Document zQ8ExNr5npb85ak2pQqoqaD5m

Minerals Ye 1968 Volume I--II METALS, MINERALS, Prepared by staff o BUREAU OF MI N49793 630 MINERALS YEARBOOK, 1968 Liberia.--A report published by the Liberian Geological Survey described the Mount Montro Kyanitc Deposit, Grand Bassa County.* The deposit, a large single body in a belt approximately 12,600 feet long, 480 feet wide, and from 25 to 350 feet thick, has a kyanitc content ranging from 10 to 35 percent. Total reserves were estimated at about 10 million tons of kyanite rock containing about 2.5 million tons of kyanite. South Africa, Republic of.--Sillimanite production for the first 9 months of 1968 was 27,663 tons with output indicated to be slightly lower than that of 1967. AndaJusilc. production for the same period was 18,826 tons, and if the trend continued for the rest of the year, would indicate a con siderable decline below 1967 production. For this 9-monlh period, about 70 percent of the total output was exported. In 1967, the last full year for which data arc avail able, sillimanite output was 39,005 tons, a slight increase over 1966 output. Andalusite production rose to 27,098 tons compared with 23,684 tons for 1966. TECHNOLOGY Bureau of Mines research showed the applicability of heavy liquid separation techniques for recovery of concentrates from minus 35-mesh ore samples of kyanitc, potash, spodumene, fluorspar, and beryl.' Known resources of high-temperature re fractory raw materials in the Pacific North west were substantially increased by the completion of Bureau of Mines field and laboratory studies of kyanite group mineral deposits. A study of present and potential domestic and foreign markets for western kyanite will be published in 1969. The calcination and sintering behavior of three samples of Alabama bauxitic mate rial was studied in the laboratory* At 2,700F the densification of the three samples--two mainly of mullite and sili ceous glass, and the third mullite and cristobalite--stopped and the pellets reached their maximum bulk specific gravity. The first American edition of a compre hensive British report on the sillimanite group minerals and synthetic mullite was published.* The work describes the min erals, refractory qualities and specifications, information on deposits throughout the world (including reserves where available), mining and processing methods, world trade, prices and uses. In addition to a discussion of synthetic mullite production, an extensive bibliography broken down into major subject headings is included. Stanin, S. Anthony, and Bisrnark R. Cooper. The Mount Montro Kyanite Deposit, Grand Bassa County. Liberia. Republic of Liberia, Bureau of Natural Resources and Surveys, Geological Survey. Bull. No. 2. 1968, 20 pp. Tippin, R. B., and James S. Browning. Heavy Liquid Cyclone Concentration of Minerals (in Two Parts). 2. A study of Liquid Cyclone Concentration of Various Mineral Systems. BuMines Rept. of Inv. 7134, 1968, 58 pp. 0 Bakker, Walter T. General Refractories Re search Project Reveals Higrade Domestic Bauxite. Brick and Clay Record, v. 153, No. 7, August 1068, pp. 24-26. ; Varley, E. R. Sillimanite (Andalusite, Kyanite, Sillimanite), First American Edition, Chemical Publishing Co., Inc., New York, 1968, 165 pp. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1969 0--344*249/168 Lead By Donald E. Mo The world lead industry achieved a record level of production and consumption in 1968. World mine production indicated at 3.31 million tons was closely alined with metal production at 3.22 million tons, a significant upward surge of 4.4 percent from the 1967 level. The free world mine production of 2.44 million tons and smelter production of 2.38 million tons did not satisfy the indicated 5.3-percent increase in metal consumption. Producer stocks, after a buildup in midyear to some 204,000 tons at the end of July, ended the year at 163,000 tons, about 18,000 tons below that existing at the end of 1967. The foreign lead price reflected the tightening supply situation with a gradual rise in the monthly aver equi Dece Th in 1 of s facil reco 359, mary last strike train smel realiz in m 1P Table 1.--Salient lead 1964 United States: Production: Domestic ores, recoverable lead con tent...............short tons.. Value. . ....___.... _ .thousands.. Primary lead (refined): From domestic ores and base bullion..........short tons.. From foreign ores and baso bul- a lion -------- ...... .short tons.. Antimonial lead (Primary lead con tent)........................... --short tons.. Secondary lead (Lead content) short tons.. Exports of lead materials excluding scrap imports, general: short tons.. Lead In ores and matte.... ...do.... Lead in base bullion.................. do.... Lead in pigs, bars, and old short tons.. Stocks December 81 (lead content): At primary smelters and refineries short tonB.. t At consumer plants................... do_____ Consumption of metal, primary and sccondary..................................... short tons.. Price: New York, common lead, average, . cents per pound_____________ .. World: ......................... Production: Mine..----------------------------short tons.. Smelter...........................................do_____ Price: London, common lead, average, cents per pound..................... 286,010 374,936 294,254 156,176 8,607 641,682 10,194 123,267 4,838 212,898 84,398 113,444 1,202,138 13.62 2,779,182 2,818,266 12.69 1 2 2 632 MINERALS YEARBOOK, 1968 Reported domestic consumption, marked by a record output of storage batteries and gasoline additives, established a new high of 1.33 million tons, almost 5/j percent above the 1967 total and slightly above (he previous high of 1.32-million tons set in 1966. Despite the increase in smelter metal and the continued high level of metal imports and secondary metal, stocks were depleted and all of the Government stock pile lead authorized for disposal was sold by early April. The available lead supply for the year, (production, imports, second ary stock changes and exports) indicated a disappearance of some 92,000 tons of lead in addition to the 1.32 million tons reported as consumed, well above the indi cated disappearance in recent years. The domestic price of lead, stable at the 14 cents per pound level established on October 10, 1966, was decreased to 13 cents on May 2, 1968, and 12 */a cents on July 15, reflecting the expected supply surplus after settlement of the 9-month strike in April, and also a slight buildup of stocks during the normal vacation dol drums of July and August. Continued high consumption, both domestic and foreign, and strike diminished supply, however, resulted in a stock drawdown and on October 11 a price increase to 13 cents per pound was ini(iatcd and joined by all producers on October 14. The situation at the end of the year was one of high demand, stocks amounting to less than 1 month's consumption, no stock pile lead authorized for sale, and a rising European price of 11.3 cents per pound, well above the normal 2/j to 3 cents per pound comparative domestic differential. Legislation and Government Programs.-- The price of lead throughout 1968 was be low the 14.5 cents per pound floor under which payments to eligible domestic pro ducers are authorized by "The Lead and Zinc Mining Stabilization Program," Public Law 89-239. Payments in 1968 amounted to $98,889 on 5,876 tons of lead. Under the revised regulations, published Juno 1, 1966, 60 producers of the 142 applying were certified. Under this program initiated in October 1961, total payments on 36,801 tons of eligible lead have amounted to $1,251,618 and on combined lead and zinc $2,520,023. Oklahoma and Utah had the largest number of active participants in the program, each with 24, although Oklahoma has .received the largest pay ment, amounting to 43 percent of the total. Government participation in exploration, primarily for lead, was withdrawn in June 1962. The program, under the Office of Minerals Exploration, Department of the Interior, continued active in other base metals - antimony, bismuth, copper, gold, and silver. These metals arc often in asso ciation with lead and the national lead resource is benefited by the work performed with government assistance. Sales of Government stockpile surplus lead under Public Law 09--9 enacted in March 1965, was conducted by General Services Administration on an open-sale, shelf-item basis until early April. Sales were terminated at that time upon completion of the 150,000 tons total authorized for commercial sale. Sales amounted to 26,460 tons and deliveries to 28,677 tons for the calendar year, thus reducing the Govern ment inventory to 1,164,603 tons of refined lead valued at $302.8 million. The Govern ment inventory also contained an addi tional 10,336 Ions of antimonial lead valued at $3.1 million. The International Lead and Zinc Study Group held its 12th session in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 10-22, preceded on November 13-15 by meetings of various committees concerned will) statistics, form and estimates of production and consump tion, and factors influencing trade in lead and zinc. Representatives of 27 countries attended the session, including the Republic of Zambia and the Hungarian Peoples Republic which were formally accepted into membership. The Study Group noted the lower than expected mine and metal production, the import of some 55,000 tons of lead from free world markets by China, and a rise of about 5 /% percent in metal consumption. The conclusion of the statisti cal committee was a supply shortfall of 20,000 tons in 1968 and an indicated statistical supply surplus in 1969. The International Lead-Zinc Research Organization, incorporated in 1965 by 26 charter member companies, has grown to 31 companies in 11 countries representing the majority of the world's lead and zinc production. The organization continued to sponsor research and development programs related to basic data and applications for lead and zinc products. LEAD z 50 ; r------------ LU O United Stotes cn --- UJ G_ 0 j --i__ i--i--i--i--i--i___i i i . Figure 1.