Feldspar, nepheline syenite, and aplite

16 Pages·1991·2.5 MB·English

by  Potter, Michael J

AN. ATL ReecUye k T
FELDSPAR, NEPHELINE
_SYENITE, AND APLITE
By Michael J. Potter
1990
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
| BUREAU OF MINES

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FELDSPAR, NEPHELINE
SYENITE, AND APLITE
WSs
DEPARTMENT
OF THE”.
INTERIOR |
Manuel Lujan, Jr.
Secretary
TS Ary
Director
October 1991
Contents Tables
Domestic Data Coverage ........ Table 1.—Salient Feldspar and
Background Nepheline Syenite Statistics ..... 3
Definitions, Grades, and Table 2.—Feldspar Produced in
DDECHICATICNISie ys ern werea e the: United States. aan ae 3
Geology-Resources Table 3.—Producers of Feldspar
Technologysrs 3.5. Sasa ace and Feldspathic Materials in
Byproducts and Coproducts .... L990) rie satget a Os ohg e eeea i, -
Economic Pactorsse. +. 1. 355- Table 4.—Feldspar Sold or Used
Antital RevicW Saar ae eres by Producers in the United
Feldspat ico. pee eee States; DVAWSE) << etn ee ee 4
Legislation and Government Table 5.—Destination of Shipments
Programs choc tne of Feldspar Sold or Used by
Producuion’: vs ee eee Producers in the United States,
Consumption and Uses ...... by States ..34% auetpae ttee s 5
WV OFLO RRC VIC Ws Gh teenies Table 6.—Destination of Shipments
Capacity aa ertaee eee of Potash Feldspar Sold or Used
ATIStIANAGS cr oan enerre re: by Producers in the United States,
NepHeliner OoV CC annaan ee by State senaackt aroa r cee 5
ADIG AES, (S08 ein ean eee Table 7.—Prices for Feldspar ..... 6
Outlook Table 8.—U.S. Exports of Feldspar,
by *Countriypeys ccs ete ee ee: 6
Table 9.—U.S. Imports for
Consumption of Feldspar,
OY COUNT Va Soe ee 6
Table 10.—World Feldspar
Annual Production Capacity,
Decembetes 990s ee oe 6
Table 11.—Feldspar: World
Production, by.Country ........ fi
Table 12.—U.S. Imports for
Consumption of Nepheline
SYVCMItC. Gee eee ee dns se 8
COVER PHOTO:
Feldspar and nepheline
syenite are used as a flux
and in glazes for whiteware
such as tile. Fluxes lower
the firing temperature of a
ceramic body. A glaze (be- For comments or further information,
ing sprayed onto tile in the please contact
photo) becomes a glassy The Branch of Industrial Minerals
coating after firing, which The Division of Mineral Commodities
seals the ceramic surface U.S. Bureau of Mines
and gives it a smooth, 2401 E St. NW, MS 5209
bright appearance. (Photo Washington, DC 20241-0001
is courtesy of Wenczel Tile Telephone: [phone]
Co., Trenton, NJ.) Fax: [phone]
FELDSPAR, NEPHELINE SYENITE, AND APLITE—1990
FELDSPAR, NEPHELINE
SYENITE, AND APLITE
By Michael J. Potter
Mr. Potter, a physical scientist with 24 years of industry and U.S. Bureau of Mines experience, has been the commodity
specialist for feldspar since 1976. Domestic survey data were prepared by Linder Roberts, mineral data assistant; and interna-
tional data table was prepared by Virginia Woodson, international data coordinator.
eldspars are major components canvassed. These nine respondents granite-like feldspar ore that occurs in the
in most igneous rocks and con- reported a production of 474,000 tons or Spruce Pine district of North Carolina.
stitute a large part of at least the about 75% of the total domestic produc- The principal mineral ingredients of this
outer layers of the Earth and its tion shown in table 1. The estimated ore are approximately 45% plagioclase,
moon. Feldspar, usually of the potash or production of nonrespondents, 158,000 25% quartz, 20% microcline, and 10%
soda type or in mixtures of the two, finds tons, was derived from past years’ produc- muscovite mica. Minor amounts of other
its principal end uses in the manufacture tion levels and trends. minerals are also present.! Beneficiated
of glass and ceramics. Feldspar acts as a feldspar from alaskite is a major portion
flux and lowers the melting temperature of total U.S. feldspar output.
