Document g2kK5DdOj7RXZNkyLb2jagynJ

Asbestos u CANADIAN MINERALS YEARBOOK CHAPTER REPRINT CTD007067 Canadian Minerals Yearbook Annuaire des mineraux du Canada This review is a chapter reprint from the 1994 edition of the Canadian Minerals Yearbook, which will be available by the end of July 1995. Copies of the Yearbook can be purchased for approximately C$45.00 from the Canada Communication Group - Publishing at (819) 956-4802. For further information on Mining Sector publications contact: Publications Distribution Office Mining Sector Natural Resources Canada 580 Booth Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A0E4 Telephone: (613) 992-1108 Facsimile: (613) 952-7501 Ce chapitre est une reimpression tiree de l'edition 1994 de YAnnuaire des mineraux du Canada, lequel sera public d'ici la fin de juillet 1995. Vous pouvez vous procurer des exemplaires de l'Annuaire au cout approximatif de 45,00 $ CAN en vous adressant $u Groupe Communication Canada - Edition, au (819) 956-4802. Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements au sujet d'autres publications du Secteur minier, veuillez vous adresser au : Centre de distribution des publications Secteur minier Ressources naturelles Canada 580, rue Booth Ottawa (Ontario) K1A 0E4 T616phone: (613) 992-1108 T616copieur: (613) 952-7501 CTD007068 Asbestos Patrick Morel-a-l Huissier The author is with the Mining Sector, Natural Resources Canada. Telephone: (613) 992-3258 In 1994, Canadian asbestos shipments increased marginally from 1993 levels. Canadian mines, which are located in Quebec, operated at an average of 94% of current capacity. A tailings reprocessing operation in Newfoundland operated at about 50% of capacity. Average prices increased by about 4%. Total ship ments for 1994 were estimated to be 525 000 t valued at $228.2 million, compared to revised shipment figures for 1993 totalling 522 967 t valued at $222.8 million. Canadian exports of asbestos for 1994 were an esti mated 525 846 t. This represented a 3% increase in volume from the previous year. The value of these exports increased by an estimated 4.5%. Exports in ASBESTOS, WORLD PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY, 1994 Country Tonnes* Commonwealth of Independent States Canada Brazil Zimbabwe China Republic of South Africa United States Greece India Swaziland Colombia Yugoslavia Romania Total 1 400 000 525 000 190 000 150 000 250 000 100 000 10 000 50 000 25 000 30 000 5 000 1 000 3 000 2 739 000 Sources: Natural Resources Canada; U S Bureau of Mines. Estimated. the January-September 1994 period totalled 379 605 t valued at $222.7 million, compared with 357 991 1 valued at $210.1 million for the same period in 1993. In 1994, world production of asbestos is believed to have decreased by about 13% to reach a level of 2.7 Mt. This decrease is the result of continued prob lems in Russia and Kazakhstan, where production has decreased steadily, mainly due to a lack of funds since the collapse of the former Soviet Union. Employment in the Canadian asbestos industry remained fairly stable throughout 1994. Asbestos and Its Uses Asbestos is a generic name covering several naturally occurring fibrous hydrated silicates. These are sepa rated into two basic groups: serpentine and amphiboles. Chrysotile is the only member of the serpen tine group, while the amphibole group consists of crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, actinolite, and tremolite. Of all these minerals, chrysotile is the least dangerous to human health and is the only one extracted in Canada. Chrysotile, which is sensitive to acid, tends to dissolve in the lungs, unless the lungs are overburdened, rather than remain as an irritant like the other types of fibres do. In the past, most of the problems associated with asbestos in gen eral, and chrysotile in particular, have been due to poor working practices that existed in the first half of this century. With the marked improvements in today's work practices and the increased protection of workers, the occupational risks associated with asbestos have been tremendously reduced and are controllable with existing technology. Because of their chemical and physical properties, asbestos fibres are an extremely useful material that has been, and still is, widely used throughout the world. In Canada, chrysotile asbestos fibres are clas sified into seven groups, each one with its own subcategories with the longest fibres assigned to Group 1 and the shortest to Group 7. In decreasing length, asbestos has been used in textiles, clothing, packings, woven brake linings, clutch facings, electrical insula tion materials, high-pressure and marine insulation, asbestos-cement pipe, other asbestos-cement prod ucts (e.g., sheets and mouldings, shingles), gaskets, CTD007069 9 2 CANADIAN MINERALS YEARBOOK. 