Industrial Minerals

Features

• High purity quartz: under the spotlight

  With an estimated market size of 100,000 tpa, and intrinsic ties to the semiconductor and photovoltaic cell markets, high purity quartz is the downplayed strategic mineral of the green technology boom Read More

• Greece seeks mineral lifeboat

  While economic difficulties for Greece continue, Ananias Tsirambides and Anestis Filippidis highlight the wealth of the country’s mineral resources and suggest how they could contribute to assisting its financial future Read More

• Zirconium’s cloudy future

  Prices for zircon sand and downstream zirconium chemicals tripled over 2010-2011, pushing consumers to look for alternative materials. Alister MacDonald examines zircon’s substitution potential, but cautions that demand in 2012 is anything but certain Read More

Supply Developments

• Turkish magnesia group Kumas for sale

  Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF), the owner of Turkey’s leading magnesia producer KŸtahya Manyezit İşletmeleri AŞ (Kumas), placed its integrated magnesia and refractories subsidiary under auction on 20 December 2011. Read More

• China announces export quotas for 2012

  the announcement of 2012 export quotas by China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) sent traders and consumers checking their stocks and future requirements, while Chinese producers and exporters assessed how much of their 2011 quota remained unsold. Read More

• WTO decision “no great consequence” to Chinese fluorspar exports

  The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) recent recommendation to China on its restriction of key steelmaking raw materials, including fluorspar, is unlikely to change the country’s long-term resource development goals. Read More

• Russian rare earths potential faces major obstacles

  Russia’s anticipated entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) next year is seen as good news for industrial mineral exporters, but those interested in the country’s vast rare earth deposits will have to wait years before they see new supply sources open up. Read More

• Graphite juniors should not ignore traditional markets – panel

  Panellists at IM’s Graphite 2011 conference held in London, UK last month, have cautioned that emerging producers are relying too heavily on a boom in demand for lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and other high-tech uses to justify investments into new capacity, saying traditional uses are still attractive markets. Read More

• Bringing minerals to market

  IM’s second Roundtable & Dinner took place on 1 December 2011, attendees listened to experts examine and discuss challenges and solutions to mineral supply chains for the titanium dioxide, oilfield, refractory and foundry markets in Europe. Read More

• Phosphate continues recovery

  Global phosphate demand remained firm in 2011, consolidating the recovery seen in 2010, according to France-based International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA). Read More

• Price Briefing: Andalusite, lithium & graphite prices to increase early-2012

  Andalusite, lithium & graphite prices expected to increase early-2012. End of year hikes for barytes, graphite while bauxite and chromite are down Read More

• Industrial Minerals Prices January 2012

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• Supply Situation Report: Potash industry gets back to pre-crisis levels

  Potash production expected to rise 5-7% while Latin America and Asia boost demand. Spot prices could reach $600/tonne in 2012 Read More

Comment

• Graphite’s golden egg of the future?

  “Miracle material” graphene claims huge market potential Read More

Market Monitor

• “Lithium Institute”: the case for a global industry association

  Lithium resources not scarce; Time for industry promotion Read More

Strandlines

• VELTA start-up brings new ilmenite capacity to Ukraine

  VELTA LLC is looking to take advantage of surging prices for titanium minerals after starting up its Birzulivske ilmenite mine and processing plant in Ukraine in December 2011. Read More

• Fairbreeze minsands start-up set back a year

  South Africa’s Exxaro Resources Ltd is planning to start up its Fairbreeze mineral sands mine in KwaZulu-Natal during H2 2014, a year later than it previously expected. Read More

Diary Dates

• Diary dates January 2012

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Processing

• Down to the wire cost control

  Correct and timely screen media installation and maintenance can be crucial in preventing costs incurred from plant downtime. Major Wire of Canada outlines some tips and highlights a limestone producer case study Read More

Exposure

• Ruth phosphate

  Canada's Eagle Star Minerals Corp. is working on developing its 100%-owned Ruth Agriminerals project in north-eastern Brazil Read More

People & Places

• People and Places January 2012

  First Bauxite Corp; K+S AG; Great Quest; Arianne Resources Read More