 190

 Silicon metal 168 113 171 187 140

Exports:

 Ferrosilicon, all grades1 10 9 15 20 13

 Silicon metal 35 38 65 79 84

Consumption, apparent:

 Ferrosilicon, all grades1 352 207 312 W W 

 Silicon metal2 W W W W W 

 Total W W W 564 640

Price,3 average, cents per pound Si:

 Ferrosilicon, 50% Si 116 76.9 109 111 100

 Ferrosilicon, 75% Si 109 68.9 97.2 102 92

 Silicon metal2 162 116 140 158 130

Stocks, producer, yearend:

 Ferrosilicon, all grades1 21 14 20 W W 

 Silicon metal2 W W W W W 

 Total W W W 23 29

Net import reliance4 as a percentage

of apparent consumption:

 Ferrosilicon, all grades1 49 33 44 <50 <60

 Silicon metal2 <50 <50 <50 <40 <25

 Total W W W 42 36

Recycling: Insignificant.

Import Sources (2008–11): Ferrosilicon: Russia, 40%; China, 34%; Venezuela, 11%; Canada, 10%; and other, 5%. 

Silicon metal: Brazil, 41%; South Africa, 20%; Canada, 12%; Australia, 9%; and other, 18%. Total: Brazil, 23%; 

Russia, 19%; China, 17%; Canada, 11%; and other, 30%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Silicon, more than 99.99% Si 2804.61.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Silicon, 99.00%−99.99% Si 2804.69.1000 5.3% ad val.

Silicon, other 2804.69.5000 5.5% ad val.

Ferrosilicon, 55%−80% Si:

More than 3% Ca 7202.21.1000 1.1% ad val.

Other 7202.21.5000 1.5% ad val.

Ferrosilicon, 80%−90% Si 7202.21.7500 1.9% ad val.

Ferrosilicon, more than 90% Si 7202.21.9000 5.8% ad val.

Ferrosilicon, other:

More than 2% Mg 7202.29.0010 Free.

Other 7202.29.0050 Free.

Prepared by Lisa A. Corathers [(703) 648–4973, lcorathers@usgs.gov]
145

SILICON

Depletion Allowance: Quartzite, 14% (Domestic and foreign); gravel, 5% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Combined domestic ferrosilicon and silicon metal production in 2012, expressed in 

terms of contained silicon, was expected to increase by 26% from that of 2011. Annual average U.S. ferrosilicon spot 

market prices in 2012 were expected to decrease by 10% from those of 2011, despite increased domestic crude steel 

production for the year, because of domestic ferrosilicon oversupply and the effect of declining international prices

toward yearend.

Demand for silicon metal comes primarily from the aluminum and chemical industries, with more than 75% of silicon 

metal typically consumed by the chemical industry. The annual average silicon metal spot market price was expected 

to decrease by about 20% in 2012 from that in 2011. While domestic secondary aluminum production—the primary 

materials source for aluminum-silicon alloys—was projected to increase by 10% in 2012 compared with that in 2011, 

domestic chemical production was projected to increase only slightly (less than 1%) in 2012. 

World production of silicon materials increased in 2012 compared with that in 2011, mainly as a result of ferrosilicon 

and silicon smelter expansions, furnace conversions, and new plant construction. About 200,000 tons of annual 

production capacity (gross weight) was added to the global silicon industry in China, India, Malaysia, Sweden, and 

Uzbekistan.

World Production and Reserves

 Productione, 5 Reserves6

:

 2011

United States 326 410 The reserves in most major producing

2012

Brazil 225 230 countries are ample in relation to

Bhutan7 61 62 demand. Quantitative estimates are

Canada 50 50 not available.

China 4,780 5,000

France 164 170

Iceland 78 80

India7 68 70

Norway 297 170 

Russia 647 650

South Africa 142 140 

Ukraine7 98 91

Venezuela7 46 60

Other countries 383

World total (rounded) 7,370 7,600

 430

Ferrosilicon accounts for about four-fifths of world silicon production (gross-weight basis). The leading countries for 

ferrosilicon production, in descending order, were China, Russia, the United States, Brazil, and Ukraine, and for 

silicon metal production were China, the United States, Norway, Brazil, and France. China was by far the leading 

producer of both ferrosilicon (5,600,000 tons) and silicon metal (1,400,000 tons) in 2012.

World Resources: World and domestic resources for making silicon metal and alloys are abundant and, in most 

producing countries, adequate to supply world requirements for many decades. The source of the silicon is silica in 

various natural forms, such as quartzite.

Substitutes: Aluminum, silicon carbide, and silicomanganese can be substituted for ferrosilicon in some applications. 

Gallium arsenide and germanium are the principal substitutes for silicon in semiconductor and infrared applications.

e

Estimated. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.

1

Ferrosilicon grades include the two standard grades of ferrosilicon50% and 75% siliconplus miscellaneous silicon alloys. 2

Metallurgical-grade silicon metal. 3

Based on U.S. dealer import price.

4

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 5

Production quantities are combined totals of estimated silicon content for ferrosilicon and silicon metal, as applicable, except as noted.

6

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 7

Ferrosilicon only.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
146

SILVER

(Data in metric tons1 of silver content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: In 2012, the United States produced approximately 1,050 tons of silver with an 

estimated value of $1.01 billion. Silver was produced as a byproduct from 35 domestic base- and precious-metal 

mines. Alaska continued as the country’s leading silver-producing State, followed by Nevada. There were 21 U.S. 

refiners of commercial-grade silver, with an estimated total output of 6,500 tons from domestic and foreign ores and 

concentrates, and from old and new scrap. Silver’s traditional use categories include coins and medals, electrical and 

electronics, jewelry and silverware, and photography. The physical properties of silver include ductility, electrical 

conductivity, malleability, and reflectivity. The demand for silver in other applications includes use of silver in 

bandages for wound care, batteries, brazing and soldering, in catalytic converters in automobiles, in cell phone covers 

to reduce the spread of bacteria, in clothing to minimize odor, electroplating, hardening bearings, inks, mirrors, solar 

cells, water purification, and wood treatment to resist mold. Silver was used for miniature antennas in radio frequency 

identification devices that were used in casino chips, freeway toll transponders, gasoline speed purchase devices, 

passports, and on packages to keep track of inventory shipments. Mercury and silver, the main components of dental 

amalgam, are biocides, and their use in amalgam inhibits recurrent decay. In 2012, the estimated uses were electrical 

and electronics, 35%; coins and medals, 25%; photography, 10%; jewelry and silverware, 8%; and other, 22%.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production:

2012e

 Mine 1,250 1,250 1,280 1,120 1,050

 Refinery:

 Primary 779 796 819 790 750

 Secondary (new and old scrap) 1,210 1,340 1,330 1,710 1,500

Imports for consumption2 4,430 3,450 5,370 6,410 5,300

Exports2 638 419 709 904 1,200

Consumption, apparent 6,320 6,110 7,540 7,910 5,900 

Price, dollars per troy ounce3 15.00 14.69 20.20 35.26 30.00

Stocks, yearend:

 Treasury Department4 220 220 220 220 220

 COMEX 3,970 3,500 3,250 3,650 4,400

 Exchange Traded Funds5 10,600 14,600 18,400 17,600 19,000

Employment, mine and mill,6 number 770 740 760 950 1,100

Net import reliance7 as a percentage

of apparent consumption 61 58 65 64 57

Recycling: In 2012, approximately 1,500 tons of silver was recovered from new and old scrap. 

Import Sources (2008–11):

2 Mexico, 51%; Canada, 23%; Peru, 6%; Poland, 6%; and other, 14%.

Tariff: No duties are imposed on imports of unrefined silver or refined bullion.

Depletion Allowance: 15% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Through October 2012, silver prices averaged $30.34 per troy ounce, 16% lower than 

the average of the first 10 months of 2011. The overall decline in silver prices corresponded to drop in industrial 

consumption because of a depressed global economic environment. However, investment demand for silver 

continued to increase as investors sought safe-haven investments and helped to keep the price of silver above $30 

per troy ounce. Holdings in 13 silver exchange traded funds (ETF), including 2 ETF that began in 2011, were about

19,000 tons at the end of October.

Industrial demand for silver in photography continued to decline, and in the United States, demand for silver in 

photography fell to about 550 tons, compared with a high of about 2,000 tons in 2000. Although silver was still used in 

x-ray films, many hospitals have begun to use digital imaging systems. Approximately 99% of the silver in 

photographic wastewater may be recycled. Silver demand for use in photographic applications, jewelry, electronic 

applications, and coins declined; however, the use of silver in brazing alloys and solders and other industrial 

applications increased slightly. Silver was used as a replacement metal for platinum in catalytic converters in

automobiles, and silver was also used as a catalyst in numerous chemical reactions. Silver also was used in clothing 

to help regulate body heat and to control odor in shoes and in sports and everyday clothing. The use of trace amounts 

of silver in bandages for wound care and minor skin infections was also increasing.

Prepared by Micheal W. George [(703) 648–4962, mgeorge@usgs.gov]
147

SILVER

World silver mine production increased to a new record of 24,000 tons as a result of increased production from mines 

in China, Kazakhstan, and Mexico, as well as increased recoveries from mines in Indonesia and Peru. Production 

also increased in Australia because of the start up of the Wonawinta Mine (lead-zinc) in New South Wales and a 

major expansion for the Mount Isa (copper-lead-zinc), which was processing ore from the newly opened Lady Loretta 

Mine (copper) in Queensland. In 2012, the Sindesar Khurd Mine (lead-zinc) in India was estimated to have produced 

70 tons more of silver than it produced in 2011. Overall, domestic silver production declined, with the temporary 

closure of Lucky Friday Mine, ID, in January 2012, the leading domestic primary silver mine in 2011. The mine was 

ordered closed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration after an accident and rock burst at yearend 2011 that 

led to a buildup of material in the Silver Shaft, the primary access to Lucky Friday. Production was expected to 

resume in early 2013. Output also fell at Bingham Canyon Mine, UT (copper-molybdenum), at the Mission Complex, 

AZ (copper-molybdenum), and at the Midas Mine, NV (gold). Some of the output losses were partially offset by 

production gains at the Rochester Mine (primary silver) and at the Smoky Valley Common Operations (gold), both in 

Nevada.

World Mine Production and Reserves: Reserve data for Chile were revised based on new information from

Government and industry sources.

Mine production Reserves8

 2011

United States 1,120 1,050 25,000

2012e

Australia 1,730 1,900 69,000

Bolivia 1,210 1,300 22,000

Canada 572 530 7,000

Chile 1,290 1,130 77,000

China 3,700 3,800 43,000

Mexico 4,150 4,250 37,000

Peru 3,410 3,450 120,000

Poland 1,170 1,170 85,000

Russia 1,350 1,500 NA

Other countries 3,600 3,900

World total (rounded) 23,300 24,000 540,000

 50,000

World Resources: Silver was obtained as a byproduct from lead-zinc mines, copper mines, and gold mines, in 

descending order of production. The polymetallic ore deposits from which silver was recovered account for more than 

two-thirds of U.S. and world resources of silver. Most recent silver discoveries have been associated with gold 

occurrences; however, copper and lead-zinc occurrences that contain byproduct silver will continue to account for a 

significant share of future reserves and resources.

Substitutes: Digital imaging, film with reduced silver content, silverless black-and-white film, and xerography 

substitute for silver that has traditionally been used in black-and-white as well as color printing applications. Surgical 

pins and plates may be made with tantalum and titanium in place of silver. Stainless steel may be substituted for 

silver flatware, and germanium added to silver flatware will make it tarnish resistant. Nonsilver batteries may replace 

silver batteries in some applications. Aluminum and rhodium may be used to replace silver that was traditionally used 

in mirrors and other reflecting surfaces. Silver may be used to replace more costly metals in catalytic converters for 

off-road vehicles.

e

Estimated. NA Not available.

1

One metric ton (1,000 kilograms) = 32,150.7 troy ounces.

2

Ores and concentrates, refined bullion, and doré; excludes coinage, and waste and scrap material. 3

Handy & Harman quotations.

4

Balance in U.S. Mint only.

5

Held in 13 ETFs in which silver was part or whole of the ETF. Represents only the amount of silver held in the ETF. 

6

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration.

7

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 8

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
148

SODA ASH

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: The total value of domestic soda ash (sodium carbonate) produced in 2012 was 

estimated to be about $1.6 billion.1 The U.S. soda ash industry comprised four companies in Wyoming operating five 

plants, one company in California with one plant, and one company with one mothballed plant in Colorado that owns 

one of the Wyoming plants. The five producers have a combined annual nameplate capacity of 14.5 million tons. Salt, 

sodium sulfate, and borax were produced as coproducts of sodium carbonate production in California. Sodium 

bicarbonate, sodium sulfite, and chemical caustic soda were manufactured as coproducts at several of the Wyoming 

soda ash plants. Sodium bicarbonate was produced at the Colorado operation using soda ash feedstock shipped 

from the company’s Wyoming facility.

Based on final 2011 reported data, the estimated 2012 distribution of soda ash by end use was glass, 48%; 

chemicals, 29%; soap and detergents, 8%; distributors, 6%; flue gas desulfurization and miscellaneous uses, 3% 

each; pulp and paper, 2%; and water treatment, 1%.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012e

Production2 11,300 9,310 10,600 10,700 10,900

Imports for consumption 13 6 20 27 15

Exports 5,370 4,410 5,390 5,470 6,000

Consumption:

 Reported 5,700 5,020 5,270 5,150 5,000

 Apparent 5,860 4,950 5,200 5,220 5,000

Price:

 Quoted, yearend, soda ash, dense, bulk:

 F.o.b. Green River, WY, dollars per short ton 260.00 260.00 260.00 260.00 275.00

 F.o.b. Searles Valley, CA, same basis 285.00 285.00 285.00 285.00 285.00

 Average sales value (natural source),

 f.o.b. mine or plant, dollars per short ton 122.11 129.88 116.47 133.57 135.00

Stocks, producer, yearend 259 217 220 282 250

Employment, mine and plant, number 2,500 2,400 2,400 2,400 2,500

Net import reliance3 as a percentage

of apparent consumption E E E E E 

Recycling: There is no recycling of soda ash by producers; however, glass container producers are using cullet 

glass, thereby reducing soda ash consumption.

Import Sources (2008–11): Canada, 20%; China, 16%; United Kingdom, 14%; Mexico, 11%; and other, 39%.

Tariff: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

12–31–12

Disodium carbonate 2836.20.0000 1.2% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: Natural, 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Dennis S. Kostick [Contact Thomas P. Dolley, (703) 648–7710, tdolley@usgs.gov]
149

SODA ASH

Events, Trends, and Issues: The Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration of Henan Province in China 

announced that it had discovered a large trona deposit in Tongbai County, ranking it the largest trona deposit in Asia 

and the second largest in the world behind the deposit in the Green River Basin in Wyoming. Preliminary exploration 

data indicated approximately 72 million tons of identified resources with an additional 100 million tons of trona mixed 

with mirabilite. 

The natural soda ash producer in Turkey announced that it intended to develop the Kazan trona deposit near its 

existing trona mine at Beypazari. The company stated that it planned to double production capacity at Beypazari to 

2.0 million tons per year in early 2013 and have a combined capacity of 4.5 million tons per year online by 2016. The 

majority owner of both operations was seeking partners for the project.

In July, one of the major Wyoming soda ash producers announced that it would increase its off-list price of soda ash 

effective August 1, 2012, or as contracts permitted. Other producers followed with similar announcements. The 

increase was necessary to recover production cost increases and assist in continued investments in the operations.

Economic conditions were improving in many parts of the world. Overall global demand for soda ash was expected to 

increase by 1.5% to 2% annually for the next several years, with most of the growth expected to be in China, India, 

Russia, and South America. If the domestic economy and export sales improve, U.S. production may be higher in 

2013. If the reports about a new trona discovery in China are confirmed, China may become the lowest-cost soda ash 

producer in Asia and a strong competitor with the United States in the Far East soda ash markets.

World Production and Reserves:

 Production Reserves4, 5

Natural: 2011 2012e

United States 10,700 10,900 623,000,000

Botswana 250 250 400,000

Kenya 560 600 7,000

Mexico — — 200,000

Turkey 1,500 1,600 200,000

Uganda NA NA 20,000

Other countries — — 260,000

 World total, natural (rounded) 13,000 13,000 24,000,000

 World total, synthetic (rounded) 38,300 39,000 XX

 World total (rounded) 51,300 52,000 XX

World Resources: Soda ash is obtained from trona and sodium carbonate-rich brines. The world’s largest deposit of 

trona is in the Green River Basin of Wyoming. About 47 billion tons of identified soda ash resources could be 

recovered from the 56 billion tons of bedded trona and the 47 billion tons of interbedded or intermixed trona and halite 

that are in beds more than 1.2 meters thick. Underground room-and-pillar mining, using conventional and continuous 

mining, is the primary method of mining Wyoming trona ore. This method has an average 45% mining recovery, 

whereas average recovery from solution mining is 30%. Improved solution-mining techniques, such as horizontal 

drilling to establish communication between well pairs, could increase this extraction rate and entice companies to 

develop some of the deeper trona beds. Wyoming trona resources are being depleted at the rate of about 15 million 

tons per year (8.3 million tons of soda ash). Searles Lake and Owens Lake in California contain an estimated 815 

million tons of soda ash reserves. At least 95 natural sodium carbonate deposits have been identified in the world, 

only some of which have been quantified. Although soda ash can be manufactured from salt and limestone, both of 

which are practically inexhaustible, synthetic soda ash is more costly to produce and generates environmentally 

deleterious wastes.

Substitutes: Caustic soda can be substituted for soda ash in certain uses, particularly in the pulp and paper, water 

treatment, and certain chemical sectors. Soda ash, soda liquors, or trona can be used as feedstock to manufacture 

chemical caustic soda, which is an alternative to electrolytic caustic soda.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter. NA Not available. XX Not applicable. — Zero. 1

Does not include values for soda liquors and mine waters. 2

Natural only.

3

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 4

The reported quantities are sodium carbonate only. About 1.8 tons of trona yields 1 ton of sodium carbonate. 5

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 6

From trona, nahcolite, and dawsonite sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
150

SODIUM SULFATE

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

NOTE: Data collection for total sodium sulfate production was terminated by the U.S. Census Bureau in mid-2011. 

Because alternative sources for sodium sulfate data are no longer available, sodium sulfate coverage by the USGS 

has been discontinued. This section will not appear in future Mineral Commodity Summaries.

Domestic Production and Use: The domestic natural sodium sulfate industry consisted of two producers operating 

two plants, one each in California and Texas. Nine companies operating 11 plants in 9 States recovered byproduct 

sodium sulfate from various manufacturing processes or products, including battery reclamation, cellulose, resorcinol, 

silica pigments, and sodium dichromate. About one-half of the total output was a byproduct of these plants in 2012. 

The total value of natural and synthetic sodium sulfate sold was an estimated $42 million. Estimates of U.S. sodium 

sulfate consumption by end use were soap and detergents, 35%; glass, 18%; pulp and paper, 15%; carpet fresheners 

and textiles, 4% each; and miscellaneous, 24%.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, total (natural and synthetic)1 319 260 297 NA NA

2012e

Imports for consumption 69 77 77 85 85

Exports 107 140 196 199 210

Consumption, apparent (natural and synthetic) 281 197 178 NA NA

Price, quoted, sodium sulfate (100% Na2SO4),

bulk, f.o.b. works, East, dollars per short ton 134 134 134 134 140

Employment, well and plant, numbere 225 225 225 225 225

Net import reliance2 as a percentage

of apparent consumption E E E E E 

Recycling: There was some recycling of sodium sulfate by consumers, particularly in the pulp and paper industry, but 

no recycling by sodium sulfate producers.

Import Sources (2008–11): Canada, 87%; China, 4%; Japan, 3%; Finland, 2%; and other, 4%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Disodium sulfate:

12–31–12

Saltcake (crude) 2833.11.1000 Free.

Other: 2833.11.5000 0.4% ad val.

 Anhydrous 2833.11.5010 0.4% ad val.

 Other 2833.11.5050 0.4% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: Natural, 14% (Domestic and foreign); synthetic, none.