--Trends in the lead indus DOMESTIC PROD MINE PRODUCTION Mine production was curtailed during the first quarter of the year by the con tinuation of the strike closure of mines in the Western States and inability of other mines to market concentrates due to smelter closures. Operations were resumed in April at most of those mines but normal production levels were not achieved until June. The first 6-month output thus totaled 147,500 tons in comparison to 168,900 tons in the like period of 1967. Production for gain achi how of 2 Cali Was rem decli tonn Utah Frid 634 MINERALS YEARBOOK, 1968 United Park City and Tintic mines in Utah. The continuing shortage of labor, and particularly experienced miners, has affected production and development in most of the domestic mining areas. Missouri mines accounted for almost 60 percent of the domestic production com pared with 48 percent in 1967, followed by Idaho, 14 percent; Utah, 13 percent; and Colorado, 6 percent. These four States contributed 93 percent of the domestic output of recoverable lead in ore and the 25 leading mines listed in table 5 produced 93 percent of the recoverable lead. Southeast Missouri continued to be the world's most active lead producing area. St. Joseph Lead Co. continued production at the Federal, Indian Creek, Viburnum, and Fletcher mines and concentrators and produced 259,500 tons of lead concentrates in comparison with 220,100 tons in 1967. The new Goose Creek shaft was completed and in production with ore from this development processed at the Indian Creek concentrator. The large, mobile equipment in use at the Fletcher mine has achieved production rates almost six times the maxi mum level attained with 1958 equipment and methods.3 This has resulted in position ing the Fletcher as the leading domestic lead mine. The Magmont mine, a joint venture of Cominco American Inc., and Dresser Industries, Inc., was brought into production in midyear and will be at its full capacity of 50,000 tons of lead in concentrates by mid-1969. Reserves at this mine are estimated at 15 million tons of ore containing 1.3 million tons of lead and zinc.3 The startup of the Missouri Lead Operating Co., a joint venture of American Metal Climax Inc. and Homestakc Mining Co., was delayed by extensive underground water flow but was expected to be opera tional early in 1969. Reserves at this mine are stated to be 53.6 million tons of ore averaging 6 percent lead and zinc.* Ozark Lead Co., a subsidiary of Kennecott Cop per Corp., continued development at the Ellington mine but was delayed by the strike and lack of experienced personnel." Development and exploration in the Cocur d'Alene area of Idaho continued to the extent of labor availability. Participa tion agreements involving American Smelt ing and Refining Company, Day Mines Inc., Hecla Mining Co., The Bunker Hill Co., and various other property owners have permitted extensive programs of ex ploration and development in depth in areas adjacent to thv Galena mine, Lucky Friday mine, and Sunshine mine. Shaft sinking and development at the Lucky Friday, Sunshine Unit area and Star Morning Unit area was underway at depths ranging down to the 7,300-foot level at the Star-Morning. The Galena mine re sumed operations in April and the Lucky Friday on June 15 after strike closure for 8 months. Operations at The Bunker Hill Co. mines and those operated by Day Mines Inc. were not affected by the strike in 1968. The Utah mines were also affected by the strike and by a shortage of labor which reduced production. The Midval Flotation Mill, operated by United States Smelting, Refining and Mining Co., was idle for several short periods during the first 4 months, due to shortage of ores from shippers, and stockpiled lead concentrates until resumption of operation at the Tooele, Utah smelter.* The Burgin mine of Kenne cott Copper Corp. virtually completed con struction of a concentration plant and mine expansion from 500 to 000 tons per day. A new shaft to extend the mining area was started in June. The Idarado mine of Ncwmont Mining Corp. in Colorado operated all year with a slightly lower output of ore and metal compared with 1967 and development of ore reserves was slightly below ore pro duced. Development by Resurrection Min ing Co. at Leadville, Colo., a joint project of Newmont and American Smelting and Refining Company, has indicated reserves of 2.4 million tons of ore with an average of 5.13 percent lead, 9.95 percent zinc, and 2.65 ounces of silver per ton.7 The Pend Oreille Mines & Metals Co. operated the Pend Oreille mine on a more selective mining program and while ton nage was reduced 32 percent, lead pro duced in concentrates was almost three times larger than in 1967. 8 St. Joseph Lead Co. Annual Report. 1068, p. 9. 8 Cominco Ltd. Annual Report. 1968, p. 9. * American Metal Climax Inc. Annual Report. 1968, p. 18. n Kennecott Copper Corp. Annual Report. 1968, p. 12. * United States Smelting, Refining and Mining Co. Annual Report. 1968, p. 11. 7 Newmont Mining Corp. Annual Report. 1068. p. 8. * Pend Oreille Mines ft Metals Co. Annual Report. 1968, pp. 4-6. LEAD SMELTER AND REFINERY PRODUCTION Primary plant production of lead metal amounted to 495,900 tons, an increase of 24 percent compared with the 1967 figure. The strike at plants operated by American Smelting and Refining Company and Inter national Smelting & Refining Co., which began in July 1967, extended through March, but operations were finally re sumed in April after settlement. In January production amounted to 18,100 tons, the lowest output since November 1959. A high level of output was, however, regained in March because of the accumulation of lead concentrates at some mines and custom mills during the strike. The Herculaneum smelter of St. Joseph Lead Co., after a short shutdown in Janu ary to effect repair and adjustment after the smelter expansion completed in 1967, produced a record 170,799 tons of refined lead and lead in alloys and again was the leading domestic plant. A sulfuric acid plant was under construction to utilize gases from the smelter. The Buick, Mo., smelter operated by Missouri Lead Operating Co., a joint sub sidiary of American Metal Climax, Inc., and Homestake Mining Co., began initial operations in August on concentrates from the Magmont mine at Bixby, Mo., a 50,000-ton-annual-capacity mine-mill com plex owned by Cominco American and Dresser Industries.. Production proceeded until November 6 when closed by a strike of the United Steelworkers Union. Settle ment was reached on November 20 on a 3-year labor contract and production re sumed.*10 11 * American Smelting and Refining Com pany's new Glover, Mo., smelter was com pleted and limited production initiated in July. A strike, however, closed the plant on September 10 after limited shipments were made and operations were not re sumed in 1968.11 The East Helena, Mont., El Paso, Tex., and Selby, Calif., smelters were operated after settlement of the strike and the lead bullion refined at Omaha, Neb., and Selby, Calif. The lead smelter and refinery at Kellogg, Idaho, operated by The Bunker Hill Co., a subsidiary of Gulf Resources and Chemi cal Corp., operated at capacity and pro duced 1.5 percent more metal than in 1967, thus, continuing an expansion in output initiated in 1965. A new updraft sintering facility to the a United plant a of Unit Mining althoug at Tooe for ref Schuylk ing and a comb feed ma Seco third su that pr 1,200 to in com change produce hard lea compare monial pared w 19 perc ary lead lead pr supply and 42 44 per seconda 173 sme and 21 Raw contribu centage The 36 in refine 75 perc consume percent normal tinued both re primary than 2 material mary p amounte of whic St. J p. 9. 10 Ame 1968, p. 11 Ame Annual R ,f Gulf Report. 1 11 Unite Co. Annu 636 MINERALS YEARBOOK, 1968 rial, 1,400 tons was scrap, and 45,200 tons was in intermediate process materials. Total stocks increased to 162,000 tons at the end of March but upon resumption of operalions at the strike-closed smellers decreased to 125,000 tons at the end of July and then gradually increased to 139,100 tons :\t yearend, of which 85,200 tons was pri mary raw materia], 2,000 tons was scrap, uid 52,000 tons was in process. Consumption of scrap materials amounted 'o 725,700 tons, gross weight, in compari<>n to 726,300 tons in 1967. Battery scrap, iowever, represented 64 percent in com parison to 62 percent in 1967 and 60 percent in 1966. Recycled drosses and residues increased to 104,000 tons in com parison with 101,100 tons in 1967 and amounted to 14 percent of the secondary materials consumed. Receipts of scrap and consumption were balanced for iho entire year. The monthly trend, however, indi cated the relationship of weather to re ceipts of scrap, particularly battery scrap. Stocks increased 7.3 percent in January, l.l percent in February and March, and then declined 3.6 percent in April, 10.9 percent in May, were balanced in June, increased 9.2 percent in July (the smelter vacation period), and then decreased about 4 percent monthly until December when slocks increased 12.7 percent. The increas ing number of gasoline- and battery- powered units on the highways, airways, and waterways, and in industrial use indi cates a promising future supply of worn- out batteries for reprocessing into second ary lead. ; CONSUMPTION AND USES Lead consumption recovered dramati cally in 1968 to a new record of 1.33 mil lion tons, an increase of 5.4 percent in comparison to the low level of 1967 and almost 5,000 tons above the previous high reported for 1966. The combined record production of batteries and gasoline anti knock compounds, which are dependent on lead, stimulated the increased demand. Examination of domestic supply sources indicated that metal production, imports, stock changes, and Government disposal during 1968 totaled some 92,000 tons of lead above that accounted for in reported distribution. This disappearance was well above that indicated in recent years and presumably was unreported domestic con sumption or stock buildup. Consumption was quite evenly spread throughout the year with the historical low again in July and the historical high in October. The 133,100 tons used in October appeared to be a record exceeding the 126,600 tons in October 1950. The daily average of 3,641 tons compares with 3,453 tons in 1967 and 3,627 tons in 1966. The lead consumed in metal products, other than batteries, was 364,300 tons, almost identical to that used in 1967. Increases posted for ammunition, brass and bronze, calking lead, piping, sheet and solder, were balanced by decreases in bear ings, cable covering, casting, collapsible tubes, foil, terne, and type metal. Ammuni tion continued the upward trend since 1963 reflecting increased military require ments. Brass mills resumed operation in April after the prolonged copper industry strike which reduced requirements in 1967. Increased calking lead, piping, and sheet consumption indicated the high level of construction, as did the use of lead in vibration and sound control. Areas of diminishing requirements wore, in general, in accord with the downward trend estab lished in recent years in these historical applications. The manufacture of lead-acid storage batteries required a record 514,000 tons, approximately 39 percent of the total and 47,000 tons above that used in 1967. The annual growth of lead used in batteries has averaged over 5 percent since 1958. The battery industry enjoyed a record breaking year in 1968 according to statistics of the Association of American Battery Manufacturers, Inc. A total of 46.5 million automotive-type batteries were shipped, con sisting of 35 million replacement batteries, 11 million installed in new vehicles and 418,300 exported. The replacement battery shipments were almost 7 percent above the previous high in 1963 and original equip ment was last exceeded in 1965 while ex ports were the largest since 1952. This large increase reflected the growing number of motor vehicles registered which ap proached 97 million at the end of 1967, and included the replacement of original equipment