1994 Figure 1 Canadian Asbestos Exports, 1974-93 (million tonnes) 20--------- EufPe _____ Sources Natural Resources Canada. Statistics Canada paper products, vinyl sheet backings, and millboards. The shortest fibres (Group 7) are used in moulded brake linings and clutches, and as a filler in vinyl and asphalt floor tiles, cement, plastics, roof coatings, and caulking compounds. Some 85% of all asbestos produced globally is used in asbestos-cement prod ucts. Low density and friable products are no longer marketed. Canadian Developments In 1994, J.M. Asbestos Inc. moved toward completion of its $130 million ore development program. When the project is completed in February 1995, J.M. Asbestos Inc. will lay ofT 140 of the 270 employees it recalled for the project. The remaining 130 employ ees will remain with the company and replace work ers who have retired. The company now has enough reserves to stay in operation until 2000 at its current production rate of about 210 000 t/y. In order to ensure continuity of the operations past this point, the company is now involved in a major study. The two main factors that this study will have to include are: (1) the relative stability and long-term prospects of world asbestos markets; and (2) what mining tech nique will best ensure the success of this project. The company will address these questions over the next two years. In 1994, the production levels of LAB Chrysotile, Inc. (the largest Canadian asbestos producer) were up slightly in comparison with those of 1993. .Workers at the Black Lake Deration signed a contract cover ing five years, the iongest duration ever negotiated. At the Bell mine, the only underground asbestos operation in Canada, current reserves will permit its continuation until 1999. However, a drilling program is currently being undertaken to delineate further reserves, which may ensure the mine's life into the next century. At LAB's British Canadian operations, the development phase is continuing as planned. At the company's Black Lake operation, at current rates of production, reserves are sufficient for the next 16 years. In July 1994, the Quebec Department of Transport announced that it will include asbestos in the surfac ing of Quebec roads. This decision follows a series of tests conducted since 1989 at a number of locations. The advantages of incorporating asbestos fibres in asphalt have been known for some time, including its better resistance to extreme weather conditions. The higher cost of using asbestos asphalt is more than offset by such benefits. As it had done in previous years, Teranov Mining Corp. of Baie Verte, Newfoundland, the only remain ing asbestos producer in the province, returned to production in the spring after being closed for the winter months. (Problems with frozen tailings con tinue to prevent the company from operating yearround.) However, due to continuing technical diffi culties, especially with screens, production in 1994 was below 1993 levels. The operation was again shut down in mid-November and is expected to resume in April 1995. In 1994, Cliff Resources Corporation exercised its option to purchase the remaining 50% of Princeton Mining Corporation's interest in Teranov Mining Corp. Under this agreement, Cliff Resources will pay Princeton Mining Corporation $1 million in preferred shares and a further eight million common shares as interest. As a consequence, Teranov Mining Corp. is now co-owned equally by Black Hill Minerals Ltd. and Cliff Resources Corporation. Chrysotile Management Corporation Ltd., located in Vancouver, British Columbia, will look after the mar keting aspects of the Teranov operation and of future production at Cassiar, British Columbia. It is believed that reprocessing of the tailings could con tinue at the Teranov site for up to 15 years. In British Columbia, at the site of the old Cassiar Mining Corporation operations, the joint-venture group comprised of Minpro Pty Ltd., Cliff Resources Corporation, and Black Hill Minerals Ltd. has invested about $2.5 million in preparatory work for the construction of a wet milling pilot plant slated to start operation in 1995. The plan calls for the repro cessing of the existing tailings and, in the process, the rehabilitation of the site. In October 1994, the Ontario Ministry of Labour (OML) established new work exposure limits for 19 substances. Amongst the latter are two types of asbestos fibres: amosite and crocidolite. A new CTD007070 ASBESTOS 9 3 unique limit of 0.1 f/cm3, down from 0.5 frcm3 for amosite and from 0.2 fern3 for crocidolite, was adopted. The ministry will be considering the estab lishment of a revised limit with respect to exposure to chrysotile asbestos after it completes a study of the economic impact of such a measure. In 1994, the Canadian General Standards Board issued new standards for Asbestos-Cement Pressure Pipe (CAN/CGSB-34.1-94), Asbestos-Cement House Connection Sewer Pipe tCAN/CGSB-34.23-94), Asbestos-Cement Sewer Pipe (CAN/CGSB-34.9-94), Low Density Asbestos Sheets (CAN/CGSB-34.18-94), and Asbestos-Cement Drain Pipe(CAN/CGSB34.22-94). International and Regulatory Developments United States On November 5, 1993, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register its long-awaited clarification notice regard ing the status of several asbestos products in the United States. In issuing this clarification notice, the EPA exercised its authority to ban certain asbestos products. Under this authority, which was allowed by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals at the time of the Court's remanding of the EPA's 1989 asbestos ban and phase-out rule, the EPA could only ban asbestos products that were neither being manufac tured, processed nor imported into the United States as of July 12, 1989, the time of issuance of the ban rule. The clarification notice states that asbestoscement sheets (corrugated or flat), asbestos-cement shingles, asbestos clothing, roofing felt, millboard, pipeline wrap, and vinyl asbestos tile are authorized for use in the United States. However, the use of asbestos in corrugated