of a ceramic mixture. In glassmaking, BACKGROUND Feldspar for glass manufacturing, or-
feldspar provides a source of alumina, dinarily ground to 20 to 40 mesh, usual-
which enhances the workability of the ly contains 4% to 6% K, 0, 5% to 7%
Definitions, Grades, and
product and increases its chemical Na,O, and approximately 19% AI,O3.
Specifications
stability. Material for this purpose may be sold as
Feldspar consumption in glass contain- Feldspar is the general term used to a feldspar concentrate low in free quartz
ers and pottery remained flat during the designate a group of closely related miner- or in the form of a mixture containing
first half of 1990 and decreased in the als, especially abundant in igneous rocks feldspar and quartz with harmful impuri-
second half of the year. Feldspar use in and consisting essentially of aluminum ties removed. In glass-grade feldspar, the
glass containers has been affected by silicates in combination with varying iron content, expressed as Fe,O3, is ap-
mergers and consolidation of glass manu- proportions of potassium, sodium, and proximately 0.08% for high-quality clear
facturers, increased use of recycled glass calcium. The principal feldspar types glass. Typically, 70 to 90 kilograms of
(cullet), and competition from imported are orthoclase or microcline, both ground feldspar is used to produce | ton
nepheline syenite. Fewer housing starts K,0-Al1,03:6SiO,, and anorthite, of container glass.
in 1990 resulted in reduced feldspar de- CaO: Al,03:2Si0O,. Specimens of feld- Feldspar with a high potash-to-soda ra-
mand in whiteware such as plumbing fix- spar closely approaching these ideal com- tio is often preferred for pottery making,
tures and tile. positions are seldom encountered in and spar for this purpose is usually
The metric system is the official sys- nature, however, and nearly all potash ground to minus 200 mesh. Potash spar
tem of measurement of most countries. feldspars contain significant proportions ground to 120 or 140 mesh is usually
The U.S. Bureau of Mines, in an effort of soda feldspar. Albite, or soda feldspar, specified for use in porcelain enamel, and
to provide statistical data on feldspar that and anorthite are the theoretical end even traces of such impurities as garnet,
are consistent with international usage, members of a continuous compositional hornblende, tourmaline, and biotite mica
will henceforth report data in kilograms series known as the plagioclase feldspars, ordinarily are not tolerated. Both potash
and metric tons unless otherwise noted. none of which is ordinarily without at and soda feldspars, ground to minus 200
least a minor admixture of potash. Com- mesh, are used in glazing.
mercially speaking, “potash spar” is feld- Pottery-grade feldspar for whiteware
DOMESTIC DATA spar containing 10% or more KO; “soda and similar ceramic products may range
COVERAGE spar” contains 7% or more Na,O. from 5% to 14% in K,O content and
Perthite is the name given to material usually is ground to 200 mesh or finer.
consisting of orthoclase or microcline and Limitations on iron content may be even
Domestic production data for feldspar containing crystals that are intergrown more stringent than for glass grade;
are developed by the U.S. Bureau of with crystals of albite. Most of the feld- Fe,0; content may be 0.07%. Feldspar
Mines by means of a voluntary survey. spar of commerce can be classified most for use in filler applications, such as for
Of the 13 active operations, 9 operations correctly as perthite. foam rubber products, may be similar to
responded, representing 69% of the total Alaskite is a relatively coarse-grained, pottery spar in fineness of grind and
FELDSPAR, NEPHELINE SYENITE, AND APLITE—1990 |
chemical composition, although more States as a source of feldspar is not pres-
ANNUAL REVIEW
free quartz is often accepted; sometimes ently taking place.