in cars produced in the record year of 1965, and new vehicles produced in 1968, the second highest production in LEAD history. The indicated life of a battery in 1967, based on vehicle registration and replacement shipments, was 28.6 months, a continuation of the upward trend since 1963. In addition to the automotive-type batteries, the use of larger capacity indus trial batteries steadily increased and re quired 10 to 15 percent of the total lead in batteries. The use of lead in antiknock com pounds was also at a record 261,900 tons, almost 6 percent above the 1967 use and reflects the increasing mileage driven by gasoline-powered vehicles. The annual growth of lead use, interrupted by the jet fuel replacement of aviation gasoline, has averaged almost 5 percent since 1958 and essentially parallels the growth in battery lead. The automotive requirements for lead in the near future indicate a continuing up ward trend in consumption which will outweigh the stable or declining use of lead in some of its historic uses such as piping, type metal, bearings, cable covering, and paints which are being replaced by com petitive materials and/or technological change. The use of lead in vibration and noise control is a promising development and the intensive research and development by industry and the International Lead and Zinc Research Organization is indica tive of the effort expended to maintain the competitive position of lead in historical use areas as well as participate in new technological developments for metals. LEAD PIGMENTS Lead required for production of pigments and oxides increased to 345,500 tons, all derived from pig lead except 1,500 tons in leaded-zinc oxide from ores. Requirements for white lead and red lead continued to decline and represented only 8.4 percent of the total compared with 10 percent in 1967. Consumption in oxides registered major gains--20 percent for litharge and 7 percent for black oxide--as storage battery output using a large percentage of the oxides reached record levels. The paint industry used a slightly smaller tonnage of white lead in 1968 and the sharp downward trend in recent years appears to have been stabilized. Various uses not itemized also decreased moderately. Red lead in paints decreased 15 percent while miscellaneous uses held steady in comparison to the year 1967. The resum in ton dustrie have tons s cent litharg formin batter 6 perc the 2 Pric ments mid-O ing p carbo 20.5 c allowe Pb<i04 at 16 when the 1 decrea ing t Octob lead p throug comm lots, a from and b the p The red le millio 1967 For pigme lead a cline tons v 1,909 valued be the Unite Imp pound valued includ orange 400 to accou Belgiu Africa lands, supplie 638 MINERALS YEARBOOK, 1968 oxide imports amounted to 200 tons valued at $44,300, principally from West Germany followed by Mexico, France, and Canada. Litharge was the largest lead pigment material received amounting to 24,800 tons valued at $5.13 million and Mexico sup plied 97 percent and France 2 percent of the total. Red lead imports amounted to 4,400 tons valued at $977,000 with Mexico providing 57 percent, France 25 percent, West Germany 13 percent, and BelgiumLuxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, and Ceylon the remaining 5 percent. White lead imports totaled 2,160 tons valued at $672,400 with the Netherlands, West Ger many, and Canada the leading suppliers with 90 percent of the total* Approximately 6 tons of miscellaneous lead pigments valued at $8,200 completed the imports of semiprocesscd lead materials. STOCKS Lead inventories in the hands of pro ducers and consumers were uncomfortably low throughout the year and represented, at the most, a month's consumption. Primary producer stocks of refined lead and antimonial lead combined, totaled 23,400 tons at the beginning of the year and were reduced to 13,200 tons by the end of the first quarter. A buildup lit the second and third quarter brought the com bined total to 29,600 tons at the end of August and thereafter a sustained draw down resulted in the total of 15,300 tons at the end of 1960. Total stocks of lead material physically at primary plants was reported to be 90,400 tons at yearend in comparison to 125,500 tons at the end of 1967. The American Bureau of Metal Statistics reported additional materia! in transit and a total of 161,900 tons. Consumer stocks, including secondary smelter stocks, were also drawn down in the first quarter and then rebuilt to 116,000 tons at the end of July. T he heavy draw down in the third and fourth quarter brought the closing stocks to 88,900 tons. Government inventory of lead in stockpile was reduced 28,700 tons during the year with a resulting 1,164,600 tons remaining in refined lead and 10,300 tons of anti monial lead. PRICES The last change in the price of lead prior to 1968 occurred on October 10, 1966, when a decrease from 15 to 14 cents per pound at New York, became effective. The price remained stable at 14 cents through out the strike at Western smelters and a favorable differential of 3.5 to 4 cents per pound of the domestic price in com parison to the London Metal Exchange brought increased metal imports into the domestic market. Upon resumption of operations after the strike on a high output level, anticipation of a continued high import and additional output from the new Missouri smelters, the price was reduced on May 2 to 13 cents per pound and again on July 15 to 12/a cents per pound. The heavy demand in the third quarter and startup problems in Missouri, however, resulted in a price rise on October 11 to 13 cents which became firm on October 14 and continued through the remainder of the year. The Canadian price closely followed the domestic price declining from 14 cents to 13 cents during the May-September period and increasing to 13/a cents in October. The London Metal Exchange average monthly price, however, moved steadily upward from a 9.95-cent-per-pound aver age in January, U.S. equivalent, to a 11.41 cent average in September and after a decline in October increased to an average of 11.35 cents for December. FOREIGN TRADE The export market for lead improved in 1968, both in tonnage of refined and in scrap materials, although value was slightly lower in both classes of material. The most significant changes were the large increase in shipment of refined lead to the South American and European areas and also the European demand for lead scrap. General imports of lead in ores during the first half of the year were at a very LEAD low level due to the curtailed operations of domestic smelters and a stockpile of domestic concentrates. The total ore and bullion for domestic processing, 88,000 tons for the year, was the lowest amount landed since 1951. Metal imports, amounting to 338.100 tons, was below that received in 1967 and reflected demand for foreign lead resulting from the strike-curtailed domestic refinery output in the first quarter of 1968. Ores entered for consumption, duty paid, from Australia, Canada, and Honduras were considerably less than the total gen eral import while Peru entries were ap proximately double the amount delivered as general imports. The lead in ores im ported for consumption in 1968 thus amounted to 96,900 tons, a decrease of 33 percent Canada leading percent Meta 337,600 pared w 1966 im plier of Canada and Au area co exports Luxemb dom, a 24 perc Recla imports pipe, an WORLD REVIEW Statistical summaries of world production and consumption of lead compiled by the Bureau of Mines, American Bureau of Metal Statistics (ABMS), and the Inter national Lead and Zinc Study Group vary in reporting base, reporting sources, and scope of estimating. The Bureau of Mines reports indicate the basis, insofar as possi ble, used for each country whereas the Study Group reports on an ore content basis. Therefore, free world mine produc tion in 1968 ranged from the ABMS total of 2.39 million tons through the Bureau of Mines total of 2.44 million tons to the Lead and Zinc Study Group total of 2.48 million tons. In addition, the Bureau of Mines estimated production in the com munist areas, other than Yugoslavia, to be 870.100 tons and the world total is thus 3.31 million tons in comparison to 3.17 million tons in 1967, an increase of 4.2 percent. Smelter output also varies widely with the Bureau of Mines reporting, insofar as possible, primary metal while the Lead and Zinc Study Group reports metal out put from both primary and secondary sources. Free world smelter .output in 1968 thus ranged from the 2.38 million tons reported by the Bureau of Mines through the ABMS total of 2.59 million tons, to the Lead and Zinc Study Group total of 3.18 million tons. An additional 858,000 tons of smelter output was estimated by the Bureau of Mines for the communist countries, other than Yugoslavia, to provide a 3.2million-ton world primary smelter produc- lion." T reports the sam and the to meta Majo in Cana to post percen tinent. creased Peru. T tially Ireland by decr Sweden cated in output of ope Morocc Zambia an incre the fre Chinese increase Sme increase from th an incre States. same a increase 14 Ame book. 10 Intern Monthly 640 MINERALS YEARBOOK, 1968 European primary production was indi cated to be slightly lower than in 1967 with significant declines in West Germany, Belgium, and Italy more than offsetting the increased output in Spain and the United Kingdom. Communist output, in cluding Yugoslavia, was also indicated to be slightly reduced. An increase in Zambia and Morocco was also more than countered by the decline in smelter output in the Territory of South-West Africa. Japan posted an increase of almost 10 percent in 1968 and has shown an annual growth of 14 percent since 1964. Australian produc tion of refined lead decreased 17,600 tons due to shortage of concentrates from the labor-curtailed Broken Hill mines while bullion production from Mount Isa in creased to a new high. Consumption of metal in the free world in 1968 as reported by the Lead and Zinc Study Croup preliminary totals was 3.23 million tons of which the United States accounted for 37 percent. Six countries-- France, West Germany, Italy, United King dom, Japan, and the United States--used over 100,000 tons and together accounted for 69 percent of the total. Compared with the 3.18 million ton free world metal pro duction reported by the Lead and Zinc Study Group, the supply deficit amounted to 50,000 tons in 1968 and was met by a 14,900-ton reduction in producers stocks, U.S. stockpile sales, and consumer stocks reduction. Argentina.--Compama Minera Aguilar, S.A., a subsidiary of St. Joseph Lead Co., milled approximately the same tonnage as in 1967 despite the operational prob lems of a mill expansion program, and produced for sale on the Argentine market 31,100 tons of lead concentrates. Australia.