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Dennis S. Kostick [Contact Thomas P. Dolley, (703) 648–7710, tdolley@usgs.gov]
151

SODIUM SULFATE

Events, Trends, and Issues

 

: China remained the leading exporter and producer of natural and synthetic sodium 

sulfate in the world. Jiangsu Province is the major area for sodium sulfate production. It was anticipated that this area 

will produce 4.8 million tons of sodium sulfate annually by 2013. As of 2008, China represented about three-fourths of 

world production capacity and more than 70% of world production.

The primary use of sodium sulfate worldwide is in powdered detergents. Sodium sulfate is a low-cost, inert, white filler 

in home laundry detergents. Although powdered home laundry detergents may contain as much as 50% sodium 

sulfate in their formulation, the market for liquid detergents, which do not contain any sodium sulfate, continued to 

increase. However, with the major downturn in the world economies beginning in 2008, many consumers have 

reverted to using more powdered laundry detergents because they are less expensive than their liquid counterparts. 

Sodium sulfate consumption in the domestic textile industry also has been declining because of imports of lessexpensive textile products. In nations with strengthening economies, sodium sulfate consumption increased by 

yearend 2012.

Sodium sulfate consumption in 2013 is expected to be comparable with that of 2012, with detergents remaining the 

leading sodium-sulfate-consuming sector. If the winter of 2012–13 is relatively mild, byproduct recovery of sodium 

sulfate from automobile batteries may decline because fewer battery failures during mild winter weather reduce 

recycling. World production and consumption of sodium sulfate have been stagnant but are expected to increase 

between 2% to 3% per year in the next few years, especially in Asia and South America.

World Production and Reserves: Although data on mine production for natural sodium sulfate are not available, 

total world production of natural sodium sulfate is estimated to be about 8 million tons. Total world production of 

byproduct sodium sulfate is estimated to be between 2.0 and 4.0 million tons.

 Reserves3

United States 860,000

Canada 84,000

China NA

Mexico 170,000

Spain 180,000

Turkey 100,000

Other countries

World total (rounded) 3,300,000

1,900,000

World Resources: Sodium sulfate resources are sufficient to last hundreds of years at the present rate of world 

consumption. In addition to the countries with reserves listed above, the following countries also possess identified 

resources of sodium sulfate: Botswana, Egypt, Italy, Mongolia, Romania, and South Africa. Commercial production 

from domestic resources is from deposits in California and Texas. The brine in Searles Lake, CA, contains about 450 

million tons of sodium sulfate resource, representing about 35% of the lake’s brine. In Utah, about 12% of the 

dissolved salts in the Great Salt Lake is sodium sulfate, representing about 400 million tons of resource. An irregular, 

21-meter-thick mirabilite deposit is associated with clay beds 4.5 to 9.1 meters below the lake bottom near 

Promontory Point, UT. Several playa lakes in west Texas contain underground sodium-sulfate-bearing brines and 

crystalline material. Other economic and subeconomic deposits of sodium sulfate are near Rhodes Marsh, NV; 

Grenora, ND; Okanogan County, WA; and Bull Lake, WY. Sodium sulfate also can be obtained as a byproduct from 

the production of ascorbic acid, boric acid, cellulose, chromium chemicals, lithium carbonate, rayon, resorcinol, silica 

pigments, and from battery recycling. The quantity and availability of byproduct sodium sulfate are dependent on the 

production capabilities of the primary industries and the sulfate recovery rates.

Substitutes: In pulp and paper, emulsified sulfur and caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) can replace sodium sulfate. In 

detergents, a variety of products can substitute for sodium sulfate. In glassmaking, soda ash and calcium sulfate have 

been substituted for sodium sulfate with less-effective results.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter. NA Not available. 1

Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Synthetic production data are revised in accordance with recent updated Census Bureau statistics.

2

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes (if available). 3

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
152

STONE (CRUSHED)1

(Data in million metric tons unless otherwise noted)2

Domestic Production and Use: Crushed stone valued at more than $11 billion was produced by 1,550 companies 

operating 4,000 quarries, 91 underground mines, and 210 sales/distribution yards in 50 States. Leading States, in 

descending order of production, were Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, Virginia, Indiana, Tennessee, 

Florida, and North Carolina, which together accounted for one-half of the total crushed stone output. Of the total 

crushed stone produced in 2012, about 69% was limestone and dolomite; 14%, granite; 7%, traprock; 5%, 

miscellaneous stone; 4%, sandstone and quartzite; and the remaining 1% was divided, in descending order of 

tonnage, among marble, volcanic cinder and scoria, slate, shell, and calcareous marl. It is estimated that of the 1.24 

billion tons of crushed stone consumed in the United States in 2012, 46% was reported by use, 27% was reported for 

unspecified uses, and 27% of the total consumed was estimated for nonrespondents to the U.S. Geological Survey 

(USGS) canvasses. Of the 512 million tons reported by use, 82% was used as construction material, mostly for road 

construction and maintenance; 10%, for cement manufacturing; 2% each, for lime manufacturing and for agricultural 

uses; and 4%, for special and miscellaneous uses and products. To provide a more accurate estimate of the 

consumption patterns for crushed stone, the “unspecified uses—reported and estimated,” as defined in the USGS 

Minerals Yearbook, are not included in the above percentages.

The estimated output of crushed stone in the 48 conterminous States shipped for consumption in the first 6 months of 

2012 was 532 million tons, a increase of 5.8% compared with that of the same period of 2011. Second quarter 

shipments for consumption increased slightly compared with those of the same period of 2011. Additional production 

information, by quarter for each State, geographic division, and the United States, is reported in the USGS quarterly 

Mineral Industry Surveys for Crushed Stone and Construction Sand and Gravel.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production 1,450 1,160 1,160 1,160 1,240

2012e

Recycled material 29 29 26 27 28

Imports for consumption 21 12 15 15 14

Exports 1 1 1 1 1 

Consumption, apparent 1,500 1,200 1,200 1,200 1,280

Price, average value, dollars per metric ton 9.36 9.73 9.57 9.68 9.78

Employment, quarry and mill, numbere, 3 81,000 81,000 79,000 79,000 79,000

Net import reliance4 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 1 1 1 1 1 

Recycling: Road surfaces made of asphalt and crushed stone and, to a lesser extent, cement concrete surface 

layers and structures were recycled on a limited but increasing basis in most States. Asphalt road surfaces and 

concrete were recycled in 49 States and Puerto Rico. The amount of material reported to be recycled increased by 

11% in 2012 compared with that of the previous year.

Import Sources (2008–11): Canada, 43%; Mexico, 38%; The Bahamas, 17%; and other, 2%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Crushed stone 2517.10.00 Free.

12–31–12

Depletion Allowance: (Domestic) 14% for some special uses; 5%, if used as ballast, concrete aggregate, riprap, 

road material, and similar purposes.

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Jason Christopher Willett [(703) 648–6473, jwillett@usgs.gov] 
153

STONE (CRUSHED)

Events, Trends, and Issues: Crushed stone production was about 1.24 billion tons in 2012, a 7% increase 

compared with that of 2011. Apparent consumption also increased to about 1.28 billion tons. Demand for crushed 

stone was slightly higher in 2012 because of the apparent end of the slowdown in activity that some of the principal 

construction markets have experienced during the last 6 years. Long-term increases in construction aggregates 

demand will be influenced by activity in the public and private construction sectors, as well as by construction work 

related to security measures being implemented around the Nation. The underlying factors that would support a rise 

in prices of crushed stone are expected to be present in 2013, especially in and near metropolitan areas.

The crushed stone industry continued to be concerned with environmental, health, and safety regulations. Shortages 

of crushed stone in some urban and industrialized areas are expected to continue to increase owing to local zoning 

regulations and land-development alternatives. These issues are expected to continue and to cause new crushed 

stone quarries to locate away from large population centers.

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production Reserves5

:

 2011

United States 1,160 1,240 Adequate except where special

2012e

Other countries6 NA NA

World total NA NA local shortages exist.

types are needed or where

World Resources: Stone resources of the world are very large. Supply of high-purity limestone and dolomite suitable 

for specialty uses is limited in many geographic areas. The largest resources of high-purity limestone and dolomite in 

the United States are in the central and eastern parts of the country.

Substitutes: Crushed stone substitutes for roadbuilding include sand and gravel, and iron and steel slag. Substitutes 

for crushed stone used as construction aggregates include sand and gravel, iron and steel slag, sintered or expanded 

clay or shale, and perlite or vermiculite.

e

Estimated. NA Not available.

1

See also Stone (Dimension).

2

See Appendix A for conversion to short tons.

3

Including office staff.

4

Defined as imports – exports. 5

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

6

Consistent production information is not available for other countries owing to a wide variety of ways in which countries report their crushed stone 

production. Some countries do not report production for this mineral commodity. Production information for some countries is available in the 

country chapters of the USGS Minerals Yearbook.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
154

STONE (DIMENSION)

1

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Approximately 1.7 million tons of dimension stone, valued at $340 million, was sold 

or used by U.S. producers in 2012. Dimension stone was produced by 141 companies, operating 219 quarries, in 36 

States. Leading producer States, in descending order by tonnage, were South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Indiana, 

and Georgia. These five States accounted for about 52% of the production and contributed about 43% of the value of 

domestic production. Approximately 38%, by tonnage, of dimension stone sold or used was granite, followed by 

limestone (27%), miscellaneous stone (16%), sandstone (15%), marble (2%), and slate (2%). By value, the leading 

sales or uses were for granite (34%), followed by limestone (29%), miscellaneous stone (16%), sandstone (11%), 

marble (5%), and slate (5%). Rough stone represented 56% of the tonnage and 43% of the value of all the dimension 

stone sold or used by domestic producers, including exports. The leading uses and distribution of rough stone, by 

tonnage, were in building and construction (56%), and in irregular-shaped stone (24%). Dressed stone mainly was 

sold for ashlars and partially squared pieces (31%), curbing (22%), and flagging (20%), by tonnage.

Salient Statistics—United States:

2 2008 2009 2010 2011

Sold or used by producers:

2012e

 Tonnage 1,800 1,620 1,670 1,710 1,720

 Value, million dollars 326 328 323 323 340

Imports for consumption, value, million dollars 2,150 1,350 1,500 1,590 2,070

Exports, value, million dollars 66 48 55 66 170

Consumption, apparent, value, million dollars 2,410 1,630 1,770 1,840 2,240

Price Variable, depending on type of product

Employment, quarry and mill, number3 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000

Net import reliance4 as a percentage of

apparent consumption (based on value) 87 80 88 83 85

Granite only:

 Production 464 469 699 653 650

 Exports (rough and finished) 103 75 96 80 80

 Price Variable, depending on type of product

 Employment, quarry and mill, number3 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500

Recycling: Small amounts of dimension stone were recycled, principally by restorers of old stone work.

Import Sources (2008–11 by value): All dimension stone: China, 31%; Brazil, 27%; Italy, 20%; Turkey, 8%; and 

other, 14%. Granite only: Brazil, 42%; China, 22%; India, 14%; Italy, 13%; and other, 9%.

Tariff: Dimension stone tariffs ranged from free to 6.5% ad valorem, according to type, degree of preparation, shape, 

and size, for countries with normal trade relations in 2012. Most crude or rough trimmed stone was imported at 3.0% 

ad valorem or less.

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign); slate used or sold as sintered or burned lightweight aggregate, 

7.5% (Domestic and foreign); dimension stone used for rubble and other nonbuilding purposes, 5% (Domestic and 

foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Thomas P. Dolley [(703) 648–7710, tdolley@usgs.gov]
155

STONE (DIMENSION)

Events, Trends, and Issues: The United States is the world’s leading market for dimension stone. Imports of 

dimension stone increased in value to about $2.1 billion compared with $1.59 billion in 2011. Slow growth in the U.S. 

economy coupled with marginal increases in new residential construction starts resulted in a slight increase in 

production and imports of dimension stone. Dimension stone exports increased to about $169 million. The weakening 

of the U.S. dollar has aided the U.S. export market for dimension stone. Apparent consumption, by value, was $2.2 

billion in 2012—a $390 million, or 21%, increase from that of 2011. Dimension stone for construction and 

refurbishment was used in commercial and residential markets; 2012 refurbishment activity was slightly higher 

compared with that of 2011. 

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production Reserves5

: 

 2011

United States 1,710 1,720 Adequate except for certain

2012e

Other countries NA NA

World total NA NA shortages.

special types and local

World Resources: Dimension stone resources of the world are sufficient. Resources can be limited on a local level 

or occasionally on a regional level by the lack of a particular kind of stone that is suitable for dimension purposes.

Substitutes: Substitutes for dimension stone include aluminum, brick, ceramic tile, concrete, glass, plastics, resinagglomerated stone, and steel.

e

Estimated. NA Not available.

1

See also Stone (Crushed).

2

Includes Puerto Rico.

3

Excluding office staff. 4

Defined as imports – exports. 5

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
156

STRONTIUM

(Data in metric tons of strontium content1 unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Although deposits of strontium minerals occur widely throughout the United States,

strontium minerals have not been mined in the United States since 1959. Domestic production of strontium carbonate, 

the principal strontium compound, ceased in 2006. A few domestic companies produce small quantities of 

downstream strontium chemicals. Estimates of primary strontium compound end uses in the United States were 

pyrotechnics and signals, 30%; ferrite ceramic magnets, 30%; master alloys, 10%; pigments and fillers, 10%; 

electrolytic production of zinc, 10%; and other applications, including glass, 10%.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production — — — — — 

2012e

Imports for consumption:

 Strontium minerals 2,030 6,420 2,370 7,320 8,400

 Strontium compounds 9,420 5,860 8,640 10,000 8,000

Exports, compounds 70 94 72 18 75

Consumption, apparent, celestite and compounds 11,400 12,200 10,900 17,300 16,300

Price, average value of mineral imports 

at port of exportation, dollars per ton 64 47 45 46 50

Net import reliance2 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 100 100 100 100 100

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11): Strontium minerals: Mexico, 100%. Strontium compounds: Mexico, 63%; Germany, 19%; 

China, 15%; and other, 3%. Total imports: Mexico, 78%; Germany, 11%; China, 9%; and other, 2%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Celestite 2530.90.8010 Free.

12–31–12

Strontium metal 2805.19.1000 3.7% ad val.

Compounds:

Strontium oxide, hydroxide, peroxide 2816.40.1000 4.2% ad val.

Strontium nitrate 2834.29.2000 4.2% ad val.

Strontium carbonate 2836.92.0000 4.2% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Joyce A. Ober, [(703) 648–7717, jober@usgs.gov]
157

STRONTIUM

Events, Trends, and Issues: Strontium compounds are mostly consumed by the ceramics and glass and 

pyrotechnics industries, with smaller amounts consumed by a multitude of other industries. Ceramics and glass 

manufacture remained the top end-use industries through strontium’s use in ceramic ferrite magnets and other 

ceramic and glass applications. The use of strontium nitrate in pyrotechnics was thought to equal the use of strontium 

carbonate in ferrite magnets.

With expected improvements to global economic conditions, demand for strontium carbonate in more traditional 

applications is expected to increase. Use of strontium by the ceramics, glass, and pyrotechnic industries is expected 

to continue, with solid demand for strontium used in ferrite magnets. With improvements in advanced applications, 

consumption of strontium in new end uses may increase.

In descending order of production, China, Spain, and Mexico are the world’s leading producers of celestite. China 

also is a major importer of celestite. Iranian celestite production was expected to increase owing to increased exports 

to China. 

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production Reserves4

:

3

 2011

United States — — — 

2012e

Argentina 8,000 8,000 All other:

China 190,000 190,000 6,800,000

Iran 2,000 2,000

Mexico 31,500 31,500

Morocco 2,500 2,500

Spain 140,000 145,000

Turkey 1,100 1,100

World total (rounded) 375,000 380,000 6,800,000

 1

World Resources: World resources of strontium are thought to exceed 1 billion tons.

Substitutes: Barium can be substituted for strontium in ferrite ceramic magnets; however, the resulting barium 

composite will have reduced maximum operating temperature when compared with that of strontium composites. 

Substituting for strontium in pyrotechnics is hindered by difficulty in obtaining the desired brilliance and visibility 

imparted by strontium and its compounds.

e

Estimated. — Zero. 1

The strontium content of celestite is 43.88%; this factor was used to convert units of celestite to strontium content. 2

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 3

Metric tons of strontium minerals.

4

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013 
158

SULFUR

(Data in thousand metric tons of sulfur unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: In 2012, elemental sulfur and byproduct sulfuric acid were produced at 109 

operations in 26 States and the U.S. Virgin Islands, although the U.S. Virgin Islands plant closed in February. Total 

shipments were valued at about $1.3 billion. Elemental sulfur production was 8.4 million tons; Louisiana and Texas 

accounted for about 53% of domestic production. Elemental sulfur was recovered, in descending order of tonnage, at 

petroleum refineries, natural-gas-processing plants, and coking plants by 39 companies at 103 plants in 25 States 

and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Byproduct sulfuric acid, representing about 7% of production of sulfur in all forms, was 

recovered at seven nonferrous smelters in five States by five companies. Domestic elemental sulfur provided 59% of 

domestic consumption, and byproduct acid accounted for about 5%. The remaining 36% of sulfur consumed was 

provided by imported sulfur and sulfuric acid. About 90% of sulfur consumed was in the form of sulfuric acid. 

Agricultural chemicals (primarily fertilizers) composed about 67% of identified sulfur demand; petroleum refining, 23%; 

and metal mining, 4%. Other uses, accounting for 6% of demand, were widespread because a multitude of industrial 

products required sulfur in one form or another during some stage of their manufacture.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production:

2012e

 Recovered elemental 8,550 8,190 8,290 8,210 8,400

 Other forms 753 749 791 720

 Total (rounded) 9,300 8,940 9,080 8,930 9,050

 650

Shipments, all forms 9,280 8,860 9,140 8,910 8,400

Imports for consumption:

 Recovered, elementale 3,000 1,700 2,950 3,270 2,990

 Sulfuric acid, sulfur content 1,690 413 690 871 932

Exports:

 Recovered, elemental 953 1,430 1,450 1,310 1,790

 Sulfuric acid, sulfur content 86 83 71 109 57

Consumption, apparent, all forms 12,900 9,460 11,300 11,600 11,200

Price, reported average value, dollars per ton

of elemental sulfur, f.o.b., mine and (or) plant 264.04 1.73 70.16 159.83 160.00

Stocks, producer, yearend 208 231 166 175 142

Employment, mine and/or plant, number 2,600 2,600 2,600 2,600 2,600

Net import reliance1 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 28 6 19 23 19

Recycling: Typically, between 2.5 million and 5 million tons of spent sulfuric acid is reclaimed from petroleum refining 

and chemical processes during any given year.

Import Sources (2008–11): Elemental: Canada, 79%; Mexico, 11%; Venezuela, 6%; and other, 4%. Sulfuric acid: 

Canada, 55%; India, 18%; Mexico, 9%; and other, 18%. Total sulfur imports: Canada, 73%; Mexico, 10%; Venezuela, 

4%; and other, 13%.

Tariff: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Sulfur, crude or unrefined 2503.00.0010 Free.

12–31–12

Sulfur, all kinds, other 2503.00.0090 Free.

Sulfur, sublimed or precipitated 2802.00.0000 Free.

Sulfuric acid 2807.00.0000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Total U.S. sulfur production increased slightly and shipments increased about 3% 

compared with those of 2011. Domestic production of elemental sulfur from petroleum refineries and recovery from 

natural gas operations increased slightly. Domestically, refinery sulfur production is expected to continue to increase, 

sulfur from natural gas processing is expected to decline over time, and byproduct sulfuric acid is expected to remain 

relatively stable, unless one or more of the remaining nonferrous smelters close.

Prepared by Lori E. Apodaca [(703) 648–7724, lapodaca@usgs.gov]
159

SULFUR

World sulfur production decreased slightly but is likely to steadily increase for the foreseeable future. Significantly 

increased production is expected from sulfur recovery at liquefied natural gas operations in the Middle East and 

expanded oil sands operations in Canada, unless a downturn in the world economy limits investments in those areas.

The contract sulfur prices in Tampa, FL, began 2012 at around $220 per ton. The price decreased to $170 per ton in 

May and remained at that level through the end of October, when prices decreased to $160 per ton. Export prices 

were similar to the domestic prices.

