Industrial Minerals Prices June 2012

Bold indicates price change from previous month (it may have changed more than once during the month). All prices are in US$ and quoted per tonne unless indicated. It is not possible to publish prices for all industrial minerals and grades in the space available, these pages comprise a selection of frequently traded minerals. For a wider range and more detail on mineral prices, we refer you to Price Listing on www.indmin.com.

Alumina

Calcined 98.5-99.5% Al₂O₃

bulk FOB US refinery $675-725

Calcined, ground 98.5-99.5% Al₂O₃,
bulk FOB US refinery $750-850

Calcined, medium-soda Al₂O₃,
bulk FOB refinery $800-850

Alumina, fused

Brown 95% min. Al₂O₃,

FEPA F8-220 Grit, FOB China $800-840

Brown 95.5% Al₂O₃, refractory

lump & sized, FOB China $660-730

White, 25kg bags,

CIF Europe Û850-890

Brown 94% Al₂O₃, FEPA 8-220
mesh refractory (mm) Chinese $750-850

Hydrated Alumina (ATH)

Hydrated alumina (ATH) Damp
(57-60% Al₂O₃, 5-8% moisture)
Bulk FOB refinery $300-370

Andalusite

57-58% Al₂O₃, 2,000 tonne

bulk, FCA Mine-RSA Û235-280

55-59% Al₂O₃,

FOB European port Û350-425

Antimony Trioxide

Typically 99.5% SbO₃, 5 tonne lots,

CIF Antwerp/Rotterdam $11,100-11,200

Typically 99.5% SbO₃, 20 tonne

lots FOB China $11,100-11,200

Typically 99.5% SbO₃, ex-works USA $11,100-11,200

Ingot, 99.65% min, CIF Rotterdam $13,500-13,700

Ingot, 99.65% min, FOB China $13,500-13,600

Baddeleyite

Contract price, Refractory/abrasive

grade, CIF main European port $2500-3100

Contract price, Ceramic grade

(98% ZrO₂ + HfO₂), CIF main

European port $3000-3300

Contract price, Ceramic pigment

grade, CIF main European port $3200-3500

Barytes

Drilling grade

Unground lump

OCMA/API bulk,SG 4.20

FOB Chennai $146-150

FOB Morocco $147-150

FOB China $155-158

C&F North Sea (Moroccan) $160-167

API, CIF Gulf Coast,

Chinese $166-182

Indian $157-171

Ground

OCMA bulk, del. Aberdeen £95-105

OCMA bulk, del. Gt Yarmouth £110-120

OCMA/API, big bags (1.5t),

FOB S.Turkey $150-155

SG 4.22, bagged, FOB Morocco $135-147

Paint grade

Ground white 96-98% BaSO₄,

350 mesh, 1-5 lots, del. UK £195-220

Chinese lump, CIF Gulf Coast $250-290

Ground, white, 96-98% BaSO₄,
325-350 mesh, 1-5 lots, ex-works
USA. $/s. ton $315-400

Chemical grade

Chinese, CIF Gulf Coast $170-182

Bauxite

Refractory grade

Chinese Al₂O₃/Fe₂O₃/BD, lumps 0-25mm

Shanxi, FOB Xingang

Round kiln 87/2.0/3.2 $395-430

Round kiln 86/2.0/3.15-3.20 $360-440

Round kiln 85/2.0/3.15 $370-410

Rotary kiln 86/1.8/3.15 $365-435

Rotary kiln 85/1.8/3.15 $350-450

Guizhou, FOB Zhanjiang/Fangcheng

Round kiln 87/2.0/3.2 $470-525

Guyana RASC bauxite, bulk,

FOB Linden $460-510

Abrasive grade

Chinese

FOB Zhanjiang, China $320-350

Welding grade

FOB Zhanjiang, China $470-480

FOB Linden, Guyana $450-510

Bentonite

Cat litter, grade 1-5mm, bulk,

FOB main European port Û42-60

Indian, cat litter grade, crushed,

dried, loose in bulk, FOB Kandla $34-38

OCMA/Foundry grades,

crude & dried, bulk, FOB Milos Û60-80

API grade, bagged rail-car,

ex-works Wyoming, per s.ton $90-130

Foundry grade, bagged, railcars,

ex-works Wyoming, per s.ton $97-124

IOP grade, crude, bulk, ex-works

Wyoming, per s.ton $66-72

(Dried material in bulk) FOB Greece,
Û/tonne Û50-75

Cat litter grade, ex-works Wyoming,
USA, $/s.ton $50-60

Fullers’ earth, soda ash-treated,
Civil eng. grade, ex-works, South Africa £50-70

Indian, FOB Kandla, crushed and dried,
loose in bulk, Civil Engineering grade, $32-40

