Other potential domestic sources include byproduct recovery from molybdenum or tungsten processing, although most of these domestic reserves are subeconomic. World reserves of bismuth are usually associated with lead deposits, except in China and Korea, where bismuth is found with tungsten ores, and Australia, where it is found with copper-gold ores. Bismuth minerals rarely occur in sufficient quantities to be mined as principal products, except in Bolivia and possibly China. Titanium dioxide-coated mica flakes and fish scale extracts are substitutes in pigment uses. Indium can replace bismuth in low-temperature solders.
Resins can replace bismuth alloys in holding jigs for machining.
Glycerine-filled glass bulbs replace bismuth alloys as a triggering device for fire sprinklers. Selenium, tellurium, or lead could replace bismuth in free machining alloys. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. See Appendix C for definitions.