Document MZgrboqwZOJYevrj1y04xELj

CAM-298 TALC AND PYROPHYLLITE By Robert L. Virta The mineral talc is a hydrous magnesium silicate. A massive talcose rock is called steatite and an impure massive variety is referred to as soapstone. Talc is used commercially because of its softness, purity, fragrance retention, whiteness, luster, moisture content, oil and grease adsmption, chemical inertness, low electrical conductivity, high dielectric strength, and high thermal conductivity. Major markets for talc include ceramics, paint, and paper. Pyrophyllite is a hydrous aluminum silicate with a s1ructure similar to talc. Properties such as softness, whiteness, chemical inertness, high melting point, low electrical conductivity, and high dielectric strength malre pyrophyllite useful fur ceramic and refractory applications. Domestic production and sales data for talc and pyrophyllite are developed hy the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) from a voluntary survey of U.S. mines and mills. Survey forms were sent to 15 companies. Twelve companies that account for approximately 95% of the domestic production responded to the survey. Production data fur the nonrespondents were estimated from reported prior-year production levels adjusted hy trends in the industry and other guidelines. (See table 1.) Legislation and Government Programs The Mine Safuy and Health Administration (MSHA) continued to review its proposed revisions to its air quality, chemical substances, and respiratory protection standards. The proposed permissible 8-hour time-weighted average exposure limit is 2.5 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m') of air for talc (containing no asbestos), 3 mg/m' for respirable soapstone, and 6 mg/m' for total soapstone dust. The nonasbestiform varieties of tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite would be covered under the proposed respirable mine dust standard. l MSHA continued reviewing its proposed rule that would create a hazard commonication standard. Mine operators would be required to provide information to their employees through labeling, material safety data sheets, and employee training if hazardous chemicals were produced or used on the premises. Production Talc--Twelve companies operating 16 mines in 7 States produced talc, soapstone, and steatite. These companies generally were structured to cover all aspects of talc production, from mining to processing. Ouly a fi:w companies hired custom grinders to mill the ore. The largest domestic producers, ranked in decreasing order, were Luzenac America Inc., Gouverneur Talc Co., Barretts Minerals Inc., and Dal Minerals. U.S. mine production of erude talc was 935,000 tons, valued at $30.4 million in 1994. (See tables 1 and 2.) Production in Montana and New York increased while that of California, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia decreased. Mines that operated in Montana, New York, Texas, and Vormont accounted fur 96% ofdomestic talc production. Montana led all States in the tounage and value of talc produced, fullowed by Texas, Vermont, New York, California, Virginia, and Oregon, in decreasing order ofproduction. Luzenac America Inc. purchased Montana Talc Co., a subsidiary ofCostain PLC. Luzenac America closed Montana Talc's mine bot will continue to operate the mill at Sappington, MT.2 Zernex Corp. (Canads) purchased the Pioneer Talc Co. talc mining and milling operation in Van Horn, Texas. Pioneer Talc was owned hy Whittaker, Clark, and Daniels Inc.3 PyrophylUte.