paper, commercial paper, flooring felt, rollboard, and specialty paper is prohib ited. In addition, all new uses of asbestos in the United States are also prohibited. To this end, the EPA defines `new uses of asbestos" as commercial uses that were not manufactured, processed or imported on July 12, 1989. The table below is a sum mary of asbestos products authorized or prohibited in the United States. Recent efforts by the EPA to eliminate the use of asbestos in favour of substitutes in new vehicle com ponents failed. It should also be noted that, in its judgement remanding the EPA ban rule, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals stated that the agency "failed to evaluate the toxicity of likely substi tutes . . and that, "while it is apparent that non asbestos brakes either are available or soon will be available on new vehicles, there is no evidence indi cating that forcing consumers to replace asbestos brakes with new non-asbestos brakes will decrease fatalities ..." In fact, some of the fibres used in non asbestos brakes (i.e., refractory ceramic fibres and fibreglass) have recently been the focus of concern to both the EPA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (see below). In November 1994, the EPA proposed to update its asbestos worker protection rule. The EPA invoked Section 6 of the Toxic Substances Control Act in order to make standards developed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 1986 applicable to all state and local government employ ees previously not covered by the OSHA's rules. The rule applies to all construction activities and friction product repairs. (The existing worker protection rule of the EPA only applied the OSHA standards to asbestos abatement activities.) With this new pro posal, the EPA would apply a different set of rules to state and local government employees than those recently imposed on other employees. (See discussion of new 1994 OSHA standards below.) STATUS OF ASBESTOS PRODUCTS IN THE UNITED STATES Asbestos Products Banned in the U.S. Asbestos Products Authorized in the U.S. Corrugated paper Commercial paper Flooring felt Rollboard Specialty paper New uses of asbestos Corrugated asbestos-cement sheet Flat asbestos-cement sheet Asbestos-cement pipes Asbestos-cement shingles Friction materials Drum brake lining Clutch facing Disc brake pads Asbestos clothing Automatic transmission components Roofing felt Roof coating Non-roof coating Millboard Pipeline wrap Vinyl asbestos tile Acetylene cylinders Asbestos diaphragms High-grade electrical paper Packings Sealant tape Specialty industrial gaskets Arc chutes Battery separators Reinforced plastic Textiles CTD007071 9J C -iMADiAN MINERALS YEARBOOK !<?<?<1 The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has again carried for ward its notice of intended changes for asbestos in its monograph on Threshold Limit Values. If the values proposed in the notice were to be adopted, organiza tions following ACGIH guidelines would lower their occupational exposure limit for chrysotile asbestos from the current 2 f/cm3 to a value of 0.2 f/cm3. In adopting a single exposure limit for all asbestos fibres, they would ignore the scientific evidence that chrysotile asbestos carries less risk than other asbestos fibres. At the urging of several groups, the ACGIH is currently studying the latest scientific information available on the subject. On August 10, 1994, the U.S. OSHA issued its new final asbestos health standards for general industry, construction, and the shipyard industry'. One of the provisions of these new rules is the general reduc tion of the permissible exposure limit (PEL) from 0.2 f/cm3 to 0.1 f/cm3 as an eight-hour time-weighted average. This new standard became effective on October 11, 1994. These revisions stem from the remanding in 1988 of the OSHA's 1986 asbestos stan dards by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia. In the drafting of these new rules, the OSHA based its analysis on a risk assessment of asbestos com pleted by the agency ten years earlier. Moreover, the OSHA continued to not differentiate between the risks associated with the different types of asbestos fibres and, in particular, the lower risk associated with chrysotile asbestos. On the basis of its risk assessment, the OSHA concluded that a significant risk exists, even at 0.1 f/cm3. (Most of the interna tional scientific community estimates that the risk associated with chrysotile asbestos at levels well above the OSHA's new value is not significant.) This new value is also not based on scientific data, but rather on the fact that, with current technology, the OSHA estimates that lower levels could not be moni tored efficiently. The OSHA's new rules also imposed more stringent requirements on the removal, repair and maintenance of in-place asbestos-containing materials. The latter are currently being challenged by a number of parties including industry groups, unions, and two public utilities. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals (the Court which remanded the EPA's 1989 asbestos ban and phase-out rule) has been selected to review these legal challenges. Amongst the challengers, the National Roofing Contractors Association, whose members work in the largest consuming segment of the U.S. chrysotile asbestos market, has asked for a stay of enforcement, claiming that "the standard goes far beyond what is necessary to protect roofing workers from significant risks." (In asphalt, chrysotile fibres are totally encapsulated; the extent of released fibres, both during installation and removal, is considered insignificant.) In August 1994, federal judge Lowell Reed of Philadelphia approved a settlement which may help resolve a number of legal actions against some 20 U.S.