Industrial Minerals

Features

• Rare earths march towards supply diversity

  As China continues to hold the whip hand on rare earths, so the need to develop new sources becomes ever-more critical, as Gerry Clarke reports Read More

• Rare earths: the politics and policy

  International public policies regarding rare earths have centred around the basic question: “What are the Chinese trying to do?” Vasili Nicoletopoulos discusses Chinese concerns and policies and investigates just how smartly the rest of the world is reacting: Read More

• Feldspar’s future in flux

  Consumption trends in the global market for feldspar and nepheline syenite are largely defined by demand from their major end-user industries of ceramics and glass. Read More

• Six steps to stability

  Ask inhabitants of the Juruti district of Brazil what benefits have been brought by the bauxite mining started in 2009 by Alcoa Inc., and they can point to a new school and police station. These are among 21 projects backed by the Sustainable Juruti Fund (FUNJUS), created by Alcoa, but run by a local development council with representatives from industry, government and non-governmental organisations (NGO). Read More

• End User Focus: Playing ceramic catch-up

  There are three main sectors for production of ceramics in the world: porcelain/tableware, sanitaryware and tiles. In all of these markets, China is the world’s leading producer and consumer and it is just the global ceramic tiles sector that will be considered in the following. Read More

• Price Briefing: Mineral prices drop as demand wanes in China

  Chromite and soda ash fall while fluorspar remains stable and SiC looks set to climb Read More

• Industrial Minerals Prices July 2012

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Supply Developments

• Fluorsid to restart fluorspar production at Glebe Mines

  Italian fluorochemicals producer Fluorsid SpA has acquired the facilities and assets of UK fluorspar company Glebe Mines Ltd, to form a new subsidiary called British Fluorspar. Read More

• Major changes for Chinese bauxite

  China’s bauxite export licence system has been abolished for 2013 amid pressure from the World Trade Organization (WTO), market sources told IM. Read More

• Oilfield Minerals Outlook: Hot and gritty in Houston

  Fracking and shale gas development is going global: “Everyone is learning about fracking and horizontal drilling from the US. China may soon become the third largest shale gas producer.” Read More

• African mining projects face mixed prospects

  Miners and investors were largely optimistic about the potential of Africa’s resource wealth at the Objective Capital Africa Resources Investment Congress, which took place in London, UK, on 12 June. Read More

• China continues fight against illegal RE mining

  Illegal mining has been rampant in China’s minerals industry and especially in rare earths. Vasili Nicoletopoulos, of Natural Resources GP, told the IM Congress held in Budapest in March 2012, that smuggled rare earths account for 15% of light element supply to western consumers and up to 50% of heavy element output. Read More

Comment

• A sign of things to come?

  Indonesia export ban could see more doors closed to mineral exports Read More

Market Monitor

• Electronics industry untroubled by rises in rare earths prices

  Computer manufacturers expect minimal impact from Chinese quotas Read More

Strandlines

• Sachtleben expands TiO2 capacity with crenox purchase

  Sachtleben GmbH, a German producer of sulphate-route titanium dioxide (TiO2), is to acquire the production assets and inventories of former Tronox asset crenox GmbH. Read More

Processing

• Does it have to cost the earth?

  The frequently overlooked issue of how to process rare earths effectively remains at the crux of successful resource development outside China. Read More

People & Places

• People and Places: July 2012

  IM interviews the new CEO Victory Silica - Ken Murdock Read More

Refractories Hotline

• Consolidation continues to reshape the industry

  Russian magnesia and refractories producer Magnezit Group has sold its German subsidiary Dalmond Feuerfest Siegburg GmbH to INTOCAST AG. Read More

Company Profile

• Talk from the Top: “Foundries are interested in a consistent product”

  Chromite producer Oregon Resources enters foundry sands market, Wayne Knott, chief operating officer, tells IM of the market, the challenges, and an outlook for the future. Read More