Domestic phosphate rock consumption was lower in 2012 than in 2011, which resulted in decreased demand for 

sulfur to process the phosphate rock into phosphate fertilizers. 

World Production and Reserves

 Production—All forms Reserves2

:

 2011

United States 8,930 9,050 Reserves of sulfur in crude oil, natural gas,

2012e

Australia 940 900 and sulfide ores are large. Because most

Brazil 480 500 sulfur production is a result of the processing

Canada 6,520 6,600 of fossil fuels, supplies should be adequate

Chile 1,720 1,700 for the foreseeable future. Because

China 9,700 9,700 petroleum and sulfide ores can be processed

Finland 590 590 long distances from where they are

France 1,310 1,310 produced, sulfur production may not be in the

Germany 3,910 3,700 country to which the reserves were

India 1,190 1,200 attributed. For instance, sulfur from Saudi

Iran 1,780 1,800 Arabian oil may be recovered at refineries in

Italy 740 740 the United States.

Japan 3,300 3,200

Kazakhstan 2,700 2,700

Korea, Republic of 1,200 1,200

Kuwait 830 830

Mexico 1,660 1,650

Netherlands 530 530

Poland 1,140 1,100

Qatar 1,200 1,200

Russia 7,280 7,300

Saudi Arabia 4,600 4,600

South Africa 370 370

Spain 637 640

United Arab Emirates 1,800 1,800

Uzbekistan 520 520

Venezuela 800 850

Other countries 4,080

World total (rounded) 70,500 70,000

 4,100

World Resources: Resources of elemental sulfur in evaporite and volcanic deposits and sulfur associated with 

natural gas, petroleum, tar sands, and metal sulfides amount to about 5 billion tons. The sulfur in gypsum and 

anhydrite is almost limitless, and some 600 billion tons of sulfur is contained in coal, oil shale, and shale rich in 

organic matter, but low-cost methods have not been developed to recover sulfur from these sources. The domestic 

sulfur resource is about one-fifth of the world total.

Substitutes: Substitutes for sulfur at present or anticipated price levels are not satisfactory; some acids, in certain 

applications, may be substituted for sulfuric acid.

e

Estimated.

1

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 2

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
160

TALC AND PYROPHYLLITE

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Domestic talc production in 2012 was estimated to be 623,000 tons valued at $22 

million. Three companies operated six talc-producing mines in three States in 2011. These three companies 

accounted for more than 99% of the U.S. talc production. Two other companies, one in California and one in Virginia, 

worked from stocks. Montana was the leading producer State, followed by Texas and Vermont. Sales of talc were 

estimated to be 571,000 tons valued at $90 million. Talc produced and sold in the United States was used for 

ceramics, 26%; paint and paper, 20% each; plastics and roofing, 9% each; cosmetics, 4%; rubber, 3%; and other, 

9%. About 260,000 tons of talc was imported; more than 75% of the imported talc was used for plastics, cosmetics, 

and paint applications, in decreasing order by tonnage. The total estimated use of talc in the United States, with 

imported talc included, was plastics, 26%; ceramics, 17%; paint, 16%; paper, 15%; cosmetics and roofing, 6% each; 

rubber, 3%; and other, 11%. One company in North Carolina mined pyrophyllite. Production of pyrophyllite decreased 

slightly from that of 2011. Consumption was, in decreasing order by tonnage, in refractory products, ceramics, and 

paint.

Salient Statistics—United States:

1 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, mine 706 511 604 616 623

2012e

Sold by producers 667 512 567 567 571

Imports for consumption 193 134 242 270 260

Exports 244 188 240 233 250

Shipments from Government stockpile

 excesses (

2

) — — — — 

Consumption, apparent 655 457 606 653 633

Price, average, processed, dollars per metric ton 125 111 150 155 157

Employment, mine and mill 350 285 280 290 300

Net import reliance3 as a percentage of

apparent consumption E E 1 6 2 

Recycling: Insignificant.

Import Sources (2008–11): China, 46%; Canada, 35%; Japan, 4%; and other, 15%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Not crushed, not powdered 2526.10.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Crushed or powdered 2526.20.0000 Free.

Cut or sawed 6815.99.2000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: Block steatite talc: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign). Other: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: Although a disposal plan was established for fiscal year 2012, sales of talc from the 

stockpile have been suspended by the Defense Logistics Agency since September 2010.

Stockpile Status—9–30–124

(Metric tons)

Uncommitted Authorized Disposal plan Disposals

Material inventory for disposal FY 2012 FY 2012

Talc, block and lump 865 865 5

580 — 

Talc, ground 621 621 — — 

Prepared by Robert L. Virta [(703) 648–7726, rvirta@usgs.gov]
161

TALC AND PYROPHYLLITE

Events, Trends, and Issues: Talc production and sales increased slightly in 2012. U.S. exports increased 7% from 

those of 2011. Canada, Japan, and France accounted for most of the increase in talc exports and Mexico and 

Canada accounted for 31% and 28%, respectively, of U.S. talc exports, based on trade data through August. U.S. 

imports decreased 4% from those of 2011. Canada and China supplied more than 80% of the talc imported into the 

United States.

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System reported a 4% increase in general manufacturing and the 

U.S. Census Bureau reported that housing starts increased by 29.1% between August 2011 and August 2012. These 

trends could lead to increased consumption of talc, if they can be sustained, because talc is used in manufacturing

catalytic converter bodies (ceramics), automotive and truck body and underhood components (plastics), paint and 

coatings (fillers and extenders), and plastics and rubber (fillers and extenders in plastic products, tires, and other 

rubber components). In construction, talc is used to manufacture such product applications as adhesives, caulks, 

ceramics, joint compounds, paint, and roofing.

Sales of pyrophyllite declined slightly in 2012. Sales to industries that use pyrophyllite to manufacture ceramics and 

paints had limited growth in 2012 owing to the slow recovery of that sector of the economy. 

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production Reserves6

: 

 2011

United States1 616 623 140,000

2012e

Brazil 656 660 230,000

China 2,200 2,200 Large

Finland 500 500 Large

France 420 420 Large

India 650 660 75,000

Japan 374 375 100,000

Korea, Republic of 706 530 14,000

Other countries 1,570 1,600

World total (rounded) 7,690 7,600 Large

 Large

World Resources: The United States is self-sufficient in most grades of talc and related minerals. Domestic and 

world resources are estimated to be approximately five times the quantity of reserves.

Substitutes: Substitutes for talc include bentonite, chlorite, kaolin, and pyrophyllite in ceramics; chlorite, kaolin, and 

mica in paint; calcium carbonate and kaolin in paper; bentonite, kaolin, mica, and wollastonite in plastics; and kaolin 

and mica in rubber.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter. — Zero. 1

Excludes pyrophyllite.

2

Less than 1⁄2 unit.

3

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 4

See Appendix B for definitions.

5

Included talc, block and lump, and talc, ground. 6

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
162

TANTALUM

(Data in metric tons of tantalum content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: No significant U.S. tantalum mine production has been reported since 1959. 

Domestic tantalum resources are of low grade, some mineralogically complex, and most are not commercially 

recoverable. Companies in the United States produced tantalum alloys, compounds, and metal from imported 

concentrates, and metal and alloys were recovered from foreign and domestic scrap. Tantalum was consumed mostly 

in the form of alloys, compounds, fabricated forms, ingot, and metal powder. Tantalum capacitors were estimated to 

account for more than 60% of tantalum use. Major end uses for tantalum capacitors include automotive electronics, 

pagers, personal computers, and portable telephones. The value of tantalum consumed in 2011 was estimated at 

about $219 million and was expected to exceed $290 million in 2012 as measured by the value of imports.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012e

Production:

 Mine — — — — — 

 Secondary NA NA NA NA NA

Imports for consumptione, 1 1,290 798 1,600 1,850 1,000

Exportse, 1 662 326 438 648 500

Government stockpile releasese, 2 — — — — — 

Consumption, apparent 629 473 1,160 1,210 500

Price, tantalite, dollars per pound of Ta2O5 content3 44 40 54 125 110

Net import reliance4 as a percentage

of apparent consumption 100 100 100 100 100

Recycling: Tantalum was recycled mostly from new scrap that was generated during the manufacture of tantalumcontaining electronic components and from tantalum-containing cemented carbide and superalloy scrap.

Import Sources (2008–11): Tantalum contained in niobium (columbium) and tantalum ore and concentrate; tantalum 

metal; and tantalum waste and scrap—China, 17%; Estonia, 13%; Germany, 11%; Kazakhstan, 9%; and other, 50%.

Tariff: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

 12–31–12

Synthetic tantalum-niobium concentrates 2615.90.3000 Free. 

Tantalum ores and concentrates 2615.90.6060 Free. 

Tantalum oxide5 2825.90.9000 3.7% ad val.

Potassium fluotantalate5 2826.90.9000 3.1% ad val.

Tantalum, unwrought:

 Powders 8103.20.0030 2.5% ad val.

 Alloys and metal 8103.20.0090 2.5% ad val.

Tantalum, waste and scrap 8103.30.0000 Free. 

Tantalum, other 8103.90.0000 4.4% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: In fiscal year (FY) 2012, which ended on September 30, 2012, the Defense Logistics 

Agency, DLA Strategic Materials sold no tantalum materials. The DLA Strategic Materials has not yet announced 

maximum disposal limits for tantalum carbide powder in FY 2013. The DLA Strategic Materials exhausted stocks of 

tantalum minerals in FY 2007, metal powder in FY 2006, metal oxide in FY 2006, and metal ingots in FY 2005.

Stockpile Status—9–30–126

 Uncommitted Authorized Disposal plan Disposals

Material inventory for disposal FY 2012 FY 2012

Tantalum carbide powder 1.82 7

— 7— — 

Inventory in FY2012 is greater than that of FY2011 owing to revised inventory in September 2012, not material 

purchase.

Prepared by John F. Papp [(703) 648–4963, jpapp@usgs.gov]
163

TANTALUM

Events, Trends, and Issues: U.S. tantalum apparent consumption in 2012 was estimated to have been less than 

one-half that of 2011. Tantalum waste and scrap was the leading imported tantalum material, accounting for about 

74% of tantalum imports. By weight, averaged from 2008 through 2011, the leading suppliers of tantalum imports for 

consumption were: mineral concentrate, Australia, 54%; Mozambique, 22%; and Canada, 19%: metal, China, 31%; 

Kazakhstan, 27%; and Germany, 14%: and waste and scrap, Estonia, 22%; Russia, 14%; and Mexico, 12%.`

World Mine Production and Reserves: Reserves for Brazil were revised based on a Departamento Nacional de 

Produção Mineral publication. Reserves for Mozambique were revised based on a company report.

 Mine production8 Reserves9

 2011

United States — — — 

2012e

Australia — — 1053,000

Brazil 180 180 88,000

Burundi 13 13 NA

Canada — — 4,000

Congo (Kinshasa) 95 95 NA

Ethiopia 76 76 4,000

Mozambique 260 260 NA

Nigeria 50 50 NA

Rwanda 93 90

World total (rounded) 767 765 >150,000

 NA

World Resources: Identified resources of tantalum, most of which are in Australia and Brazil, are considered 

adequate to meet projected needs. The United States has about 1,500 tons of tantalum resources in identified 

deposits, all of which are considered uneconomic at 2012 prices.

Substitutes: The following materials can be substituted for tantalum, but usually with less effectiveness: niobium in 

carbides; aluminum and ceramics in electronic capacitors; glass, niobium, platinum, titanium, and zirconium in 

corrosion-resistant equipment; and hafnium, iridium, molybdenum, niobium, rhenium, and tungsten in hightemperature applications.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. — Zero. 1

Imports and exports include the estimated tantalum content of niobium and tantalum ores and concentrates, unwrought tantalum alloys and 

powder, tantalum waste and scrap, and other tantalum articles.

2

Government stockpile inventory reported by DLA Strategic Materials is the basis for estimating Government stockpile releases.

3

Price is annual average price reported in Ryan’s Notes. 4

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 5

This category includes other than tantalum-containing material. 6

See Appendix B for definitions.

7

Actual quantity limited to remaining sales authority or inventory.

8

Excludes production of tantalum contained in tin slags.

9

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 10For Australia, Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC)-compliant reserves were 19,000 tons.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
164

TELLURIUM

(Data in metric tons of tellurium content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: In the United States, one firm produced commercial-grade tellurium at its refinery 

complex in Texas, mainly from copper anode slimes but also from lead refinery skimmings, both of domestic origin. 

Primary and intermediate producers further refined domestic and imported commercial-grade metal and tellurium 

dioxide, producing tellurium and tellurium compounds in high-purity form for specialty applications.

Tellurium was increasingly used in the production of cadmium-tellurium-based solar cells and was the major end use 

for tellurium. Other uses were for alloying additive in steel to improve machining characteristics. It was also used as a 

minor additive in copper alloys to improve machinability without reducing conductivity; in lead alloys to improve 

resistance to vibration and fatigue; in cast iron to help control the depth of chill; and in malleable iron as a carbide 

stabilizer. It was used in the chemical industry as a vulcanizing agent and accelerator in the processing of rubber, and 

as a component of catalysts for synthetic fiber production. Other uses included those in photoreceptor and 

thermoelectric electronic devices, other thermal cooling devices, as an ingredient in blasting caps, and as a pigment 

to produce various colors in glass and ceramics.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, refinery W W W W W 

2012e

Imports for consumption, unwrought, waste and scrap 102 84 42 71 55

Exports 50 9 59 39 70

Consumption, apparent W W W W W 

Price, dollars per kilogram, 99.95% minimum1 211 150 220 349 155

Stocks, producer, refined, yearend W W W W W 

Net import reliance2 as a percentage of

apparent consumption W W W W W 

Recycling: For traditional uses, there was little or no old scrap from which to extract secondary tellurium because 

these uses of tellurium were nearly all dissipative. A very small amount of tellurium was recovered from scrapped 

selenium-tellurium photoreceptors employed in older plain paper copiers in Europe. A plant in the United States 

recycled tellurium from cadmium-tellurium-based solar cells; however, most of this was new scrap because cadmiumtellurium-based solar cells were relatively new and had not reached the end of their useful life. 

Import Sources (2008–11): China, 42%; Canada, 34%; Philippines, 9%; Belgium, 5%; and other, 10%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Tellurium 2804.50.0020 Free.

12–31–12

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Micheal W. George [(703) 648–4962, mgeorge@usgs.gov]
165

TELLURIUM

Events, Trends, and Issues: In 2012, estimated domestic tellurium production was slightly less than production in 

2011. Although detailed information on the world tellurium market was not available, world tellurium consumption was 

estimated to have decreased in 2012. The price of tellurium significantly decreased in 2012 owing to the decreased 

use of tellurium in solar cells because in 2012, the solar cell market was oversupplied, which led several solar 

manufacturers to file for bankruptcy or curtail some of their production. 

World Refinery Production and Reserves

 Refinery production Reserves3

: 

2011

United States W W 3,500

2012e

Canada 6 10 800

Japan 40 35 — 

Peru — — 3,600

Russia 34 35 NA

Other countries4 NA NA

World total (rounded) NA NA 24,000

16,000

World Resources: The figures shown for reserves include only tellurium contained in copper reserves. These 

estimates assume that more than one-half of the tellurium contained in unrefined copper anodes was actually 

recovered. With increased concern for supply of tellurium, companies were investigating other potential sources, such 

as gold telluride and lead-zinc ores with higher concentrations of tellurium, which were not included in estimated world 

resources.

More than 90% of tellurium was produced from anode slimes collected from electrolytic copper refining, and the 

remainder was derived from skimmings at lead refineries and from flue dusts and gases generated during the 

smelting of bismuth, copper, and lead ores. In copper production, tellurium was recovered only from the electrolytic 

refining of smelted copper. Increased use of the leaching solvent extraction-electrowinning processes for copper 

extraction, which does not capture tellurium, has limited the future supply of tellurium supply from certain copper 

deposit types.

Substitutes: Several materials can replace tellurium in most of its uses, but usually with losses in production 

efficiency or product characteristics. Bismuth, calcium, lead, phosphorus, selenium, and sulfur can be used in place of 

tellurium in many free-machining steels. Several of the chemical process reactions catalyzed by tellurium can be 

carried out with other catalysts or by means of noncatalyzed processes. In rubber compounding, sulfur and (or) 

selenium can act as vulcanization agents in place of tellurium. The selenides of the refractory metals can function as 

high-temperature, high-vacuum lubricants in place of tellurides. The selenides and sulfides of niobium and tantalum 

can serve as electrically conducting solid lubricants in place of tellurides of those metals.

The selenium-tellurium photoreceptors used in some xerographic copiers and laser printers have been replaced by 

organic photoreceptors in newer machines. Amorphous silicon and copper indium diselenide were the two principal 

competitors to cadmium telluride in photovoltaic power cells.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. — Zero. 1

For 2008 and 2009, the price listed was the average price published by Mining Journal for United Kingdom lump and powder, 99.95% tellurium. In 

2010 through 2012, the price listed was the average price published by Metal-Pages for 99.95% tellurium. 2

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 3

Estimates include tellurium contained in copper resources only. See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data 

sources.

4

In addition to the countries listed, Australia, Belgium, Chile, China, Colombia, Germany, India, Kazakhstan, Mexico, the Philippines, and Poland 

produce refined tellurium, but output was not reported, and available information was inadequate for formulation of reliable production estimates. 

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
166

THALLIUM

(Data in kilograms of thallium content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Thallium is a byproduct metal recovered in some countries from flue dusts and 

residues collected in the smelting of copper, zinc, and lead ores. Although thallium was contained in ores mined or 

processed in the United States, it has not been recovered domestically since 1981. Consumption of thallium metal 

and thallium compounds continued for most of its established end uses. These included the use of radioactive 

thallium-201 for medical purposes in cardiovascular imaging; thallium as an activator (sodium iodide crystal doped 

with thallium) in gamma radiation detection equipment (scintillometer); thallium-barium-calcium-copper oxide hightemperature superconductor (HTS) used in filters for wireless communications; thallium in lenses, prisms, and 

windows for infrared detection and transmission equipment; thallium-arsenic-selenium crystal filters for light diffraction 

in acousto-optical measuring devices; and thallium as an alloying component with mercury for low-temperature 

measurements. Other uses included an additive in glass to increase its refractive index and density, a catalyst for 

organic compound synthesis, and a component in high-density liquids for sink-float separation of minerals.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, mine (

1

) (1) (1) (1) (1) 

2012e

Imports for consumption (gross weight):

 Unwrought and powders 916 1,600 2,000 1,300 800

 Other ― 160 200 200 200

 Total 916 1,760 2,200 1,500 1,000

Exports (gross weight):

 Unwrought and powders 43 260 45 34 50

 Waste and scrap 51 75 55 42 50

 Other 153 595 835 469 200

 Total 247 930 935 545 300

Consumptione 670 830 1,270 955 700

Price, metal, dollars per kilogram2 4,900 5,700 5,930 6,000 6,800

Net import reliance3 as a percentage of

estimated consumption 100 100 100 100 100

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11): Germany, 85%; Russia, 13%; and other, 2%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Unwrought and powders 8112.51.0000 4.0% ad val.

12–31–12

Waste and scrap 8112.52.0000 Free.

Other 8112.59.0000 4.0% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: The price for thallium metal remained high in 2012 as global supply continued to be 

relatively constrained. Price increases for thallium in recent years were attributed to the limited availability of thallium 

produced in China. In 2012, China maintained its policy of eliminating toll-trading tax benefits on exports of thallium 

that began in 2006, thus contributing to reduced supply conditions on the world market. In July 2010, China canceled 

a 5% value-added-tax rebate on exports of many minor metals, including fabricated thallium products. Higher internal 

demand for many metals has prompted China to begin importing greater quantities of thallium.

In late 2011, a Brazilian minerals exploration company discovered a substantial thallium deposit in northwest Bahia, 

Brazil. According to the company, the deposit was unique because it was the only known occurrence in the world that 

thallium had been found with cobalt and manganese. In 2012, the company was investigating partnerships with other 

firms to help finance the project and continue exploration activities with the intention of eventually producing thallium.

