There has been no domestic production of bismuth since 1997, when the last refinery stopped producing it. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated world bismuth mine production at 4,560 tonnes in 1998, up more than 7 percent from the year before. Mexico, Peru, China, Bolivia and Canada are the main producers. Although not a primary producer, the United States exported 225 tonnes or so of bismuth metal, alloys and scrap into world markets in 1998, down about 10 percent from 1997, according to U.S. Bureau of the Census figures. The major importers of U.S. bismuth materials were Belgium, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom.
USGS figures indicate that U.S. demand for bismuth is strong and is continuing to grow.
Domestic consumption of bismuth rose almost 33 percent in 1998 to 1,800 tonnes from 1,530 tonnes the year before, with U.S. imports of the metal reaching an estimated 2,700 tonnes, up 12 percent from 1997. Pharmaceutical and chemical industries accounted for about 48 percent of that consumption. Bismuth compounds have been a popular treatment of stomachaches, ulcers and venereal diseases for over 150 years, according to the Bismuth Institute. Other uses include cancer and burn therapy, antiseptics, ointments and cosmetics. Medical researchers are constantly searching for new applications for the nontoxic metal.