--Production at Broken Hill mines was again affected by labor disturb ances which resulted in a significantly lower production of lead concentrates and a decrease in refined lead production at the Port Pirie smelter. Mount Isa Mines Ltd., 53 percent owned by American Smelting and Refining Com pany, increased lead production from 71,800 tons to 99,200 tons in the year ending June 30, 1968. The completion of crushing facilities and related ore passes for the new K-57 shaft during the year permitted use of the U-52 shaft exclusively for lead-zinc ore production. Installation of new equipment in the lead smelter was also completed.'11 Canada.--Canadian production increased over 6 percent as Pine Point Mines Ltd. in British Columbia and Ecstall Mining, Ltd., in Ontario, a wholly owned sub sidiary of Texas Gulf Sulphur Co., con tinued to expand output and Nigadoo River Mines Ltd., New Brunswick; Share Mines & Oils, Ltd., Saskatchewan; and Western Mines Ltd., British Columbia, completed this first full year's production. Cominco Ltd., including its subsidiary Pine Point Mines Ltd., remained the domi nant lead producer with an output of 199.300 tons in, ore and production of 190.300 tons of refined lead at the Trail, British Columbia, smelter. The Sullivan and Bluebell mines contributed 41 percent of concentrates, 50 percent came from the Pine Point mine, 3 percent from other mines, and 6 percent from purchased slags and residues. High-grade ore shipments from Pine Point accounted for 47 percent of the sales revenue in 1968 and were terminated in mid-December with exhaustion of presently available high-grade ore reserves. At yearend the orebody acquired from Pyramid Mining Go., Ltd., was ready for produc tion and the addition to the Pine Point concentrator to treat this ore was com pleted and under full scale testing. Reserves at the Sullivan, Bluebell, and H. B. mines were estimated at 69 million tons contain ing 7.6 million tons of lead-zinc and re serves at the Pine Point mine estimated at 39.3 million tons containing 3.7 million tons of lead-zinc.10 Anvil Mining Corp., Ltd., continued stripping of overburden from the open pit lead-zinc mine in the Yukon with 50 per cent of the preproduction stripping and construction of a 5,500-ton-per-day con centrator completed. Initial production is scheduled for late 1969 at an annual rate of 130,000 tons of 69-percent-lead concen trates. Reserves are estimated at 63 million tons averaging 9 percent lead-zinc. The Kidd Creek mine of Ecstall Mining, Ltd. near Timmins, Ontario, increased ore production to 3.6 million tons and lead concentrate production to 96,000 tons. 11 American Smelting and Refining Company. Annual Report. 1968, pp. 6-7. ]* Cominco, Ltd. Annual Report. 1968, pp. LEAD Brunswick Mining and Smelting Corp., Ltd. milled 1.7 million tons from the No. 12 mine averaging 8.56 percent zinc and 3.38 percent lead with a production of 119,500 tons of lead concentrates. The No. 6 mine output was almost 1 million tons averaging 5.66 percent zinc and 2.47 per cent lead, from which 46,330 tons of leadzinc concentrate and 38,830 tons of lead concentrate were recovered. Reserves of ore at the two mines are estimated at 78.6 million tons. The East Coast Smelting and Chemical Go., Ltd., a subsidiary of Bruns wick Mining and Smelting Corp., com pleted the first full year's operation of an Imperial Smelting Process plant at Belledune, New Brunswick. Heath Steele Mines Ltd., 75 percent owned by American Metal Climax, Inc., increased ore production from its lead-zinc mine as a result of active mine development and shaft sinking program. The Buchans Unit of American Smelting and Refining Company in Newfoundland operated at capacity throughout the year and produced 38,400 tons of lead concentrates. Germany, West.--Rammelsberg mine, Europe's oldest continuously operated lead, copper, and silver producer, celebrated its thousandth anniversary in 1968. Mining operations began in 968 under Emperor Otto I and have continued since under many ownerships. This mine along with neighboring mines on the northern edge of the Hartz Mountains belong to Sparte Metall, a subsidiary of Preussag A.G. of Hanover. Iran.--Rio Tinto-Zinc Corp. Ltd. placed a 600-ton-pcr-day mill in operation late in 1968 at the Kouchke mine east of Yazd in central Iran. The project is owned by Rio Tinto, Society Minierc et Metallurgigue de Penarroya and the Ira nian company Simiran. Annual production of 5 trate F Sog conc flota cent pean in o Ir oper lead in e men with day. mate perc Ja ess plet own M cent Refi lead mine mad gram day 600 mine Barb pect serve main P Olku in D depo Polis lead sche 1968 TECHNOLOG Technological development continued to be a major activity in the lead industry and associated research organizations. Adapta tion of large-capacity equipment and min ing methods to underground mining in the Missouri mines have significantly increased manpower productivity. Automation of con centrating plants and smelters has also in crea and upd has prod from C vital --} -4 Oe to ^WV ^ to - > MtO>-*-A COHNOU^OlCnO)A** MfOOltCOJBWOlOMMO)*) N^cA^noMfioCOp)>O*04 M A t9 MtOAM MUmtO 'BAHMttOl*)AOA* 00 (O'* l--00-Jf0A^O5-S otoeo>- I^0.QOI4ON*O** ((OOIOSWOOtOO^O^ONI^OHOMOCUSOttVtt^MM^ O>lANl0A*O9**NaM* <010-J>*U-0m0 i' OINOtti N)^AoUO<4KO0oOC<lOOeD*(^AO(OoAoOHeO*3M>eU)f(0uA*>H)^) --AWW H^NMCAToAJNOii OAAUAi M I-- I-- " - MCO MOO 00 A'"" -J *)'" 0)VAA*)m NAIOSOO -AAMMOfr* J-00**^ H pcr o l s 5 oai CsL "S fate 5* 5* c 3t ft CQ 1; *c0m2.T75 > 5S S 2.g- r~ 5.2 :- 5 i-'H.? f m ?** jc-3 = ^ 1 ? ft? f( t* o' S' L 2fC2ftt. s *<fJQt 0 | 1 3' n gg g" I'S 5 c. 3 0 s: <. S-S 3 3 -* 3P:s3 s => ic c--3'3 2, O 3- T Z a5' : 3* P CL - 3* p SMI M *' = 111 ,. 8 < p g 3.c- e C; f$t ~-1 *i <3W p 1 22TJ3) E"cj 33' o n OO s ^ |;g'>3 2"^ 8q 3- n a " 3 mft " g *333"~,,52 ' -S,T{^-= 2CSPo-E3SS-On3_ CSSa. a. *--< 2a. psi.* ft o wO 0 3" ft i, 3 2 ft P pp OQ Q. P ft ft 2 ft -A S:^ sr = o o o 8 sr 8.3-0 fftt M < P 3 72T*f0t s. 3 D. 2ft na, Tp3 ^ C- o P 1 7 25 3 |3ft z <' 3 713 po Vftt 2 2 3. ft ft 3 ft M P M P * w w a 3- 3 ft *D P G 'ST 5J> ft =* ft "2. 3 ft_ -- or "* _ p 2. S' X, o o i. ft CL 5 3 3' - ft =f3 P 3 --3 r* S -- al|. < J) i 7 S' 3 jjj M IN E R A LS YEARBOOK 2 ro Arizona..... California___ Colorado____ Idaho_______ Kansas______ Missouri____ Montana____ Nevada_____ New Jersey.. New Mexico. New York___ Oklahoma___ Pennsylvania Tennessee___ Utah............... Virginia_____ Washington.. Wisconsin... Other States. State Table 3.--Ore, old tailings, etc., yielding lead and zinc in the United States in 1968 ______________________________(Short tons)_______________________________________________________________________________ Lead ore Zinc ore Lead-zinc ore Gross weight 498 6,112 1,924 160,949 6,856,777 5,514 9,191 43 254 432 Lead________ Zinc______Gross weight 45 1,629 170 13,211 212,589 970 214 6 4 46 c) 245 4 1,506 12,260 108 82 9 194 12 257,871 44,846 84,176 14,551 1,151 166,746 246,454 785,109 203.684 629,136 4,844,180 42 659,207 864,837 923,308 376,627 . . . Lead________Zinc 1 1 1,622 1,203 277 14 1 24,415 3,326 1.860 169 42 1,336 1,396 1,606 < ) 8,573 701 1,126 221 1,302 234 26,668 17,713 66,194 5,556 30,382 116.999 4 19,257 9.237 26.711 16,081 Gross weight 98.566 63,297 269.318 666,670 75,936 475 952 70,304 (*) 71,537 433,963 197,886 Lead________Zinc 1,635 2,229 7,248 33,398 960 22 74 601 3,443 3.274 10.858 44,536 1,162 41 45 1,835 o 777 (=) 1,365 40,275 4,954 29,210 4,647 Total. . 6,840,694 228,883 14,164 Copper-lead, copper-zinc, and copper-lead-zinc ores 9,091,129 13,273 362,954 AU other sources 1i 1.948,904 92,163 Total 100,406 Gross weight Lead Zinc Gross weight Lead Zinc Gross weight Lead Zinc Arizona...___ California____ Colorado_____ Idaho__ _____ Kansas___ ___ Missouri--------Montana..... Nevada______ New Jersey... New Mexico.. New York.... Oklahoma____ Pennsylvania. Tennessee____ Utah................. Virginia...___ Washington... Wisconsin____ Other States.. 22,090 *450*697 * 65,299 2 *16*874 1.606 "u;72 30,165,674 8,543 74,919 604,292 80,256 8,589 578,895 122^881 4,682 8,626 8.669 17 611,249 21 142 864 6,978 657 6 11 202 1,386 378 6 109 7,880 2,823 3 280 404 11,803 30,287,022 72,964 1,054,729 1,676,756 160,112 6,856,252 101,273 89,235 166,746 889.691 785,109 275.475 629,136 6,968,580 665.877 659,207 562,740 923.308 887,876 1,704 4.001 19.778 64,790 1,227 212,611 1,870 863 1.863 1.396 2.387 45,205 8,573 5,656 1,126 1,607 5.441 3,525 50,258 57,248 3,012 12,801 3,778 2,104 25,668 18,686 66,194 6,921 30,382 124.039 33,153 19,257 13,884 25,711 27.884 Total.. 2,234,867 15,070 28,787 82,285,998 9,767 23,186 52,101,587 1 Less than H unit. * Lead-sine and copper-lead, copper-sine, and coppeMead-sinc ores combined to avoid di^ir^tng individual company confidential Hat* 1 Lead and zinc recovered from copper, gold, silver, fluorspar, and from smelter slags, mill tradings, and miscellaneous cleanups. 859,156 529,446 r w > o 2 44 MINERALS YEARBOOK. 1968 Table 4.--Mine production of recoverable lead in the United States, by months (Short tons) Month 1967 1968 Month 1967 1968 nuary......___.... ................ bruary........................... arch............................. nrll............................ ................. ay............................. ................ "oe..........____ ................ y.............................. ......... ... 26,622 26,428 30,066 29,868 82,051 28,032 24,383 24,493 24,282 24,083 27,440 31,062 28,966 80,861 August........... ................ ............. September... . ..................... October............................. .. November._____ ___ _ ............. December.................. .............. Total................ _______ 24.730 22,839 25,366 24,226 24,822 316,931 33,163 31,119 36,567 83,168 33,943 369,166 Table 5.--Twenty-five leading lead-producing mines in the United States in 1968, in order of output >nk Mine County and State Operator Source of lead ; Fletcher___ Reynolds, Mo...... St. Joseph Lead Co. Lead ore. ' Viburnum.. Crawford, Iron, and ....do............ Washington, Mo. Federal.... St. Francois, Mo...................do......................... Do. 4 Bunker Hill. Shoshone, Idaho.... The Bunker Hill Co Lead-zinc ore, silver tailings, zinc ore. 6 U.S. and Lark.. _ Salt Lake, Utah____ United States Smelting Refining Lead-zinc ore. and Mining Co. 6 Magmont............... Iron, Mo.......... Cominco American, Inc................. Lead ore. 7 Idarsdo.............. Ouray and San Idarado Mining Co........................... Copper-lead-zinc ore. Miguel, Colo. Indian Creek____ Washington, Mo___ St. Joseph Lead Co_______ _______ Lead ore, Burgln..... ............ .. Utah, Utah......... ...... Kcnnecott Copper Corp.................. Lead-zinc ore. 10 Lucky Friday____ Shoshone, Idaho.... Hecla Mining Co........... ................... Lead ore. 21 Ozark...................... Reynolds, Mo Ozark Lead Co................................... Do. 12 Star-Morning.... Shoshone, Idaho___ Hecla Mining Co......... ................... .. Lead-zinc ore. 13 Pend Oreille.......... Pend Oreille, Wash. Pend Oreille Mines * Metals Co. Do. 14 Mayflower............. Wasatch, Utah......... Hecla Mining Co............................... Copper-lead-zinc ore. 16 United Park City. Summit, Utah United Park City Mines Co.......... Lead-zinc ore. 16 Page_______ Shoshone, Idaho___ American Smelting and Refining Do. Company. 