Prepared by David E. Guberman [(703) 648–4977, dguberman@usgs.gov]
167

THALLIUM

Beginning in 2009, there was a global shortage of the medical isotope technetium-99, which was widely used by 

physicians for medical imaging tests owing to its availability, cost, and the superior diagnostic quality of images 

produced. Following the closure of two isotope-producing nuclear reactors in Canada and the Netherlands, medical 

care facilities had a difficult time acquiring adequate supplies of technetium-99 and were forced to cancel scans or 

use alternative types of tests. Thallium-201 was the most common alternative to technetium-99 for use in scans, such 

as the cardiac-stress test that monitors blood perfusion into heart tissue during vigorous exercise. In response to the 

shortage of technetium-99, some medical imaging equipment producers increased production of thallium-201 in order 

to meet anticipated demand. In late 2010, the National Research Universal reactor in eastern Ontario, Canada, was 

restarted and produced medical isotopes, including technetium-99. During the first three quarters of 2012, leading

producers of thallium isotopes reported declines in sales compared with those of the same period in 2011, owing to 

the renewed availability of technetium-99.

Thallium metal and its compounds are highly toxic materials and are strictly controlled to prevent a threat to humans 

and the environment. Thallium and its compounds can be absorbed into the human body by skin contact, ingestion, or 

inhalation of dust or fumes. Further information on thallium toxicity can be found in the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA) Integrated Risk Information System database. Under its national primary drinking water regulations, 

the EPA has set an enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level for thallium at 2 parts per billion. All public water 

supplies must abide by these regulations. The EPA continued to conduct studies at its National Risk Management 

Research Laboratory (NRMRL) to develop and promote technologies that protect and improve human health and the 

environment, including methods to remove thallium from mine wastewaters.

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production Reserves5

:

4

2011

United States (

1

) (

1

) 32,000

2012e

Other countries 10,000 10,000

World total (rounded) 10,000 10,000 380,000

350,000

World Resources: World resources of thallium contained in zinc resources total about 17 million kilograms; most are 

in Canada, Europe, and the United States. Kazakhstan is believed to be one of the leading global producers of 

refined thallium. An additional 630 million kilograms is in world coal resources. The average thallium content of the 

Earth’s crust has been estimated to be 0.7 part per million.

Substitutes: The apparent leading potential demand for thallium could be in the area of HTS materials, but demand 

will be based on which HTS formulation has a combination of favorable electrical and physical qualities and is best 

suited for fabrication. A firm presently using a thallium HTS material in filters for wireless communications is 

considering using a nonthallium HTS. While research in HTS continues, and thallium is part of that research effort, it 

is not guaranteed that HTS products will be a large user of thallium in the future.

Although other materials and formulations can substitute for thallium in gamma radiation detection equipment and 

optics used for infrared detection and transmission, thallium materials are presently superior and more cost effective 

for these very specialized uses.

Nonpoisonous substitutes like tungsten compounds are being marketed as substitutes for thallium in high-density 

liquids for sink-float separation of minerals.

e

Estimated. — Zero. 1

No reported mine production; flue dust and residues from base-metal smelters, from which thallium metal and compounds may be recovered, are 

exported to Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and other countries. 2

Estimated price of 99.99%-pure granules or rods in 100- to 250-gram or larger lots. 3

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. Consumption and exports of unwrought thallium were 

from imported material or from a drawdown in unreported inventories.

4

Estimates are based on thallium content of zinc ores.

5

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
168

THORIUM

(Data in metric tons of thorium oxide (ThO2) equivalent unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: The world’s primary source of thorium is the rare-earth and thorium phosphate 

mineral monazite. In the United States, thorium has been a byproduct of refining monazite for its rare-earth content. 

Monazite itself is recovered as a byproduct of processing heavy-mineral sands for titanium and zirconium minerals. In 

2012, monazite was not recovered domestically as a salable product. Essentially all thorium compounds and alloys 

consumed by the domestic industry were derived from imports, stocks of previously imported materials, or materials 

previously shipped from U.S. Government stockpiles. About eight companies processed or fabricated various forms of 

thorium for nonenergy uses, such as catalysts, high-temperature ceramics, and welding electrodes. Thorium’s use in 

most products has generally decreased because of its naturally occurring radioactivity. The estimated value of 

thorium compounds used by the domestic industry was $400,000, unchanged compared with the revised value for 

2011.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, refinery1 — — — — — 

2012e

Imports for consumption:

 Thorium ore and concentrates (monazite), gross weight — 26 — 30 43

 Thorium ore and concentrates (monazite), ThO2 content — 1.82 — 2.10 3.0

 Thorium compounds (oxide, nitrate, etc.), gross weight2 0.69 2.25 3.03 5.71 4.6

 Thorium compounds (oxide, nitrate, etc.), ThO2 content2 0.47 1.66 2.24 4.22 3.4

Exports:

 Thorium ore and concentrates (monazite), gross weight 61 18 1 — — 

 Thorium ore and concentrates (monazite), ThO2 content 4.27 1.26 0.07 — — 

 Thorium compounds (oxide, nitrate, etc.), gross weight2

 2.00 4.73 1.50 4.28 2.1

 Thorium compounds (oxide, nitrate, etc.), ThO2 content2 9.32 3.51 1.11 3.17 1.6

Consumption, apparent2 (

3

) (3) 1.13 1.05 1.8

Price, thorium compounds, gross weight, dollars per kilogram:

 4

 France 138 193 131 158 153

 India NA 51 58 58 60

Net import reliance5 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 100 100 100 100 100

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11): Monazite: United Kingdom, 100%. Thorium compounds: India, 76%; and France, 24%. 

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Thorium ores and concentrates (monazite) 2612.20.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Thorium compounds 2844.30.1000 5.5% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: Monazite, 22% on thorium content, and 14% on rare-earth and yttrium content (Domestic);

14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Domestic mine production of thorium-bearing monazite ceased at the end of 1994 as 

world demand for ores containing naturally occurring radioactive thorium declined. Imports and existing stocks 

supplied essentially all thorium consumed in the United States in 2012. Domestic demand for thorium alloys, 

compounds, metals, and ores has exhibited a long-term declining trend.

On the basis of data through September 2012, the average value of imported thorium compounds decreased to $68 

per kilogram from the 2011 average of $70 per kilogram (gross weight). The average value of exported thorium 

compounds increased to $424 per kilogram based on data through September 2012, compared with $178 for 2011. 

The increase was attributed to variations in the type and purity of compounds exported in each year.

Prepared by Joseph Gambogi [(703) 648–7718, jgambogi@usgs.gov]
169

THORIUM

In 2012, thorium consumption was thought to be primarily in catalysts, microwave tubes, and optical equipment and 

was thought to have increased. Increased costs to monitor and dispose of thorium have caused domestic processors 

to switch to thorium-free materials. Real and potential costs related to compliance with State and Federal regulations, 

proper disposal, and monitoring of thorium’s radioactivity have limited its commercial value. It is likely that thorium’s 

use will continue to decline unless a low-cost disposal process is developed or new technology, such as a 

nonproliferative nuclear fuel, creates renewed demand.

In Australia, mining at the Mount Weld, Western Australia, operation entered its second year. As of September, 

14,400 tons of concentrate containing 5,200 tons of rare-earth oxides containing trace amounts of thorium were ready 

for export pending the startup of processing operations in Malaysia. In South Africa, plans were underway to resume 

mining and processing of monazite at the Steenkampskraal operation for the production of rare earths. When 

commissioned, thorium produced during the production of rare earths may be sold or stored onsite in a recoverable 

form. In 2012, a National Instruments 43–01 report for Steenkampskraal included an indicated resource of about 

14,000 tons of rare-earth oxides.

World Refinery Production and Reserves

 Refinery production Reserves6

: 

 2011

United States — — 440,000

2012

Australia NA NA 7410,000

Brazil NA NA 16,000

Canada NA NA 100,000

India NA NA 290,000

Malaysia — — 4,500

South Africa — — 35,000

Other countries NA NA

World total NA NA 1,400,000

 90,000

Reserves are contained primarily in the rare-earth ore mineral monazite and the thorium mineral thorite. Without 

demand for the rare earths, monazite would probably not be recovered for its thorium content. Other ore minerals with 

higher thorium contents, such as thorite, would be more likely sources if demand significantly increased. New demand 

is possible with the development and testing of thorium nuclear fuel in Russia and India. Reserves exist primarily in 

recent and ancient placer deposits and in thorium vein deposits such as those in the Lemhi Pass area of Idaho. 

Lesser quantities of thorium-bearing monazite and thorite reserves occur in certain iron ore deposits and carbonatites. 

Thorium enrichment is known in iron (Fe)-rare-earth-element-thorium-apatite (FRETA) deposits, as found in the 

deposits at Mineville, NY; Pea Ridge, MO; and Scrub Oaks, NJ. 

World Resources: The world’s leading thorium resources occur in placer deposits. Resources of more than 500,000 

tons are contained in placer, vein, and carbonatite deposits. Disseminated deposits in various other alkaline igneous 

rocks contain additional resources of more than 2 million tons. Large thorium resources are found in Australia, Brazil, 

Canada, Greenland (Denmark), India, South Africa, and the United States.

Substitutes: Nonradioactive substitutes have been developed for many applications of thorium. Yttrium compounds 

have replaced thorium compounds in incandescent lamp mantles. A magnesium alloy containing lanthanides, yttrium, 

and zirconium can substitute for magnesium-thorium alloys in aerospace applications.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. — Zero. 1

All domestically consumed thorium was derived from imported materials.

2

Thorium compound imports from the United Kingdom were believed to be material for nuclear fuel reprocessing or waste and were not used in 

calculating domestic apparent consumption. Thorium compound exports to Mexico were believed to be waste material shipped for disposal and 

were not used in calculating domestic apparent consumption. Apparent consumption calculation excludes ore and concentrates.

3

Apparent consumption calculations in 2008 and 2009 result in negative numbers.

4

Based on U.S. Census Bureau customs value.

5

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 6

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

7

Includes thorium contained in mineralized sands.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
170

TIN

(Data in metric tons of tin content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Tin has not been mined or smelted in the United States since 1993 and 1989, 

respectively. Twenty-five firms used about 90% of the primary tin consumed domestically in 2012. The major uses 

were as follows: cans and containers, 23%; construction, 18%; transportation, 17%; electrical, 12%; and other, 30%. 

On the basis of the average New York composite price, the estimated values of some critical items in 2012 were as 

follows: primary metal consumed, $1.02 billion; imports for consumption, refined tin, $1.38 billion; and secondary 

production (old scrap), $381 million.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, secondary: 

2012e

 Old scrape 11,700 11,100 11,100 11,000 10,500

 New scrap 2,640 2,310 2,680 2,530 2,600

Imports for consumption, refined tin 36,300 33,000 35,300 34,200 38,000

Exports, refined tin 9,800 3,170 5,630 5,450 6,000

Shipments from Government stockpile excesses 60 — — — — 

Consumption, reported:

 Primary 23,100 24,800 25,300 25,200 28,000

 Secondary 6,250 7,750 4,820 1,830 6,000

Consumption, apparent 38,800 42,400 41,400 39,900 42,300

Price, average, cents per pound:

 New York market 865 642 954 1,216 1,270

 New York composite 1,129 837 1,240 1,575 1,645

 London 837 615 925 1,184 1,230

 Kuala Lumpur 838 609 922 1,188 1,236

Stocks, consumer and dealer, yearend 8,560 7,070 6,410 5,780 6,000

Net import reliance1 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 70 74 74 73 75

Recycling: About 13,100 tons of tin from old and new scrap was recycled in 2012. Of this, about 10,500 tons was 

recovered from old scrap at 2 detinning plants and 74 secondary nonferrous metal-processing plants.

Import Sources (2008–11): Peru, 47%; Bolivia, 17%; Indonesia, 11%; China, 3%; and other, 22%.

Tariff: Most major imports of tin, including unwrought metal, waste and scrap, and unwrought tin alloys, enter the 

United States duty free.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: The Defense Logistics Agency, DLA Strategic Materials made no tin sales in fiscal year 

2012. Tin was last sold in fiscal year 2008. When tin was available it was offered via the basic ordering agreement 

and the negotiated offering. The tin inventory was stored in the Hammond, IN, depot.

Stockpile Status—9–30–122

Uncommitted Authorized Disposal plan Disposals

Material inventory for disposal FY 2012 FY 2012

Pig tin 4,020 — — — 

Prepared by James F. Carlin, Jr. [(703) 648–4985, jcarlin@usgs.gov] 
171

TIN

Events, Trends, and Issues: Apparent consumption of tin in the United States increased slightly in 2012 compared 

with that of 2011. The monthly average composite price of tin remained in a fairly narrow range throughout the year. 

Price stability in 2012 was attributed to lower production in some key producing countries and moderately higher 

world tin consumption. 

China, the world’s leading tin producer, experienced large tin imports and declining exports. Tin production in China 

declined because of drought conditions, pollution controls by local governments, and declining prices in the first part 

of the year. By midyear, more than 100 small tin mines and processors were closed in Kafang and Gejiu City, Yunnan 

Province, in an attempt to reduce pollution in the Hong River in Yunnan and the Mekong River in Vietnam.

World consumption of secondary tin materials experienced marked growth. Industry analysts attributed this pattern to 

occasional difficulty in obtaining primary tin.

World Mine Production and Reserves: Reserve figures were revised for Brazil based on new information from 

official Government sources in that country.

Mine production Reserves3

2011

United States — — — 

2012e

Australia 6,500 6,000 240,000

Bolivia 20,300 20,000 400,000

Brazil 11,000 11,500 710,000

China 120,000 100,000 1,500,000

Congo (Kinshasa) 2,900 5,700 NA

Indonesia 42,000 41,000 800,000

Malaysia 3,350 3,300 250,000

Peru 28,900 29,000 310,000

Russia 160 160 350,000

Rwanda 1,400 3,600 NA

Thailand 200 300 170,000

Vietnam 5,400 5,400 NA

Other countries 2,000 2,000

World total (rounded) 244,000 230,000 4,900,000

 180,000

World Resources: U.S. resources of tin, primarily in Alaska, were insignificant compared with those of the rest of the 

world. World resources, principally in western Africa, southeastern Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Indonesia, 

and Russia, are sufficient to sustain recent annual production rates well into the future.

Substitutes: Aluminum, glass, paper, plastic, or tin-free steel substitute for tin in cans and containers. Other 

materials that substitute for tin are epoxy resins for solder; aluminum alloys, copper-base alloys, and plastics for 

bronze; plastics for bearing metals that contain tin; and compounds of lead and sodium for some tin chemicals.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. — Zero. 1

Defined as imports - exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 2

See Appendix B for definitions.

3

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013 
172

TITANIUM AND TITANIUM DIOXIDE1

(Data in metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Titanium sponge metal was produced by three operations in Nevada and Utah. 

Ingot was produced by 10 operations in 8 States. Numerous firms consumed ingot to produce wrought products and 

castings. In 2012, an estimated 72% of the titanium metal was used in aerospace applications. The remaining 28% 

was used in armor, chemical processing, marine, medical, power generation, sporting goods, and other 

nonaerospace applications. The value of sponge metal consumed was about $388 million, assuming an average 

selling price of $11.75 per kilogram.

In 2012, titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment, which was valued at about $3.9 billion, was produced by four companies at 

six facilities in five States. The estimated use of TiO2 pigment by end use was paint (includes lacquers and 

varnishes), 59%; plastic, 28%; paper, 9%; and other, 4%. Other uses of TiO2 included catalysts, ceramics, coated 

fabrics and textiles, floor coverings, printing ink, and roofing granules.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Titanium sponge metal:

2012e

Production W W W W W 

Imports for consumption 23,900 16,600 20,500 33,800 40,300

Exports 2,370 820 293 256 1,700

Consumption, reported W W 34,900 48,400 33,000

Price, dollars per kilogram, yearend 15.64 15.58 10.74 9.93 11.75

Stocks, industry yearende 14,200 15,300 10,500 10,800 14,000

Employment, numbere 350 300 300 300 300

Net import reliance2 as a percentage of

 reported consumption W W 72 69 64

Titanium dioxide:

Production 1,350,000 1,230,000 1,320,000 1,290,000 1,300,000

Imports for consumption 183,000 175,000 204,000 200,000 216,000

Exports 733,000 649,000 758,000 789,000 674,000

Consumption, apparent 800,000 757,000 767,000 706,000 842,000

Producer price index, yearend 170 164 194 268 298

Stocks, producer, yearend NA NA NA NA NA

Employment, numbere 4,200 3,800 3,400 3,400 3,400

Net import reliance2 as a percentage of

 apparent consumption E E E E E 

Recycling: New scrap metal recycled by the titanium industry totaled about 35,000 tons in 2012. Estimated use of 

titanium as scrap and ferrotitanium by the steel industry was about 10,000 tons; by the superalloy industry, 1,000 

tons; and in other industries, 1,000 tons. Old scrap reclaimed totaled about 1,000 tons.

Import Sources (2008–11): Sponge metal: Japan, 40%; Kazakhstan, 40%; China; 8%; Ukraine, 4%; and other, 8%. 

Titanium dioxide pigment: Canada, 43%; China, 14%; Germany, 6%; Finland, 6%; and other, 31%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Titanium oxides (unfinished TiO2 pigments) 2823.00.0000 5.5% ad val.

12–31–12

TiO2 pigments, 80% or more TiO2 3206.11.0000 6.0% ad val.

TiO2 pigments, other 3206.19.0000 6.0% ad val.

Ferrotitanium and ferrosilicon titanium 7202.91.0000 3.7% ad val.

Unwrought titanium metal 8108.20.0000 15.0% ad val.

Titanium waste and scrap metal 8108.30.0000 Free.

Other titanium metal articles 8108.90.3000 5.5% ad val.

Wrought titanium metal 8108.90.6000 15.0% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: Not applicable.

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by George M. Bedinger [(703) 648–6183, gbedinger@usgs.gov]
173

TITANIUM AND TITANIUM DIOXIDE

Events, Trends, and Issues: Owing to rising feedstock prices, depressed economic conditions in Europe and China, 

and the depletion of existing stocks, global consumption of TiO2 pigment was expected to be down in 2012. 

Consumption and production of TiO2 pigment was led by China, and several TiO2 pigment producers in China 

suspended production on reduced market demand. Domestic production of TiO2 pigment in 2012 was expected to 

remain the same as that of 2011. Apparent consumption of TiO2 pigment in the United States was expected to 

increase by 19% owing to a 15% decrease in exports in 2012 compared with those of 2011.

Consumption of titanium metal in the commercial aerospace industry continued to increase. In the United States, a 

titanium sponge facility in Rowley, UT, completed the standard-grade qualification process necessary to produce 

titanium for aerospace, industrial, and medical applications. New titanium-powder production capacity of 1,800 tons 

per year neared completion in Ottawa, IL. Instead of sponge produced by magnesium reduction via the Kroll process, 

the plant produced titanium metal powder by sodium reduction by the Armstrong process. Production capacity was 

expected to be 2,000 tons per year by yearend 2012. A new titanium production facility was inaugurated in 

Martinsville, VA, to produce mill products for the commercial aerospace industry. Production capacity was expected to 

be 6,300 tons per year.

Japan and Kazakhstan were the leading U.S. import sources of titanium sponge in 2012. Increased imports of 

titanium sponge were led by Ukraine and Japan.

World Sponge Metal Production and Sponge and Pigment Capacity

 Sponge production Capacity 20123

:

 2011 2012e

United States W W 24,000 1,470,000

Sponge Pigment

Australia — — — 281,000

Belgium — — — 74,000

Canada — — — 90,000

Chinae 60,000 80,000 114,000 2,000,000

Finland — — — 130,000

France — — — 125,000

Germany — — — 440,000

Italy — — — 80,000

Japane 40,000 40,000 62,200 309,000

Kazakhstane 20,700 20,700 26,000 1,000

Mexico — — — 130,000

Russiae 25,800 40,000 46,500 20,000

Spain — — — 80,000

Ukrainee 9,000 9,000 10,000 120,000

United Kingdom — — — 300,000

Other countries — — —

World total (rounded) 4

156,000 4190,000 283,000 6,550,000

 900,000

World Resources:

5 Resources and reserves of titanium minerals are discussed in Titanium Mineral Concentrates. 

The commercial feedstock sources for titanium are ilmenite, leucoxene, rutile, slag, and synthetic rutile.

