Document 8254qaqvwpM9B3aw2Y6OrymGo

TALe AND PYROPHYLLITE By Robert L. Virta CAM-299 Domestic survey data and tables were prepared by Raymand L Eldridge m, statistical asslst.ant, and the world prodaclioa table was prepared by GIeaa J. Wallace, intematicmal data coordinator. In 2004, production oftalc increased to 857,000 metric tons (t) valued at $23.3 million from 840,000 t valued at $22.7 million in 2003 (table I). Domestic sales decreased to 838,000 t valued at $74 million from 845,000 t valued at $75.2 million in 2003. Exports increased to 202,000 t in 2004 from 192,000 t in 2003. hnports decreased to an estimated 226,000 tin 2004 from 237,000 t in 2003. U.S. apparent consumption decreased to 881,000 t in 2004 from 885,000 t in 2003. World production oftalc and pyrophyllite was 8.32 million metric tons (Mt). Production and sales ofpyrophyllite increased in 2004 relative to 2003; data are concealed to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. The mineral talc is a hydrous magnesium silicate. A massive talcose rock is called steatite, and an impure massive variety is known as soapstone. Talc is used commercially because of its fragnmce retention, luster, purity, softness, and whiteness. Other commercially important properties oftalc are its chemical inertness, high-dielectric strength, high-thermal conductivity, low electrical conductivity, and oil and grease adsorption. The major markets for talc are ceramics, paint, paper, and plastics. Pyrophyllite is a hydrous aluminum silicate with a structure similar to talc. Such properties as chemical inertness, high dielectric strength, high melting point, and low electrical conductivity make it useful for ceramic and refractory applications. I-egisJatioa aad Goverament Programs In 2004, the U.s. Department ofDefense authorized the disposal of 900 t ofblock and lump talc and 988 t of ground talc, which was the entire uncommitted inventory, from the National Defense Stockpile. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a call for public comments on the possible inclusion of cosmetic and occupational talc in the 12th edition ofthe, "Report on Carcinogens." The National Toxicology Program panel was considering talc for study because some epidemiological studies suggested that there was an increased risk of ovarian cancer with certain cosmetic talc uses and an increased risk of cancer among workers exposed to talc under an occupational setting (U.s. Department ofHealth and Human Services, 2004). A study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) determined that geologic setting is a good indicator as to whether or not amphibole asbestos may be present in a talc deposit. Talc deposits, formed when siliceous hydrothermal fluids altered dolostone, generally did not contain amphiboles or their content was negligible. Talc deposits formed by contact or regional metamorphism consistently contained amphiboles, many of which could be asbestiform. This relation between mode of formation and amphibole content is useful as a screening tool when evaluating talc deposits for their potential to contain asbestos minerals (Van Gosen and others, 2004). Production Talc.-Domestic production data were obtained through a voluntary survey ofU.S. miuing companies conducted by the USGS. Survey forms were sent to 10 companies that mined talc. Responses were received from eight companies. Data for nonrespondents were estimated from reported prioryear data adjusted according to employment and consuming industry trends as well as data obtained from associated milling operations. Responses accounted for approximately 60% of the production data presented in table I. In 2004, 8 companies operating 10 mines in 6 States mined soapstone, steatite, and talc. All were open pit miuing operations. The producers, in decreasing order ofproduction, were Luzenac America Inc., Wold Talc Co., Barrett's Minerals Inc. (a subsidiary ofMinerals Technologies Inc.), Gouverneur Talc Co., Milwhite Inc., Suzorite Mineral Products Inc. (a subsidiary ofZemex Corp.), CaiTaic Co., and Steatite of Southern Oregon. New World Stone Co., Nelson County, VA, and Standard Industrials Minerals Inc., Inyo County, CA, did not mine in 2004 but worked from stockpiles. The four leading domestic producers collectively accounted for more than 75% of the U.S. tonnage mined. In 2004, U.S. mine production increased to 