17 Austinville and Wythe, Va................. The New Jersey Zinc Co................ Ivanboe 18 Ophir....................... Tooele, Utah United States Smelting Refining Do. and Mining Co. 19 Darwin Inyo. Calif._ West Hill Exploration Co............. Do. 20 Dayrock________ Shoshone, Idaho____ Day Mines, Inc................................. Lead ore. 21 Iron King Yavapai, Ariz........... McFarland and Hulllnger Lead-zinc ore. 22 Eagle....................... Eagle, Colo............... The New Jersey Zinc Co................ Zinc, silver ores. 28 Brenneman___... San Juan, Colo......... Standard Metals Corp..................... Lcad-zlnc ore. 24 Sunnyside. ______ __ .do........ .......... ...... ____do....................................... .. Do. 26 Emperlus. Mineral, Colo...__ Emperius Mining Co........................ Do. Table 6.--Refined lead produced at primary refineries in the United States, by source material (Short tons) 1964 1966 1966 1967 1968 fined lead: From primary sources: Domestic ores and base bullion...................... Foreign ores and base bullion......................... 294,264 806,007 318,646 166,176 113,242 122,089 258,607 349,039 121,387 118,271 Total.................................................................. 449,429 418,249 440,736 379,894 467,310 From secondary sources............................................ 8,606 13,140 9,004 2,538 2,269 Grand total............................................................... 467,934 431,889 449,739 382,432 469,669 Iculated value of primary refined lead (thou- >4oda)<................................................................................. 3122,424 1138,840 $133,278 $106,370 $123,468 1 Value based on average quoted price, New York, and excludes value of refined lead produced from scrap primary refineries. LEAD Table 7.--Antimonial lead produced at primary le Year Produc- Antimony content tlon ---------------------------------- (short Short Per- tons) tons cent d 1964...................................................... 1966...................................................... 1966...................................................... 1967...................................................... 1968...................................................... 24,023 27,896 24,069 18,608 28,868 1,996 1,984 2,119 1,717 2,007 8.8 7.1 8.8 9.2 7.1 Table 8.--Stocks and consumption of new and old lead (Short tons, gross weigh Class of consumers and type of scrap Stocks Rec Jan. 1 r Smelters and refincra: Soft lead______ .__________ .___ Hard lead.................. ...................... Cable lead.._______________ ... Battery-lead plates____________ Mixed common babbitt-........... Solder and tinny lead.................. Type metals.............. ...... .......... .. . Drosses and residues-.-..--... Total............................................. Foundries and other manufacturers: Soft lead........................................... Hard lead___..._______________ Cable lead............................. .......... Battery-lead plates____ ________ Mixed common babbitt_____ _ Solder and tinny lead.-...-... Type metals.............. ...................... Droases and residues__ ________ Total.............................. AU consumers: Soft lead.................. .... Hard lead______________ Cablo lead__ __________ Battery-lead platea____ Mixed common babbitt Solder and tinny lead.. Type metals___________ Droases and residues__ Grand total.....'____ r Revised. 2,600 1,446 943 28,786 836 279 3.603 19,767 61, 14 81 461 4. 11 84 107 67,706 717 16 24 18 47 82 7, 84 _ 271 7, . 2,616 61, . 1,470 14 . 961 81, . 28,782 461 - 417 11 11 . 3,603 34, . 19,861 107 . 57,979 726 646 MINERALS YEARBOOK, 1968 Table 9.--Secondary metal recovered1 from lead and tin scrap in the United States in 1968, by type of products (Short tons, gross weight) Refined pig lead.......... .......................... Remelt lead___............................. _ Total........................................................ Refined pig tin.......................................... Remelt tin............................................ Total.......................................................... Lead and tin alloys: Antimonia! lead_______ .... Common babbitt_____ __ . . Lead Type metals................. ................. Cable lead........................ . Miscellaneous allova.................... . Total........................................................ Tin content of chemical Droducts.. .. Grand total............... ............................................. 636,737 Tin Antimony Other Total 8,836 ..... --" ~ - ...---------- .--........ --*- 448 709 229 M97 849 8,263 687 12,176 M62 4,163 174 17 23,699 60 10 109 23,699 621 118,016 20,861 138,866 14,417 18,063 1,697 1?? Ill '687 672,282 1 Moat of the figures herein represent actual reported recovery of metal from scrap. Table 10.--Secondary lead recovered in the United States (Short tons) 1964 As metal: At primary plants.............. At other plants................. Total.................................. In antimonlal lead: At primary plants............. At other plants.......... Total.................................. In other alloys.._______ _____ Grand total: Quantity.................. Value (thousands)1 . 8,606 . 140,702 . 149,207 . 13,421 . 267,101 - 270,622 . 121,863 . 641,682 . 3147,627 1 Value based on average quoted price, New York. 1966 13,140 168,774 181.914 19,299 261,364 270,653 123,262 576,819 9184,262 1966 9,004 147,216 166,219 10,768 272,977 283,736 132,880 672,834 $173,226 1967 2.688 147,806 160,344 7,808 280,911 288,719 114,709 663,772 3166,066 1968 2,269 186,607 188,866 6,862 801,701 808,663 108,460 650,879 $146,642 LEAD Table 11.--Lead recovered from scrap pr by kind of scrap and form (Short tons) Kind of scrap 1967 1968 New scrap: Lead-base.Copper-base Tln-oase___ Total Old scrap: Battery-lead plates. All other lead-base. Copper-base............ Tln-V>ase____ -___ _ Total............ Grand total. 71,829 4.600 678 78,846 6,219 648 As so A A 76,907 79,612 In an In oth . 808,268 810,216 In co . 156,892 142,968 In tin . 17,711 18,085 .4 4 . 476,866 471.267 663,772 660,879 1 Includes 7,808 tons of lead recovered in antimonia! lead f and 6,862 tons in 1968. Table 12.--Lead consumption in the (Short tons) Product 1967 1968 Metal products: Bearing metals----------------- Cable covering..................... Calking lead............ Casting metals____...... Collapsible tubes................ Foil............... _........................ Pipes, traps, and bonds... Solder..................................... Storage batteries: Battery grids, posts, Battery oxides............ Type metal........................... Total___________ _______ 78,766 19,561 20,467 63,037 48,789 10,083 11,299 6,148 20,184 26,768 68,888 229,287 287,878 1,620 28,664 870,769 82,199 18,441 21,02163,466 49,718 8,693 9,310 6,114 21.098 28.271 74,074 260,129 263,574 1,427 27,981 916,600 Pigmen Ot T Chemic Ga Mi Miscell Le W Pigments: White lead ............. Read lead and litharge___ 8,087 76,689 Other, 6,867 86,480 i Includes lead content of leaded sine oxide and other pigm t Includes lead which went directly from scrap to fabricat Table 13.--Lead consumption in the (Short tons) Month 1967 1968 January.. February. March... April-----May------June..... July......... 107,431 99.789 112,912 106,964 110,808 106,011 84,161 110,608 106.261 106,621 108,113 112,189 104,479 98,801 Augus Septe Octob Novem Decem > Includes lesd content of leaded tine oxide and other pig fabricated products. 648 MINERALS YEARBOOK, 19 68 Table 14.--Lead consumption in the United States in 1968, by class of products and types of material (Short tons) _ rroduct Lead in Soft lead antlmonial lead Lead In alloys Lead in copper- baie scrap Total Metal products............................................... Storage batteries.................................................... Pigments......................................... ................. .. Chemicals................................................................ M lacellaneous. ........... .......... ................................ Unclassified............ 194,838 270,205 IQ7,268 262,354 10.252 15,381 Total 860,283 104,773 243,498 48,974 16,670 172 . 12.814 2,079 40 . 464 . 363,336 49,478 16,670 364,260 613,703 107,258 262,526 23,106 17,924 `1,288,767 1 Excludes 87,647 tons of lead which went directly from scrap to fabricated products and 2,476 tons of lead contained In leaded zinc oxide and other nonspecifled pigments. Table 15.--Lead consumption in the United States in 1968, by States 1 (Short tons) State Refined soft lead Lead in antimonia! lead Lead in alloys Lead in copper- base scrap Total California ......... ..................... ....................... 89,212 Colorado..................................................................... " 1,114 Connecticut........ ...................................... 1.1..Ill 17 [ 171 District of Columbia.................................................I 160 Florida........................................................................... 6,249 Georgia.......................................................................... 89,720 Illinois........................................................................... 80,816 Indiana.......................................................................... 76,831 Kansas........................................................................... 11,046 Kentucky..................................................................... Maryland_____ _______________________________ 2,796 4,374 Massachusetts..............................................I 4,147 Michigan....................................................... 1.......... 18,168 Missouri........................................................................ 88,042 Nebraska...................................................................... 2,805 New Jersey................................................................... 127,942 New York....... .................................. .. _ 40 120 Ohio............................................................................ 13,988 Pennsylvania.................................................... 61,449 Rhode Island.............. .............................. ' " I '" 1*276 Tennessee............................................. *170 Virginia......................................................................... 1.211 Washington............................................................ 6,663 West Virginia.............................................................. 18,963 Wisconsin..................................................................... 8,066 Alabama and Mississippi...................................... 1,003 Arkansas and Oklahoma.......................................... 8,631 Hawaii and Oregon................................................... 940 Iowa and Minnesota................................................ 3,131 Louisiana and Texas................................................ 182,263 Montana and Idaho................................. 4.C91 New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Delaware.. 