material for this purpose may be held to
particle-size specifications expressed in Technology Feldspar
micrometers. Most feldspathic rocks can be quarried
Legislation and Government Pro-
by open pit procedures. High-grade, selec-
Geology-Resources grams.—According to provisions of the
tively mined feldspar from pegmatites
Feldspar, one of the most abundant Tax Reform Act of 1969, which con-
may be dry processed, passing consecu-
minerals in the Earth’s crust, is found in tinued in force throughout 1990, the
tively through jaw crushers, rolls, and
significant amounts in some sedimentary depletion rate allowed on domestic and
pebble mills before being subjected to
strata and in nearly all igneous forma- foreign feldspar production was 14%.
high-intensity magnetic or electrostatic
tions. Workable deposits of feldspar are
treatment to bring the iron content down Production—Feldspar or feldspar-silica
probably widely distributed throughout
to an acceptable level. sand was mined in seven States, led by
most of the world, and the total quanti-
The customary procedure applied to North Carolina and followed, in de-
ty of the mineral potentially available is
most massive deposits, such as alaskite, scending order, by Connecticut, Califor-
very large.
begins with drilling, blasting, and drop- nia (estimated), Georgia, Oklahoma,
It has been estimated that feldspar con-
ball breaking at the quarry, followed by Idaho, and South Dakota. North Caroli-
stitutes 60% of all crystalline igneous
primary and secondary crushing and fine na accounted for 66% of the total. Eleven
rocks. Granted sufficient demand and
grinding in jaw crushers, cone crushers, US. companies operating 13 beneficiat-
economic incentive, the mineral could be
and rod mills, respectively. The sequence ing plants and | grinding plant produced
extracted from the world’s granite, a
typically continues with acid-circuit flo- feldspar or feldspar-silica mixtures for
source that is extremely large.
tation in three stages, each stage preceded shipment to more than 31 States and for-
Data are not available on the quantity
by desliming and conditioning. The first eign countries, including Canada and
of feldspar in either domestic or foreign
flotation step typically depends on an Mexico. Of the 11 companies, 3 produced
deposits. However, U.S. reserves are es-
amine collector to float off and remove potash feldspar, and the remainder
timated to be quite large in the Spruce
mica, and the second uses sulfonated oils produced soda and/or potash feldspar or
Pine district of North Carolina alone.
to separate iron-bearing minerals, most feldspathic sand mixtures. North Caroli-
Feldspar concentrations of potential
notably garnet. The third step, flotation na had six plants, California had two, and
economic interest exist in many pegma-
with another amine collector, leaves be- Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Oklahoma,
tites, granites, and other granitic rocks
hind a residue that consists chiefly of and South Dakota each had one. The
and as accumulations of certain residual
quartz. Sometimes the third step is grinding plant was in South Carolina.
sands on ocean beaches or river banks.
bypassed, leaving a feldspar-silica mix- The U.S. Bureau of Mines uses a
Pegmatites are masses of coarsely crys- ture, which can be used with little or no criterion of 8% minimum K,O content
talline rocks of igneous origin. Pegmatite
additional processing as furnace-feed in- in collecting data for potash feldspar.
bodies may range in size from small pods
gredients in the manufacture of glass. In late 1990, the two feldspar mines
to extensive formations measuring
The flotation-cake feldspar or feldspar- and processing plant in Spruce Pine, NC,
hundreds or even thousands of feet. The
silica mixture is dewatered in filters or owned by Indusmin Inc., were sold to
principal feldspar ore bodies of pegmatitic
drain bins and dried in rotary driers for Hecla Mining Co. The new name of the
type currently being exploited in the
use as glass-grade feldspar. Some materi- operation was KT Feldspar Corp.
United States are in Connecticut, Geor-
al is further ground in pebble mills as pot-
gia, North Carolina, and South Dakota. Consumption and Uses.—Otf the total
tery spar and for other uses.
Potentially exploitable pegmatite bodies feldspar sold or used in the United States,
are known to exist in other areas. 56% went into glassmaking, including
Byproducts and Coproducts
The only feldspathic sand deposits now container glass and glass fiber, and 44%
being mined in the United States are in Feldspar was obtained as a coproduct was used in pottery and other applica-
California, Idaho, and Oklahoma. Other in 1990 from two companies mining and tions. Fewer housing starts in 1990 re-
accumulations of feldspathic sands in the processing lithium ores and one compa- sulted in decreased feldspar usage in
United States offer possibilities as future ny treating weathered pegmatite ore con- plumbing fixtures and tile compared with
sources of feldspar supply. taining mica and kaolin. Coproduct that of the previous year.