Substitutes: There are few materials that possess titanium metal’s strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. 

In high-strength applications, titanium competes with aluminum, composites, intermetallics, steel, and superalloys. 

Aluminum, nickel, specialty steels, and zirconium alloys may be substituted for titanium for applications that require 

corrosion resistance. Ground calcium carbonate, precipitated calcium carbonate, kaolin, and talc compete with 

titanium dioxide as a white pigment.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter. NA Not available. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. — Zero. 1

See also Titanium Mineral Concentrates.

2

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 3

Yearend operating capacity.

4

Excludes U.S. production.

5

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
174

TITANIUM MINERAL CONCENTRATES1

(Data in thousand metric tons of contained TiO2 unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Two firms produced ilmenite and rutile concentrates from surface-mining operations 

in Florida and Virginia. The value of titanium mineral concentrates consumed in the United States in 2012 was about 

$735 million. Zircon was a coproduct of mining from ilmenite and rutile deposits. About 95% of titanium mineral 

concentrates was consumed by domestic titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment producers. The remaining 5% was used in 

welding rod coatings and for manufacturing carbides, chemicals, and metal.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production2 (rounded) 200 200 200 300 300

2012e

Imports for consumption 1,110 927 958 1,030 1,110

Exports,e all forms 7 9 12 16 18

Consumption, estimated 1,440 1,360 1,460 1,310 1,410

Price, dollars per metric ton, yearend:

 Ilmenite, bulk, minimum 54% TiO2, f.o.b. Australia 111 73 75 195 300

 Rutile, bulk, minimum 95% TiO2, f.o.b. Australia 525 533 540 1,400 2,250

 Slag, 80%–95% TiO2

3 393–407 401–439 367–433 468–494 747–2,095

Stocks, mine, consumer, yearend NA NA NA NA NA

Employment, mine and mill, numbere 144 194 178 195 186

Net import reliance4 as a percentage of

estimated consumption 78 68 65 77 77

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11): South Africa, 39%; Australia, 35%; Canada, 16%; Mozambique, 7%; and other, 3%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Synthetic rutile 2614.00.3000 Free.

12–31–12

Ilmenite and ilmenite sand 2614.00.6020 Free.

Rutile concentrate 2614.00.6040 Free.

Titanium slag 2620.99.5000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: Ilmenite and rutile; 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Consumption of titanium mineral concentrates is tied to production of TiO2 pigments 

primarily used in paint, paper, and plastics. Owing to increased production of TiO2 pigment, domestic consumption of 

titanium mineral concentrates was estimated to have increased by 8% in 2012 compared with that in 2011.

Although world mine production increased in 2012, the price of titanium mineral concentrates continued to rise 

significantly. Rising costs for titanium minerals has encouraged vertical integration between the mineral and pigment 

industries.

In Kazakhstan, plans were underway to construct an ore-processing plant with a production capacity of 12,000 tons 

per year of rutile and 50,000 tons per year of ilmenite by 2014. In April, the first consignment of ilmenite from the 

Birzulovo deposit in the Kirovograd region of Ukraine was delivered to European and Asian markets. The initial 

production capacity at Birzulovo was 185,000 tons per year of ilmenite. In Sierra Leone, a tailings treatment project 

was under development to recover rutile from 22 million tons of tailings near the mineral separation plant in 

Mogwembo commencing in 2013. A feasibility study and continued preparations were underway to upgrade the 

ilmenite processing plant in Tyssedal, Norway. The upgrade would double the current capacity of 200,000 tons per 

year of titanium slag and process ilmenite from the Grand Côte mineral sands project in Senegal. The Grand Côte 

project was projected to produce 575,000 tons per year of ilmenite with mining operations anticipated to begin in 

2013. In Madagascar, heavy-mineral resources at the Ranobe Mine were increased by 36% to 959 million tons at

6.1% heavy minerals with reserves of 161 million tons at 8.2% heavy minerals. Production of ilmenite was expected 

to begin in the second half of 2014. A study of the Koivu titanium project in Finland was completed for ilmenite 

production of 250,000 tons per year. 

Prepared by George M. Bedinger [(703) 648–6183, gbedinger@usgs.gov]
175

TITANIUM MINERAL CONCENTRATES

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production Reserves5

:

 2011

Ilmenite:

2012e

United States2 6300 6300 2,000

Australia 960 940 100,000

Brazil 45 45 43,000

Canada7 750 700 31,000

China 660 700 200,000

India 330 550 85,000

Madagascar 280 280 40,000

Mozambique 380 380 16,000

Norway7 360 350 37,000

South Africa7 1,110 1,030 63,000

Sri Lanka 31 60 NA

Ukraine 300 300 5,900

Vietnam 550 500 1,600

Other countries 40 40

 World total (ilmenite, rounded) 6,100 6,200 650,000

 26,000

Rutile:

United States (

8

) (

8

) (

8

) 

Australia 440 480 18,000

Brazil 3 5 1,200

India 24 25 7,400

Mozambique 6 8 480

Sierra Leone 64 100 3,800

South Africa 122 131 8,300

Ukraine 56 60 2,500

Other countries 18 17

 World total (rutile, rounded) 8

730 8830 42,000

 400

World total (ilmenite and rutile, rounded) 6,700 7,000 700,000

World Resources: Ilmenite accounts for about 92% of the world’s consumption of titanium minerals. World resources 

of anatase, ilmenite, and rutile total more than 2 billion tons.

Substitutes: Ilmenite, leucoxene, rutile, slag, and synthetic rutile compete as feedstock sources for producing TiO2

pigment, titanium metal, and welding-rod coatings.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. 

1

See also Titanium and Titanium Dioxide.

2

Rounded to one significant digit to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.

3

Landed duty-paid value based on U.S. imports for consumption. 4

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 5

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

6

Includes rutile.

7

Mine production is primarily used to produce titaniferous slag.

8

U.S. rutile production and reserve data are included with ilmenite.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
176

TUNGSTEN

(Data in metric tons of tungsten content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: A tungsten mine in California produced concentrates in 2012. Approximately eight 

companies in the United States processed tungsten concentrates, ammonium paratungstate, tungsten oxide, and (or) 

scrap to make tungsten powder, tungsten carbide powder, and (or) tungsten chemicals. More than one-half of the

tungsten consumed in the United States was used in cemented carbide parts for cutting and wear-resistant materials, 

primarily in the construction, metalworking, mining, and oil- and gas-drilling industries. The remaining tungsten was 

consumed to make tungsten heavy alloys for applications requiring high density; electrodes, filaments, wires, and 

other components for electrical, electronic, heating, lighting, and welding applications; steels, superalloys, and wearresistant alloys; and chemicals for various applications. The estimated value of apparent consumption in 2012 was 

approximately $1 billion.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production:

2012e

 Mine NA NA NA NA NA

 Secondary 5,510 3,690 5,680 11,000 9,500

Imports for consumption:

 Concentrate 3,990 3,590 2,740 3,640 3,600

 Other forms 9,060 6,410 9,690 9,600 8,400

Exports:

 Concentrate 496 38 276 169 130

 Other forms 5,480 2,730 4,350 6,960 6,800

Government stockpile shipments:

 Concentrate 1,470 688 2,060 1,180 1,700

 Other forms 51 12 (1

) 46 4 

Consumption:

 Reported, concentrate W W 4,820 W W 

 Apparent,2, 3 all forms 13,800 11,600 15,500 18,100 16,400

Price, concentrate, dollars per mtu WO3,

4 average:

 U.S. spot market, Platts Metals Week 184 151 183 248 360

 European market, Metal Bulletin 164 150 150 150 150

Stocks, industry, yearend:

 Concentrate W W W W W 

 Other forms 2,240 2,210 2,530 W W 

Net import reliance5 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 60 68 63 40 42

Recycling: In 2012, the tungsten contained in scrap consumed by processors and end users represented

approximately 52% of apparent consumption of tungsten in all forms.

Import Sources (2008–11): Tungsten contained in ores and concentrates, intermediate and primary products, 

wrought and unwrought tungsten, and waste and scrap: China, 45%; Bolivia, 8%; Canada, 6%; Germany, 6%; and 

other, 35%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations6

Ores 2611.00.3000 Free.

12–31–12

Concentrates 2611.00.6000 37.5¢/kg tungsten content.

Tungsten oxides 2825.90.3000 5.5% ad val.

Ammonium tungstates 2841.80.0010 5.5% ad val.

Tungsten carbides 2849.90.3000 5.5% ad val.

Ferrotungsten 7202.80.0000 5.6% ad val.

Tungsten powders 8101.10.0000 7.0% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Prepared by Kim B. Shedd [(703) 648–4974, kshedd@usgs.gov]
177

TUNGSTEN

Government Stockpile

Stockpile Status—9–30–127

: 

Uncommitted Authorized Disposal plan Disposals

Material inventory for disposal FY 2012 FY 2012

Metal powder 121 121 136 39

Ores and concentrates 14,200 14,200 3,630 1,610

Events, Trends, and Issues: World tungsten supply was dominated by Chinese production and exports. China was 

also the world’s leading tungsten consumer. China’s Government has regulated its tungsten industry by limiting the 

number of exploration, mining, and export licenses; limiting or forbidding foreign investment; imposing constraints on 

mining and processing; establishing quotas on production and exports; adjusting export quotas to favor value-added 

downstream materials and products; and imposing export taxes on tungsten materials. To conserve its resources and 

meet increasing domestic demand, the Chinese Government planned the following: to expand exploration and 

increase ore reserves in approved mines, to continue to use quotas to control tungsten mine production, to improve 

its tungsten-processing technology and increase tungsten recovery from tailings and low-grade and mixed scheelitewolframite ores, to limit the export of upstream tungsten materials, and to increase the development and sales of 

value-added downstream tungsten products. 

In the next few years, mine production from outside China is expected to increase. Numerous companies worked 

towards developing tungsten deposits or restarting tungsten production from inactive mines in Asia, Australia, Europe, 

and North America.

Scrap was an important source of raw material for the tungsten industry. In 2011 and 2012, U.S. net import reliance 

for tungsten was lower than that of prior years owing to an increase in scrap consumption (secondary production).

World Mine Production and Reserves

 Mine production Reserves8

: Reserves for “Other countries” were revised upward based on company and 

Government data.

 2011

United States NA NA 140,000

2012e

Austria 1,100 1,100 10,000

Bolivia 1,100 1,100 53,000

Canada 1,970 2,000 120,000

China 61,800 62,000 1,900,000

Portugal 820 820 4,200

Russia 3,500 3,500 250,000

Other countries 2,700 3,000

World total (rounded) 3

73,100 373,000 3,200,000

 760,000

World Resources: World tungsten resources are geographically widespread. China ranks first in the world in terms 

of tungsten resources and reserves and has some of the largest deposits. Canada, Kazakhstan, Russia, and the 

United States also have significant tungsten resources.

Substitutes: Potential substitutes for cemented tungsten carbides include cemented carbides based on molybdenum 

carbide and titanium carbide, ceramics, ceramic-metallic composites (cermets), and tool steels. Potential substitutes 

for other applications are as follows: molybdenum for certain tungsten mill products; molybdenum steels for tungsten 

steels; lighting based on carbon nanotube filaments, induction technology, and light-emitting diodes for lighting based 

on tungsten electrodes or filaments; depleted uranium or lead for tungsten or tungsten alloys in applications requiring 

high-density or the ability to shield radiation; and depleted uranium alloys or hardened steel for cemented tungsten 

carbides or tungsten alloys in armor-piercing projectiles. In some applications, substitution would result in increased 

cost or a loss in product performance.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. 1

Less than 1⁄2 unit. 2

The sum of U.S. net import reliance and secondary production.

3

Does not include U.S. mine production. 4

A metric ton unit (mtu) of tungsten trioxide (WO3) contains 7.93 kilograms of tungsten. 5

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 6

No tariff for Canada. Tariffs for other countries for some items may be eliminated under special trade agreements. 7

See Appendix B for definitions.

8

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
178

VANADIUM

(Data in metric tons of vanadium content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Seven U.S. firms that comprise most of the domestic vanadium industry produced 

ferrovanadium, vanadium pentoxide, vanadium metal, and vanadium-bearing chemicals or specialty alloys by 

processing materials such as petroleum residues, spent catalysts, utility ash, and vanadium-bearing pig iron slag. 

Metallurgical use, primarily as an alloying agent for iron and steel, accounted for about 93% of the domestic vanadium 

consumption in 2011. Of the other uses for vanadium, the major nonmetallurgical use was in catalysts for the 

production of maleic anhydride and sulfuric acid.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012e

Production, mine, mill1 520 230 1,060 590 270

Imports for consumption:

 Ferrovanadium 2,800 353 1,340 2,220 3,400

 Vanadium pentoxide, anhydride 3,700 1,120 4,000 2,810 1,570

 Oxides and hydroxides, other 144 25 167 886 1,210

 Aluminum-vanadium master alloys (gross weight) 618 282 951 278 180

 Ash and residues 1,040 791 521 1,420 1,500

 Sulfates 2 16 48 42 40

 Vanadates 187 214 158 303 320

 Vanadium metal, including waste and scrap 5 22 10 44 110

Exports:

 Ferrovanadium 452 672 611 314 530

 Vanadium pentoxide, anhydride 249 401 140 89 40

 Oxides and hydroxides, other 1,040 506 1,100 254 190

 Aluminum-vanadium master alloys (gross weight) 1,390 447 1,190 920 1,400

 Vanadium metal, including waste and scrap 57 23 21 102 10

Consumption:

 Apparent 5,820 1,040 5,190 6,963 6,400

 Reported 5,170 4,690 5,030 5,120 5,200

Price, average, dollars per pound V2O5 12.92 5.43 6.46 6.76 6.52

Stocks, consumer, yearend 335 295 248 2

185 2220

Net import reliance3 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 91 78 81 92 96

Recycling: Some tool steel scrap was recycled primarily for its vanadium content. The vanadium content of other 

recycled steels was lost to slag during processing and was not recovered. Vanadium recycled from spent chemical 

process catalysts was significant and may comprise as much as 40% of total supply. 

Import Sources (2008–11): Ferrovanadium: Republic of Korea, 43%; Canada, 33%; Austria, 18%; Czech Republic, 

3%; and other, 3%. Vanadium pentoxide: Russia, 47%; South Africa, 32%; China, 19%; and other, 2%.

Tariff: Ash, residues, slag, and waste and scrap enter duty-free.

 Item Number Normal Trade Relations

 12–31–12

Vanadium pentoxide anhydride 2825.30.0010 5.5% ad val.

Vanadium oxides and hydroxides, other 2825.30.0050 5.5% ad val.

Vanadates 2841.90.1000 5.5% ad val.

Ferrovanadium 7202.92.0000 4.2% ad val.

Aluminum-vanadium master alloys 7601.20.9030 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Désirée E. Polyak [(703) 648–4909, dpolyak@usgs.gov]
179

VANADIUM

Events, Trends, and Issues: U.S. apparent consumption of vanadium in 2012 decreased by 9% from its 2011 level; 

however, it was still almost six times higher than its level in 2009. Apparent consumption of vanadium declined 

dramatically in 2009 from that of 2008 owing to the global economic recession in 2009. Among the major uses for 

vanadium, production of carbon, full-alloy, and high-strength low-alloy steels accounted for 16%, 45%, and 33% of 

domestic consumption, respectively. U.S. imports for consumption of vanadium in 2012 increased 4% from those of 

the previous year. U.S. exports increased 29% from those of the previous year. 

In the fourth quarter of 2011, vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) prices continued to decrease to a year-to-date low of $6.22 

per pound of V2O5 in December 2011. In January 2012, prices continued to decrease to a year-to-date low of $5.83 

per pound of V2O5 until February when prices began to slowly increase again. In August 2012, V2O5 prices averaged 

$6.60 per pound of V2O5, slightly more than average V2O5 prices in August 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2011, U.S. 

ferrovanadium (FeV) prices continued to slowly decrease to a year-to-date low of $13.19 per pound FeV (contained 

vanadium) in December 2011. In January 2012, prices continued to decrease until February when prices began to 

slowly increase. In August 2012, FeV prices averaged $15.60 per pound of FeV.

World Mine Production and Reserves: Production data for the United States were revised based on new company 

information.

 Mine production Reserves4

 2011 2012e (thousand metric tons)

United States 1590 1270 45

China 23,000 23,000 5,100

Russia 15,200 16,000 5,000

South Africa 22,000 22,000 3,500

Other countries 1,600 1,600 NA

World total (rounded) 62,400 63,000 14,000

World Resources: World resources of vanadium exceed 63 million tons. Vanadium occurs in deposits of phosphate 

rock, titaniferous magnetite, and uraniferous sandstone and siltstone, in which it constitutes less than 2% of the host 

rock. Significant amounts are also present in bauxite and carboniferous materials, such as coal, crude oil, oil shale, 

and tar sands. Because vanadium is usually recovered as a byproduct or coproduct, demonstrated world resources of 

the element are not fully indicative of available supplies. While domestic resources and secondary recovery are 

adequate to supply a large portion of domestic needs, a substantial part of U.S. demand is currently met by foreign 

material. 

Substitutes: Steels containing various combinations of other alloying elements can be substituted for steels 

containing vanadium. Certain metals, such as manganese, molybdenum, niobium (columbium), titanium, and 

tungsten, are to some degree interchangeable with vanadium as alloying elements in steel. Platinum and nickel can 

replace vanadium compounds as catalysts in some chemical processes. There is currently no acceptable substitute 

for vanadium in aerospace titanium alloys.

e

Estimated. NA Not available.

1

In 2008, a Canadian company began publishing data for vanadium production as a coproduct from the mining of uraniferous sandstones in Utah. 2

Does not include vanadium pentoxide.

3

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 4

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
180

VERMICULITE

(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Two companies with mining and processing facilities in South Carolina and Virginia 

produced vermiculite concentrate and reported production of approximately 100,000 tons. Most of the vermiculite 

concentrate was shipped to 18 exfoliating plants in 11 States. The end uses for exfoliated vermiculite were estimated 

to be agriculture/horticulture, 40%; lightweight concrete aggregates (including cement premixes, concrete, and 

plaster), 20%; insulation, 8%; and other, 32%.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Productione, 1 100 100 100 100 100

2012e

Imports for consumptione, 2 73 39 29 53 50

Exportse 5 3 2 2 2 

Consumption, apparent, concentrate3 170 140 130 150 150

Consumption, exfoliatede 82 69 73 70 70

Price, average, concentrate, dollars per ton, ex-plant 140 130 150 160 160

Employment, numbere 100 75 80 80 80

Net import reliance4 as a percentage of

apparent consumption5 40 30 20 30 30

Recycling: Insignificant.

Import Sources (2008–11): South Africa, 49%; China, 40%; Brazil, 7%; Australia, 2%; and other, 2%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Vermiculite, perlite and chlorites, unexpanded 2530.10.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays, foamed

slag, and similar expanded materials 6806.20.0000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: U.S. imports of vermiculite are not collected as a separate category by the U.S. 

Census Bureau. However, according to a nongovernmental source, United States imports, excluding any material 

from Canada and Mexico, were about 37,000 tons for the first 9 months of 2012, the monthly average being slightly 

below the monthly average of imports during 2011. South Africa provided 35%, China, 30%, and Brazil, 30% of 

vermiculite imports. Although supplies of coarse grades continued to be tight, prices that had risen significantly in mid2011 began to level off in 2012. 

Prepared by Arnold O. Tanner [(703) 648–4791, atanner@usgs.gov]
181

VERMICULITE

An Australian company continued development of and production at the East African Namekara vermiculite deposit in 

Uganda, a portion of the larger East African vermiculite project (EAVP). The EAVP has about 55 million tons of 

inferred resources and is considered to be one of the world’s largest deposits. The company, which increased 

production capacity from 4,000 tons per year of raw vermiculite concentrate in 2010 to about 18,000 tons per year in 

2011, expected to reach the company’s nameplate production capacity of 30,000 tons per year by yearend 2012. 