6,067 North and South Carolina.................. 2 001 Utah, Nevada, Arizona........... ................................ 89 Total. 860,283 81,622 2,600 16,442 6,241 96 . 112 6.288 _________: 16,199 2.617 60,272 9,846 42,411- 1,685 9,151 88 7.115 1 17,414 166 866 193 20,879 1.881 14,684 164 1,016 26 21,498 9,066 2,280 9,652 8,928 3,432, 31,448 1,120 460 36 11,887 328 1,193 738 478 314 3,043 .................. 2,807 42 2,866 . 3,886 99 2,672 . 8,616 127 21.133 1.726 _ _ . . . __ 7.711 2.638 _ 46 709 1,620 2,093 814 377 47 433 420 778 489 780 836 3,044 262 1,387 148 623 490 312 168 363,336 49,478 15,670 127,784 8,709 36,246 160 11,682 68,436 148,027 121,641 20,612 9,911 21,964 5,263 41,861 53,810 4.626 158,984 62,732 22,184 87,061 1,761 12,087 4,479 7,466 22,006 6,062 4,491 7,116 9 ,612 12,363 205,424 4,691 12,991 4,639 89 1,288,767 1 Excludes 87647 t?nB I lftd which went directly from scrap to fabricated products and 2,476 tons of lead contained in leaded zinc oxide and other non-speclfied pigments. LEAD Table 16.--Production and shipments of leaded pigm Pigment Produc tion (short tons) 1967 Shipments Value * Short tons Total A a p t 18 ieaa; Dry .. . -- In oil 1........... ............... 7,316 2,807 8,871 13,609,808 $ 3,267 2,205,973 Total ..................... Red lead ....................... Litharge................................. Black oxide........................... 10,123 26,869 96,681 208,671 12,128 6,816.781 26,741 8,814,995 99,982 82,135,289 ............................................... 1 Except for basic lead sulfate, figures withheld to avoid discl ' At plant, exclusive of container. 1 Weight of white lead only, but value of paste. Table 17.--Lead content of lead and zinc produced by domestic manufact (Short tons) Pigment 1967 Lead in pigments produced from-- Ore ------------------------------------ Do- For- mestlc eign Pig lead To lead pigme White lead............... Red lead................... Litharge.................... Black oxide.... . Leaded zinc Total___ 798 798 8,098 24,367 88,890 194,909 8,0 24,3 88,8 194,9 512 1,8 512 816,264 317,6 ' Excludes lead In basic lead sulfate, figures withheld to avoid d Table 18.--Distribution of white lead (dry and (Short tons) Industry 1964 1965 Paints.................................................................. Ceramics............................................................ Other................................................................... Total...................................................... 10,634 143 4,769 16,446 9,18 1 6.8 14,67 1 Excludes basic lead sulfate, figures withheld to avoid disclos 550 MINERALS YEARBOOK, 1968 Table 19.--Distribution of red lead shipments, by industries (Short tons) Industry 1964 1966 1966 1967 Paints...----Other........ Total.. ..................... 14,133 18,726 16,938 29.663 14,480 16,790 31,270 18,318 12,423 26,741 1968 11,347 12,464 23,811 Table 20.--Distribution of litharge shipments, by industries (Short tons) Industry 1964 1966 1966 1967 1968 Ceramics............................................................ Chrome pigments........................................ Insecticide*....................................................... Oil refining........................................................ Rubber............................................................... Varnish............................................................... other.................................................................. Total...................................................... 20,608 6,426 W 2,142 1,978 4,004 64,886 99,898 21,018 W 1,161 2,886 2,163 3,763 74,916 106,892 23,476 W 1.166 1,991 2.296 1,620 79,764 110,803 19,491 W W 1,836 1,928 1,228 76,600 99,982 24,123 W W 1,849 1,986 W 108,220 131,178 W Withheld to avoid disclosing Individual company confidential data; included with "Other." Table 21.---U.S. imports for consumption of lead pigments and compounds Kind White lead...___.... Red lead......................... Utharge....__________ Other lead pigments.. Other lead compounds. Total................... ' Revised. 1967 Short tons Value (thousands) 2,293 3,296 24,632 ' 76 r 872 * 80,669 |672 761 4,969 22 ' 162 6,676 1968 Short tons Value (thousands) 2,168 4,412 24,829 207 398 32,004 3672 977 5.131 64 116 6,960 Table 22.--Stocks of lead at primary smelters and refineries in the United States, December 31 (Short tons) Stocks 1964 1966 196G 1967 1968 'fined pig lead___________'____ __________ .................. '*ad in antimonial lead.... ___________ _ .................. ad in base bullion___________ ______ ___ .................. fad in ore and matte____ .........____ .................. Total........................................................ 84,100 4,012 13,218 33,068 17,624 7,680 10,735 47,604 88,448 16,176 6,396 15,606 77,296 116,478 18,243 6,119 16,622 86,496 126,479 11,490 3,862 11,471 63,614 90,427 LEAD Table 23.--Consumer stocks of lead in the United St (Short tons, lead con Year Refined soft lead Lead in antimonial lead 1964............................................... 1966............................................... 1966 ........................................... 1967 ........................................... 1968 ........................................... 69,361 61,686 44,490 69,887 48,938 36.163 36.190 84.704 86,879 86,009 Table 24.--Average monthly and yea at St. Louis, New York, a (Cents per pound Month St. Louis 1967 New York L January____________ ________ .......... February________ ___ ______ March......................... ........ ... .......... April________ ___________ ___ May............................................ .......... June................... ........................ .......... July............................................. .......... August................................. ...... .......... September................................. .......... October...................................... ......... November.._____ _________ _ December___________ _______ .......... Average....... ................. .......... 13.80 18,80 13.80 18.80 18,80 18.80 18,80 18.80 18.80 18.80 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 1 St. Louis: Melal Statistics. 1969. New York: Metal Sta 1 Based on monthly rates or exchange by Federal Reserve B MINERALS YEARBOOK, 1968 Table 25.--U.S. exports of lead, by countries 1 Destination 19G6 Short tons Value (thou- sands) 19G7 Short tons Value (thou- sands) 1068 Short tons Value (thou- sands) P1Q8. BARS AND ANODES 'Igium-Luxembourg. _________________ ______... 'axil................................................................................ anada. ..................... ................................. .. iille.................................................................................. ''lombla.......................................... ....___ ____ ... ^ly................................................................................... .. 'pan.....................____ 1 oxlco_.._.................................................................... .. etberlands ............................................................. .. ... 'ilipplnes......................................................................... alii................................................................................. .. veden..................................................................... .. tivin......... ..................... ................ ............................ .. nlted Kingdom.......... ........... ....... ....................... ... "neruels ______..................................................... .. lotnam, South.................................... .................. .. '.her.............................. ............................ ..................... .. 1,116 299 66 680 12 166 118 68 11 161 288 200 346 621 806 $913 260 809 27 237 28 18 98 864 41 8 120 88 848 214 227 682 13 668 858 687 237 42 1,402 200 166 119 1 263 190 321 206 19 1,869 $22 163 360 206 71 61 491 660 405 89 3 472 60 471 208 6 1,140 769 604 450 1,404 37 664 1,145 141 412 287 69 187 31 191 634 99 1,267 $799 166 872 521 20 266 286 90 843 119 36 137 18 284 222 84 1,028 Total................................................................. 6,4836 3,967 6,636 4,767 8,281 4,740 SCRAP 'Iglum-Luxembourg..... ............................ 101 20 86 16 nnada................................................................................................................. 66 34 rmany, Wsst............................................................................................. ........................................... 'pan........... ,,...................................................................................................... 16 10 >therlands................................................................. 288 68 139 65 nlted Kingdom........................................................ 138 60 120 76 ther..................................................................................... 21 17 28 8 207 60 116 24 113 17 .................................. 124 28 367 96 10 6 Total................................................................. 498 166 394 198 937 219 Grand total..................................................... 6,933 4,182 6,980 4,966 9,218 4,969 1 In addition foreign lead was reexported aa followa: pigs, barm and anodes; 1966; 7 tons (63,806). 1967; 162 os (633,794); 1968: 11 tons ($19,211). Scrap; 1966-68, none. LEAD Table 26.--U.S. imports1 of l Country 1966 Short tons V ( s Ore, flue dust, and matte (lead content): Australia.................. ............................. Bolivia..................................................... . Canada ..._______ ___ ..._________ . Chile.......................................................... Colombia__ -__________ _____ _______ G uatemala......................... ................... Honduras......................................... ........ Mexico...................................................... Peru............................................................ Philippines............................ ................... South Africa, Republic of............... . Other.................. ...... ............................ Total.................................................... . Base bullion (lead content): Australia _______ _____________, Belgium-Luxembourg---- .--------------- Canada. ...................................... ............ France. ................ Germany, West...------ ------------------ Mexico.......................... Peru___________ _____________________ United Kingdom____ _________ _____ Total....... ...............................------ Pigs and bars (lead content): Australia................ ........ ................... Belgium-Luxembourg......................... Burma....................................... ............ Canada___ ...................... Denmark................................. ............... Germany, West....._____________ Mexico___________________ Peru................................... ...................... South Africa, Republic of--______ Sweden____ ________________________ United Kingdom__________________ Yugoslavia___________________ ..... Zambia__________________ ... Other..