857,000 t valued at $23.3 million compared with 840,000 t valued at $22.7 million in 2003 (tables 1, 2). Production increased in Califoruia, Montana, New York, and Texas. Montana led all States in the tonnage and value oftalc produced, followed by Texas, Vermont, New York, California, and Oregon. Mines operating in Montana, New York, Texas, and Vermont accounted for nearly all domestic talc production. Luzenac America consolidated production of its personal care talc products at its Houston, TX, milling operation following closure of its West Windsor, VT, mill. Investments made by Luzenac will enable the Houston plant to mill talc for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications (Industrial Minerals, 2004b). ~phyllite.-Domestic production data were acquired through a voluntary USGS survey of the three U.S. companies that mined pyrophyllite. Two companies responded to the survey; the remaining data were estimated from reported prioryear data adjusted according to ernployment and consuming industry trends. Data are concealed to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. Piedmont Minerals Co. Inc. and Standard Mineral Co. Inc. operated three mines in North Carolina. Standard Industrial Minerals Inc. operated one mine in Califoruia. Production of pyrophyllite increased slightly from that of2003. TALC AND PYROPHYLLITE-2004 75.1 Consumption Domestic consumption data for talc and pyrophyllite were developed by the USGS from a voluntary survey ofU.S. mills. Survey fonns were sent to II companies operating 13 mills in 6 States for talc and 3 companies operating 3 mills in 2 States for pyrophyllite. Ten respondents accounted for 70% of the talc data presented in table 3. The remaining data were estimated from reported prior-year data adjusted according to employment and consuming industry trends. One pyrophyllite producer responded. Talc.-Producers reported that 838,000 t of talc valued at $74 million was sold, used, or exported in 2004, a decrease from 845,000 t valued at $75.2 million in 2003 (table 1). Domestic sales by U.S. producers decreased to 688,000 t in 2004 from 718,000 t in 2003. Talc was sold domestically for ceramics (sanitaryware and tiles), paint, other (unspecified) applications, paper, roofing, plastics, rubber, and cosmetics, in decreasing order of consumption (table 3). Loss of sales for cosmetics applications accounted for a significant portion of the overall decline in domestic sales in 2004 with smaller losses in paint and plastic markets. Sales oftalc to manufacturers ofpaint, roofing, and tile generally are tied to the housing industry. Construction starts for new privately owned housing increased to 1.96 million units in 2004 from 1.85 million units in 2003 (U.S. Census Bureau, 20051). Shipments of architectural paint (the major paint market for talc) increased to 3.13 billion liters (826 million gallons) from 2.93 billion liters (773 million gallons) in 2003 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2005). Ceramic tile is a major market for talc, and U.S. producers must sell their talc into a market that competes with imported ceramic tile. The U.S. International Trade Commission reported that imports of ceramic tile under Harmonized TariffSchedule codes 6907.10.00, 6908.10.10, 6908.10.20, and 6908.10.50 increased to 29.2 million square meters valued at $198 million in 2004 from 26.8 million square meters valued at $180 million in 2003 (U.S. International Trade Commission,2005). Most ofthe 226,000 t of imported talc listed in table 6 was not included in the domestic end-use data listed in table 3. An estimated end-use breakdown of sales of imports in 2004 based on data on countries of origin, ports of entry, regional enduse patterns, and current domestic markets is plastics, 90,000 t; cosmetics, 42,000 t; paint, 36,000 t; unknown, 27,000 t; ceramics and refractory products, 17,000 t; paper, 10,000 t; and rubber, 4,000 t. Pyrophyllite.-In 2004, domestic consumption of pyrophyllite increased slightly from that of 2003; data are concealed to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. Pyrophyllite was used in refractory products, ceramics, paint, unspecified applications, insecticides, and rubber in decreasing order of consumption. Markets remained relatively unchanged in 2004. Ceramic and refractory uses accounted for more than 70% of domestic pyrophyllite sales. lReferences that include a section mark () are found in the Internet References Cited section. 