Indian, FOB Kandla, crushed and dried,
loose in bulk, Iron ore pelletising grade $36-38

South African., ex-works Fullers’ earth,
soda ash-treated, Cat litter grade, 1-7mm £27-40

South African., ex-works Fullers’ earth,
soda ash-treated, foundry grade, bagged £60-85

Foundry grade, bulk, del Japan $140-215

Borates/Boron minerals

Boric Acid, FOB Chile $1250-1309

Colemanite, 40% B₂O₃,
FOB Buenos Aires $690-730

Decathydrate Borax, FOB Buenos Aires $947-979

Ulexite, 40% B₂O₃, FOB Buenos Aires $666-697

Ulexite, 40% B₂O₃, FOB Lima $620-652

Ulexite, granular 40% B₂O₃, FOB Chile $692-734

Borax, PP bags (25kg & 50kg), Boric
acid, gran, tech, FOB Latin America $1200-1310

Borax, PP bags (25kg & 50kg),
Decahydrate borax, gran, tech,
FOB Latin America $910-940

Boric acid, FOB Buenos Aires $1078-1136

Colemanite, 40-42% B₂O₃,
ground, bagged, FOB Argentina $630-690

Ulexite 46-48% B₂O₃, FOB Lima $650-710

Bromine

Purified, bulk, 99.95% Br, domestic
destination, tonne lot, ex-works USA $1.6-1.7