-based asbestos product manufacturers. The US$1.3 billion deal involving the Centre for Claims Resolution (which represents the companies in ques tion) establishes a framework for an out-of-court reso lution of personal injury claims and provides a struc ture for compensation for victims of asbestos-related diseases. The Centre for Claims Resolution is involved in about one quarter of all U.S. asbestos litigations. The U.S. Bureau of Mines estimated 1994 Canadian asbestos imports into the United States at about 27 000 t compared with 30 709 t in 1993. Both the U.S. roofing and friction materials industries had a relatively good year (at least equivalent to 1993). Although no longer manufactured in the United States, asbestos-cement pipes are currently being imported from Mexico as there is still an important demand for this product. The situation is similar in the gasket manufacturing industry. The last U.S. manufacturer closed in March 1994, but the demand is still there and is being met by imports. Latin America Brazil is an important producer of asbestos, espe cially in the increasingly active market of Latin America. Sociedade Anonima Minera^ao do Amianto (SAMA) produced about 190 000 t in 1994. SAMA requested and passed an environmental audit of its Cana Brava asbestos mine located at Minafu in the state of Goias. The company has programs for waste site reforestation, the treatment of mine and mill waste-waters, and dust control (through the use of wet recovery processes). In 1994, Brazil was the focus of a major attempt to ban the use of asbestos. The European-based Ban Asbest group, with some local support, organized an international seminar aimed at discrediting a num ber of asbestos uses, while promoting certain asbestos substitutes. The Brazilian government subsequently re-affirmed its support of, and commitment to, the controlled-use approach for asbestos. A number of groups held meetings on asbestos in Cancun in April 1994. They included the AsbestosCement Pipe Producers Association, the Asbestos Information Association - North American (AIA/NA), and the Asbestos International Association (ALA). A special meeting bringing together eight Latin American countries also took place. At the latter, it was decided to launch the Confederation Latinoamerican of Asbestos, which should be known as ALA/CLAS, to emphasize its relationship with the ALA. The initiative is aimed at fostering regional cooperation and identifying joint priorities for action in Latin America in the context of broader efforts to gain wider global acceptance of the controlled-use approach for chrysotile asbestos. Appearing to underlie it is a firm commitment on the part of indus try in all of the participating countries to implement CTD007072 ASBESTOS 9 5 International Labour Organization Convention 162 on the safe use of asbestos. China China, which had a total production in 1994 of about 230 000 t of asbestos, announced the opening of the Mang Yan asbestos mine. (Mang Yan was the only new asbestos mine to open in the world in 1994.) Northwestern China is still the major producing region, accounting for about 71% of total Chinese pro duction. The mines in southwestern China (Sichuan province) are near closure as the quality of their fibres is poor and production costs are high. Mines in northeastern China are near exhaustion. Most of China's production is for internal consump tion; however, there are exports of about 10 000 t, mostly to countries of Southeast Asia. While China imports only a small amount of fibres from Canada (881 t in 1993), it reports imports of about 30 000 t from the former Soviet Union to supplement its needs. Asbestos consumption in China is mainly for asbestos-cement products, insulation products, seal ing materials, and friction products. Consumption by China is expected to increase significantly over the next decade as its economy continues to develop. Europe In March 1993, the Zidani asbestos mine in Greece returned to production under the terms of a renew able five-year lease to Hellenic Mineral Mining Co. Ltd. (HMMC). The mine, which was previously con trolled by Asbestos Mines of Northern Greece (MABE), produced about 50 000 t of asbestos in 1994. In a bid to promote compromise approaches on the regulation of asbestos within the European Union (in the absence of a qualifying majority), France submit ted a proposed "Convention of Progress." This con vention, endorsed by the French Permanent Committee on Asbestos, addresses the principal issues related to worker safety, environmental pro tection, and the marketing of asbestos-containing products. Under the auspices of the convention, it is proposed that exposure to asbestos would be reduced through time in accordance with the latest scientific and technical advances. Commonwealth of Independent States Asbestos production in Russia and Kazakhstan con tinued to decline due to a lack of funds and other problems. The Ak-Dovurak asbestos mine, which is located in the Republic of Tuva (Russian Federation), was reported to have produced only about 37 000 t in 1993, down from the 153 000 t produced in 1989. The