-Pyrophyllite was mined by two companies operating three mines in North Carolina and one company operating one mine in California. U.S. mine production of crude pyrophyllite increased 20% from that of 1993. Consumption Talc--Dornestic producers reported that overall sales (including exports hy producers) was 923,000 tons, valued at $116 million in 1994. (See table 1.) Domestic markets fur talc were in ceramics (pottery, sanitaryware, tiles, etc.), paint, paper, plastics, roofing, cosmetics, robber, insecticides, and refractories, in decreasing order ofconsumption. (See table 3.) Consumption oftalc in ceramics and paper increased slightly from that of 1993. The cosmetic and paint markets remained stable. Small decreases were reported fur insecticide and rubber markets. The use oftalc in plastics continued to grow, with consumption approaching levels last observed in 1990. A large decrease was reported fur roofing applications, where competition from competing minerals affected the markets. Approximately 97,000 tons of talc were reported under the "Other" category by respondents. Ofthis amount, 8,000 tons were used in automobile body fillers, food or medicines, and sculpture media and 70,000 tons were used in caulks, joint compounds, paint, and putties, and vinyl sheet and tile flooring. Approximately 19,000 tons of talc were used in applications that were not identified by respondents. More than 90"10 ofthe data presented in table 3 was reported hy the companies, the remainder was estimated from reported prior-year data adjusted according to industry trends. An additional 155,000 tons of imported talc were not included in the end- use breakdown shown in table 3. The imported talc was porcbased primarily hy mineral brokers who do not participate in the USBM survey. A large percentage ofthe imported talc was believed to have been used in plastics. Imports amount to 17% ofthe total domestic consomption. Pyrophyllite.-Domestic consumption of pyrophyllite increased 20% from that of 1993. The largest portion of domestically produced ground pyrophyllite was used in ceramics, fullowed hy refractories, paint, plastics, insecticides, and rubber, in decreasing order of consumption. Prices Talc prices varied depending on the quality and on the degree and method of processing. The unit value of crude talc based on data reported hy producers was $33 per ton. The average reported unit value of prucessed talc was $126 per ton. The average unit value of crude and processed pyrophyllite was essentially unchanged from that of1993. Unit values fur imported erude and ground talc ranged from $42 per ton to $815 per ton fur shipmeots exceeding 100 tons. Unit values for cut or sawed talc ranged from $416 per ton to $805 per ton fur shipments exceeding 100 tons. The average unit value for all shipments, I including those of 100 tons or less, was $80 per the purchase of Finnminerals Oy by United ton for crude talc; $82 per ton for ground talc; Paper Mills and expansion of Haicheng Talc and $1,172 per ton for cut or sawed talc. The Mines Co.'s operations in Liaoning province. average unit value for cut or sawed talc was extremely high because ofthe large number of Outlook low tonnage.high value shipments made during the year. The average unit value fur all Domestic consumption of talc should grow imported talc was $96 per ton. slowly as the economy improves. Cerantics will Unit values for exported talc ranged from continue to be the major domestic end use for $71 per ton to $499 per ton for shipments talc, fullowed by paper, paint, roofing, plastics, exceeding 100 tons and averaged $180 per ton and cosmetics, in descending order. For fur unground talc and $195 per ton fur ground pyrophyllite, the major domestic end uses will talc. The average value for all exported talc was continue to be in ceramics and refractories. $194 per ton fur all exports. The unit values fur the crude and unground talc categories fur imports and exports were greater than expected 'Federal Register. Mine Safety and Health because of several low tonnage-high value ($237 to $5,000 per ton) shipments made during the year. These shipments were probably sculpture-grade steatite, surfacetreated talc, and/or talcum powder products. Ptices, quoted by the American Paint & Coatings Journal, December 28, 1994, in U.S. Administration. Air Quality, Chemical Substances, and Respiratory Protection Standards. V. 56, No. 39, Feb. 27,1991, pp. 8168-8171. 