____________________________ Total................................ ................... . _ Reclaimed scrap, etc. (lead content): Australia. .................... Canada................................... ............... Dominican Republic........................... Germany, West..--------------------------Mexico........................ ................... ......... Netherlands Antilles..................... ... New Zealand..................................... . Panama............................................... .. Othfer......................................................... Total.................................................... Grand total........... ........................... . 22,614 $ . 11,186 _ 62,707 1 .7 . 446 . 85 . 11,182 . 624 . 41,610 . 164 . 1,894 . 2,123 . 143.991 3 1,283 . 62 . 647 . 64 . 2,012 . 44,187 1 . 2,586 . 6,682 . 84,283 . 672 . 16,499 . 76,294 1 . 61,698 1 _ 11.986 . 8.101 . 31,822 . 8,237 . 286,389 7 . r 8,848 . 2,867 _ 179 . 814 . 188 . 60 . 80 . ' 186 _ * 7,696 . r 489,088 1 ' Data are "general imports": that is they include lead Imp entering the country under bond. 1 Less than H unit. 4 MINERALS YEARBOOK, 1968 Table 27.--U.S. imports for consumption* of lead, by countries Country 1966 Short tons Value (thou sands) 1967. Short tons Value (thou sands) 1968 Short tons Value (thou sands) e, flue dust, and matte (lead content): Australia......................... .................................... Bolivia.................... ........................................... Canada........................................... ............. ........ Chile..................................................................... Honduras.................................. . . , . Ireland......................... ................. ........ ... . Peru..___................................. ..................... Philippines. __________ ____ ..... ...... South Africa, Republic of............................... Other.............._____ _________ _____ Total................................................................. *se bullion (lead content): Australia........... Belgium-Luxembourg. ____ _________ Canada..................................... .. .......... Germany, West................................................. Mexico................... ................... _........................ Peru.................... ........................... United Kingdom..____________ _________ _ Total................................................................. r s and bars (lead content): Australia.............................................................. Belgium-Luxembourg..... ...... ......................... Burma......................... ................................ .. Canada.......... ................................................ Denmark.................. ....................................... Germany, West.............................................. Japan.................................................................... ._ Morocco... . Netherlands........................................................ Peru_______ . .. South Africa, Republic of................. ............ United Kingdom............................................... Vugoalavla.... .................................. ........ Other.......__________ ___ . Total................................................................ 'claimed scrap, etc. (lead content): Australia....................... . . . .. Canada_____ ____ ___ ... Dominican Republic......... .......... ................... Germany, West................................................. Mexico....................................... . Netherlands Antilles............................... ........ New Zealand______________ Panama......................... .......... ........................ Peru............. ... . . Other.................................. ....... . Total.................................. ............................ ets, pipe and shot: Belgium-Luxembourg.............. ....................... Canada................................................................. Germany, West.......... ...................................... Netherlands_________________ ____ ..... United Kingdom.________________________ Other._________ ________ . .. Total...................................................... Grand total......___.....____ _____ _ 21,460 1,464 28,617 228 8.606 426 10,177 2,963 20 63,860 1,272 62 66 474 64 1.928 44,160 2,636 6,682 84,283 672 16.499 2,106 76,894 6,187 61,698 11.926 8,101 81,822 2,629 286,788 61 2,807 179 814 188 60 60 160 127 8,966 219 80 134 614 22 919 866,441 84,636 376 6,099 87,879 14,707 41,416 84 766 6,860 72 2.063 811 6 40,821 264 478 2,877 63 13,871 144,166 87,160 3,020 8,966 12,640 6,708 81,468 1,086 7,780 8,218 78 61 816 16 28.999 1 836 ' 163 29,111 96,863 32,274 1,308 6,463 1,632 6,546 1 183 30 18,990 328 442 118 27 28 96 ......... M ..........78 14 109 20 178 13 126 102 66 809 86 440 71 16 66 12 ....... ....... 676 677 1,224 63 643 10,869 606 1,876 9.868 184 6,002 622 16,666 1,618 14,824 8,824 977 8,190 908 63,166 28.281 2,648 87,286 428 49,077 67,271 2,413 878 70,877 6,989 17,680 80,478 11,789 76,812 868,696 11,900 6,074 690 9,728 226 12,726 46,919 19,149 'eb'.lel 46 19.711 9,861 4,364 'l4'637 41 7,833 13,019 486 818 18,606 1,937 4.344 6,941 2,908 66,616 ' ' 206 76,106 8,298 22,919 19,776 8,816 12,062 66 18,896 2,201 6,646 4,166 2,123 88,697 337,620 81,264 11 67 11 80 681 6,840 1,296 2,834 28 248 42 292 1,668 869 13 40 278 48 " 670 83 167 86 60 8 80 12 64 12 874 66 221 46 27 283 81 78 886 9,868 1,951 4,249 14 628 31 m 11 LI 27 16 748 64 613 129 344 19 99 88 182 46 2 (*) 12 164 402 106 249 76 22 112 7 120 28 90 66 4 64 32 283 1,212 822 893 256 90,927 619,009 121,306 439,688 101,901 ' Exclude* Import* for consumption in bond and export, classified aa ''import# for consumption" by the Teau of the Census, 1 Leas than H unit. LEAD Table 28.--U.S. imports for consumptio (Thousand short tons and thous Year Lead in ore, flue dust or fume, and matte, n.s.p.f. (lead content) Lead in base bullion (lead content) Pigs and bara (lead content) Quan- Value Quan- Value Quan- Value Q tity tity tity 1966.......... ... 64 818.871 2 $675 286 $76,812 1967.......... ... 144 29,111 1 1,224 864 88,697 1968.......... ... 97 18,990 (>) 643 888 81,264 1 Excludes imports for consumption in bond and export, class Bureau of the Census. * Less than H unit. Table 29.--U.S. imports for consumption of misce 1966. 1967. 1968. Babbit Gross we (abort to 1,689 776 1,204 50 MINERALS YEARBOOK, 19 68 PRICES The average value of crude vermiculitc, aned at the mine, was $19.60 per short i. The exfoliated product average value, ,b. producers plant, was $79.08 per rt ton. For the past 5 years, 1964-68, price of crude vermiculite increased r 23 percent, while the price of ex ited vermiculite rose less than 1 per cent. The market prices quoted by Engi neering and Mining Journal for crude vermiculite from Montana and South Carolina ranged from $18 to $35 per ton, f.o.b. mine. Material from the Republic of South Africa ranged from $29.55 to $40.15 per ton, c.i.f. Atlantic ports. FOREIGN TRADE mports of crude vermiculite from the mblic of South Africa in 1967 were percent higher than in 1966. Crude vermiculite was imported duty free to the United States. WORLD REVIEW iouth Africa, Republic of.--Production crude vermiculite was 9 percent higher n in 1967. Total exports increased 9 .ent over the 1967 tonnage, and value increased 16 percent. The average unit value of crude vermiculite exported from South Africa increased $1.12 per ton. Table 2.--Free world production of vermiculite by countries (Short tons) Country 1964 ,,yh Africa, Republic of.--............................... fed Arab Republic >........................................... \ed States (sold or used by producers)------ 4,071 NA 47S 37 111,872 144 469 226,299 Total >.............................................................. 843,355 1965 1,867 NA 807 24 126,911 108 689 249,352 379,698 Revised. p Preliminary. NA Not available, include, mica. ' Total is of Hated figures only. 1966 ^ ' 4,688 441 661 84 118.732 177 NA 262,321 381,894 1967 *2,641 240 349 111.886 100 NA 264,997 370,489 1968 * NA 2,724 2,688 808 121,427 88 NA 289,997 417,077 Table 3___Republic of South Africa: Exports of crude vermiculite by countries Destination ** (Short tons) . .. 1966 2,649 * .. 8,207 ... 86.891 ____ $1,676,986 ` ____ $18.86 1967 2,833 3,884 9^418 9,296 19,088 4,996 1,744 2,942 1,340 80,214 16,963 3,903 '105,620 r $1,980,056 '$18.76 1968 NA 115.546 $2,296,439 $19.87 i Converted to U.S. currency at the rate of 1 rend equal# $1.8918 (I960), $1,898 (1967), and $1.40 (1968). U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1969 0-392-739/46 Zinc By Donald E. Moulds 1 The free world during 1968 achieved a record production and consumption of zinc. A 2-percent gain in mine production to 4.37 million tons provided the feed mate rials for a major 11-percent gain in metal production to 3.91 million tons. The free world supply of metal, augmented by a 39.000- ton producer stock drawdown, a 38.000- ton reduction in U.S. Government stocks, and a 72,000-ton net import from communist areas, adequately provided for the 7.6-percent increase in metal consump tion and the price of zinc remained stable in all of the free world markets. The domestic zinc industry experienced a substantia] in consumpt percent over that achieved partially curt clined for th smelter produ several plants the continuin percent and the 1966 hig output, augm crease in me 1 Physical cie Table 1.--Salient zinc statistics 1964 United States: Production: Domestic ores, recoverable content___ short tons.. Value___thousands.. 674,858 $166,308 Slab zinc: From domestic ores short tons._ From foreign ores short tons.. From scrap...do____ 631,967 422,117 71.696 Total____do____ Secondary sine '-.do____ Exports of slab zinc, _ .do____ Imports (general); Ores (zinc content) do____ Slab zinc............... do______ Stocks, December 81: At producer plants do____ At consumer plants _ do___ Consumption: Slab zinc................_do_____ All classes...............do_ Price, Prime Western, East St. Louis.cents per pound.. World: Production: Mine............. short tons.. Smelter.................. do___ Price: Prime Western, London centa per pound.. 1,026.680 227,713 26,616 367,146 118,840 81,178 108,411 1,207,268 1,686,761 13.67 4,440,309 4,070,982 14.74 1 Excludes redistilled stab zinc. 1965 611,163 $178,284 661,216 443,187 83,619 1,078,021 271,694 6,939 428,040 162,990 28,622 160,763 1,864,092 1,742,067 14.60 4,760,887 4,362.571 14.12 196 672, $166, 628, 601, 83, 1,108,8 277, 1, 621, 278,1 64,7 129,6 1,410,1 1,806,6 14 4,960,6 4,498,2 12 1156 MINERALS YEARBOOK, 1968 Secondary Zinc Smelters.