75.2 Prices The unit value of crude talc was estimated to be $27 per metric ton. Most ofthe talc sold in the United States was sold ouly after crushing and grinding. Following sorting to remove waste, primary crushing, and screening, the unit value of the unmilled talc probably would be in the range of $50 to $60 per ton at the mill. The average reported unit value ofprocessed talc was $88 per ton, a slight decrease from $89 per ton in 2003. The average unit values of crude and processed pyrophyllite were essentially unchanged from those of 2003. The average free alongside ship unit value for exports of unmilled talc was $207 per ton, a decrease from $310 per ton in 2003. The large unit values in 2003 and 2004 probably reflect the inclusion of some small shipments of finished products, such as body powders or sculpting-grade talc, whose values exceeded $1,000 per ton, as well as milled talc products under this export code. The unit value for milled talc exports was $196 per ton in 2004, a decrease from $206 per ton in 2003. The unit value of all exports was $196 per ton in 2004 compared with $204 per ton in 2003. The average customs unit value for imports was $128 per ton for unground talc, a decline from $134 per ton in 2003. The average customs value for ground talc was estimated to be $294 per ton compared with $198 per ton in 2003. The differences in unit values between 2003 and 2004 reflects the inclusion of several low-tonnage, high-value shipments that exceeded $2,000 per ton (probably representing packaged talc products) and the slightly greater values at most ground talc imports. The average customs value was $874 per ton for cut or sawed talc. The unit value for all talc imports was $259 per ton in 2004 compared with $225 per ton in 2003. Prices for talc ranged from $92 to $440 per ton (table 4). Prices for pyrophyllite from the Republic ofKorea, free on board port, were $59 to $65 per ton for fiber glass and refractory manufacturing, $27 to $44 per ton for ceramic grade, and $110 to $115 per ton for filler grade. The price for filler grades from Australia was $342 per ton (Industrial Minerals, 2004c). Quoted prices should be used ouly as a guideline because actual prices depend on the tenns ofthe contract between seller and buyer. Prices for talc used in some applications increased in 2004. Luzenac America announced that increased costs ofproduction at its Houston mill and the increased cost ofimporting Chinese talc were contributing factors in the decision to increase the price oftalc for personal care products (Industrial Minerals, 2004b). Zemex Industrial Minerals Inc. announced that it would increase prices on its talc products because of increased energy, labor, and raw materials costs (Industrial Minerals, 2004d). Foreign Trade Talc exports increased in tonnage to 202,000 t valued at $39.6 million in 2004. Canada, with 102,000 t, was the leading importer of talc from the United States; followed by Mexico, 16,700 t; China, 10,300 t; Belgium, 9,380 t; and Japan, 6,950 t (table 5). Much of the talc exported to Mexico was shipped to U.S. affiliates operating across the Mexican border and was u.s. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK-2004 not reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. Total talc exported to Mexico in 2004, including shipments to U.S. affiliates, exceeded 50,OOOt Talc imports reported by the U.S. Census Bureau decreased in tonnage to 226,000 t valued at $58.4 million in 2004. China was the leading source for imported talc (123,000 t), followed by Canada (84,200 t) (table 6). About 203,000 t ofthe talc imported into the United States was crode or milled. A little more than 106,000 t entered the United States through the customs district ofNew Orleans, LA. Nearly all was imported from China. The next leading customs district was Detroit, MI, with imports of 45,100 t (nearly all from Canada). These two port districts accounted for 67% of the tonnage of U.S. talc imports in 2004. World Review World production oftalc and pyrophyllite was estimated to be 8.32 mt in 2004, unchanged from that of2003. China was the world's leading producer oftalc, followed by the United States, India, Brazil (erode), and France (erode). The Republic of Korea was the leading producer ofpyrophyllite, followed by Japan and Brazil. Brazil, China, France, India, Japan, the Republic ofKorea, and the United States produced 84% of the world's talc and pyrophyllite (table 7). Japan.