2Montana Standard (Bozeman). Luzenac Buys, Then Closes, Talc Mine. May 26, 1994, p. I. 'Cbemical Marketing Reporter. Talc Purchase Completed. V. 246, No. 25, Dec. 19, 1994, p. 7. dollars per mettic ton fur paint-grade talc in OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION carload lots ranged from $99 to $220. Approximate equivalents, in dollars per mettic u.S. Bureau or MInes Publications ton, of plice ranges quoted in Industtial Minerals (London), December 1994, for talc, c.i.f. main European ports, ranged from $92 to $330. (See table 4.) Quoted plices should be used only as a guideline because they depend on the terms ofthe contract between seller and buyer. Talc and Pyrophyllite. Ch. in Mineral Facts & Problems, 1985. Talc and Pyrophyllite. Ch. in Mineral Connnodity Summaries, annual. (Also available by FaxBack by dialing 202-2193644 and ordering document 650395). Talc and Pyrophyllite. Ch. in Mineral Foreign Trade Yearbook, annual. Talc exports increased 14% in tonnage from 135,000 tons to 154,000 and 10% in value from $27.2 millinn to $29.8 million. Canada was the largest importer of talc, followed by Mexico, Talc and Pyrophyllite. Directory of Companies Mining Talc and Pyrophyllite in the United Stales in 1994. (Also available by FaxBack by dialing 202-219-3644 and ordering docornent 650294). Belgium-Luxembourg, Japan, the Republic of Korea (7,637 tons), and Germany (5,475 tons). (See table 5.) Talc imports increased 55% in tonnage from 100,000 tons to 155,000 tons and Information Circular 9220, 1989. Other Sources Company annual reports. Industtial Minerals, monthly. increased 38% in value from $10.8 million to Engineering and Mining Journal, monthly. $14.9 million. Canada, China, and Japan Mining Engineering, monthly. supplied 85% ofall talc imports. (See table 6.) Mining Journal (London), monthly. Most ofthe talc imported from Japan was likely to have been transshipments from other Southeast Asian countries. World Review China is the world's largest producer of talc, fullowed by the United States and Finland, in decreasing order ofproduction. Japan was the 1argest producer ofpyrophyllite, followed by the Republic of Korea and Brazil. China, Japan, and the United States produced 55% of the world's talc and pyrophyllite. (See table 7.) Among the activities taking place in 1994 was 2 TABLE I SALIENT TALC AND PYROPHYLLITE STATISTICS 1/ (Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars) 1990 1991 1992 1993 United States: Mine prodoctioo. crude: Talc 1,190 1,040 997 968 Pvroohvllite 82 W W W Total 1,270 1,040 997 968 Value Talc $31,100 $32,100 $31,300 $27,800 Pvroohvllite WWWW Total $31100 $32100 $31300 $27800 Sold hv producers, crude and processed: Talc 1,020 864 817 900 Pvroohvllite 80 W W W Total 1100 864 817 900 Value Talc W $82,600 $94,700 $104,000 Pvroohvllite WWWW Total $111,000 $82,600 $94,700 $104,000 Exnorls 21 (talc) 200 178 175 135 Value $29,200 $30,100 $30,100 $27,200 Imoorts for consumotion 65 67 80 100 Value $11,100 $11,900 $12,400 $10,800 Aooarent consumotion 1,050 926 902 31 933 31 World: Production 9,370 rl 9,070 rl 8,760 rI 8,700 rI eI Estimated. rl Revised. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; not included in "Total." 1/ Previously published and 1994 data are rouuded by the U.S. Bureau of Mines to three significant digita; may not add to totals shown. 21 Excludes powders-talcum (in package), face, and compact 3/ Production, plus imports, minus exports, plus adjusbnents in Government and industry stock. Does not include pyrophyllite. 1994 935 W 935 $30,400 W $30400 923 W 923 $116,000 W $116,000 154 $29,800 155 $14,900 936 31 7,890 eI TABLE 2 CRUDE TALC PRODUCED IN TIlE UNITED STATES, BY STATE 1/ 21 (Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars) 1993 1994 State Quantity Value Quantity Value Montana 350 11,900 WW Texas 236 5,660 225 5,860 Oregon (31) 67 WW Other~ Total ______~3~8~2----~I~O,~2oo~--------~7=1~0----~~?,60~0 968 27,800 935 30,400 W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; not ineluded in "Iota\." 