Bulk, purified, 99.95% Br, ex works,
CIF Europe $1.6-1.65

Large contract, Bulk, European $3300-3500

Calcium carbonate

GCC, coated, fine grade,ex-works UK £80-103

GCC, 50-22 microns, FOB USA $21-26

GCC, 22-10 microns, FOB USA $50-105

GCC, 3 microns (untreated), FOB USA $170-185

GCC, stearate coated 1.1-0.7 microns,

FOB USA $270-400

GCC, 1.1-0.7 microns (untreated),

FOB USA $200-290

PCC, Fine, surface treated

(0.4-1 microns), FOB USA $275-375

GCC, coated, chalk, ex-works UK £60-75

PCC, coated, ex-works, UK £370-550

PCC, uncoated, ex-works, UK £340-550

Celestite

Turkish, 96%, SrSO₄,
FOB Iskenderun $90-100

Chromite

Chemical grade, 46% Cr₂O₃,

wet bulk , FOB South Africa $360-410

Refractory grade, 46% Cr₂O₃,

wet bulk , FOB South Africa $425-500

Foundry grade, 46% Cr₂O₃, wet bulk,

FOB South Africa $390-420

South African, Northwest,
Metallurgical grade, friable lumpy,
40% Cr₂O₃ $180-210

Sand, moulding grade, 98%
<30 mesh, del UK £390-450

Foundry +47% Cr₂O₃ dried 1 tonne big
bags FOB South Africa $450-500

Foundry, 45.8% min Cr₂O₃, wet bulk,
FOB South Africa $390-420

Metallurgical grade, Conc’ 40%,
FOB Northwest, South Africa $180-210

Diatomite

US, calcined filter-aid grade,

FOB plant $575-640

US, flux-calcined filter-aid grade,

FOB plant $580-825

Feldspar

Turkish, Na feldspar, Crude,

-10mm size bulk, FOB Gulluk $22-23

Turkish, Na feldspar, Glass grade,

-500 microns, bagged, FOB Gulluk $70

(-38 micron, FCL’s bagged,>90 Brightness)
FOB Durban, South Africa $168

(Na), ceramic grade, 170-200 mesh,

bagged, ex-works USA, $/s.ton $150-180

Na feldspar, floated -150 microns, bagged,
FOB Gulluk, Turkey $53-55

Na feldspar, floated -500 microns, bulk,
FOB Gulluk, Turkey $38-40

Fluorspar

Acidspar filtercake, bulk

Mexican, <5ppm As

FOB Tampico $540-550

Mexican, FOB Tampico $400-450

Chinese wet filtercake,
CIF Rotterdam $500-530

Chinese, wet filtercake,
FOB China $450-500

South African, dry basis,
FOB Durban $380-450

Chinese dry basis,

CIF US Gulf Port $550-650

Metallurgical

Chinese, min 85% CaF₂, CIF Rotterdam $355-375

Mexican, FOB Tampico $230-270

Chinese, min 80%,

wet bulk, FOB China $305-325

Chinese, min 85% CaF₂,

bulk, FOB China $355-375

Chinese bulk, min. 90% CaF₂, FOB China $365-385

Graphite

Amorphous powder 80-85%
Chinese del Europe $600-800

Synthetic fine 97-98% CIF Asia $950-1450

Synthetic fine 98-99% CIF Asia $1000-1500

Crystalline

FCL CIF main European port,

Medium, 85-87%C, +100-80 mesh $1300-1800

Fine, 90%C, -100 mesh $1350-1700

Medium flake 90% C, +100-80 mesh $1300-1800

Large flake, 90% C, +80 mesh $1900-2300

Fine, 94-97%C, -100 mesh $1900-2300

Medium, 94-97%C, +100-80 mesh $1875-2200

Large flake 94-97% C, +80 mesh CIF $2200-2700

Synthetic 99.95% C, $ per Kg,

Swiss border $7-20

Ilmenite

Australian, bulk concentrates.
min 54% TiO₂, FOB $250-350

Australian, spot price,
min 54% TiO₂, FOB $250-350

Iodine

Iodine crystal, 99.5% min, drums,

spot, $/kg $60-90

Iodine crystal, 99.5% min, drums,

contract, $/kg $60-75

Iron Oxide Pigment

Brown type 868, bagged, FOB China $1015-1075

Red type 130 90% Fe₂O₃, bagged,

FOB China $1434-1637

Kaolin

No 1 paper coating grade,
Ex-Georgia plant, s.ton $161-209

No 2 paper coating grade,
Ex-Georgia plant, s.ton $107.50-166.70

Kyanite

Ex-works USA, 54-60% Al₂O₃,

raw kyanite, s.ton $224-320

54-60% Al₂O₃, 22 ton lots,
calcined $373-439

Leucoxene

min. 91% TiO₂, max. 1% ZrO₂, bagged,

FOB West Australia A$1450-1550

Lithium

Lithium carbonate, del continental,
USA large contracts, $ per lb $2.5-3

Lithium hydroxide, 56.5-57.5% LiOH,

large contracts, packed in drums or bags,

del Europe or USA, $/kg $6.5-7.5

Lithium hydroxide, Chinese, (56.5-57.5% LiOH), packed in drums or bags, large contracts,

del Europe $/kg $6-6.6

Petalite, 4.2% LiO₂, FOB Durban, $165-260

Spodumene concentrate, >7.5% Li₂O,
CIF USA, s.ton $720-770

Spodumene concentrate, 5% Li₂O,
CIF USA, s.ton $460-510

Spodumene concentrate, 7.5% Li₂O,

CIF Europe $750-800

Spodumene concentrate, 5% Li₂O,

CIF Europe $440-490

Spodumene concentrate, > 7.5% Li₂O,

bulk, CIF Asia $720-770

Spodumene concentrate, 5% Li₂O,

CIF Asia $300-400

Magnesia

Calcined, 90-92% MgO, lump,

FOB China $320-360

European calcined, agricultural grade,

CIF Europe Û240-350

Dead-burned,

Lump, FOB China

90% MgO $350-400

92% MgO $430-470

94-95% MgO $410-480

97.5% MgO $560-600

Fused,

Lump, FOB China

96% MgO $790-860

97% MgO $930-1050

98% MgO $1080-1210

Magnesite

Greek, raw, max 3.5% SiO₂,

FOB East Mediterranean Û65-75

Mica

Indian mine scrap green

(Andhra Pradesh) for mica paper,

FOB Madras $300-400

Indian wet-ground, CIF Europe $600-900

Micronised, FOB plant, USA $700-1000

Wet-ground, FOB plant, USA $700-1300

Flake, FOB plant, USA $350-500

Nitrate

Sodium, about 98%, ex-store Chile Û550-570

Olivine

Olivine, refractory grade, bulk,
US ex-plant/mine $75-150

Perlite

Coarse (filter aid)

FOB east Mediterranean, bulk Û70-75

Raw, crushed, grade, big bags

FOB Turkey $95-100

Raw, crushed, grade, bulk

FOB Turkey $80-85

Potash

C&F Western Europe, contract,
Standard $400-490

Muriate, KCl, granular, bulk,
ex-works, North America $515-535

Muriate, KCl, standard,
bulk, FOB Vancouver $460-550

Muriate, KCl, standard, bulk, FOB

Baltic $/tonne $350-370

Rare earth minerals

Min 99%, large purchases, FOB China, $/kg

Cerium oxide $26-32

Dysprosium oxide $1170-1370

Europium oxide $2590-2990

Lanthanum oxide $26-34

Neodymium oxide $120-160

Praesodymium oxide $120-140

Samarium oxide $88-96

Refractory clays/Mullite

Clay, Mulcoa 47% (sized in bulk bags),
for coarse sizing, FOB USA, s.ton $198

Rutile

Australian concentrate,
min. 95% TiO₂, bagged, FOB $2500-2800

Australian concentrate,
min. 95% TiO₂, large vol.