-Luzenac Group finalized its acqnisition of additional shares in Nihon Mistron Co. Ltd., Suzuka City, Japan. Luzenac increased its share of Nihon to 60% from 20%, thereby giving it management control of the talc processing operation. Luzenac jointly owns the Nihon plant with Toyota Tsusho Corp. and Sobue Group. The plant processes 30,000 to 40,000 metric tons per year (tJyr) oftalc each year from Luzenac's Three Springs mine in Australia. The processed talc is sold to the paint, paper, and polymer industries. Japan is Luzenac's largest Asian market (Industrial Minerals, 2004b; Mining Engineering, 2004). Major markets for talc in Japan are paper and plastics. These markets use more than 80% of the 500,000 tJyr of talc used in Japan. Most of the talc is supplied through imports, as domestic production is 50,000 t/yr. The polymer industry offers the greatest potential for growth in Japan as automobile manufactorers plan to increase the use ofplastic components. Markets for talc in paper have declined in recent years in Japan. This declioe paralleled the decrease in paper production associated with a downtorn in the Japanese economy in the mid 1990s. Talc imports from China for paper applications declined to less than 450,000 t in 2003 from 600,000 t in 1995 (Industrial Minerals, 2004a). Outlook Based on current trends, U.S. mining and sales oftalc are expected to remain relatively steady for the next few years. Talc imports increased dramatically between 1985 and 2000 but have leveled off in the past few years. China was the major source for the increasing talc imports in the 1990s. However, the repeal of an 8% tax rebate on talc exports by the Chinese Govermnent and increased freight rates for Chinese vessels probably will have a moderating effect on these imports (Industrial Minerals, 2004b). With the continning constroction boom for residential and commercial buildings, sales oftalc for such construction-related applications as adhesives, ceramics, joint compounds, paint, and roofing applications will probably remain steady. The quantity of talc used in plastics will probably increase as the volume of plastics used in consumer products increases. Ifthe value of the U.S. dollar continues to declioe relative to other currencies, export markets may improve slightly. No major changes are anticipated in the pyrophyllite markets in the near futore. Ret'en!ac:es Cited Industrial Minerals, 2004a, Japanese talc goes full throttle: Industrial Minerals, no. 436, January, p. 2224. Industrial Minerals, 2004b, Luzenac increases profile in Japan: Industrial Minerals, no. 436, January, p. 14. Industrial Minerals, 2004c, Prices: Industrial Minerals, no. 447. December, p. 7273. Industrial Minerals, 2004d, Zemex to push prices for new year: Industrial Minerals, no. 447, December, p. 18. Mining Engineering, 2004, Luzenac increases its stake in the Japanese talc market: Minlllg Engineering, v. 56, 00. 4, April, p. 10. U.S. Census Bureau, 2005, Pam~ varnish, and I""I=-Foorth quarter 2004: U.S. Census Bureau MQ325F(04)4, April, 3 p. U.S. Deparbnent ofHcalth and Human Services, 2004, National Toxicology Program: Fodera! Register, v. 69, no. 205, October 25, p. 62276-62279. Van Gosen, B.S., Lowers, H.A., Sutley, S.J., and Gent, C.A., 2004, Using the geologic setting of talc deposits as an indicator of amphibole asbestos content: Environmental Geology, v. 45, no. 7, May, p. 920-939. Internet Refennc:es Cited U.s. Census Bureau, 2005, New privately owned housing units started, accessed April 12, 2005, at URL http://www.census.gov/cons1Jstartsan.pdf. U.S. International Trade Commission, 2005, Interactive tariff and trade dataweb, accessed April 20, 2005, via URL http://dataweb.usitc.gov. GENERAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION u.s. Geological Survey PobUcatioos Greene, R.C., 1995, Talc resources of the conterminous United States. Open-File Report OF 95-586. Talc. Cb. in United States Mineral Resources, Professional Paper 820, 1973. Talc and Pyrophyllite. Ch. in Mineral Commodity Summaries, annual. U.S. Talc-Baby Powder and Much More. Fact Sheet FS-06500,2000. Other Ceramic Industry. Engineering and Mining Journal. Mining Engineering. Paint