Granites are widely distributed igneous recovery of mica and silica sand was Processed feldspar is added to glass-
rocks of plutonic origin. Granites are reported by some feldspar processors. making formulas for its alumina and
present as major components of whole alkali contents. Alumina enhances the
Economic Factors
mountain ranges, and the dimensions of workability of molten glass and improves
granite bodies can often be stated in Feldspar is largely sold in bulk and the finished product by giving it better
miles. The important constituent miner- moved by rail hopper cars. Transporta- chemical stability. The increased work-
als in granites are much the same as those tion can comprise 50% or more of the ability facilitates the operation of auto-
in pegmatites, although there are likely total delivered cost. Some shipments are matic machines for shaping jars and
to be significant differences in the respec- by truck. Most feldspar products are bottles. Greater chemical stability
tive proportions. Because of economic shipped less than 1,000 miles. An excep- broadens the usefulness of the contain-
and technologic considerations, commer- tion is premium-grade high-potash ers. Feldspar is used in ceramic mixtures,
cial utilization of granite in the United feldspar. such as those for the making of vitreous
2
FELDSPAR, NEPHELINE SYENITE, AND APLITE—1990
TABLE 1
SALIENT FELDSPAR AND NEPHELINE SYENITE STATISTICS
1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
United States:
Feldspar:
Produced! metric tons 665,000 655,000 650,000 655,000 630,000
Value thousands $26,100 $26,100 $26,400 $28,000 $27,400
Exports metric tons 10,886 8,740 12,439 9,329 24,795
Value thousands $1,024 $691 $769 $829 $2,167
Imports for consumption metric tons (a S' 4,384 6,193 12,003 11,318
Value thousands $542 $477 $659 $873 $723
Nepheline syenite:
Imports for consumption metric tons 271,072 280,034 281,086 303,000 276,000
Value thousands $11,280 $11,401 $11,233 $2273 $12,200
Consumption, apparent? (feldspar plus nepheline syenite)
thousand metric tons 928 929 924 961 895
World: Production (feldspar) do. 14115 "4.410 4.899 5,176 ©5023
“Estimated. PPreliminary. "Revised.
‘Includes hand-cobbed feldspar, flotation-concentrate feldspar, and feldspar in feldspar-silica mixtures; includes potash feldspar (8% K.,O or higher).
?Production plus imports minus exports. f
TABLE 2
FELDSPAR! PRODUCED IN THE UNITED STATES
(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)
Year Hand-cobbed yes fore Total 3
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value
1986 12 474 19,855 181 W 665 26,100
1987 10 446 17,800 199 W 655 26,100
1988 13 452 18,657 185 WwW 650 26,400
1989 1] 425 16,915 219 WwW 655 28,000
1990 WwW 437 15,815 W WwW 630 27,400
W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included in “Total.”
‘Includes potash feldspar (8% K,O or higher).
*Feldspar content.
3Data may not add to totals shown because of independent rounding.
china and porcelain enamels, principally Whiteware is a significant end use of maximum quantity of product that can
as a flux. It fuses at a temperature below feldspar. In 1989, sanitaryware sales were be produced in a period of time on a nor-
the melting point of most of the other in- 44% of total whiteware sales; floor and mally sustainable long-term operating
gredients. It also performs as a vitreous wall tile were 33%.2 The mix for rate, based on the physical equipment of
binder to cement particles of various crys- sanitaryware bodies is about 50% clay the plant, and given acceptable routine
talline substances present in ceramic mix- (ball clay and kaolin), 25% silica, and operating procedures involving labor,
tures. Feldspar serves advantageously in 25% feldspar or nepheline syenite. A energy, materials, and maintenance. Ca-
abrasives and scouring soaps. It forms a typical glaze may contain about 30% pacity includes both operating plants and
mild abrasive but is soft enough to avoid feldspar and smaller proportions of sever- plants temporarily closed that, in the
injury to the article being cleaned. Feld- al other ingredients.3 judgment of the author, can be brought
spar is also used as a filler in paint, foam into production within a short period of
rubber, and plastics. World Review.—Capacity.—The data time with minimum capital expenditure.
