Document b0XvzrVb0w7GKmmLELqNyQx3

CAM-294 Talc and Pyrophyllite By Robert L. Virtal Domestic production of talc and pyrophyllite increased 4% from that of 1986. Sales of crude and processed talc and pyrophyllite decreased slightly in tonnage and increased slightly in value. Imports for consumption increased slightly. Exports increased 36% in tonnage and 29% in value. Domestic Data Coverage.-Domestic production and sales data for talc and pyrophyllite are developed by the Bureau of Mines from a voluntary survey of U.S. mines and mills. Of the 82 mines and mills to which a survey request was sent, 56 responded, representing 68% of the U.S. prod~ction data ,shown in table 1. Production for the 26 nonrespondents was estimated using reported prior year production levels adjusted by trends in employment and other guidelines. Table I.-Salient talc and pyrophyllite statistics (Thousand short tons and thousand dollars) 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 United States: MineTpalrcod_uc_t_io_n_, c_ru_d_e_: _______________________ 980 1,042 1,188 1,219 1,258 Pyrophyllite ______________________________8_7_ _ _8_5_ _ _81_ _ _8_3_ _ _9_2 =========================Total1_____________________________ 1,066 1,127 1,269 1,302 1,349 Value: Talc______________________________ $18,998 $21,755 $27,768 $29,687 $27,178 Pyrophyllite___________________________1_,2_8_2_ _1_,4_1_2_ _1_,4_2_0 _ _1_,54_0_ _ _1,_60_7 Total __________________________ 20,280 23,167 29,188 31,227 28,785 SoldTbaylcpro_d_u_ce_r_s,_c_ru_d_e_an_d_p_r_oc_e_ss_e_d:______________ 1,038 1,101 1,067 1,070 1,057 Pyrophyllite ______________________________1_2_5_ _ _9_7_ _ _81_ _ _ _83_ _ _9_0 Total _____________________________ =========================Value: 1,163 1,198 1,148 1,153 1,147 Talc______________________________ $104,739 $112,515 $114,542 $111,924 $112,716 Pyrophyllite_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ 4,057 3,578 3,273 3,366 3,712 Total1 _________________________ _ Exports2 (talc) ____________________________ _ Value ______________________________ _ Imports for consumption3 (talc) _________________ _ Value ______________________________ _ Consumption, apparent4______________________ _ World: Production ___________________________ _ 108,796 218 $12,916 44 $7,691 989 7,781 116,093 256 $16,162 45 $9,156 1,009 r8,303 117,815 237 $14,282 47 $9,532 1,079 r8,423 115,290 234 $16,302 52 $8,715 1,120 18,256 el16,429 318 $21,040 53 $10,348 1,084 e8,310 ~timated. PPreliminary. rRevised. 1Data may not add to total shown because of independent rounding. 2Exc1udes powders-talcum (in package), face, and compact. 3Does not include imported pyrophyllite. 4Production, plus imports, minus exports, plus adjustments in Government and industry stock changes. 861 862 '4INERALSYEARBOQK, 1987 Legislation and Government Programs.-The Occupational Safety' ~d Health Administration (OSHA) extended through July 21, 1988, an administrative stay on its 1986 regulation governing work- er exposure to the nonasbestiform varie- ties of actinolite, anthophyllite, and tremolite. During the stay, OSHA continued to analyze the impact, of using the, asbe~to$? standard to regulate the nonasbestifonn varieties of the minerals.2 U.S. import'duties on talc minerals from most favored nations were crude' and, ungro~nd, 0.02 cent per pound; ground, washed"powdered, and/or pulverized, 2.4% ad valorem; cut, sawed; or in blanks, crayons, cubes, disks, or other forms, free; and other not specifically provided for, 4.8% ad valorem. The stockpile inventories of 1,081 short tons for block or lU1l)p talc and 1,809 tons for ground talc at yearend were unchanged from those of 1986. DOMESTIC PRODUCTION Talc.