decrease is mainly due to collapsing internal mar kets. Of these 37 000 t. about 6000 t were exported to China, South Korea, and Turkmenistan. Revenues are split between the mine, the Tuva Republic, and the Russian Federation. It is reported that about 10-15 years of production are left. International Labour Organization Convention 162 To date, 18 countries have ratified the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 162 on Safety in the Use of Asbestos adopted unanimously in 1986 by ILO members. The most recent country to ratify the convention is Germany. Scientific Developments In August 1994, The Annals of Occupational Hygiene (a journal issued by the British Occupational Hygiene Society) published the proceedings of the interna tional experts workshop held November 13-17, 1993. The session was co-sponsored by the International Commission of Occupational Health and the International Program on Chemical Safety of the World Health Organization. The complete reference for the proceedings of the workshop is noted below; Graham W. Gibbs, Fedor Valic and Kevin Browne (Editors) (1994), Health Risks Associated with Chrysotile Asbestos - Papers from a workshop held in Jersey, Channel Islands, 14-17 November 1993, in The Annals of Occupational Hygiene, Volume 38, No. 4, pp. 397-646. These proceedings consist of 22 scientific papers, two letters to the editor of the journal, and one introduc tory paper by the editors of the proceedings, all peer reviewed. The papers contain information on the mineralogy of chrysotile asbestos, its uses, the nature of exposure, the level of exposure, lung and other cancers in the various industries, mesothelioma, mor bidity, experimental data, cellular studies, and dispo sition and clearance. The workshop was attended by 36 scientists of international reputation representing various opinions and by 11 scientific observers, together representing 12 countries. Prior to the meeting, some 70 other scientists were invited to sub mit relevant information which was made available during the workshop. The proceedings represent the most up-to-date scientific and technical evidence on chrysotile asbestos. On January 14, 1994, the Health Effects Institute Asbestos Research (HEI-AR) announced that it was ceasing operations, mainly due to a lack of interest and declining funding support from the private sec tor. The HEI-AR was a private, non-profit organiza tion based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It received matching funds from government and industry and had as its mandate the study of asbestos-related issues. In 1991, the HEI-AR published its landmark study on asbestos in public and commercial buildings. It concluded that asbestos-containing material within buildings in good repair is unlikely to expose office CTD007073 96 CANADIAN MINERALS YEARBOOK 1994 workers and other occupants to airborne asbestos concentrations above levels found in the air outside such buildings. The report also acknowledged that the removal of asbestos poses the greatest risk of potential exposure. At the time of closure, the HEI-AR had contracted out work to study the expo sure to asbestos of custodial and maintenance work ers, which had been identified by the first study as the category of workers the most exposed. This study will not be completed. In the second edition (December 1993) of its Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, the World Health Organization (WHO) once again affirms that asbestos in water is not a health hazard. The WHO states that, after years of study, "there is ... no con sistent evidence that ingested asbestos is hazardous to health, and thus ... there [is! no need to establish a health-based guideline value for asbestos in drink ing water." This assessment is consistent with the views of the EPA. The agency stated in 1991 that "asbestos is not classified as a carcinogen in the regu lations i Drinking Water Contaminants Rule) because the EPA has determined it is carcinogenic only when inhaled, not ingested." Such statements are encour aging for the continued use of asbestos-cement pipes in developing countries. Asbestos Substitutes Non-asbestos fibrous materials, many of which are used as asbestos substitutes, are coming under increasing scrutiny in the workplace. The 1991 HEI-AR report expressed concern about substitutes for asbestos and stated that "in view of the growing numbers of different types of man-made fibres that are entering commerce to substitute for asbestos as a result of the phase-out of asbestos itself, detailed material characterization and biological testing of such fibres should precede their widespread dissemi nation into the human environment." In Canada, as a follow-up to a study by Health Canada that deter mined that Refractory Ceramic Fibres (RCFs) were potentially carcinogenic. Environment Canada has organized an Issue Table aimed at reducing the entrance of RCFs into the environment. Following an extensive review of the scientific infor mation available on fibreglass and its health effects, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Toxicology Program, has joined an increasing number of agencies that are expressing growing concerns over Man-Made Mineral Fibres (MMMF) by classifying fibreglass as a "suspected carcinogen." Fibreglass is used in about 909fe of all U.S. homes, mainly as an insulation agent. At least for now, this new classification is not expected to have significant