The quantity of potash feldspar sold or in table 10 are rated capacity for mines Because actual capacity data were not
used in 1990 was 60,600 tons with a and refineries as of December 31, available, recent peak production during
value of $5.8 million. 1990. Rated capacity is defined as the the past 5 years for the United States
3
FELDSPAR, NEPHELINE SYENITE, AND APLITE—1990
TABLE 3 and foreign countries was considered to
PRODUCERS OF FELDSPAR AND FELDSPATHIC MATERIALS IN 1990 be equal to rated capacity.
Australia.—The domestic market of
10,000 tons per year was largely in the
Company Plant location Product
ceramic and welding rod manufacturing
APAC Arkansas Inc. Muskogee, OK Feldspar-silica mixture.
industries. The market was mainly on the
CISCO Corona, CA Do. eastern coast in Victoria and New South
Cyprus Foote Mineral Co. Kings Mountain, NC Do. Wales.
The Feldspar Corp. Middletown, CT Soda-potash feldspar. The Mukinbudin pegmatite deposit
owned by Commercial Minerals Ltd. was
Do. Monticello, GA Potash feldspar.
one of two major Australian feldspar
Do. Spruce Pine, NC Soda-potash feldspar.
operations. The mainly quartz-microcline
Do. Montpelier, VA Aplite.
(potash) feldspar deposit is near the town
Indusmin Inc. Spruce Pine, NC Soda-potash feldspar. of Mukinbudin, which is 330 kilometers
KMG Minerals, Inc. Kings Mountain, NC Potash feldspar. east of Perth, the capital of Western Aus-
Lithium Corp. of America Bessemer City, NC Feldspar-silica mixture. tralia. The quartz was crushed and
screened as a decorative stone for the lo-
Pacer Corp. Custer, SD Potash feldspar.
cal building industry. The feldspar was
Spartan Minerals Corp. Pacolet, SC Feldspar-silica mixture.
crushed and shipped to clients or mills for
Unimin Corp. Emmett, ID Do.
further processing. Chemical analysis of
Do. Spruce Pine, NC Soda-potash feldspar. the material was 11.5% K,O, 2.6%
US. Silica Co. Oceanside, CA Feldspar-silica mixture. Na,O, and 0.1% Fe,03. Both lump ore
and milled feldspar were exported from
the port city of Perth to Southeast Asia.
Iron contents of 0.08% were achieved by
processing selected high-grade ore; in
TABLE 4 1990, a magnetic separation plant was be-
ing installed to produce feldspar with
FELDSPAR! SOLD OR USED BY PRODUCERS IN THE
0.04% Fe,03 for use in glazes.
UNITED STATES, BY USE
The country’s second major deposit
(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars) was the Pippingarra pegmatites, also
owned by Commercial Minerals, 30
kilometers from Port Hedland on the
Use 1989 1990
northwest coast. The massive microcline
Quantity Value Quantity Value
feldspar deposit also contained muscovite
Hand-cobbed: mica, which was processed and sold for
Pottery 5 W W oil well drilling and other uses. An exten-
Other 5 WwW WwW sive drilling program was planned for
Total? 9 W WwW early 1990 to delineate ore reserves. This
deposit is well situated to serve the
Flotation concentrate: anita? cea
Southeast Asia market area.
Glass 166 162 7,270
Potash feldspar is not widely available
Pottery 261 234 14,178 in Asia, and a significant market for high-
Total? 426 395 21,448 quality material exists in Japan, Korea,
Feldspar-silica mixtures:? and Taiwan. The ceramic tile industry of
Taiwan was reported to be the third larg-
Glass 183 175 10,617
est in the world after Italy and Spain.