--Zinc recov ered from reprocessing new and old scrap amounted to 354,700 tons compared to 319,800 tons in 1967. New scrap, princi pally zinc-base and copper-base alloys from manufacturers and drosses from molten galvanizing and die casting pots, con tributed 274,900 tons. Old scrap, consist ing of die castings, engravers' plate and other obsolete or wornout objects, amounted to 79,800 tons. The zinc was recovered in alloys, 53 percent, principally brass and bronze; in metal, 34 percent; and in chemi cal products, 13 percent. Byproduct Sulfuric Acid.--Gases pro duced in roasting zinc sulfide concentrates preparatory to retorting or electrolytic reduction to zinc metal contain significant quantities of sulfur dioxide which are collected and processed to sulfuric acid. At several plants elemental sulfur is also burned to supplement output. Production of acid in 1968 was 990,000 tons compared with 900,200 tons in 1967. ` Zinc Dust.--Production of zinc dust resumed the upward trend of recent years. In 1958 production amounted to 26,500 tons valued at $7.3 million in comparison to the 1968 output of 61,600 tons valued at $22 million. The statistics include only commercial grades ranging in zinc content from 95.0 to 99.6 percent and averaged 98.53 percent during the year. CONSUMPTION AND USES Consumption of slab zinc amounted to 1.33 million tons, 8 percent above the 1967 total but lower than that used in 1965-66. The increase in requirements occurred in essentially all of the industrial uses with the exception of a few categories in galvanizing. Zinc-base alloy requirements represented 42 percent of the total slab in comparison to 43 percent in 1967 and the record 47 percent in 1965. Galvanizing requirements were 36 percent compared with the pre vious year's 37 percent. Noteworthy was the continued uptrend in galvanizing of structural shapes indicating the installation and use of large hot-dip galvanizing pots capable of galvanizing assembled structural components. Consumption in brass products was 12 percent, despite the strike at several brass mills in the first quarter, compared with the 11 percent required in 1967, a year also beset by labor strikes. Rolled zinc requirements for slab zinc advanced 8 per cent to 48,900 tons although well below the 52,600 tons used in 1966. Use in zinc, oxide has steadily climbed from 13,300 tons in 1958 to the 34,900 tons used in 1968. Consumption of slab zinc by grades was as follows: Special High grade, 51 percent; Prime Western, 28 percent; Brass Special, 10 percent; Intermediate, 9 percent; and High grade and remelt, 2 percent. Galva nizing used mainly Prime Western although higher purity was required in the high speed, continuous lines. Special High grade is required in high-speed die casting alloys with lower grades used in sand and slush casting alloys. Zinc used as an additive in copper-base alloys ranges through the vari ous grades although Brass Special and Intermediate are relative minor commer cial grades. Rolling mills used 48,900 tons of slab zinc and produced 47,500 tons of salable products, mainly as strip and foil. Imports of rolled products approximated 800 tons in comparison to exports of 3,000 tons and the apparent domestic consumption of 45,300 tons was 10 percent higher than in 1967. In addition, rolling mills re melted and rerolled 21,900 tons of scrap originating in manufacturing of end prod ucts at the plants. Illinois was the leading State in total slab zinc consumption while Ohio led in galvanizing, Michigan in diecasting, and Connecticut in use in brass. Five States-- Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and New York--each consumed over 100,000 tons of slab zinc and combined accounted for almost 57 percent of the domestic total. ZINC PIGMENTS AND COMPOUNDS Production.--Output of zinc pigments and compounds, excluding lithoponc, in creased 13 percent to 336,100 tons, well above the recent high of 325,200 tons achieved in 1966. Shipments of zinc oxide and zinc sulfide exceeded production, and totaled 339,000 tons in 1968 compared with 291,800 tons in 1967 and 313,400 tons in 1966. ZINC Zinc oxide was processed from domestic and foreign ores, slab zinc, secondary mate rials, and residues. Lead-free zinc oxide produced from ores and residues by the American Process contributed 63 percent of the total. The French Process using slab zinc accounted for 25 percent and 12 percent was derived by various other oxidation processes using residues and secondary materials. Production of zinc oxide and zinc sulfate required an equiva lent of 108,400 tons of zinc in ore of which domest cent. The 66,8 directly in the percent of the able zinc in or Lithopone, a and barium s white pigmen and rubber, w be published company conf (945 1950 1955 I960 Figure 2.--Trends in shipments of zinc p 1158 MINERALS YEARBOOK, 1968 Consumption and Uses.--The leading use of zinc oxide was in rubber which required 52 percent of tonnage shipped. Consumption in rubber has increased sig nificantly in the last decade, from 68,200 tons in 1958 to 111,800 tons in 1960. A small increase in paints reversed the down trend in this area and ceramics was, also, slightly higher. Use in chemicals has doubled since 1965 and photocopying since 1966. Agriculture is rapidly becoming a major consumer of oxide as a plant and animal feed supplement. Leaded zinc oxide continued to decrease significantly as a paint pigment although increasing slightly in other areas, espe cially in the low lead grades. Manufacture of zinc chloride and allied chloride com pounds consumed 14,100 tons of zinc for industrial use in batteries, solder fiux, fungicides, and vulcanizing. The chief uses hr 54,100 tons, dry weight, of zinc sulfate liipments, a record amount, were in rayon ;nd in agriculture. Prices.--The stability of the zinc price f 13.5 cents per pound throughout the v car was reflected in the unchanged price f zinc pigments and compounds during he year. Lead-free zinc oxide prices in irload lots, freight allowed, in cents per ' ound, were as follows: 15.25 for Arneri*n Process, 17.50 for French Process, Green Seal grade, 17.75 for French Process, White Seal grade. Leaded zinc oxide was quoted at 15.75 for the 35-pcrc.cnt grade and 16.50 for the 50-pcrccnt grade. Zinc sulfate (monohydrate, 36 percent) in carload lots, was quoted at 9.50 cents per pound throughout the year, Zinc chloride 50 Baum, in tank cars, was quoted at 5.80 cents per pound until October I when increased to 6.20 cents. Foreign Trade.-- Exports of zinc oxide were distributed among 40 countries with Belgium-Luxembourg, Canada, and Colom bia the three largest recipients. Lithopone was shipped to 25 countries with Canada the major importer, followed by South Vietnam. Imports of zinc pigments and compounds increased almost 10 percent in tonnage and 22 percent in value. Zinc oxide imports of 15,600 tons represented almost 6 percent of the new supply as indicated by domestic shipments plus imports. Mexico was the largest supplier of zinc oxide followed by the Netherlands, United Kingdom, West Germany, and Canada. The leading sup plier of zinc sulfide was West Germany who also supplied most of the lithopone. Zinc chloride was largely supplied by Belgium-Luxembourg and West Germany and Mexico was the predominant source of zinc sulfate. STOCKS Producer Stocks.--Stocks of slab zinc at producer plants amounted to 81,900 tons it the beginning of the year and after a drawdown during the first quarter to about 63,000 tons at the end of March gradually built up to 85,000 tons at the end of August and then declined to 63,100 tons it yearend. Producer stocks, other than at plants, as reported by the Zinc Institute, ranged from a low of 7,200 tons in April *o 15,500 tons at yearend. Consumer Stocks.--Slab zinc stocks held by consumers opened the year at 102,500 tons but were reduced to about 74,000 tons at the end of November. A drop in con sumption, increased metal imports, and continued high-level domestic production and shipment in December, however, in creased stocks to 102,400 tons, only 100 tons below that existing at the start of the year. PRICES The price of slab zinc in world markets was steady throughout the year after a downward adjustment in 1967. The quoted price of Prime Western grade, East St. Louis market, after a decrease from 14.5 cents per pound to 13.5 cents, effective June 19, 1967, continued unchanged hroughout 1968. The European producer price was also steady at 12.25 cents (U.S. equivalent). The London Metal Exchange (LME) monthly average range was narrow with a low of 11.7 cents in March and April and a high of 12.2 cents in August. The closing LME settlement price on December 29, 1968, was 12.01 cents per pound. ZING FOREIGN TRADE Exports of slab zinc increased to 33,000 tons of which India received 98 percent, again reflecting deliveries of Government stockpile zinc in connection with contracts through the U.S. Agency for International Development. Export of rolled zinc items --sheets, plates, strip, etc.--continued to decline with shipment of 3,000 tons of which Canada imported 65 percent. Export of scrap and dross increased to 2,300 tons zinc content, and a major increase to a total of 15,000 tons in export of miscellaneous semifabricated zinc items was reported by the Bureau of the Census. General imports amounted to 546,400 tons of zinc in ores and 306,500 tons of metal. The import of ore was believed to be a record high surpassing the 539,000 tons received in 1943. The 306,500 tons of zinc metal imported was also a record surpassing the 269,000 tons received in 1957 just prior to imposition of import quotas i Canad cent of and Jap metal. Impor all from (zinc co was pre entered Lead Kenned the Ge Trade a and zin unchang 0.7 cent and fum content for pro cent pe per pou WORLD REVIEW Statistical summaries of world zinc pro duction and consumption compiled by the Bureau of Mines, American Bureau of Metal Statistics (ABMS), and the Inter national Lead and Zinc Study Group, vary in reporting base, sources, and scope of estimating. Free world mine production thus ranges from the 4.17 million ton total of ABMS through the 4.37 million ton total of the Bureau of Mines to the 4.39 million tons of the Lead and Zinc Study Group. The addition of the Bureau of Mines estimate of 1.1 million tons mined in communist areas, excluding Yugoslavia, results in a world total of 5.47 million tons, an increase of almost 2 percent over the 1967 total. Smelter output also varies widely with the Bureau of Mines reporting insofar as possible, primary metal while the Lead and Zinc Study Group reports slab zinc output from both primary and secondary sources. Free world smelter out put of zinc thus ranges from 3.91 million tons reported by the Bureau of Mines through 3.96 million tons reported by ABMS to the 4.03-million-ton total of the Lead and Zinc Study Group. In addition, the communist areas, excluding Yugoslavia, are estimated to have produced 1.1 million tons, thus giving a world smelter output of some 5 million tons in 1968, an II-percent increase. reports sumption world c zinc com duced in in new produce during t Mine in Finlan slavia, a approxim metal pr crease of due to t increase Peru was United of only America. however, countries creased a put was o in Japan a 17-per imported smelter p same rate