Industrial Minerals

Features

• The bright side of graphite

  After a difficult 2009, graphite is starting to recover thanks to promising new applications, with opportunities in Africa, Canada and Australia for raw material Read More

• Foundries fire up a gear

  Automotive markets are giving foundries the drive they need to recover from recession, but western foundries will have to tap into specialised products to compete with developing countries’ heavy industries Read More

• Logistics in the 21st century

  The evolution of Goldenboat Holding and its expanding minerals business has underlined the importance of partner alliances in modern logistics, pioneering new concepts in shipping, and developing new IT systems Read More

• Set for heavy loads

  Mineral fillers keep pace with plastic product requirements as demand grows, including applications with higher loadings Read More

Supply Developments

• US values Afghanistan’s resources at $909bn.

  The Pentago picks rare earths as most valuable as it puts a dollar value on Afghanistan's resources, while controversy reins over its lithium claims Read More

• China awaits as Russia reshapes towards a potash monopoly

  With ownership changes at Uralkali and rumours of a merger with Silvinit strengthening, Russia could see a state-forced merger. Meanwhile, China waits in the wings as it continues to seek control of a significant source. Read More

• Spotlight on spherical graphite intensifies

  Lithium-ion battery anticipation is the talk of industry as miners and developers eye future riches Read More

• New mines to significantly extend Magnesitas Navarras reserves

  Spanish magnesite producer to open Zilbeti and Borobia in a bid to extend reserves by 30 years Read More

• Spain’s mineral suppliers face tough decisions

  As a downturn in ceramics and construction continues to dog Spain's mineral suppliers, the industry moves increasingly towards consolidation Read More

• Spanish iron oxide demand defies domestic trend

  Promindsa expecting a 15% growth this year as it sees increased iron oxide demand from outside of Europe Read More

• South Korea continues resource push with Lithium One deal

  Lithium carbonate offtake deal struck with Korea Resources as North American developers look east Read More

• Squeeze on fused magnesia supply & prices

  As fused magnesia demand starts tro return, raw material shortages force prices up Read More

• Industrial Minerals Prices July 2010

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• Price Briefing July 2010

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Comment

• Europe goes critical

  European Commission report forecasts shortages of 14 raw materials Read More

Market Monitor

• US begins legislation to restart neodymium magnet production

  Neodymium-iron-boron magnet production set for return to US soil after 15 year hiatus as China places further restrictions on supply Read More

Strandlines

• Boost for Madagascar as minsands developers merge

  Madagascar's titanium minerals developers merge in a bid to drive down the cost of exploration Read More

Diary Dates

• Diary Dates July 2010

  chromite; lithium; fluorspar Read More

Processing

• TiO2: ilmenite innovations

  Eli M. Feist discusses new ways to produce titanium dioxide from ilmenite using fluosilicic acid Read More

Exposure

• Aroche wollastonite

  The Aroche wollastonite deposits are found in the western edge of the Aracena Metamorphic Belt, a high-temperature/low-pressure metamorphic band located in south-west Spain. Read More

People & Places

• People and Places July 2010

  Greg Bowes, Industrial Minerals Inc.; Ronald G. Brenneman, Allied Mineral Products; Gerard Buffiere, Gilles Michel, Imerys; Pierre-Andre de Chalendar, Saint-Gobain; Robert P. Jornayvaz III, Intrepid Potash; Mackenzie I. Watson, Quest Rare Minerals Read More

Refractories Hotline

• European refractories in slow recovery

  Market uncertainity in Europe reins for the second half of 2010 with no upturn expected before 2012 Read More

Trading Faces

• Trading Faces: IMCD

  IMCD, well established in marketing, sales, and distribution of speciality chemicals and food/pharma ingredients, is expanding more into mineral fillers. IM spoke with Johan Scholten, managing director, Benelux, and Director Plastics IMCD Group Read More