With the addition of a 50,000-ton-per-year plant, the company anticipated reaching a production capacity of 80,000 

tons per year at Namekara by 2014. Challenges that lay ahead were transportation and related infrastructure 

improvement, negotiating a mining agreement with the Ugandan Government, and stabilizing its supply of electricity. 

The Namekara deposit has sufficient resources for more than 50 years of production at the expanded rate. 

A South African company began evaluation and exploration of properties adjacent to and nearby its ongoing 

vermiculite mining operations in the country. Based on early drilling results, the reserves may be sufficient to allow the 

company to double its annual vermiculite production and still exceed the mine’s current expected 24-year mine life, 

based on its recent average production of about 200,000 tons per year. 

A Brazilian company with a mine in central Brazil planned to increase production capacity at the mine to about 

100,000 tons per year of vermiculite in 2012 from 70,000 tons per year in 2011. The company also owned mining 

rights to an estimated 2 million tons of vermiculite ore reserve located near Brasilia. It planned to bring that deposit 

online, reaching a production capacity of 20,000 tons per year by 2013 and 100,000 tons per year in 2016. 

World Mine Production and Reserves: The estimate of reserves was revised for Brazil based on new information 

from an official Government source in that country. 

 Mine production Reserves6

 2011

United Statese, 1 100 100 25,000

2012e

Australia 13 13 NA

Brazil 50 50 9,500

China 120 120 NA

Egypt 5 — NA

India 13 14 NA

Russia 25 25 NA

South Africa 170 195 14,000

Uganda 20 30 NA

Other countries 26 25

World total 542 570 NA

15,000

World Resources: Marginal reserves of vermiculite in Colorado, Nevada, North Carolina, Texas, and Wyoming are 

estimated to be 2 million to 3 million tons. Reserves have been reported in Australia, Brazil, China, Russia, South 

Africa, Uganda, the United States, Zimbabwe, and some other countries. However, reserve information comes from 

many sources, and in most cases, it is not clear whether the numbers refer to vermiculite alone or vermiculite plus 

host rock and overburden.

Substitutes: Expanded perlite is a substitute for vermiculite in lightweight concrete and plaster. Other more dense 

but less costly material substitutes in these applications are expanded clay, shale, slag, and slate. Alternate materials 

for loosefill fireproofing insulation include fiberglass, perlite, and slag wool. In agriculture, substitutes include peat, 

perlite, sawdust, bark and other plant materials, and synthetic soil conditioners.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. — Zero. 1

Concentrate sold and used by producers. Data are rounded to one significant digit to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. 2

Excludes Canada and Mexico. 3

Rounded to two significant digits to protect proprietary data.

4

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 5

Rounded to one significant digit to protect proprietary data.

6

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
182

WOLLASTONITE

(Data in metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Wollastonite was mined by two companies in New York. U.S. production statistics 

are withheld by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to protect company proprietary data. Wollastonite mined in the 

United States formed when impure limestone was metamorphosed or silica-bearing fluids were introduced into 

calcareous sediments during metamorphism. In both cases, calcite reacted with silica to produce wollastonite and 

carbon dioxide. Wollastonite also can crystallize directly from a magma that has high carbon content, but this is a less 

common occurrence. Domestic deposits of wollastonite have been identified in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, 

New Mexico, New York, and Utah, but New York is the only State where long-term continuous mining has taken 

place. 

The USGS does not collect consumption statistics for wollastonite. Plastics and rubber products, however, were 

estimated to account for 30% to 35% of U.S. consumption, followed by ceramics with 20% to 25%; metallurgical 

applications, 10% to 20%; paint, 10% to 15%; friction products, 10% to 15%; and miscellaneous, 10% to 15%.

Salient Statistics—United States: U.S. production was withheld to protect company proprietary data. In 2012, U.S. 

production and apparent consumption estimated to be 2% to 4% greater than in 2011. Some wollastonite end-use 

markets have improved since the 2008–09 economic recession but construction-related markets remained sluggish. 

Comprehensive trade data are not available (but the United States was a net exporter of wollastonite). Exports were 

estimated to be less than 10,000 tons. Imports probably remained less than 4,000 tons in 2012. Prices for 

wollastonite were reported in the trade literature to range from $80 to $440 per metric ton. Products with finer grain 

sizes and being more acicular in morphology sold for higher prices. Surface treatment, when necessary, also 

increased the selling price. 

Recycling: None.

Import Sources (2008–11): Trade data are not available, but wollastonite has been imported from Canada, China, 

Finland, India, Mexico, and Spain. Shipments from Canada were transshipments because no wollastonite was 

commercially produced in Canada.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

12–31–12

Mineral substances not elsewhere

specified or included 2530.90.8050 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 10% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Robert L. Virta [(703) 648–7726, rvirta@usgs.gov]
183

WOLLASTONITE

Events, Trends, and Issues: U.S. production and exports of wollastonite increased slightly in 2012, primarily 

because of growth in certain U.S. manufacturing sectors and growth in markets in Southeast Asia. Imports were likely 

to have remained unchanged in 2012.

The wollastonite industry is strongly dependent on sales to the ceramics, metallurgical, paints, and plastic industries, 

all of which declined during the global recession. The recovery from the global recession has been slow in the United 

States and Western Europe. Additionally, growth in China slowed in 2011 and 2012. Despite this, sales of products 

from industries on which wollastonite sales are dependent, including plastics and rubber, metallurgical, and 

automobile and truck manufacture, increased slightly in 2012 compared with sales in 2011. Sales to constructionrelated markets, such as adhesives, caulks, ceramic tile, and paints, likely remained steady in 2012 because of the 

continued sluggish residential and commercial construction industries. In general, sales of wollastonite by U.S. 

producers may have increased by 2% to 4% in 2012.

World Mine Production and Reserves: World production data for wollastonite are not available for many countries. 

 Mine production Reserves1

 2011

United States W W World reserves of wollastonite were estimated

2012e

China e305,000 300,000 to exceed 90 million tons, with probable reserves

Finland e

15,000 16,000 estimated to be 270 million tons. However, many

India e

150,000 150,000 large deposits have not been surveyed, so

Mexico 47,500 40,000 accurate reserve estimates are not available.

Other countries e

8,000

World total (rounded)2 525,000 510,000

 8,000

World Resources: World resources have not been estimated for wollastonite. The larger reserves were in China, 

Finland, India, Mexico, and the United States. Significant wollastonite resources also are in Canada, Chile, Kenya, 

Namibia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.

Substitutes: The acicular nature of many wollastonite products allows it to compete with other acicular materials, 

such as ceramic fiber, glass fiber, steel fiber, and several organic fibers, such as aramid, polyethylene, polypropylene, 

and polytetrafluoroethylene in products where improvements in dimensional stability, flexural modulus, and heat 

deflection are sought. Wollastonite also competes with several nonfibrous minerals or rocks, such as kaolin, mica, 

and talc, which are added to plastics to increase flexural strength, and such minerals as barite, calcium carbonate, 

gypsum, and talc, which impart dimensional stability to plastics. In ceramics, wollastonite competes with carbonates, 

feldspar, lime, and silica as a source of calcium and silica. Its use in ceramics depends on the formulation of the 

ceramic body and the firing method.

e

Estimated. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. 1

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

2

Excludes U.S. production.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
184

YTTRIUM1

[Data in metric tons of yttrium oxide (Y2O3) content unless otherwise noted]

Domestic Production and Use: Rare earths were mined by one U.S. company in 2012. Bastnasite, a rare-earth

fluorocarbonate mineral, was mined as a primary product in California. Principal uses were in phosphors for color 

televisions and computer monitors, temperature sensors, trichromatic fluorescent lights, and x-ray-intensifying 

screens. Yttria-stabilized zirconia was used in alumina-zirconia abrasives, bearings and seals, high-temperature 

refractories for continuous-casting nozzles, jet-engine coatings, oxygen sensors in automobile engines, simulant 

gemstones, and wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant cutting tools. In electronics, yttrium-iron garnets were 

components in microwave radar to control high-frequency signals. Yttrium was an important component in yttriumaluminum-garnet laser crystals used in dental and medical surgical procedures, digital communications, distance and 

temperature sensing, industrial cutting and welding, nonlinear optics, photochemistry, and photoluminescence. 

Yttrium also was used in heating-element alloys, high-temperature superconductors, and superalloys. The 

approximate distribution in 2012 by end use was as follows: phosphors, 44%; metallurgical, 13%; and other, 43%.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, mine — — — — NA

2012e

Imports for consumption:

 In monazite — — — — — 

 Yttrium, alloys, compounds, and metale, 2 616 450 670 549 200

Exports, in ore and concentrate NA NA NA NA NA

Consumption, estimated3 616 450 670 549 NA

Price,e dollars:

 Monazite concentrate, per metric ton4 480 480 NA 1,600 NA

 Yttrium oxide, per kilogram, minimum 99.9% purity5 10–85 10–85 38–41 165–185 90-110

 Yttrium metal, per kilogram, minimum 99.9% purity6 36–46 35–45 50–60 162–172 152-162

Stocks, processor, yearend NA NA NA NA NA

Net import reliancee, 7 as a percentage of

apparent consumption 100 100 100 100 NA

Recycling: Small quantities, primarily from laser crystals and synthetic garnets.

Import Sources (2008–11): Yttrium compounds, greater than 19% to less than 85% weight percent yttrium oxide 

equivalent: China, 73%; Japan, 8%; Austria, 6%; France, 6%; and other, 7%. 

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Thorium ores and concentrates (monazite) 2612.20.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium,

whether or not intermixed or interalloyed 2805.30.0000 5.0% ad val.

Yttrium-bearing materials and compounds

containing by weight >19% to <85% Y2O3 2846.90.4000 Free.

Other rare-earth compounds, including yttrium

oxide >85% Y2O3, yttrium nitrate, and other

individual compounds 2846.90.8000 3.7% ad val.

Depletion Allowance: Monazite, thorium content, 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign); yttrium, rare-earth content, 14% 

(Domestic and foreign); and xenotime, 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Yttrium consumption in the United States decreased in 2012 based on import data. The 

United States required yttrium for energy and defense applications such as electronics, phosphors, and yttriastabilized-zirconia refractories. Owing to reduced demand, imports and prices of yttrium metal and oxide decreased 

significantly. Although prices for yttrium metal and oxides were relatively stable for first three quarters of 2012, prices 

decreased significantly in the fourth quarter.

Prepared by Joseph Gambogi [(703) 648–7718, jgambogi@usgs.gov]
185

YTTRIUM

China was the source of most of the world’s supply of yttrium, from its weathered clay ion-adsorption ore deposits in 

the southern Provinces, primarily Fujian, Guangdong, and Jiangxi, with a lesser number of deposits in Guangxi and 

Hunan. Processing was primarily at facilities in Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Jiangxi Provinces. In India, a 10,000-tonper-year monazite processing plant was expected to be commissioned by yearend. In Malaysia, the commissioning of 

a rare-earth-oxide-processing plant was delayed by appeals from environmental activists. Yttrium was consumed 

mainly in the form of high-purity oxide compounds for phosphors. Smaller amounts were used in ceramics, electronic 

devices, lasers, and metallurgical applications. Imports of yttrium declined because of economic conditions, 

economizing of materials, substitution, and increased imports of value-added products. In 2012, on a gross weight 

basis, about 95% of the imported yttrium-bearing materials and compounds containing by weight >19% to <85% Y2O3

were sourced from China (35%) and Japan (60%). The leading source of yttrium metal was China.

World Mine Production and Reserves: Reserve estimates for Australia have been revised based on new 

information available through Government reports. Mine production of rare-earth oxides in Australia, including yttrium 

oxide, was estimated to be 2,200 tons in 2011 and 4,000 tons in 2012. Domestic rare-earth oxide production in 2012 

was estimated to be about 7,000 tons. The yttrium oxide content of these production estimates was not available.

Mine productione, 8 Reserves9

 2011

United States — NA 120,000

2012

Australia NA NA 100,000

Brazil 15 15 2,200

China 8,800 8,800 220,000

India 55 56 72,000

Malaysia 4 4 13,000

Sri Lanka — — 240

Other countries — —

World total (rounded) 8,900 8,900 540,000

 17,000

World Resources: The world’s resources of yttrium are probably very large. Yttrium is associated with most rareearth deposits. It occurs in various minerals in differing concentrations and occurs in a wide variety of geologic 

environments, including alkaline granites and intrusives, carbonatites, hydrothermal deposits, laterites, placers, and 

vein-type deposits. Although reserves may be sufficient to satisfy near-term demand at current rates of production, 

economics, environmental issues, and permitting and trade restrictions could affect the mining or availability of many 

of the rare-earth elements, including yttrium. Large resources of yttrium in monazite and xenotime are available 

worldwide in placer deposits, carbonatites, uranium ores, and weathered clay deposits (ion-adsorption ore). 

Measured yttrium resources have been documented in the Dubbo Zirconia deposit New South Wales, Australia. 

Significant yttrium resources are inferred to be in the Bokan Mountain deposit, Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. 

Additional resources of yttrium occur in apatite-magnetite-bearing rocks, deposits of niobium-tantalum minerals, nonplacer monazite-bearing deposits, sedimentary phosphate deposits, and uranium ores, especially those of the Blind 

River District near Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada, which contain yttrium in brannerite, monazite, and uraninite. 

Canadian resources are also present in allanite, apatite, and britholite at Eden Lake, Manitoba; allanite and apatite at 

Hoidas Lake, Saskatchewan; and fergusonite and xenotime at Thor Lake, Northwest Territories.

Substitutes: Substitutes for yttrium are available for some applications but generally are much less effective. In most 

uses, especially in electronics, lasers, and phosphors, yttrium is not subject to substitution by other elements. As a 

stabilizer in zirconia ceramics, yttria (yttrium oxide) may be substituted with calcia (calcium oxide) or magnesia 

(magnesium oxide), but they generally impart lower toughness.

e

Estimated. NA Not available. — Zero. 1

See also Rare Earths; trade data for yttrium are included in those data shown for rare earths.

2

Imports based on data from the Port Import/Export Reporting Service, Journal of Commerce.

3

Essentially, all yttrium consumed domestically was imported or refined from imported ores and concentrates.

4

Monazite price estimated for 2007 through 2010; estimate for 2011 based on sale of concentrate to China from Vietnam; anonymous marketing 

source.

5

Yttrium oxide prices for 5-kilogram to 1-metric-ton quantities from Rhodia Rare Earths, Inc., Shelton, CT; the China Rare Earth Information Center, 

Baotou, China; Hefa Rare Earth Canada Co., Ltd., Vancouver, Canada; Metal-Pages and Stanford Materials Corp., Aliso Viejo, CA. 6

Yttrium metal prices for 500-kilogram quantities from Metal-Pages Ltd., Teddington, United Kingdom. 7

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 8

Includes yttrium contained in rare-earth ores. 9

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
186

ZEOLITES (NATURAL)

(Data in metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: Natural zeolites were mined by six companies in the United States, with another

company working from stockpiled materials or zeolites purchased from other producers for resale. Chabazite was 

mined in Arizona; clinoptilolite was mined in California, Idaho, New Mexico, and Texas. New Mexico was the leading 

producing State in 2012, followed by Idaho, Texas, Arizona, and California.

Natural zeolites mined in the United States are associated with the alteration of volcanic tuffs in alkaline lake deposits 

and open hydrologic systems. Smaller, noncommercial deposits are found in several other Midwestern and Western 

States. Zeolite minerals such as chabazite, clinoptilolite, erionite, mordenite, and phillipsite occur in these deposits, 

but the most commonly mined zeolites are chabazite, clinoptilolite, and mordenite.

Domestic uses for natural zeolites were, in decreasing order by tonnage, animal feed, pet litter, cement, odor control, 

water purification, wastewater cleanup, fungicide or pesticide carrier, gas absorbent, fertilizer carrier, oil absorbent, 

desiccant, catalyst, and aquaculture. Animal feed, cement, odor control, pet litter, wastewater treatment, and water 

purification applications accounted for more than 70% of the domestic sales tonnage.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production 60,100 59,500 61,300 65,400 68,000

2012e

Sales, mill 58,500 59,400 60,000 65,200 68,000

Imports for consumptione 200 200 150 100 100

Exportse 200 500 400 1,100 1,100

Consumption, apparente 60,100 59,200 61,050 64,400 66,500

Price, range of value, dollars per metric ton1 30–900 30–900 30–900 40–800 45–800

Net import reliance2 as a percentage of

estimated consumption E E E E E 

Recycling: Natural zeolites used for most applications are not recycled. Natural zeolites used for such applications 

as desiccants, gas absorbents, wastewater cleanup, or water purification may be reused after reprocessing of the 

spent zeolites.

Import Sources (2008–11): Comprehensive trade data are not available for natural zeolites. Nearly all exports and 

imports are synthetic zeolites.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Mineral substances not elsewhere

12–31–12

specified or included 2530.90.8050 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic and foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Events, Trends, and Issues: U.S. consumption of natural zeolites increased mainly in markets such as animal feed, 

cement (as a pozzolan in specialty applications), gas absorbent, odor control, and wastewater treatment. Sales to 

other markets were more erratic, with sales increasing in some years and declining in others. Increased demand for 

natural zeolites to remove radioactive isotopes from nuclear-plant cooling waters and runoff continued in 2012, mainly 

as the result of remediation work done following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan that caused structural 

damage to several nuclear reactors. Although data is not available on U.S. trade of natural zeolites, the United States 

was believed to be a net exporter of natural zeolites in 2012.

In the United States, natural zeolite markets were smaller and less associated with construction and manufacturing 

than other industrial minerals. Construction markets outside of the United States, where natural zeolites were widely 

used as dimension stone, lightweight aggregate, and pozzolan, continued to be affected by the sluggish economic 

growth because of the reduced level of building activity.

Prepared by Robert L. Virta [(703) 648–7726, rvirta@usgs.gov]
187

ZEOLITES (NATURAL)

World Mine Production and Reserves:

2 Natural zeolite production data are not available for most countries. 

Countries mining large tonnages of zeolites typically use them in low-value applications. The ready availability of 

zeolite-rich rock at low cost and the shortage of competing minerals and rocks are probably the most important 

factors enabling its large-scale use. It is also likely that a significant percentage of the material sold as zeolites in 

some countries is ground or sawn volcanic tuff that contains only a small amount of zeolites. Some examples of such 

usage are dimension stone (as an altered volcanic tuff), lightweight aggregate, pozzolanic cement, and soil 

conditioners. 

World reserves of natural zeolites have not been estimated. Deposits occur in many countries, but companies rarely, 

if ever, publish reserve data. Further complicating estimates of reserves is the fact that much of the reported world 

production includes altered volcanic tuffs that contain low to moderate concentrations of zeolites. These typically are 

used in high-volume construction applications, and therefore some deposits should be excluded from reserve 

estimates because it is the rock itself and not its zeolite content that makes the deposit valuable.

 Mine production3 Reserves4

 2011 2012e

United States 65,400 68,000

China5 2,000,000 2,000,000

Japan5 155,000 150,000 World reserves are

Jordan 12,000 12,000 not determined but are

Korea, Republic of 240,000 230,000 estimated to be large.

Slovakia 80,000 85,000

Turkey 150,000 100,000

Other 120,000 110,000

World total (rounded) 2,820,000 2,800,000

World Resources: World resources have not been estimated for natural zeolites. An estimated 120 million tons of 

clinoptilolite, chabazite, erionite, mordenite, and phillipsite is present in near-surface deposits in the Basin and Range 

province in the United States. Resources in the United States may approach 10 trillion tons for zeolite-rich deposits.

Substitutes: For pet litter, natural zeolites compete with other mineral-based litters, such as those manufactured 

using attapulgite, bentonite, diatomite, fuller’s earth, and sepiolite; organic litters made from shredded corn stalks and 

paper, straw, and wood shavings; and litters made using silica gel. Diatomite, perlite, pumice, vermiculite, and 

volcanic tuff compete with natural zeolite as lightweight aggregate. Zeolite desiccants compete against such products 

as magnesium perchlorate and silica gel. Zeolites compete with bentonite, gypsum, montmorillonite, peat, perlite, 

silica sand, and vermiculite in various soil amendment applications. Carbon, diatomite, or silica sand may substitute 

for zeolites in water purification applications. As an oil absorbent, zeolites compete mainly with bentonite, diatomite, 

fuller’s earth, sepiolite, and a variety of polymer and natural organic products.

e

Estimated. E Net exporter. 1

Estimate based on values reported by U.S. producers and prices published in the trade literature. Bulk shipments typically range from $100 to 

$250 per ton.