and Coatings Industry. Talc and Pyrophyllite. Ch. in Mineral Facts and Problems, U.S. Bureau ofMines Bulletin 675, 1985. The Talc Industry-An Overview. U.S. Bureau of Mines Information Circular 9220, 1989. TALC AND PYROPHYLLITE-2004 75.3 TABLE I SALIENT TALC AND PYROPHYLLITE STATISTICS! (Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars) 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 United States: Mine production, crude: Quantity: Talc 851 863 828 840 r 857 Pyrophyllite WWWWW Value: Talc 22,300 19,500 22,200 22,700 r 23,300 Pyrophyllite WWWWW Sold hy prodocers, crude and I":ocesscd: Quantity: Talc 821 784 764 r 84!;r 838 Pyrophyllite WWWWW Value: Talc 96,100 84,800 75,000 r 75,200 ' 74,000 Pyrophyllite Exoortsl talc:2 Quantit,r WWWWW 154 137 166 192 202 Value 32,800 28,800 35,700 39,100 39,600 Imports for consumption: Quantity 270 180 232 237 226 Value 42,500 35,800 A~arent consumution3 967 906 World, productioo 8,730 r 9,060 r '=Estimated. 'Revised. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. 52,700 894 7,810 r 53,500 885 ' 8,320 r 58,400 881 8,320 e IDala are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. ~cludes powders--talcum (in package), face, and compact. 3Production plus imports minus exports plus adjustments in Government and industry stock. Does not include pyrophyllite. TABLE 2 CRUDE TALC PRODUCED IN THE UNITED STATES, BY STATE' (Thousand me1ric tons and thousand dollars) 2003' 2004 State Quantity Value Quantity Value Texas WW WW Other' 840 22,700 857 23,300 Total 840 22,700 857 23,300 rRevised. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. IData are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 2Includes Montana, New Yark, Oregon, Texas, and Vermont. 75.4 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK-2004 TABLE 3 END USES FOR GROUND TALCl (Thousand metric tons) 2003 2004 Ceramics 223 Cosmetics 5 Insecticides Paint 131 Paper 110 Plastics 31 30 Refractories Roofing 41 40 Rubber 18 21 129 Total 688 rRevised. -- Zero. lData are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 2Inc1udes art sculpture, asphalt filler. auto body filler. cons1ruction caulks, flooring, joint compounds, and other uses not specified. TABLE 4 PRICES OF TALC (Dollars per metric ton) New York: Paint: 200 mesh 400 mesh Ceramic: 200 mesh 325 mesh Indian, cosmetic-grade Chinese, normal (ex-store): UK 200 mesh UK 350 mesh Price 126 210 92 115 190-195 391-438 403-440 Source: Industrial Minerals, December 2004. TALC AND PYROPHYLLITE-2004 75.5 TABLES U.S. EXPORTS OF TALCl.' (Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars) 2003 2004 CountIy Quantity ValueJ Quantity ValueJ Belgium 10 2,840 9 1,930 Canada' 72 14,400 102 14,000 Germany 7 1,310 4 1,120 Japan 5 1,260 7 1,510 Mexico 24 2,720 17 2,750 Singapore Other' 4 1,220 70 15,400 5 1,460 58 16,800 Total 192 39,100 202 39,600 1Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 'Excludes powders-talcum (in package), face, and compact. 'Free alongside ship. 'Frobably includes shipments in transit through Canadian ports. 'rncludes 62 countries in 2003 and 60 countries in 2004. Source: U.S. Census Bureau. TABLE 6 U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF TALC, BY COUNTRyl Not crushed or powdered Crushed or powdered Cut and sawed Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value CountIy (metric toes) (thousands) (metric toes) (1bousands) (metric toes) (1bousands) 2003: Brazil 3 $5 130 $27 268 $235 Canada 5 14 66,900 17,500 13,400 10,300 China 100,000 13,400 11,900 1,750 1,900 1,780 France 894 1,820 3,020 3,290 Japan Other' 3,550 864 35 41 36 57 34,300 1.440 521 1,020 Total 100,000 13,400 118,000 23,400 19,200 16,700 2004: Brazil 28 11 68 14 755 764 Canada 8 7 66,700 18,400 17,500 13,600 China 119,000 15,500 1,440 447 2,030 1,900 France 1,120 1,100 1,460 1,650 Japan Other' 6,070 5,670 830 528 2,400 1,990 55 89 687 1,610 Total 126,000 16,000 77,400 22,700 22,500 19,700 -- Zero. IData are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. lncludes 22 countries in 2003 and 21 countries in 2004. Total unmanufactured Quantity Value (metric toes) (1bousands) 401 80,400 114,000 3,920 3,590 34,900 237,000 $267 27,800 16,900 5,110 905 2,520 53,500 847 84,200 123,000 2,580 5,730 9,160 226,000 789 32,000 17,900 2,750 919 4,130 58,400 Source: U.S. Census Bureau. 