1/ Previously published and 1994 data are rounded by the U.S. Bureau of Mines to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 21 Excludes pyropbyllite. 31 Less then 112 unit 41 Includes Arkansas (1993), California, Montana (1994), New YoIk, Oregon (1994), Vermont, and Virginia. TABLE 3 END USES FOR GROUND TALC AND PYROPHYWTE 11 (Thousand metric tons) 1993 1994 Use Pyrophyl- Pyrophyl- Talc lite Total Talc lite Total Ceramics 253 W 253 265 W 265 Cosmetics 21 31 31 31 31 Insecticides 7 W7 6 W6 Paint 141 W 141 142 W 142 Pal1er 110 W 110 121 W 121 Plastics 27 W 27 45 W 45 Refractories W (31) W (31) Roofing 68 68 38 38 Rubber 21 W 21 19 W 19 Other 41 114 W 114 97 W 97 Total 770 W 770 764 W 764 W Withheld to avoid disclosiug company proprietary data. II Data rounded by the U.S. Bureau ofMines to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 21 Incomplete data. Some cosmetic talc known to be iucluded iu "Other." 31 Less than 112 unit 41 Includes art sculpture, asphalt filler, auto body filler, construction caulks, joiut compounds, flooring, food additives, and other uses not specified TABLE 4 PRICE OF TALC (U.S. dollars per metric ton) Canada: Fiue micron, Hegman No.6 Montana: illtrafine grind. Hegman No.6 New York: Bags, mill: 98% through 325 mesh 99.6% through 325 mesh Trace retaiued on 325 mesh ItaliaDI cosmetic-g!lU!e Chiuese, normal (ex-store): UK 200 mesh UK 350 mesh Value 205 220 99 115 180 263 285-323 300-330 Sources: American Paint & Coatings Journal, Dec. 27, 1994, and Industrial Minerals (London), Dec. 1994. TABIE5 U. S. EXPORTS OF TALC 1/21 (Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars) 1993 1994 Country OuantilY Value OuantilY Value Belglum 10 $2,080 10 $1,210 Canada 31 47 8,740 54 9,930 Ja~an 7 958 8 1,330 Mexico 12 1,770 13 2,210 Other 41 59 13,600 69 15,200 Total 135 27,200 154 29,800 II Previously published and 1994 data are rounded by the U.S. Bureau of Mines to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 21 Excludes powder--talcum (in package), fuce, and compact. 31 Probably includes shipments in transit through Canadian ports. 4/locludes 67 countries in 1993 and 62 countries in 1994. Source: Bureau of the Census. TABIE6 U.S.IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF TALC, BY COUNTRY II Country 1993: Brazil Canada China France Japan Other 31 Total Not crushed or powdered Quantity Value (metric (thou- tons) sands) 38 36,800 $11 1,650 6,670 43,500 604 2,270 Crushed or Eowdered Quantity Value (metric (thou- tons) sands) 114 27,900 2,120 2,940 20,300 554 54,000 $25 4,480 257 288 706 283 6,040 Cut and sawed Quantity (metric tons) Value (thousands) 264 918 675 (2J) I 441 2,300 $155 888 360 3 2 1,050 2,460 Total umnanufactored Quantity Value (metric (thou- tons) sands) 378 28,900 39,600 2,940 20,300 7,660 99,800 $179 5,380 2,270 290 708 1,940 10,800 1994: Brazil 33 97 25 250 164 350 Canada 272 49 31,000 5,280 600 598 31,900 China 50,200 2,140 5,360 452 705 346 56,200 France 620 505 3,090 314 10 5 3,720 JaEan 8 171 43,200 745 2 4 43,200 Other 41 14.200 2,340 4.510 330 647 1,470 19,300 Total 65,200 5,210 87,300 7,150 2,210 2,590 155,000 II Peviously published and 1994 data are rounded by the U.S. Bureau of Mines to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 21 Less than 112 unit. 3/locludes 21 countries. 41locludes 24 countries. 192 5,930 2,940 824 920 4,140 14,900 Source: Bureau ofthe Census. TABLE 7 TALC AND PYROPHYLIlTE: WORLD PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY AND PRODUCT 1121 (Metric tons) Country 31 Ar_tina: PVI'OJ)hvllite Steatite Talc Australia: eI PVI'OJ)hvllite Talc Austria: Steatite Brazil: PVI'OJ)hvllite Talc Canada: PVI'01lhyllite, sO'!Estone, talc eI Chile: Talc China: Un~cifu:d eI Colombia: PVI'01lhyllite, SOREstone, talc EI!VPI: PVI'01lhvllite, sO'!Estone, steatite, talc Finland: Talc Fraoce: Talc eI Gennaoy: Talc (marlretable) Greece: Steatite Hune;arv: Talc eI India: PVI'OJ)hvllite Steatite eI lrao: Talc 51 lta1v: Steatite aod talc Ja~: PVI'OJ)hvllite Talc Korea. North: U=ified eI Korea. Reoublic of: PVI'OJ)hvllite Talc Macedooia: Talc eI 61 Mexico: Talc Nenal: Talc 71 Norway: Talc eI Pakistan: Pvrovhvllite Para!!'