2

Defined as imports – exports. 3

Estimates for countries that do not report production represent a range with possibly 15% to 20% variability, rather than an absolute value. 

4

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 5

Includes materials appropriate for pozzolan applications.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
188

ZINC

(Data in thousand metric tons of zinc content unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: The value of zinc mined in 2012, based on zinc contained in concentrate, was about 

$1.53 billion. It was produced in 3 States at 13 mines operated by 4 companies. Two facilities—one primary and the 

other secondary—produced the bulk of refined zinc metal of commercial grade in 2012. Of the total zinc consumed, 

about 55% was used in galvanizing, 21% in zinc-based alloys, 16% in brass and bronze, and 8% in other uses. Zinc 

compounds and dust were used principally by the agricultural, chemical, paint, and rubber industries.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012e

Production:

 Mine, zinc in ore and concentrate 778 736 748 769 748

 Primary slab zinc 125 94 120 110 115

 Secondary slab zinc 161 109 129 138 150

Imports for consumption:

 Zinc in ore and concentrate 63 74 32 27 6 

 Refined zinc 725 686 671 716 680

Exports:

 Zinc in ore and concentrate 725 785 752 660 448

 Refined zinc 3 3 4 19 13

Shipments from Government stockpile (

1

) (1) — — — 

Consumption, apparent, refined zinc 1,010 893 907 939 942

Price, average, cents per pound:

 North American2 88.9 77.9 102.0 106.2 93.0

 London Metal Exchange (LME), cash 85.0 75.1 98.0 99.5 86.0

Reported producer and consumer stocks, slab zinc, 

yearend 58 85 108 114 104

Employment:

 Mine and mill, number3 2,520 1,580 1,790 2,240 2,250

 Smelter primary, number 250 248 255 244 244

Net import reliance4 as a percentage of

apparent consumption (refined zinc) 72 77 73 74 72

Recycling: In 2012, about 57% (150,000 tons) of the slab zinc produced in the United States was recovered from 

secondary materials—mainly electric arc furnace dust, as well as galvanizing residues. 

Import Sources (2008–11): Ore and concentrate: Peru, 81%; Canada, 7%; Ireland, 6%; Mexico, 6%. Metal: Canada, 

74%; Mexico, 12%; Peru, 6%; Spain, 2%; and other, 6%. Waste and scrap: Canada, 63%; Mexico, 32%; Dominican 

Republic, 2%; Netherlands, 1%; and other, 2%. Combined total: Canada, 69%; Mexico, 12%; Peru, 10%; Spain, 2%; 

and other, 7%.

Tariff: Item Number Normal Trade Relations5

 12–31–12

Zinc ores and concentrates, Zn content 2608.00.0030 Free.

Hard zinc spelter 2620.11.0000 Free.

Zinc oxide and zinc peroxide 2817.00.0000 Free.

Unwrought zinc, not alloyed:

 Containing 99.99% or more zinc 7901.11.0000 1.5% ad val.

 Containing less than 99.99% zinc:

 Casting-grade 7901.12.1000 3% ad val.

 Other 7901.12.5000 1.5% ad val.

Zinc alloys 7901.20.0000 3% ad val.

Zinc waste and scrap 7902.00.0000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile:

Stockpile Status—9–30–126 

 Uncommitted Authorized Disposal plan Disposals

Material inventory for disposal FY 2012 FY 2012

Zinc 7 7 7

7 — 

Prepared by Amy C. Tolcin [(703) 648–4940, atolcin@usgs.gov]
189

ZINC

Events, Trends, and Issues: Global zinc mine production in 2012 increased slightly to 13 million tons. According to 

the International Lead and Zinc Study Group, refined metal production decreased by 2% to 12.9 million tons in 2012, 

and world metal consumption also declined slightly to 12.7 million tons, resulting in a market surplus of 153,000 tons 

of metal. A larger surplus was anticipated in 2013. Significant increases in zinc consumption in 2012 took place in 

India, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, and Turkey. Consumption rose slightly in the United States while remaining 

flat in Japan. In China, consumption rose by only 0.5%, and in Europe, zinc consumption contracted by 5%.

Domestic zinc mine production decreased in 2012 from that of 2011 despite an increase in zinc production from zinc 

mines in Tennessee. A zinc-lead mine in Alaska produced significantly less zinc as a result of lower ore-processing 

rates, and a zinc-producing mine in Idaho was temporarily idled for the year while the company carried out 

underground structural work. Zinc metal production rose in 2012 owing mostly to increased secondary zinc production 

from a smelter in Pennsylvania, which began sourcing higher quality raw materials in the first quarter, and 

subsequently improved zinc recovery rates during the year. Apparent zinc consumption increased in 2012 from that of 

2011 owing to increased demand for zinc at continuous galvanizing plants.

Monthly average North American Special High Grade (SHG) zinc prices began the year at $0.97 per pound in 

January, peaked in February at $1.01 per pound, and then declined through the following months, reaching a low of 

$0.91 per pound in August. By mid-October, prices averaged about $0.92 per pound. North American SHG zinc 

premiums began the year at 7 cents per pound and increased to 7.5 cents per pound by September. 

World Mine Production and Reserves: Reserve estimates for Canada, India, Ireland, Mexico, Peru, and the United 

States were revised based on a commercially available database of reserves and resources of mines and potential 

mines. The reserve estimate for Australia was revised based on new information provided by Geoscience Australia, 

and the reserve estimate for Kazakhstan was revised based on new company information. 

 Mine production8 Reserves9

 2011

United States 769 748 11,000

2012e

Australia 1,520 1,490 70,000

Bolivia 427 430 6,000

Canada 612 640 7,800

China 4,310 4,600 43,000

India 710 690 12,000

Ireland 340 345 1,300

Kazakhstan 495 420 10,000

Mexico 632 630 16,000

Peru 1,260 1,270 18,000

Other countries 1,730 1,770

World total (rounded) 12,800 13,000 250,000

 55,000

World Resources: Identified zinc resources of the world are about 1.9 billion metric tons.

Substitutes: Aluminum, plastics, and steel substitute for galvanized sheet. Aluminum, magnesium, and plastics are 

major competitors as diecasting materials. Aluminum alloy, cadmium, paint, and plastic coatings replace zinc for 

corrosion protection; aluminum alloys substitute for brass. Many elements are substitutes for zinc in chemical, 

electronic, and pigment uses.

e

Estimated. — Zero. 1

Less than 1⁄2 unit.

2

Platts Metals Week price for North American SHG zinc; based on the London Metal Exchange cash price plus premiums or discounts, depending 

on market conditions.

3

Includes mine and mill employment at all zinc-producing mines. Source: Mine Safety and Health Administration. 4

Defined as imports – exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. Apparent consumption from 2008 through 2010 does not 

necessarily reflect reported industry stock changes. Stocks increased during these years owing to an increased response rate from industry. 5

No tariff for Canada, Mexico, and Peru for items shown.

6

See Appendix B for definitions.

7

Actual quantity limited to remaining inventory.

8

Zinc content of concentrate and direct shipping ore.

9

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
190

ZIRCONIUM AND HAFNIUM

(Data in metric tons unless otherwise noted)

Domestic Production and Use: The zirconium-silicate mineral zircon is produced as a coproduct from the mining 

and processing of heavy minerals. Typically, zirconium and hafnium are contained in zircon at a ratio of about 50 to 1. 

Two firms produced zircon from surface-mining operations in Florida and Virginia. Zirconium metal and hafnium metal 

were produced from zirconium chemical intermediates by two domestic producers, one in Oregon and the other in 

Utah. Zirconium chemicals were produced by the metal producer in Oregon and by at least 10 other companies. 

Ceramics, foundry applications, opacifiers, and refractories are the leading end uses for zircon. Other end uses of 

zircon include abrasives, chemicals, metal alloys, and welding rod coatings. The leading consumers of zirconium 

metal and hafnium metal are the nuclear energy and chemical process industries.

Salient Statistics—United States: 2008 2009 2010 2011

Production, zircon (ZrO2 content) W W W W W 

2012e

Imports:

 Zirconium, ores and concentrates (ZrO2 content) 22,300 9,370 14,900 17,200 26,000

 Zirconium, unwrought, powder, and waste and scrap 318 451 727 485 370

 Zirconium, wrought 715 526 424 365 280

 Zirconium oxide1 5,060 2,810 2,920 3,020 5,000

 Hafnium, unwrought, powder, and waste and scrap 12 5 8 10 23

Exports:

 Zirconium ores and concentrates (ZrO2 content) 27,400 25,700 30,800 15,800 21,000

 Zirconium, unwrought, powder, and waste and scrap 591 223 519 675 551

 Zirconium, wrought 2,080 2,080 1,540 1,330 1,200

 Zirconium oxide1 2,970 3,050 5,630 6,710 6,000

Consumption, zirconium ores and concentrates,

apparent (ZrO2 content) W W W W W 

Prices:

 Zircon, dollars per metric ton (gross weight):

 Domestic2 788 830 860 2,650 2,650

 Imported, f.o.b.3 773 850 870 2,500 2,500

 Zirconium, unwrought, import, France, dollars per kilogram4 41 51 74 64 110

 Hafnium, unwrought, import, France, dollars per kilogram4 225 472 453 544 530

Net import reliance5 as a percentage of

apparent consumption:

 Zirconium E E E NA NA

 Hafnium NA NA NA NA NA

Recycling: Companies in Oregon and Utah recycled zirconium from scrap generated during metal production and 

fabrication. Scrap zirconium metal and alloys were recycled by companies in California and Oregon. Zircon foundry 

mold cores and spent or rejected zirconia refractories are often recycled. Hafnium metal recycling was insignificant.

Import Sources (2008–11): Zirconium mineral concentrates: Australia, 52%; South Africa, 42%; and other, 6%. 

Zirconium, unwrought, including powder: Germany, 65%; Kazakhstan, 8%; France, 5%; Japan, 3%; and other, 19%. 

Hafnium, unwrought: France, 72%; Germany, 14%; United Kingdom, 3%; and other, 11%.

Tariff

 

: Item Number Normal Trade Relations

Zirconium ores and concentrates 2615.10.0000 Free.

12–31–12

Germanium oxides and zirconium dioxide 2825.60.0000 3.7% ad val.

Ferrozirconium 7202.99.1000 4.2% ad val.

Zirconium, unwrought and zirconium powder 8109.20.0000 4.2% ad val.

Zirconium waste and scrap 8109.30.0000 Free.

Other zirconium articles 8109.90.0000 3.7% ad val.

Hafnium, unwrought, powder, and waste and scrap 8112.92.2000 Free.

Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

Government Stockpile: None.

Prepared by Patricia J. Loferski [(703) 648–7708, ploferski@usgs.gov]
191

ZIRCONIUM AND HAFNIUM

Events, Trends, and Issues: Domestic production of zirconium mineral concentrates increased compared with that 

of 2011, and consumption was stable. Domestic mining of heavy minerals continued near Stony Creek, VA, and 

Starke, FL. Permitting applications were submitted for a new zircon mine in Georgia; construction was planned to 

begin in early 2013, and production was expected to begin in August 2013, with 16,000 tons per year of zircon 

production anticipated. 

Global production of zirconium concentrates (excluding the United States) decreased significantly compared with that 

of 2011, in response to weakening demand that began in the final quarter of 2011. Chinese consumption decreased 

relative to that of 2011 owing to a slowdown in the Chinese economy and resulting slowdown in housing construction, 

in which zircon is used in ceramic tiles and sanitaryware. 

In the Eucla Basin, Australia, zircon production from the Cyclone project was expected to begin in 2015, with 

production of about 65,000 tons per year expected during a mine life of 10 years. The Lethbridge South Mine on Tiwi 

Islands was commissioned early in 2012, and a total of 29,000 tons of zircon and rutile was anticipated to be 

produced by late 2012, but mining was expected to be completed there in 2013. The Kilimiraka project, also on Tiwi 

Islands, was expected to begin production in 2014 and to have a mine life of 8 to 10 years. In Senegal, the Grande 

Cote project was expected to produce about 80,000 tons per year of zircon by the end of 2013.

China planned to increase its nuclear power development, which would likely increase demand for nuclear-grade 

zirconium and hafnium, which are used for nuclear fuel cladding.

World Mine Production and Reserves: World primary hafnium production data are not available. Hafnium occurs 

with zirconium in the minerals zircon and baddeleyite. Quantitative estimates of hafnium reserves are not available.

Zirconium mine production Zirconium reserves6

(thousand metric tons) (thousand metric tons, ZrO2)

 2011

United States W W 500

2012e

Australia 762 610 21,000

China 150 150 500

India 39 40 3,400

Indonesia 130 60 NA

Mozambique 44 47 1,200

South Africa 383 400 14,000

Other countries 110 109

 World total (rounded) 7

1,620 71,420 48,000

 7,200

World Resources: Resources of zircon in the United States included about 14 million tons associated with titanium 

resources in heavy-mineral sand deposits. Phosphate and sand and gravel deposits could potentially yield substantial 

amounts of zircon as a byproduct. Eudialyte and gittinsite are zirconium silicate minerals that have a potential for 

zirconia production. Identified world resources of zircon exceed 60 million tons. World resources of hafnium are 

associated with those of zircon and baddeleyite. Quantitative estimates of hafnium resources are not available.

Substitutes: Chromite and olivine can be used instead of zircon for some foundry applications. Dolomite and spinel 

refractories can also substitute for zircon in certain high-temperature applications. Niobium (columbium), stainless 

steel, and tantalum provide limited substitution in nuclear applications, while titanium and synthetic materials may 

substitute in some chemical processing plant applications.

Silver-cadmium-indium control rods are used in lieu of hafnium at numerous nuclear powerplants. Zirconium can be 

used interchangeably with hafnium in certain superalloys. 

e

Estimated. E Net exporter. NA Not available. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.

1

Includes germanium oxides.

2

Yearend average of high-low price range. 3

Unit value based on U.S. imports for consumption. 

4

Unit value based on U.S. imports for consumption from France.

5

Defined as imports – exports. 6

See Appendix C for resource/reserve definitions and information concerning data sources. 7

Excludes U.S. production.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2013
192

APPENDIX A

Abbreviations and Units of Measure

1 carat (metric) (diamond) = 200 milligrams

1 flask (fl) = 76 pounds, avoirdupois

1 karat (gold) = one twenty-fourth part

1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2046 pounds, avoirdupois

1 long ton (lt) = 2,240 pounds, avoirdupois

1 long ton unit (ltu) = 1% of 1 long ton or 22.4 pounds avoirdupois

long calcined ton (lct) = excludes water of hydration

long dry ton (ldt) = excludes excess free moisture

Mcf = 1,000 cubic feet

1 metric ton (t) = 2,204.6 pounds, avoirdupois or 1,000 kilograms

1 metric ton (t) = 1.1023 short ton

1 metric ton unit (mtu) = 1% of 1 metric ton or 10 kilograms

metric dry ton (mdt) = excludes excess free moisture

1 pound (lb) = 453.6 grams

1 short ton (st) = 2,000 pounds, avoirdupois

1 short ton unit (stu) = 1% of 1 short ton or 20 pounds, avoirdupois

short dry ton (sdt) = excludes excess free moisture

1 troy ounce (tr oz) = 1.09714 avoirdupois ounces or 31.103 grams

1 troy pound = 12 troy ounces

APPENDIX B

Definitions of Selected Terms Used in This Report

Terms Used for Materials in the National Defense Stockpile and Helium Stockpile

Uncommitted inventory refers to the quantity of mineral materials held in the National Defense Stockpile. 

Nonstockpile-grade materials may be included in the table; where significant, the quantities of these stockpiled 

materials will be specified in the text accompanying the table.

Authorized for disposal refers to quantities that are in excess of the stockpile goal for a material, and for which 

Congress has authorized disposal over the long term at rates designed to maximize revenue but avoid undue 

disruption of the usual markets and financial loss to the United States.

Disposal plan FY 2012 indicates the total amount of a material in the National Defense Stockpile that the U.S. 

Department of Defense is permitted to sell under the Annual Materials Plan approved by Congress for the fiscal year. 

FY 2012 (fiscal year 2012) is the period October 1, 2011, through September 30, 2012. For mineral commodities that 

have a disposal plan greater than the inventory, actual quantity will be limited to remaining disposal authority or 

inventory. Note that, unlike the National Defense Stockpile, helium stockpile sales by the Bureau of Land 

Management under the Helium Privatization Act of 1996 are permitted to exceed disposal plans.

Disposals FY 2012 refers to material sold or traded from the stockpile in FY 2012. 

Depletion Allowance

The depletion allowance is a business tax deduction analogous to depreciation, but which applies to an ore reserve 

rather than equipment or production facilities. Federal tax law allows this deduction from taxable corporate income, 

recognizing that an ore deposit is a depletable asset that must eventually be replaced.
193

APPENDIX C—Reserves and Resources

Reserves data are dynamic. They may be reduced as 

ore is mined and/or the extraction feasibility diminishes, 

or more commonly, they may continue to increase as 

additional deposits (known or recently discovered) are 

developed, or currently exploited deposits are more 

thoroughly explored and/or new technology or economic 

variables improve their economic feasibility. Reserves 

may be considered a working inventory of mining 

companies’ supply of an economically extractable 

mineral commodity. As such, the magnitude of that 

inventory is necessarily limited by many considerations, 

including cost of drilling, taxes, price of the mineral 

commodity being mined, and the demand for it. 

Reserves will be developed to the point of business 

needs and geologic limitations of economic ore grade 

and tonnage. For example, in 1970, identified and 

undiscovered world copper resources were estimated to 

contain 1.6 billion metric tons of copper, with reserves of 

about 280 million metric tons of copper. Since then, 

more than 400 million metric tons of copper have been 

produced worldwide, but world copper reserves in 2012 

were estimated to be 680 million metric tons of copper, 

more than double those in 1970, despite the depletion 

by mining of more than the original estimated reserves. 

Future supplies of minerals will come from reserves and 

other identified resources, currently undiscovered 

resources in deposits that will be discovered in the 

future, and material that will be recycled from current inuse-stocks of mineral or from minerals in waste disposal 

sites. Undiscovered deposits of minerals constitute an 

important consideration in assessing future supplies. 

USGS reports provide estimates of undiscovered 

mineral resources using a three-part assessment 

methodology (Singer and Menzie, 2010). Mineralresource assessments have been carried out for small 

parcels of land being evaluated for land reclassification, 

for the Nation, and for the world. 

Reference Cited

Singer, D.A., and Menzie, W.D., 2010, Quantitative mineral resource 

assessments—An integrated approach: Oxford, United Kingdom, 

Oxford University Press, 219 p.

Part A—Resource/Reserve Classification for Minerals1

INTRODUCTION

Through the years, geologists, mining engineers, and 

others operating in the minerals field have used various 

terms to describe and classify mineral resources, which 

as defined herein include energy materials. Some of 

these terms have gained wide use and acceptance, 

although they are not always used with precisely the 

same meaning.

The USGS collects information about the quantity 

and quality of all mineral resources. In 1976, the USGS 

and the U.S. Bureau of Mines developed a common 

classification and nomenclature, which was published as 

USGS Bulletin 1450–A—“Principles of the Mineral 

Resource Classification System of the U.S. Bureau of 

Mines and U.S. Geological Survey.” Experience with this 

resource classification system showed that some 

changes were necessary in order to make it more 

workable in practice and more useful in long-term 

planning. Therefore, representatives of the USGS and 

the U.S. Bureau of Mines collaborated to revise Bulletin 

1450–A. Their work was published in 1980 as USGS 

Circular 831—“Principles of a Resource/Reserve 

Classification for Minerals.”

Long-term public and commercial planning must be 

based on the probability of discovering new deposits, on 

developing economic extraction processes for currently 

unworkable deposits, and on knowing which resources 

are immediately available. Thus, resources must be 

continuously reassessed in the light of new geologic 

knowledge, of progress in science and technology, and 

of shifts in economic and political conditions. To best 

serve these planning needs, known resources should be 

classified from two standpoints: (1) purely geologic or 

physical/chemical characteristics—such as grade, 

quality, tonnage, thickness, and depth—of the material 

in place; and (2) profitability analyses based on costs of 

extracting and marketing the material in a given 

economy at a given time. The former constitutes 

important objective scientific information of the resource 

and a relatively unchanging foundation upon which the 

latter more valuable economic delineation can be based.