Pottery 23 W WwW
Another outlet for potash feldspar in
Total? 206 WwW W Southeast Asia was in welding rod
Total: manufacture for the heavy construction
Glass* 348 337 17,887 industry. The potash spar is able to im-
Pottery 289 W Ww prove the surface finish of the weld.
Other end uses were in the television tube
Other? 5 W WwW
and neon tube glass industries.4
Total 640 600 34,100
W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included in “Total.” Nepheline Syenite
‘Includes potash feldspar (8% K,O or higher).
“Data may not add to totals shown because of independent rounding. Nepheline syenite was produced by
Feldspar content.
Indusmin Ltd., a division of Falcon-
4Includes container glass and glass fiber.
“Includes enamel, filler, etc., and unknown. bridge Ltd., from two operations at Blue
4
FELDSPAR, NEPHELINE SYENITE, AND APLITE—1990
TABLE 5 Mountain and Nephton, Ontario,
DESTINATION OF SHIPMENTS OF FELDSPAR! SOLD OR USED BY Canada. Output in 1989, the latest year
PRODUCERS IN THE UNITED STATES, BY STATE for which information was available, was
estimated to be more than 660,000 tons.
(Metric tons) End uses included glass, whiteware, and
as a filler and extender in paint, plastic,
adhesives, and rubber. In late 1990,
State 1986 1987 21988 31989 41990
Unimin Corp. of New Canaan, CT, ac-
Alabama 18,200 W W W W
quired the Indusmin nepheline syenite
California® 45,400 45,400 45,400 68,000 61,900
operations. The new name of the com-
Florida 18,100 12,900 W W W pany was to be Unimin Canada Ltd.®
Georgia 82,200 78,500 84,500 74,400 66,800 In Norway, nepheline syenite was
Illinois 25,300 26,000 26,900 24,900 24,000 produced at the Elkem Nefelin A/S,
Indiana W W 27,300 25,400 23,800 underground mining operation on the
arctic island of Stjern@y. Output
Kentucky 15,300 W 15,400 14,700 12,700
was 287,000 tons in 1988, the latest
Louisiana 12,800 13,500 12,600 10,900 9,100
year for which data were available. Sales
Maryland 6,400 5,800 6,500 7,600 7,200 were largely to markets in Western
Mississippi W W 12,000 10,400 W Europe.’
Missouri 5,500 4,700 4,400 W 4.100 Prices for Canadian nepheline syenite
North Carolina 18,800 36,700 21,500 18,100 15,700 listed in Industrial Minerals (London),
December 1990, were approximately $24 |
Ohio 61,900 58,400 58,700 52,300 46,600
to $31 per ton for glass grade, 30 mesh,
Pennsylvania 30,500 33,000 26,500 34,800 29,800
bulk, carlots-trucklots, depending on iron
Texas 40,800 39,900 W W W content; $74 per ton for ceramic grade,
West Virginia 22,100 18,000 17,000 16,800 15,500 200 mesh, bagged, 10-ton lots; and $87
Other? 262,500 277,600 301,600 285,600 281,900 to $100 per ton for filler-extender grade,
bagged.
Total® 666,000 650,000 660,000 644,000 599,000
Estimated. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included with “Other.”
Aplite
jincludes potash feldspar (8% K 30 or higher).
*An estimated 68% of these data were obtained by survey forms; the remaining 32% were estimated.
3Because of a lack of actual data, an estimated 65% of these data were obtained from projections of previous years’ data. Aplite is a feldspar mineral that has
‘Because of a lack of actual data, an estimated 67% of these data were obtained from projections of previous years’ data. more than one geological definition.
Includes Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, States indicated
However, aplite from the one active U.S.
by symbol W, and unspecified States. Also includes exports to Canada, Mexico, and other foreign countries.
Data may not add to totals shown because of independent rounding. operation contains lime-soda feldspar.
Aplite, usually unsuitable for use in
ceramics, has been used in the manufac-
ture of glass when it is sufficiently low
in iron.
Aplite of glassmaking quality was
TABLE 6
produced in the United States by The
DESTINATION OF SHIPMENTS OF POTASH FELDSPAR! SOLD OR
Feldspar Corp. near Montpelier, Hanover
USED BY PRODUCERS IN THE UNITED STATES, BY STATE
County, VA.