-U.S. mine production of crude talc Alpine. increased 3% in tonnage and decreased'8% Pyrophyllite.-Pyrophyllite was produc- in value. Talc and,soapstone were produced ed by four companies operating six mines in at 28 mines in 10 States. Mines that oper- California and North Carolina. Production ated in Montana, 'New York, Texas, and increased 11% over that of 1986. Vermont accounted for 95% of domestic talc production. Montana led all States in the tonnage and value of talc produced. Table 2.-Crude talc antJpyrophyllite , produced in the United States, by State The largest domestic producers of, talc, listed alphabetically, are Cyprus Industrial (Thousand short tons and thousand dollars) Minera1s Co.; Dal-Tile (Texas Talc Co.)' Gouverneur Talc Co., a subsidiary of R. T. Vanderbilt Co. Inc.; PfIZer Inc., Minerals, State - 1986 Quantity Value 1987 Quantity Value Pigments and Metals Div.; Vermont Talc Co.; and Windsor Minerals Inc. Vermont Talc opened a mine near Troy, VT, to supply talc to its flotation mill at Johnson, VT. Cyprus completed developmental work California ______ Georgia (talc) ____ Montana _______ North Carolina ___ Texas (talc)______ Otherl (talc) _____ Total _______ 64 1,528 9 61 WW 83 1,552 283 6,456 863 21,630 1,302' 313227 WW 20 286 386 12,320 -W W 255 4,380 688 11,799 1,349 28,785 and began mining talc .from a deposit near Alpine, AL. Talc from the deposit will be processed at the Cyprus mill facilities in W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included with "Other." lIncludes Arkansas, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia (1987). CONSUMPTION AND USES Apparent domestic consumption of crude and processed talc and pyrophyllite decreased 3%. Sales of talc and pyrophyllite decreased slightly in tonnage and increased slightly in value. End-use distribution of ground talc was ceramics, 33%; paint, 15%; paper, 14%; roofmg, 12%; plastics, 8%; cosmetics, 6%; and insecticide, refractory, rubber, and other,12%. The largest portion, 61%, of domestically produced ground pyrophyllite was used in ceramics, 16% was used in refractories, 9% in insecticides, and 14% in paint, plastic, roofing, rubber, and other. A survey of the European paper industry indicated that talc consumption was approximately 550,000 tons per year. Over 75% of the talc consumed was used as paper filler. Slightly less than 8% was used for pitch-control and 8% was used as a coating pigment. Talc's importance as a pitch control agent was reduced through the use of chemical additives. The major consuming European countries were Austria, Finland, France, Italy, and Spain.3 A survey of the talc industry ~ Europe indicated that changes in the general economy, overcapacities at processing plants, and loss of markets to other minerals resulted in more competition within the talc industry. Growth within the pulp and paper industry was expected to slow because of increased use of calcium carbonate as a paper filler. With increasing restrictions on the use of chemicals, new papermaking machines, and increased waste paper recycling, the market for talc as a pitch control agent had the greatest potential for growth. Growth within the roofing industry was not ex- TALC A.ND PYROPHYLLITE 863 pected because of competition from lime- stone, sand" slate, and antistick polyolefin ;films, and the increasing use of single-ply roofing applications. Talc consumption by the ceramics industry was expected to in.crease because of demand for earthenware, electroceramics, floor tiles, and sanitary ware.' Consumption' .of talc by the plastics industry was expected to increase 7% to 10% because of the demand for talc-filled polypropylene.' Table 3.