The revised classification system, designed generally 

for all mineral materials, is shown graphically in figures 1 

and 2; its components and their usage are described in 

the text. The classification of mineral and energy 

resources is necessarily arbitrary, because definitional 

criteria do not always coincide with natural boundaries. 

The system can be used to report the status of mineral 

and energy-fuel resources for the Nation or for specific 

areas.1

RESOURCE/RESERVE DEFINITIONS

A dictionary definition of resource, “something in 

reserve or ready if needed,” has been adapted for 

mineral and energy resources to comprise all materials, 

including those only surmised to exist, that have present 

or anticipated future value.

Resource.—A concentration of naturally occurring solid, 

liquid, or gaseous material in or on the Earth’s crust 

in such form and amount that economic extraction of 

a commodity from the concentration is currently or 

potentially feasible.

Original Resource.—The amount of a resource before 

production.

Identified Resources.—Resources whose location, 

grade, quality, and quantity are known or estimated 

from specific geologic evidence. Identified resources 

include economic, marginally economic, and subeconomic components. To reflect varying degrees of 

geologic certainty, these economic divisions can be 

subdivided into measured, indicated, and inferred.

 1

Based on U.S. Geological Survey Circular 831, 1980.
194

Demonstrated.—A term for the sum of measured 

plus indicated.

 Measured.—Quantity is computed from 

dimensions revealed in outcrops, trenches, 

workings, or drill holes; grade and(or) quality 

are computed from the results of detailed 

sampling. The sites for inspection, sampling, 

and measurements are spaced so closely and 

the geologic character is so well defined that 

size, shape, depth, and mineral content of the 

resource are well established.

 Indicated.—Quantity and grade and(or) quality 

are computed from information similar to that 

used for measured resources, but the sites for 

inspection, sampling, and measurement are 

farther apart or are otherwise less adequately 

spaced. The degree of assurance, although

lower than that for measured resources, is high 

enough to assume continuity between points of 

observation.

Inferred.—Estimates are based on an assumed 

continuity beyond measured and(or) indicated 

resources, for which there is geologic evidence. 

Inferred resources may or may not be supported 

by samples or measurements.

Reserve Base.—That part of an identified resource that 

meets specified minimum physical and chemical 

criteria related to current mining and production 

practices, including those for grade, quality, 

thickness, and depth. The reserve base is the inplace demonstrated (measured plus indicated) 

resource from which reserves are estimated. It may 

encompass those parts of the resources that have a 

reasonable potential for becoming economically 

available within planning horizons beyond those that 

assume proven technology and current economics. 

The reserve base includes those resources that are 

currently economic (reserves), marginally economic 

(marginal reserves), and some of those that are 

currently subeconomic (subeconomic resources). The 

term “geologic reserve” has been applied by others 

generally to the reserve-base category, but it also 

may include the inferred-reserve-base category; it is 

not a part of this classification system.

Inferred Reserve Base.—The in-place part of an 

identified resource from which inferred reserves are 

estimated. Quantitative estimates are based largely 

on knowledge of the geologic character of a deposit 

and for which there may be no samples or 

measurements. The estimates are based on an 

assumed continuity beyond the reserve base, for 

which there is geologic evidence.

Reserves.—That part of the reserve base which could 

be economically extracted or produced at the time of 

determination. The term reserves need not signify 

that extraction facilities are in place and operative. 

Reserves include only recoverable materials; thus, 

terms such as “extractable reserves” and 

“recoverable reserves” are redundant and are not a 

part of this classification system.

Marginal Reserves.—That part of the reserve base 

which, at the time of determination, borders on being 

economically producible. Its essential characteristic is 

economic uncertainty. Included are resources that 

would be producible, given postulated changes in 

economic or technological factors.

Economic.—This term implies that profitable extraction 

or production under defined investment assumptions 

has been established, analytically demonstrated, or 

assumed with reasonable certainty.

Subeconomic Resources.—The part of identified 

resources that does not meet the economic criteria of 

reserves and marginal reserves.

Undiscovered Resources.—Resources, the existence 

of which are only postulated, comprising deposits that 

are separate from identified resources. Undiscovered 

resources may be postulated in deposits of such 

grade and physical location as to render them 

economic, marginally economic, or subeconomic. To 

reflect varying degrees of geologic certainty, 

undiscovered resources may be divided into two 

parts:

Hypothetical Resources.—Undiscovered resources 

that are similar to known mineral bodies and that 

may be reasonably expected to exist in the same 

producing district or region under analogous 

geologic conditions. If exploration confirms their 

existence and reveals enough information about 

their quality, grade, and quantity, they will be 

reclassified as identified resources.

Speculative Resources.—Undiscovered resources 

that may occur either in known types of deposits in 

favorable geologic settings where mineral 

discoveries have not been made, or in types of 

deposits as yet unrecognized for their economic 

potential. If exploration confirms their existence 

and reveals enough information about their 

quantity, grade, and quality, they will be 

reclassified as identified resources.

Restricted Resources/Reserves.—That part of any 

resource/reserve category that is restricted from 

extraction by laws or regulations. For example, 

restricted reserves meet all the requirements of 

reserves except that they are restricted from 

extraction by laws or regulations.

Other Occurrences.—Materials that are too low grade 

or for other reasons are not considered potentially 

economic, in the same sense as the defined 

resource, may be recognized and their magnitude 

estimated, but they are not classified as resources. A 

separate category, labeled other occurrences, is 

included in figures 1 and 2. In figure 1, the boundary 

between subeconomic and other occurrences is 

limited by the concept of current or potential feasibility 

of economic production, which is required by the 

definition of a resource. The boundary is obviously 

uncertain, but limits may be specified in terms of 

grade, quality, thickness, depth, percent extractable, 

or other economic-feasibility variables.

Cumulative Production.—The amount of past 

cumulative production is not, by definition, a part of 

the resource. Nevertheless, a knowledge of what has 

been produced is important in order to understand 

current resources, in terms of both the amount of past 

production and the amount of residual or remaining 

in-place resource. A separate space for cumulative 

production is shown in figures 1 and 2. Residual 

material left in the ground during current or future 

extraction should be recorded in the resource 

category appropriate to its economic-recovery 

potential.
195

FIGURE 1.—Major Elements of Mineral-Resource Classification, Excluding Reserve Base and 

Inferred Reserve Base

FIGURE 2.—Reserve Base and Inferred Reserve Base Classification Categories

Cumulative Production

Demonstrated

IDENTIFIED RESOURCES UNDISCOVERED RESOURCES

Measured Indicated (or) Inferred

ECONOMIC

MARGINALLY 

ECONOMIC

SUBECONOMIC

Other 

Occurrences Includes nonconventional and low-grade materials

Probability Range

Hypothetical Speculative

Reserve

Base

Reserve

Base

Inferred

Cumulative Production

ECONOMIC

MARGINALLY 

ECONOMIC

SUBECONOMIC

Other 

Occurrences

IDENTIFIED RESOURCES

Demonstrated

Measured Indicated Inferred

Reserves Inferred 

Reserves

Marginal Reserves

Inferred 

Marginal 

Reserves

Demonstrated Subeconomic 

Resources

Inferred 

Subeconomic 

Resources

UNDISCOVERED RESOURCES

Probability Range

(or) Hypothetical Speculative

Includes nonconventional and low-grade materials
196

Part B—Sources of Reserves Data

National information on reserves for most mineral 

commodities found in this report, including those for the 

United States, is derived from a variety of sources. The 

ideal source of such information would be 

comprehensive evaluations that apply the same criteria 

to deposits in different geographic areas and report the 

results by country. In the absence of such evaluations, 

national reserve estimates compiled by countries for 

selected mineral commodities are a primary source of 

national reserves information. Lacking national 

assessment information by governments, sources such 

as academic articles, company reports, presentations by 

company representatives, and trade journal articles, or a 

combination of these, serve as the basis for national 

information on reserves reported in the mineral 

commodity sections of this publication.

A national estimate may be assembled from the 

following: historically reported reserve information 

carried for years without alteration because no new 

information is available, historically reported reserves 

reduced by the amount of historical production, and 

company reported reserves. International minerals 

availability studies conducted by the U.S. Bureau of 

Mines before 1996 and estimates of identified resources 

by an international collaborative effort (the International 

Strategic Minerals Inventory) are the bases for some 

reserve estimates. The USGS collects information about 

the quantity and quality of mineral resources but does 

not directly measure reserves, and companies or 

governments do not directly report reserves to the 

USGS. Reassessment of reserves is a continuing 

process, and the intensity of this process differs for 

mineral commodities, countries, and time period.

Some countries have specific definitions for reserve 

data, and reserves for each country are assessed 

separately, based on reported data and definitions. An 

attempt is made to make reserves consistent among 

countries for a mineral commodity and its byproducts. 

For example, the Australasian Joint Ore Reserves 

Committee (JORC) established the Australasian Code 

for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources 

and Ore Reserves (the JORC Code) that sets out 

minimum standards, recommendations, and guidelines 

for public reporting in Australasia of exploration results, 

mineral resources, and ore reserves. Companies listed 

on the Australian Securities Exchange and the New 

Zealand Stock Exchange are required to report publicly 

on ore reserves and mineral resources under their 

control, using the JORC Code (http://www.jorc.org/).

Data reported for individual deposits by mining 

companies are compiled in Geoscience Australia’s 

national mineral resources database and used in the 

preparation of the annual national assessments of 

Australia’s mineral resources. Because of its specific 

use in the JORC Code, the term “reserves” is not used 

in the national inventory, where the highest category is 

“Economic Demonstrated Resources” (EDR). In 

essence, EDR combines the JORC Code categories 

proved reserves and probable reserves, plus measured 

resources and indicated resources. This is considered 

to provide a reasonable and objective estimate of what 

is likely to be available for mining in the long term.

Accessible Economic Demonstrated Resources 

represent the resources within the EDR category that 

are accessible for mining. Reserves for Australia in 

Mineral Commodity Summaries 2013 are Accessible 

EDR. For more information, see Australia’s Identified 

Mineral Resources 2011 (https://www.ga.gov.au/image_

cache/GA20563.pdf).

In Canada, the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, 

and Petroleum (CIM) provides standards for the 

classification of mineral resources and mineral reserves 

estimates into various categories. The category to which 

a resource or reserve estimate is assigned depends on 

the level of confidence in the geologic information 

available on the mineral deposit, the quality and quantity 

of data available on the deposit, the level of detail of the 

technical and economic information that has been 

generated about the deposit, and the interpretation of 

the data and information. For more information on the 

CIM definition standards, see http://web.cim.org/

UserFiles/File/CIM_DEFINITON_STANDARDS_Nov_20

10.pdf. 

Russian reserves for most minerals, which had been 

withheld, have been released with increasing frequency 

within the past few years and can appear in a number of 

sources, although no systematic list of Russian reserves 

is published. Russian reserve data for various minerals 

appear at times in journal articles, such as those in the 

journal Mineral’nye Resursy Rossii [Mineral Resources 

of Russia (MRR)], which is published by the Russian

Ministry of Natural Resources. Russian reserve data are 

often published according to the Soviet reserves 

classification system, which is still used in many 

countries of the former Soviet Union but also at times 

published according to the JORC system based on 

analyses made by Western firms. It is sometimes not 

clear if the reserves are being reported in ore or mineral 

content. It is also in many cases not clear which 

definition of reserves is being used, as the system 

inherited from the former Soviet Union has a number of 

ways in which the term reserves is defined, and these 

definitions qualify the percentage of reserves that are 

included. For example, the Soviet reserves classification 

system, besides the categories A, B, C1, and C2, which 

represent progressively detailed knowledge of a mineral 

deposit based on exploration data, has other 

subcategories cross-imposed upon the system. Under 

the broad category reserves (zapasy), there are 

subcategories that include balance reserves (economic 

reserves or balansovye zapasy) and outside the 

balance reserves (uneconomic reserves or 

zabalansovye zapasy), as well as categories that

include explored, industrial, and proven reserves, and 

the reserve totals can vary significantly depending on 

the specific definition of reserves being reported.
197

APPENDIX D

Country Specialists Directory

Minerals information country specialists at the U.S. Geological Survey collect and analyze information on the mineral 

industries of more than 170 nations throughout the world. The specialists are available to answer minerals-related 

questions concerning individual countries.

Africa and the Middle East

Algeria Mowafa Taib

Angola Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo

Bahrain Mowafa Taib

Benin Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo

Botswana Harold R. Newman

Burkina Faso Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo

Burundi Thomas R. Yager

Cameroon Harold R. Newman

Cape Verde Harold R. Newman

Central African Republic Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo

Chad Philip M. Mobbs

Comoros Harold R. Newman

Congo (Brazzaville) Philip M. Mobbs

Congo (Kinshasa) Thomas R. Yager

Côte d’Ivoire Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo

Djibouti Thomas R. Yager

Egypt Mowafa Taib

Equatorial Guinea Philip M. Mobbs

Eritrea Harold R. Newman

Ethiopia Thomas R. Yager

Gabon Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo

The Gambia Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo

Ghana Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo

Guinea Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo

Guinea-Bissau Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo

Iran Philip M. Mobbs

Iraq Mowafa Taib

Israel Thomas R. Yager

Jordan Mowafa Taib

Kenya Thomas R. Yager

Kuwait Philip M. Mobbs

Lebanon Mowafa Taib

Lesotho Harold R. Newman

Liberia Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo

Libya Mowafa Taib

Madagascar Thomas R. Yager

Malawi Thomas R. Yager

Mali Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo

Mauritania Mowafa Taib

Mauritius Harold R. Newman

Morocco & Western Sahara Harold R. Newman

Mozambique Thomas R. Yager

Namibia Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo

Niger Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo

Nigeria Philip M. Mobbs

Oman Mowafa Taib

Qatar Mowafa Taib

Reunion Harold R. Newman

Rwanda Thomas R. Yager

São Tomé & Principe Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo

Saudi Arabia Philip M. Mobbs

Senegal Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo

Seychelles Harold R. Newman

Sierra Leone Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo

Somalia Thomas R. Yager

South Africa Thomas R. Yager

South Sudan Thomas R. Yager

Sudan Thomas R. Yager

Swaziland Harold R. Newman

Syria Mowafa Taib

Tanzania Thomas R. Yager

Togo Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo

Tunisia Mowafa Taib

Turkey Philip M. Mobbs

Uganda Harold R. Newman

United Arab Emirates Mowafa Taib

Yemen Mowafa Taib

Zambia Philip M. Mobbs

Zimbabwe Philip M. Mobbs

Asia and the Pacific

Afghanistan Chin S. Kuo

Australia Pui-Kwan Tse

Bangladesh Yolanda Fong-Sam

Bhutan Lin Shi

Brunei Pui-Kwan Tse

Burma (Myanmar) Yolanda Fong-Sam

Cambodia Yolanda Fong-Sam

China Pui-Kwan Tse

East Timor Pui-Kwan Tse

Fiji Lin Shi

India Chin S. Kuo

Indonesia Chin S. Kuo

Japan Chin S. Kuo

Korea, North Lin Shi

Korea, Republic of Lin Shi

Laos Yolanda Fong-Sam

Malaysia Pui-Kwan Tse

Mongolia Susan Wacaster

Nauru Pui-Kwan Tse 

Nepal Lin Shi

New Caledonia Susan Wacaster

New Zealand Pui-Kwan Tse

Pakistan Chin S. Kuo

Papua New Guinea Susan Wacaster

Philippines Yolanda Fong-Sam

Singapore Pui-Kwan Tse

Solomon Islands Chin S. Kuo

Sri Lanka Chin S. Kuo

Taiwan Pui-Kwan Tse

Thailand Lin Shi

Tonga Chin S. Kuo

Vanuatu Chin S. Kuo

Vietnam Yolanda Fong-Sam

Europe and Central Eurasia

Albania Mark Brininstool

Armenia1 Elena Safirova

Austria2 Steven T. Anderson

Azerbaijan1 Elena Safirova
198

Europe and Central Eurasia—continued

Belarus1 Elena Safirova

Belgium2 Alberto A. Perez

Bosnia and Herzegovina Mark Brininstool

Bulgaria2 Mark Brininstool

Croatia Harold R. Newman

Cyprus2 Harold R. Newman

Czech Republic2 Steven T. Anderson

Denmark, Faroe Islands,

and Greenland2 Harold R. Newman

Estonia2 Alberto A. Perez

Finland2 Alberto A. Perez

France2 Alberto A. Perez

Georgia Elena Safirova

Germany2 Steven T. Anderson

Greece2 Harold R. Newman

Hungary2 Steven T. Anderson

Iceland Harold R. Newman

Ireland2 Alberto A. Perez

Italy2 Alberto A. Perez

Kazakhstan1 Mark Brininstool

Kosovo Mark Brininstool

Kyrgyzstan1 Elena Safirova

Latvia2 Alberto A. Perez

Lithuania2 Alberto A. Perez

Luxembourg2 Alberto A. Perez

Macedonia Mark Brininstool

Malta2 Harold R. Newman

Moldova1 Elena Safirova

Montenegro Harold R. Newman

Netherlands2 Alberto A. Perez

Norway Harold R. Newman

Poland2 Mark Brininstool

Portugal2 Alfredo C. Gurmendi 

Romania2 Alberto A. Perez

Russia1 Elena Safirova

Serbia Mark Brininstool

Slovakia2 Harold R. Newman

Slovenia2 Harold R. Newman

Spain2 Alfredo C. Gurmendi

Sweden2 Alberto A. Perez

Switzerland Harold R. Newman

Tajikistan1 Elena Safirova

Turkmenistan1 Elena Safirova

Ukraine1 Mark Brininstool

United Kingdom2 Alberto A. Perez

Uzbekistan1 Elena Safirova

North America, Central America, and the Caribbean

Belize Susan Wacaster

Canada Philip M. Mobbs 

Costa Rica Susan Wacaster

Cuba Susan Wacaster

Dominican Republic Susan Wacaster

El Salvador Susan Wacaster

Guatemala Susan Wacaster

Haiti Susan Wacaster

Honduras Susan Wacaster

Jamaica Susan Wacaster

Mexico Alberto A. Perez 

Nicaragua Susan Wacaster

Panama Susan Wacaster

Trinidad and Tobago Susan Wacaster

South America

Argentina Susan Wacaster

Bolivia Steven T. Anderson

Brazil Alfredo C. Gurmendi

Chile Steven T. Anderson

Colombia Susan Wacaster

Ecuador Susan Wacaster

French Guiana Alfredo C. Gurmendi

Guyana Alfredo C. Gurmendi

Paraguay Alfredo C. Gurmendi

Peru Alfredo C. Gurmendi

Suriname Alfredo C. Gurmendi

Uruguay Alfredo C. Gurmendi

Venezuela Alfredo C. Gurmendi

 1Member of Commonwealth of Independent States. 2Member of European Union.

Country specialist Telephone E-mail

Steven T. Anderson (703) 648–7744 sanderson@usgs.gov

Omayra Bermúdez-Lugo (703) 648–4946 obermude@usgs.gov

Mark Brininstool (703) 648–7798 mbrininstool@usgs.gov

Yolanda Fong-Sam (703) 648–7756 yfong-sam@usgs.gov

Alfredo C. Gurmendi (703) 648–7745 agurmend@usgs.gov

Chin S. Kuo (703) 648–7748 ckuo@usgs.gov

Philip M. Mobbs (703) 648–7740 pmobbs@usgs.gov

Harold R. Newman (703) 648–7742 hnewman@usgs.gov

Alberto A. Perez (703) 648–7749 aperez@usgs.gov

Elena Safirova (703) 648–7731 esafirova@usgs.gov

Lin Shi (703) 648–7994 lshi@usgs.gov

Mowafa Taib (703) 648–4986 mtaib@usgs.gov

Pui-Kwan Tse (703) 648–7750 ptse@usgs.gov

Susan Wacaster (703) 648–7785 swacaster@usgs.gov

Thomas R. Yager (703) 648–7739 tyager@usgs.gov