Domestic output was approximately
(Metric tons)
the same as in 1989. The data are com-
pany proprietary and cannot be released
State 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
for publication. Aplite traditionally has
Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin 5,000 W W W W a somewhat lower price than feldspar. In-
Maryland, New York, West Virginia 23,200 W W W 26,700 dustrial Minerals (London), December
Ohio W W W W W 1990, gave a value of $25.75 per ton for
glass grade, bulk, 100% plus 200 mesh,
Pennsylvania W W WwW WwW WwW
f.o.b. Montpelier, VA.
Texas 300 W W W W
With an annual production of 500,000
West Virginia 3,200 W W W W tons to 560,000 tons in recent years,
Other? 35,500 W W W W
Japan has been the world’s largest |
Total 67,200 W 85,700 73,000 60,600 producer of aplite. Italy is the world’s
largest producer of feldspathic materials,
W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included with “Other.”
K, O content of 8% or higher. including feldspar and aplite; published |
2tncludes Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Massachusetts, figures did not give the relative break-
Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, States indicated by symbol W, and other unspeci-
down of the two minerals.
fied States. May also include countries.
FELDSPAR, NEPHELINE SYENITE, AND APLITE—1990
TABLE 7 TABLE 10
PRICES FOR FELDSPAR WORLD FELDSPAR ANNUAL
PRODUCTION CAPACITY,
(Dollar per metric ton, f.o.b. plant, bulk
DECEMBER 31, 1990
DOL ele AORN SaeHs ales SO ES UC” Se ir eon (Thousand metric tons)
Ceramic grade:
Middleton, CT, minus 200 mesh 74.41 74.41 Rated capacity!
Monticello, GA, 200 mesh, high potash 90.94 90.94 | North America:
Spruce Pine, NC, 170 to 250 mesh Soule Sil) Mexico 130
Glass grade: United States 665
Middleton, CT, 96% plus 200 mesh 50.16 50.16 Total 7195
Monticello, GA, 92% plus 200 mesh, high potash 71.38 738 South Amencs
Spruce Pine, NC, 97.8% plus 200 mesh 35.83 36.93 Brazil 121
Source: Industrial Minerals (London), No. 267, Dec. 1989, p. 74, and No. 279, Dec. 1990, p. 78. Wenemels 100
Other 142
Total 363
Europe:
Finland 56
TABLE 8
France 360
U.S. EXPORTS OF FELDSPAR, BY COUNTRY Gomenaredeal
Republic of 315
1988 1989! Italy 1,368
cae ore Value ea Value? Norway 90
Canada 2,011 $146,955 2,558 52731133 | Secs a
Dominican Republic 293 22,433 326 71,8690i|emeueeee 66
Germany, Federal Republic of = ~ 1,878 142,491 | _Romania* 86
Italy 888 74,680 1,796 242,398 | _ Spain 196
Mexico 2,043 172,329 1,536 236,668 Sweden 40
Netherlands — — 14,075 829,743 Wists. 330
Taiwan 1,090 154,261 238 72,316 Yugoslavia 50
United Kingdom — — 710 PDS Other 16
Venezuela 748 59,898 238 9,262 Total 00 ae
Other 2256 198,440 769 213,647 0K nas
Total 9,329 828,996 24,795 2,166,782 South Africa,
Source: Bureau of the Census. Republic of 82
Other 36
Total 118
Asia and Oceania:
India 58
TABLE 9 ‘eee 58
U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF FELDSPAR, BY COUNTRY Korea, Republic of 242
Thailand 520
1989 1990 Turkey 100
ee dake Value! ek. Value! Other 67
Germany, Federal Republic of 29 $8,241 69 Soa a mun:
Mexico 11,974 864,407 11,249 700,638 World total 5,350
Total 12,003 872,648 11,318 "722,780 | ‘Estimated.
‘Includes capacities of operating plants as well as plants on stand-
‘Customs value.
by basis.
Source: Bureau of the Census. *Data do not add to total shown because of independent rounding.
6
FELDSPAR, NEPHELINE SYENITE, AND APLITE—1990