regulatory consequences as fibreglass products are already carrying labels indicating its potential carcinogenicity. In a recent paper in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine ("Fibrous glass and cancer." Vol. 26, pp. 559-584. ', C)94). P.F. Infante. L.D. Schuman, J. Demeni ind J. Huff conclude, based on animal and human data, that fibrous glass materials are carcinogenic. They also conclude that, on a fibre-per-fibre basis, glass fibres may be as potent or even more potent than asbestos. The U S. EPA is also currently working on a "Significant New Use Rule" (SNUR) for RCFs, which are recognized to be more potent than fibreglass. In 1991. based on animal data, the EPA concluded that RCFs may present an unreasonable risk of cancer to humans, and in mid-1993, it classified RCFs as a "probable human carcinogen." This SNUR would require any person to notify the EPA at least 90 days before commencing the manufacture, import, or pro cessing of RCFs. The EPA will hold hearings to help in the identification of significant new RCF product forms and applications. Further developments are expected in 1995. The recently published [PCS Environmental Health Criteria 151 - Selected Synthetic Organic Fibres is noteworthy. In the conclusions and recommenda tions section of this report, experts state that "all fibres that are respirable and biopersistent must undergo testing for toxicity and carcinogenicity. Exposures to these fibres should be controlled to the same degree as that required for asbestos until data supporting a lesser degree of control become avail able." The same experts recommend that "popula tions potentially exposed to respirable organic fibres should have their exposure monitored in order to evaluate exposure levels and the possible need for additional control measures." The European Union has also displayed concerns regarding asbestos substitutes (in particular with MMMF) and ordered a study of all fibres, both nat ural and synthetic, which resulted in a moratorium over revision to asbestos regulations in Europe. It is expected that this study will take about two years to complete. At the conclusion of the study, the Commission may decide to make regulatory recom mendations concerning all fibres, including asbestos. In Canada, the Federation des travailleurs et travailleuses du Quebec, with the support of the Canadian Labour Congress, continued to work on a code of practice respecting the use of synthetic min eral fibres. This exercise was prompted by the recent data from both animals and humans indicating that these materials were dangerous to health. The pro posed code would include a description of each syn thetic mineral fibre with its known health effects, as well as recommendations for proper monitoring, safe work practices, and exposure limits. This proposed code of practice is intended to eliminate interprovin cial inconsistencies in the protection of workers across Canada. CTD007074 ASBESTOS 9 7 Outlook There are strong indications that increased concerns over some substitutes will help the asbestos industry over the next couple of years. It is worth noting that litigations against some manufacturers of substitute products appear to be increasing significantly as consumers are concerned about the performance of these substitutes; this is the case, for example, in Denmark. The benefits and safety of asbestos-cement products continue to be recognized despite increasing competi tion from substitute fibres and steel. Asian countries are still the main markets for Canadian fibres, accounting for about 589c of Canadian exports in 1994. Japan's share seems to have reached a plateau and some improvement is expected in the near future as the Japanese economy recovers. Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand represented strong markets in 1994 and are expected to remain so in 1995. In Europe, France. Belgium and Spain displayed strength, while some other countries like Italy (where a ban is in effect) have either completely disappeared as an export destination or have continued to reduce their consumption. It is expected that chrysotile con sumption in Europe will continue to be reduced; this decline could be moderated by concerns regarding substitutes. The Americas maintained their position as an important destination of Canadian asbestos accounting for about 229c of Canada's exports; 1994 saw a significant increase m exports to Mexico. Exports to the United States dropped by 10^ from the previous year. South America remains an impor tant focus for future growth. Canadian production and exports are expected to remain stable in 1995. Notes: (1) For definitions and valuation of mineral production, shipments and trade, please refer to Chapter 60. (2) Information in this review was current as of December 31, 1994. TARIFFS Item No Description MFN 2524.00.10 2524.00.90 6811.10 6811.20 6811.30 6811.90 6812.10 6812.20 6812.30 6812 40 6812.50 6812.60 6812.70 6812.90.10 6812.90.90 6813 10.10 6813.10.90 6813.90 10 6813 90.90 Crude asbestos Other asbestos Corrugated sheets of asbestos-cement, of cellulose fibre-cement or the like Sheets n.e.s., panels/tiles etc. of asbestoscement, cellulose fibre-cement, etc. Tubes, pipes and tube or pipe fittings of asbestos-cement, of cellulose fibre-cement, etc. Articles n e s. of asbestos-cement, of cellulose fibre-cement, or the like Fabricated asbestos fibres; mixtures with a basis of asbestos or with a basis of asbestos and magnesium carbonate Asbestos yam and thread Asbestos cords and string, whether or not plaited Asbestos woven or knitted fabric Asbestos clothing, clothing accessories, footwear and headgear Asbestos paper, millboard and felt Compressed asbestos fibre jointing, in sheets or rolls Asbestos belting Other asbestos fabricated products n.e.s. Asbestos brake linings and pads for motor vehicles of heading nos. 87.02, 87.03, 87 04 or 87.05 Other asbestos brake linings and pads Asbestos clutch facings for motor vehicles of heading nos. 87.02, 87.03. 