!!!y: UnsE!'!'ified eI Peru:eI Pvrovhvllite Talc Portul!lll: Talc Romania: Talc eI Rusaia: Talc South Africa. Reoublic of: PVI'OJ)hvllite Talc SEain: Steatite eI Swedeo: Talc Taiwao: Talc Thailand: PVI'OJ)hvllite Talc Turkev U.S.S.R.: Talc eI 81 See foo1notes at end of table. 1990 - rl 200 rl 17,800 rl 5,000 200,000 134,000 165,000 280,000 148,000 898 2,550,000 10,100 6,340 385,000 328,000 41 21,400 1,440 10,000 80,000 eI 406,000 31,100 152,000 1,210,000 61,600 170,000 658,000 182,000 XX 13,500 1,800 100,000 30,200 200 7,500 1,500 7,930 20,000 XX 2,760 11,200 70,000 15,000 22,100 29,300 4,360 5,560 500,000 1991 - rl 274 rl 22,800 rl 6,000 210,000 161,000 186,000 292,000 123,000 536 2,600,000 11,100 9,090 361,000 310,000 22,600 790 10,000 84,600 424,000 6,680 161,000 1,230,000 65,600 170,000 573,000 171,000 XX 11,900 3,170 rl 80,000 33,600 200 8,000 2,100 8,000 eI 10,000 XX 4,450 8,240 70,000 19,200 18,500 43,000 5,580 6,120 450,000 1992 1993 1994 eI - rl 425 rl 21,200 rl - rl 840 rl 17,200 rl 500 17,300 5,000 210,000 146,000 5,000 210,000 137,000 rl 5,000 210,000 130,000 144,000 286,000 104,000 1,490 rl 2,650,000 13,300 9,000 eI 371,000 300,000 23,500 700 eI 10,000 150,000 eI 290,000 eI 108,000 rl 5,060 rl 2,700,000 19,600 rl 2,090 rl 399,000 rl 280,000 rl 21,200 rl 700 eI 10,000 150,000 290,000 130,000 41 3,000 2,400,000 20,000 2,000 400,000 275,000 20,000 500 10,000 85,000 eI 425,000 23,700 184,000 rl 81,600 rl 360,000 r/41 18,000 rl 165,000 eI 82,000 360,000 18,000 150,000 1,060,000 61,000 170,000 1,030,000 rl 57,200 rl 180,000 936,000 41 63,100 41 180,000 603,000 150,000 15,000 19,600 3,820 rl 60,000 23,700 200 645,000 rl 53,900 rl 10,000 14,400 rl 1,340 rl 50,000 46,800 rl 200 650,000 60,000 10,000 15,000 1,500 50,000 45,000 200 8,000 2,000 9,170 rl 6,330 41 150,000 eI 8,000 2,000 9,350 rl 6,500 132,000 8,000 2,000 9,000 6,500 100,000 3,050 13,900 70,000 10,000 rl eI 6,090 4,290 rl 8,800 rl 65,000 - riel 5,020 rl 4,110 41 6,850 41 65,000 5,000 34,600 4,790 3,920 XX 43,400 rl 7,010 rl 4,000 eI XX 38,000 5,000 4,000 XX TABLE 7-Continued TALC AND PYROPHYLIlTE: WORLD PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY AND PRODUCT 1121 (Metric tons) Country 31 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 e/ United Kingdom: Talc, sO"!'stone, pyrophyllire 14,800 10,800 5,220 5,320 rl 5,500 United States: Pvrophvllite 82,000 W W W W Talc 1,190,000 1,040,000 997,000 968,000 935,000 41 Uru~ay: Talc! so~stone! pyrophyllite e/ Yugoslavia: Talc 6/91 1,500 18,000 1,500 17,000 e/ 1,500 XX 1,500 XX 1,500 XX Zambia: Talc 160 89 336 350 e/ 350 Zimbsbwe: Talc 1,790 1,680 2,200 1,350 rl 1,500 Total 9370000 rl 9070000 rl 8510000 rl 8340000 rl 7880000 Of which: Pvrophvllite 2,270,000 rl 2,170,000 1,970,000 rl 2,010,000 rl 1,920,000 Steatite 612,000 rl 656,000 642,000 564,000 rl 556,000 Talc 3,430,000 rl 3,150,000 rl 2,760,000 rl 2,580,000 rl 2,510,000 Unspecified 3,060,000 3,090,000 3,140,000 rl 3,190,000 rl 2,890,000 e/ Estimated. rl Revised. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; not included in "Total" XX Not applicable, 11 Previously published and 1994 data are rounded by the U,S. Bureau of Mines to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 2fTable includea data avai1ab1e through May 15,1995. 31 In addition to the coun1ries listed, the fonner Czechoslovakia produces talc, but infonnation is inadequate to make reliable eatimates of output levels. 4/Reported figure. 51 Data based on Iranian fiscal year beginning Mar. 21 of year stated. 61 All production in Yugoslavia from 1990-91 came from Macedonia 71 Data based on Nepaleae fiscal year beginning ntid-July ofyear stated. 81 Dissolved in Dec. 1991; however, infonnation is inadequate to fannulate reliable estimates for individual countries, except Russia. 91 Dissolved in Apr. 1992.