75.6 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK-2004 TABLE 7 TALC AND PYROPHYLLlTE: WORLD PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY AND PRODUCTl,2 (Metric tons) Ccuntry' Argentina: Pyrophyllite Steatitee Talc Australia:4 Pyrophyllite Talc Austria, soapstone and talc, crude' Bhutan, talee Brazil: Pyrophyllite, crude Talc: Crude Marketable product6 Canada, pyrophyllite, soapstone, talc Chile, talc China, unspecifiede Colombia, pyrophrllite, soa~tone, talc E2YP1:. pyrop!!Illite, so~stone. steatite, talee Fnwnce,talc,cnwdee German},:, steatite and talc, marketable' Hungary, talcC: India:e Pyrophyllite Steatite Iran. taleC: 7 Italy. steatite and talce Japan: Pyrophyllite Talc Korea, North, unspecified Korea, Republic of: Pyrophyllite Talc Macedonia, talc Mexico, talc Morocco Nepal, talc' NorwaL so~stone! steatite, talee Pakistan, pyrophyllite Paraguay, pyroph;y:llite, soapstone, talct! Peru: Pyrophyllitee Talc Portugal, talce Romania, talc Russia, talce Slovakia, talc South Africa: Pyrophyllite Talc S~ain, steatite and talce Sweden, soapstone and talc See footnotes at end of table. 2000 3,877 300 6,730 1,727 178,545 130,000 ' 3,700 2001 2,155 r 300 1,665 r 1,500 co 173,446 140,000 3,800 2002 1,770 r 300 1,643 r 868 173,741 135,000 3,900 2003 1,894 I 300 1,759 r 1,000 co 174,000 co 135,000 3,900 2004' 1,900 300 I,SOO 1,000 173,000 135,000 3,900 150,000 189,500 200,000 200,000 co 200,000 300,000 7,049 86,000 2,421 3,500,000 15,000 40,000 350,000 8,000 500 397,000 r 6,300 90,000 4,177 3,500,000 15,000 40,000 350,000 10,000 500 348,000 r 5,617 90,000 ' 3,537 2,500,000 r 15,000 40,000 350,000 10,000 500 365,000 r 5,593 r 90,000 ' 4,374 r 3,000,000 r 15,000 40,000 350,000 10,000 500 370,000 5,600 90,000 4,400 3,000,000 15,000 40,000 350,000 10,000 500 85,000 545,000 r 25,000 140,000 86,000 546,000 r 25,000 140,000 85,000 550,000 25,000 140,000 86,000 r 552,000 25,000 140,000 86,000 550,000 30,000 140,000 692,998 50,000 120,000 623,097 45,000 120,000 600,000 e 40,000 110,000 600,000 co 40,000 co 110,000 550,000 35,000 110,000 917,973 11,344 562 r 20,569 12,522 5,852 27,000 54,365 200 1,101,825 47,712 557 r 77,650 27,246 3,923 27,000 55,000 co 200 889,961 37,863 550 r 111,621 I 39,612 2,621 28,000 57,500 200 912,285 47,911 r 550 I 114,870 r 1,959 r 2,500 28,000 55,000 e 200 910,000 48,000 600 115,000 2,000 2,400 28,000 55,000 200 8,000 9,668 8,200 7,850 100,000 1,800 8,000 11,165 8,200 7,270 100,000 2,600 8,000 10,685 8,200 7,292 100,000 2,290 12,296 .,' 10,791 r 8,200 10,082 r 100,000 1,000 r 12,300 10,000 8,000 10,000 100,000 1,500 11,989 5,600 100,000 20,000 e 14,386 3,218 100,000 15,000 15,587 2,511 100,000 15,000 13,968 4,472 100,000 15,000 28,481 ' 12,065 ' 100,000 14,000 TALC AND PYROPHYLLITE-2004 75.7 TABLE 7--Continued TALC AND PYROPHYLLITE: WORLD PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY AND PRODUCT!' 2 (Metric tons) Taiwan, talc Counttv' 2000 2001 130 2002 27 2003 466 r 2004e 411 5 Thailand: Pyrophyllite 46,011 59,602 103,496 73,556 r 74,000 Talc 7,390 6,838 1,702 8,501 r 8,500 Turkey 54,278 883 98 Uganda, soapstone 500 1,000 9,000 United Kin~om, pyrophyllite, s08Estone, talco 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 United States: Pyrophyllite Talc W 851,000 W 863,000 W 828,000 W 840,000 r W 857,000 5 Uruguay, pyrophyllite, soapstone, talc Zimbabwe, talc 2,903 989 1,694 1,273 1,700 co 911 1,700 r,. 196 r 1,700 Grand tota1 8,730,000 r 9,060,000 r 7,810,000 r 8,320,000 r 8,320,000 O f which: Pyrophyllite 1,970,000 2,140,000 1,960,000 1,960,000 r 1,920,000 Steatite 545,000 r 546,000 r 550,000 r 552,000 r 550,000 Talc 1,950,000 ' 2,140,000 ' 2,070,000 r 2,120,000 r 2,150,000 Unspecified 4,260,000 4,230,000 3,230,000 r 3,690,000 r 3,700,000 ~timated. raevised. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; not included in "Total.n - Zero. IWorW totals, U.S. data, and estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 'Table includes data available through April 19, 2005. b addition to the countries listed, Nigeria may produce talc, but information is inadequate to estimate output. 40ata based on Australian fiscal year ending June 30 ofyear stated. 'Reported figure. 'Direct salea and/or beneficiated (marketable product). 7D8ta based on Iranian fiscal year beginning March 21 afyear stated. SOato based on Nepalese fiscal year beginning mid-July ofyear stated 75.8 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK-2004