87 04 or 87.05 Other asbestos friction material and articles n.e.s. Free 7.5% 7.5% 7.5% 7.5% 7.5% 7.5% 11.6% 12.5% 8% 23.1% 7 5% 7.5% 16.3% 7.5% 10.5% 7.5% 10.5% 8.6% Canada GPT Free 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 116% 12.5% 5% 23.1% 5% 5% 7.5% 5% Free 5% 7 5% 2.5% USA Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free 3.3% 2 4% 3 3% 2.7% United States Canada Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Sources Customs Tariff, effective January 1995, Revenue Canada, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United Slates. 1995 n e s Not elsewhere soecified CTD007075 9 8 CANADIAN MINERALS YEARBOOK. 1994 TABLE 1. CANADA, ASBESTOS PRODUCTION AND TRADE. 1993 AND 1994 Item No 1993 1994 PRODUCTION (Shipments)' By type Crude, groups 1. 2 and other milled Group 3. spinning Group 4. shingle Group 5. paper Group 6 stucop Group 7. refuse Total By province Quebec British Columbia Newfoundland Total EXPORTS 2524 00 10 Crude asbestos Japan Malaysia United States Other countries Total 2524 00 21 Asbestos milled fibres. Group 3 grades EU countries (12)* Spam United Kingdom Portugal Germany France Italy Netherlands EU countries, subtotal Mexico Thailand South Korea Israel Turkey India Hungary Brazil Other countries Total 2524 00 22 Asbestos milled fibres, groups 4 and 5 grades EU countries (12)' France Spain United Kingdom Belgium Portugal Ireland Germany Denmark Italy Netherlands EU countries, subtotal Thailand Japan Mexico India Indonesia Colombia Algeria Malaysia Brazil Chile Morocco Nigeria Sri Lanka Peru Egypt (tonnes) ($000) (tonnes) ($000) 7 092 116 553 112 263 160 802 106 257 522 967 509 474 _ 13 493 522 967 1 593 50 34 62 1 739 456 738 150 55 _ 18 35 1 454 267 790 581 550 218 213 370 390 2 404 7 237 6 213 80 435 54 377 60 049 21 748 222 821 218 796 _ 4 023 222 821 546 ^9 18 4 .7 593 961 206 72 _ 21 33 1 686 350 1 025 744 714 283 283 479 536 2 236 8 544 525 000 515 000 _ 10 000 525 000 791 - 343 20 2 154 825 735 125 44 32 _ - 761 406 714 523 500 489 338 335 301 1 501 7 866 226 245 225 245 _ 3 000 228 245 659 _ 226 15 900 1 072 956 174 56 42 _ - 2 302 1 850 927 678 649 634 442 433 413 1 331 9 669 18 228 9 383 4 995 2 704 2 550 527 160 50 6 641 193 45 431 31 127 19 877 11 146 20 338 8 915 16 239 4 600 7 581 8 373 5 026 3 531 7 177 3 327 1 945 2 957 15 158 8 882 4 137 2 216 2 362 351 147 35 S 852 196 39 336 24 026 16 502 9 661 16 248 S 791 13 363 3 847 5 688 E 807 3 896 3 216 6 130 3 151 1 579 2 938 20 148 13 173 4 649 4 565 2 190 1 680 SO 25 - - 46 680 40 564 26 511 16 358 16 826 15 977 12 737 10 700 9 188 5808 5 167 4 515 3 799 3 118 3 299 2 261 16 005 12 563 4 134 4 066 1 999 1 117 56 17 _ - 39 959 X 414 21 351 14 372 13 512 11 031 10 575 8 539 7 124 5 164 4 IX 4 127 3 332 2 796 2 718 2 237 CTD007076 TABLE 1 (corn'd) Item No EXPORTS (confd) United Arab Emirates Tunisia Yugoslavia Pakistan Argentina Australia South Korea Other countries Total 2524 00 29 Asbestos shorts, groups 6. 7. 8 and 9 grades EU countries (12)' France Belgium Spain United Kingdom Ireland Portugal Denmark Germany Greece Netherlands Italy EU countries subtotal Japan Thailand South Korea India United States Indonesia Malaysia Mexico Colombia Brazil Taiwan Algeria Chile Other countnes Total Grand total, crude, milled fibres and shorts 6811 10 Corrugated sheets ol asbestos-cement, of cellulose fibre-cement or the like United States Japan 6811 20 Total Sheets n.e.s.. panettMes. etc., of asbestos-cement cellulose fibrecement etc. United States Finland Australia 6811 30 Total Tubes, pipes and tube or pipe fittings of asbestos-cement of cellulose fibrecement etc Total 6811 90 Articles n e s. of asbestos-cement, of cellulose fibre-cement, or the like United States El Salvador Japan United Kingdom ASBESTOS 9.9 ___________________ 1993 1994 (tonnes) ($000) (tonnes) ($000) 1 150 2 735 1 532 5 724 864 866 1 564 9 738 221 763 1 072 2 846 1 514 4 538 749 736 t 289 8 976 183 903 2 275 1 540 1 263 1 196 1 083 1 132 f 075 7 424 240 496 2 187 1 639 1 026 1 009 973 960 919 6 144 196 238 5 401 3 069 1 888 3 168 770 2 527 469 313 16 36 2 949 20 598 64 636 31 400 40 796 20 831 29 583 10 756 6 415 9 212 11 237 5 988 3 314 1 193 2 369 21 365 279 695 510 434 - 1 573 1 203 834 1 233 327 820 223 106 3 7 980 7 309 26 684 13 719 15 978 8 374 8 732 4 340 2 435 2 978 5 075 2 302 1 277 514 900 8 275 108 892 301 963 1 014 - 1 014 8 003 4 404 3 346 2 428 1 995 1 632 425 56 54 16 - 22 361 62 159 35 920 40 915 19 056 24 599 11 965 9 889 10 163 7 583 6966 3 146 2 600 2 626 19 360 279 328 529 846 2 476 1 666 1 440 908 825 495 191 15 10 3 8 027 2S 956 15 851 15 398 7 776 7 013 5 161 3 827 3 506 3093 2 406 1 337 1 191 945 7 248 108 735 315 541 589 8 597 1 376 -_ 4 1 360 1 704 22 - t 807 -- 18 _ 13 2 -- 29 27 -- CTD007077 9 10 CANADIAN MINERALS YEARBOOK. 