-End uses for ground tide and pyrophyllite (Thousand short tons) .1986 1987 Use Talc Pyrophyl- Total1 lite Talc Pyrophyllite Total Ceramics ______________________ Cosmetics2 _____________________ 343 46 64 407 313 3 49 60 83 396 60 Inseeticides _____________________ 6 13 18 (3) 12 12 rPaapienr_t-_-_-_-_-_-_-.-:-..-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-______________ Plastics ________________________ 112678 69 2 112770 113287 1 69 79 2 112470 1 80 Refractories__________________'--- 3 20 22 2 21 23 Roofmg _______ - ___ - ________ ...:_..:.. Rubber______ .... __._______________ 106 25 2 108 112 (3) 25 19 1 113 (3) 19 Other' ________________________ 90 13 103 88 14 102 Total1 ______________________ --------9-8-3---------1-1-6-,------1-,-0-9-9--------9-3-8----------1-3-5-------1-,0-7-3- 1Datamay not add to totals shown because of independent rounding. IIncomplete data. Some cosmetic talc known to be included with "Other." 'Less than 112 unit. ', 4Inc:ludes art sculpture, asphalt fuler and coatings, crayons:, floor tile, foundry facings, rice polishing, stucco, and other uses not specified. " . PRICES Talc prices varied depending on the quality, and on the degree and method of proce;;sing. Prices, quoted by the Engineering and Mining J~urnal, December 1987, per short ,ton of domestic ground talc, in carload lots, f.o.h. mine or mill, including containers follow:., New Jersey: Mineral pulp, bags extra_______ _ Vermont: 98% through 325 mesh, bulk .,j;. ___ >'99.99% through 325 mesh~ bags: ' WDratyerpbe~ne-fI-Ci-at-ed-_-_-_-__-_-_-_ New York: 96% through 200~esh ________ _ 98% to 99.25% through 325 mesh __ 100% through 325 mesh, fluid-energy ground ________ _ California: Stan~ ___ .:. ____________ _ Fractionated ______________ _ Micronized ______ ~ ________ _ Cosmetic steatite ___________ _ Geo9r8g%ia:through 200 mesh ________ _ 99% through 325 mesh ________ _ 100% through 325 mesh, fluid-energy ground ________ _ $18.50-$20.50 70.00 147.00 213.00-228.00 67.00- 75.00 83.00-100.00 165.00 130.00 37400- 71.00 150.00-220.00 44.00- 65.00 50.00 60.00 100.00 Approximate equivalents, in dollars per talc, c.i.f. main European ports, were as short ton, of price ranges quoted in Industri- follows: al Minerals (London), December 1987, for 864 MINERALS YEARBOOK, 1987 Norwegian: Ground (ex store) ___________ _ Micronized (ex store) _________ _ French, fme-grounL ___________ _ Italian, cosmetic-grade ___ ,- ______ _ ChiUneKse2,0n0omrmeashl (-e_x_st_o_re_):________ _ UK 325 mesh- _________ .:... ___ -' New York, paint, minimum 2()..ton lot __ $162-$180 207- 288 216- 342 315 254 265 175 FOREIGN TRADE Talc exports increased 36% in tonnage fu $596 per ton, averaging $66 per ton.' and 29% in. value. Prices ranged from $12 Table 4.-U.S. exports oftalc1 (Thousand short tons and thousand dollars) Year 1983 _________ 1984 _________ 1985 _ ~ _______ 1986 _________ 1987 _________ BelgiumLuxembourg Quantity Value Canada2 Quantity Value Japan Quantity Value Mexico Quantity Value Other3 Quantity Value Total Quantity Value 1 55 11 722 6 373 15 1,273 30 2,482 74 4,629 76 5,265 81 4,864 59 4,411 61 5,000 16 1,077 22 1,518 18 1,422 22 1,707 26 2,405 86 2,805 107 3,696 t08 4,492 112 4,464 149 5,614 41 4,350 40 4,961 24 3,131 27 4,447 52 5,538 218 12,916 256 16,162 237 14,282 4234 . 16,302 318 421,040 lExcludes powders-talcum (in package), face, and compact. 2Probably includes shipments in transit through Canadian ports. 3Includes 48 countries in 1987. 4Data do not add to total shown because of independent rounding. Table 5.