1994 TABLE 1 (corn'd)_____________________________________________________________________________ Item No 1993 1994 (tonnes) ($000) (tonnesi ($000) EXPORTS (confd) 6612 10 Fabricated asbestos fibres mixtures with a basis of asbestos or with a basis of asbestos and magnesium carbonate South Korea Taiwan People s Republic of China Mexico Jamaica Thailand Malaysia Indonesia Other countries Total 6812 20 Asbestos yarn and thread United States Chile Colombia Czechoslovakia Philippines Brazil Other countries 6812 30 Total Asbestos cords and string, whether or not plaited United States Cuba 6812.40 Total Asbestos woven or knitted fabric United Kingdom United Stales Other countries 6812.50 Total Asbestos clothing, clothing accessor ies. footwear and headgear Egypt United Kingdom Venezuela 6812.60 6812.70 - Total Asbestos paper, millboard and felt South Korea Mexico Other countries Total Compressed asbestos fibre josang. m sheets or rolls United States Other countries Total 6812.90 10 Asbestos belting Japan South Korea Singapore Thailand Other countnes Total -_-- -_- 133 59 60 52 304 22 177 90 362 43 183 __ 13 SO 25 117 54 272 247 1 161 1 10 12 68 514 36 429 10 75 115 1 020 --- 90 90 __ __ 5 5 1 033 89 1 122 __ 75 55 224 187 541 81 29 16 17 5 __ ---- 151 26 191 31 140 19 83 12 75 10 65 5 22 1 13 103 589 2 -- 2 61 532 31 396 1 24 93 952 126 5 -~ 132 223 113 "* 337 1 082 44 1 126 411 223 60 56 9 759 CTD007078 ASBESTOS <? I; TABLE 1 (corn'd) Rem No EXPORTS Iconrd) 6612 90 90 Other asbestos fabricated products n es. United States Japan New Zealand Taiwan Other countries Total 6813 10 Asbestos brake linings and pads United States Other countries Total 661390 Asbestos fncson material and articles n es People's Republic of China United States Total Total exports, asbestos manufactured IMPORTS 2524 00.10 2524.00 90 Crude asbestos Other asbestos 6811.10 6811 20 6811.30 6811.90 Corrugated sheets of asbestos-cement, of cellulose fibre-cement, or me like Sheets n.e s. panels/tiles, etc., of asbestos-cement, cefluiose-fibre cement etc. Tubes, pipes and tube or pipe fittings of asbestos-cement cellulose fibrecement etc. Articles n.e *.. of asbestos-cement, cellulose fibre-cement or the like 6812.10 6812.20 6812 30 6812.40 6812.50 6812.60 6812.70 6812.90.10 6812 90 90 Fabricated asbestos fibres, mixtures with a basis of asbestos or with a basis of asbestos and magnesarm carbonate Asbestos yam and thread Asbestos cords and string, whether or not plaited Asbestos woven or knitted labnc Asbestos clothing, clothing accessories, footwear and headgear Asbestos paper, mittboard and felt Compressed asbestos fibre tomting. m sheets or roas Asbestos betting Other istoenet fabricated products n.e.s. 6813 10 6813 90 Asbestos brake linings and pads Asbestos friction material and arodes n.es 1993 (tonnes) (5000) 1994 (tonnes) (5000) - - 272 582 3 39 39 149 176 - - 85 261 46 061 453 46 514 - 116 116 S3 574 199 178 470 1 649 1 832 289 261 16 97 588 308 288 1 328 _ 2 142 46 866 6 199 896 64 394 1 741 270 77 20 2 7 56 19 30 143 247 59 39 30 53 428 46 517 144 46 661 30 22 S3 53 651 392 46 205 1 716 229 255 181 e 41 779 377 279 1 414 7 2 334 62 255 7 837 Sources: Natural Resources Canada: Statistics Canada. - Nil; . . Not available or not applicable. ... Amount too smat to be expressed: n.es Not elsewhere specified t EU includes Belgium. Denmartt. France, Germany, Greece. Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands. Portugal. Spam and the United Kingdom Note Numbers may not add to totals due to rounding. CTD007079 9)2 CANADIAN MINERALS YEARBOOK. 1994 TABLE 2. CANADIAN ASBESTOS PRODUCERS. 1994 Producers Mme Location Normal Mill Capacity Ore/Day Fibre/Year Teranov Mining Corp Bate Verte. Nftd (tonnes) 6 000 20 000 LAB Chrysotile inc 1 Lac d'Amiante du Quebec nee (LAO) Black Lake. Que 9 000 160 000 - Asbestos Corporation Limited British Canadian mme Beil Asbestos Mines Ltd Black Lake. Oue 7 000 Thetford Mines, Que 2 700 70 000 70 000 J.M Asbestos inc Jeffrey mine Asbestos. Oue IS 000 250 000 Remarks Wet-processing of tailings started m July 1991 Jointly owned by Black Hill Minerals Lid (50%) and Cliff Resources (S0%) Partnership owned 55% by LAO and 45% by Mazann Mining Exploration Inc Open-pit Since September 1969. LAO has been owned by Jean Oupere (President of LAB Chrysotile) and Connell Bros Company. Ltd of the United States Sold to Mazann Mining Exploration inc on September 2. 1992. Open-pit Sold to Mazaw Mining Exploration inc on September 2. 1992. Underground Mine was re-opened January 1989. Open-pit (effectrve capacity reduced by one haff since 1982). Total of four producers at year-end 570 000 ' A partnership involving three operating companies TABLE 3. CANADA, ASBESTOS PRODUCTION AND EXPORTS, 1985-94 Crude Milled Shorts Total (tonnes) PRODUCTION1 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994P EXPORTS - 397 729 352 461 750 190 - 332 092 330 289 682 381 - 365 144 299 402 664 546 14 399 550 310 793 710 357 - 410 588 303 448 714 036 - 379 047 306 580 685 627 - 335 506 350 502 686 008 - 259 819 327 175 586 994 - 235 908 287 059 522 967 525 000 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 \ 44 127 1 696 11 288 17 198 1 469 2 302 1 489 1 739 2 154 395 158 375 948 353 321 381 561 379 601 378 074 353 391 272 013 229 000 248 364 326 311 341 609 293 808 292 236 312 915 269 942 330 360 327 075 279 695 279 328 721 513 717 684 648 825 685 085 709 714 649 485 686 053 600 577 510 434 529 846 Sources Natural Resources Canada; Statistics Canada - Nil. . . Not available, p Preliminary 1 Producers shipments CTD007080