-U.S. imports for consumption of talc, by country Country 1985 _________ 1986: Australia ____ Brazil ______ Canada _____ China ______ Italy _______ Koorfe_a_, R_e_p_u_bl_ic_ Otherl ______ Total1 _ _ _ _ 1987: Australia ____ Brazil ______ Canada _____ China ______ Italy _______ Koorfe_a,_R_e_p_u_bl_ic_ Other ______ Total1____ Crude and unground Quantity Value (short (thoutons) sands) Ground, washed, pOwdered, or pulverized Quantity Value (short (thoutons) sands) Cut and sawed Quantity Value (short (thoutons) sands) 10,772 $1,350 33,234 $5,140 2,889 $2,097 9,353 54 418 6 256 10,086 569 112 4 37,307 25 2 141 50 1,077 66 1,616 715 40,253 39 4,949 37 240 685 5,951 750 116 485 53 230 1,634 334 153 438 26 304 1,254 1,450 216 8,438 10,104 87 277 38,729 24 85 917 805 777 916 40,784 42 5,362 24 252 431 6,112 398 108 386 1,123 34 288 2,337 151 128 288 1,090 19 341 2,017 Talc, n.s.p.f. Total unmanufactured1 Value Quantity Value (thou- (short (thousands) tons) sands) $945 46,895 $9,532 9,353 50 862 46 37,475 237 903 5 147 3 1,130 454 2,102 795 51,973 569 423 5,152 699 44 319 1,509 8,715 12 65 275 952 1,304 1,450 675 38,837 386 1,424 951 9,503 53,225 87 205 5,555 563 1,138 271 2,529 10,348 lData may not add to totals shown because of independent rounding. 2Includes 17 countries. 3Includes 21 countries. Source: Bureau of the Census. TALC AND PYROPHYLLITE 865 WORLD REVIEW The United States remained the world's largest talc producer, and Japan remained the largest pyrophyllite producer. China, Japan, and the United States accounted for 46% of the world's talc and pyrophyllite production. Australia.-Thames Mining NL opened its Mount Seabrook Mine in Western Australia following completion of mine planning and plant design studies. The company will produce cosmetic and industrial-grade talc.s Table 6.-Talc and pyrophyllite: World production, by country! (Short tons) Country2 1983 1984 1985 1986P 1987e Argentina (talc, steatite, pyrophyllite) __ Australia ___________________ Austria (unground talc) ___________ BBruanznila(t_al_c_a_nd_p_y_ro_p_h_yl_li_te_)3_____ _:... ________ Casnoaadpast(osnhei)p_m_e_nt_s)_(_ta_lc_, _py_r_o_ph_y_ll_it_e,__ Chile -' _____________________ CCohlionmaebi-a-_ _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _-_-_Egypt ______________________ Finland ____________________ France (ground talc) _____________ Germany, Federal Republic of(market- able) _______________ -- ____ Greece (steatite) __________ - ____ Hungarye ___________________ India (pyrophyllite and steatite) ______ Italy (talc and steatite) ___________ Japan4 ___________________ - Korea, Northe ________________ KMoerxeiaco, R_e_p_ub_l_ic_o_f (_ta_l_c a_n_d_p_y_ro_p_h_yl_li_te_) ~~~:ye==================== Pakistan (pyrophyllite) ___________ Paraguay - - - - - - - - - - - ~ 7" - - - - - Peru (talc and pyrophyllite) ________ Philippines __________________ Portugal ____________________ Romaniae ___________________ South Africa, Republic 0(1 _________ SSwpaeidne(ns_te_a_tit_e_) ________________________________ Truwan _____________________ Thruland (talc and pyrophyllite) ______ U:S.S.R.e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ United Kingdom _______________ UUrnuitgeudaSyt_at_e_s _(ta_l_c _an_d_p_y_ro_p_h_yl_li_te_) ______ Zambia____________ - - - - - _ - __ Zimbabwe __________ - - - - - - - -_ Total ___________ - - - - - - - - _ 32,729 194,644 134,623 437,025 141 106,924 702 1,050,000 7,318 4,981 351,009 315,812 15,773 2,388 18,700 389,162 175,239 1,615,791 185,000 696,810 12,161 16,825 110,000 17,588 132 ,5,767 968 6,018 66,000 12,337 76,574 23,210 29,821 22,209 560,000 17,600 1,066,400 755 1,447 607 7,781,190 30,629 r205,867 147,722 455,637 100 138,891 465 1,050,000 7,479 13,463 360,976 322,315 19,030 1,887 19,300 460,473 157,329 1,652,303 185,000 935,475 9,811 8,372 6124,561 17,161 165 10,183 1,022 6,838 72,000 15,886 79,628 19,712 20,591 31,393 570,000 21,000 1,127,421 1,828 405 314 r8,302,632 23,366 153,652 144,903 426,647 141 139,993 1,432 1,100,000 9,492 8,488 351,138 342,705 22,835 1,901 18,700 422,111 142,875 1,580,978 185,000 1,027,880 32,959 6,630 r110,000 22,248 e132 551 380 3,976 72,000 15,925 97,859 15,432 19,357 47,926 570,000 22,046 1,268,750 e1,700 10,504 482 8,432,094 r e27,900 207,287 146,959 463,74~ 62 135,584 2,488 1,100,000 20,393 9,700 313,253 347,189 24,123 e2,000 17,700 436,520 166,676 1,470,441 185,000 879,291 e22,000 9,678 rno,ooo 25,376 e132 r e1,200 el,100 4,565 72,000 14,602 81,476 2,205 23,757 43,046 570,000 13,230 1,302,179 el,700 293 879 8,255,726 27,900 193,000 143,000 468,500 66 155,000 2,200 1,100,000 20,400 9,900 364,000 . 346,000 23,100 2,050 16,500 457,500 166,400 1,380,000 185,000 880,000 27,500 9,900 110,000 27,500 132 1,100 1,100 4,400 72,000 14,600 88,000 2,200 22,000 44,000 580,000 13,200 61,349,440 1,700 290 880 8,310,458 eEstimated. PPreliminary. rRevised. ITable includes data avrulable through May 27, 1988. 2Jn addition to the countries listed, Czechoslovakia produces talc, but available information is inadequate to make reliable estimates ofoutput levels. arrotal of beneficiated and salable direct-shipping production of talc and pyrophyllite. 4Inc1udes talc, pyrophyllite, and pyrophyllite clay. 5Data based on Nepalese fISCal year beginning mid-July of year stated. 6Reported flgUre. 7Includes talc and wonderstone. 866 MINERALS YEARBOOK, 1987 Western Mining Corp. Ltd. assumed com- plete control of Three Springs Talc Pty. Ltd. Three Springs Talc operated one of the world's largest talc mines. The talc was used in,ceramics, paint, paper, and plastics.' Canada.-Carey Canada Inc. discovered a large, high-grade talc deposit near East Boughton, Quebec. The deposit contains 78% to 80% talc. Mine reserves were esti- mated to be 8.8 million tons. The company planned additional studies of the deposit to determine its commercial potential.7 China.-A deposit estimated to contain 18 million tons'of pyrophyllite was discover- ed in the Fujian Province.8 . Korea, Republic of.-The Department of Energy and, Resources discovered a talc deposit .near Kongju.. Reserves were esti- mated to be 10 million tons.9 United Kingdom.~Shetland Talc Ltd., jointly oWned by Dalriada Mineral Ven.. tures Ltd. and Anglo-European Minerals Ltd., continued exploratory work on a talcmagnesite deposit in the Shetland Islands. Samples were collected and tested in a pilot plant operation.10 . IPhysical Scientist, Branch of Industrial Minerals. 2Federal Reridster. Occu~tional Safety and Health Ad- ministration. Occupational Exposure to Asbestos, Tremo- lite, Anthophyllite, and Actinolite. V. 52, No. 83, Apr. 30, 1987, pp.15722-15723. 3Benbow, J~ European Paper. Ind. Miner. (London), No. 243, Dec. 1987, pp. 73-89. . 'Schober, W. Talc in .;Europe. Ind. Miner. (London), No. 237, June 1987, pp. 40-51. 5Mining Jo~ (London). More Talc From Thames. V.309,No.7946,Dec.4,1987,p.458. , 'Industrial Minerals (London); Three Springs" Talc Takeover. No. 231, Jan. 1987, p. 9. . ' .. 7Rock Products. Large Talc Deposit Found in. Canada. V. 90, No.8, Aug. 1987, p.16. .. . 8Industrial Minerals (London). Fujian PyrophylliteDis- covery. No. 239, Aug. 1987, p. 83. .' 9_ _ South Korean Talc Deposits. No. 239, Aug. 1987, ~~ .' . 10_ _ Talc Development in the Shetlands.No. 236, May 1987, p. 15.