for pigment, FOB $2050-2400

Salt

Australian solar salt bulk CIF Shanghai, $50

Industrial solar salt, ex-works China $27-29

Industrial vacuum salt,
ex-works China $35-40

Silica sand

Minus 20 micron, FCL, bagged

>92 brightness, FOB Durban $295

Glass sand, container,

ex-works USA $20-26

Silicon carbide

SiC, FEPA 8-220, CIF UK, black, about 99% SiC

SiC Grade 1 Û1900-2100

SiC Grade 2 Û1500-1650

Refractory grade,

min 98% SiC Û1500-1800

min 95% SiC Û1350-1450

Soda ash

Chinese synthetic soda ash,
dense & light, CIF Far East $295-330

Chinese synthetic soda ash,
dense & light, FOB China $260-285

Indian synthetic soda ash,

dense & light, Domestic
ex-works India $300-348

Indian synthetic soda ash, dense

& light, Export C&F India $210-230

US natural, large contract,
FOB Wyoming $210-230

European synthetic, dense & light,
Large Contracts ex-works Û190-210

TiO₂ pigment

Bulk volume, per tonne

CFR Asia $4300-4850

CIF Northern Europe Û3260-3750

CIF USA $3550-4000

CIF Latin America, per lb $1.6-1.9

Vermiculite

South African, bulk, FOB

Antwerp $400-850

Wollastonite

US ex-works, s.ton Acicular minus

200 mesh $210-240

325 mesh $220-250

Acicular (15:-1-20:1 aspect ratio) $444

Chinese, FOB, tonne Acicular minus

200 mesh $80-90

325 mesh $90-100

Zircon

FOB Australia, bulk shipments

Premium $2500-2640

Standard $2400-2600

FOB USA, bulk shipments

Premium $2600-3000

Standard $2550-2750

FOB South Africa, bulk shipments

ceramic grade $2300-2650

Micronised zircon

99.5% <4µ, average particle size <0.95µ,
C&F Asia, $2750-2800

Fused zirconia

Monoclinic, refractory/abrasive, contract,

CIF main European port $6500-7800

Monoclinic, Ceramic pigment grade,
Contract price, CIF main European
port $3800-4800

Monoclinic, Structural ceramic/
electronic grade, Contract price,
CIF main European port $4600-6000

Monoclinic, Technical ceramic,
grade, Contract price, CIF main
European port $15900-21000

Stabilised, Refractory grade,
Contract price, CIF main European
port $6500-7800

Stabilised, Technical ceramic grade,
Contract price, CIF main European
port $50000-100000

Zircon Opacifiers

Micronised zircon, 100% < 6 microns,
average 1-2 microns, bagged,
CFR Asia $2845-3400

Micronised zircon, 100% < 6 microns,
average 1-2 microns, bagged,
ex-works Europe $2770-3400



Antimony ingot, 99.65% min, CIF Rotterdam, $/tonne



Prices for antimony ingot began to creep up at the end of May as supply tightened. Levels are still not at year-ago levels but seem to have recovered from the slump seen at the start of Q2 2012.

Barytes, Drilling Grade, Unground lump, OCMA/API Bulk, SG 4.20 C&F North Sea (Moroccan), $/tonne



Barytes prices increased on the back of an increase in freight charges and a pick-up in demand for oilfield drilling.

Bentonite OCMA/Foundry grades crude and dried, bulk, FOB Milos, €/tonne



Bentonite prices remain steady, but producer Amcol said in May that its leap in revenue from its oilfield services was down to higher selling prices.

Iodine crystal, 99.5% min, drums, spot $/kg



The iodine spot market widened in May, sources told IM. While some said that iodine was still being sold at $90/kg, others argued that levels had fallen off on the spot market.

Lanthanum oxide, min 99%, FOB, China, $/kg, Bulk



IM learned in May that the floods which besieged Thailand at the end of 2011 were still having an impact on end markets such as hard disk drives and camera lenses. The floods mean that demand is still yet to pick up in this market which, in turn, has affected some rare earths markets - including lanthanum.

Perlite, fine and medium (construction), bulk, FOB east Mediterranean, €/tonne



Perlite prices remain stable but an uptick may take place in the next quarter on the back of increased energy prices.

Talc, Chinese, normal, 350 mesh, ex-store UK, £/tonne



Talc prices have edged up on the back of increased production costs in China and an uptick in freight costs. In South Africa prices have risen even higher.

Titanium dioxide pigment, bulk volume, CIF Northern Europe, €/tonne



Prices for titanium dioxide are still high, despite a reported fall in demand in Asia. Companies based elsewhere in the world continue to plan production boosts and look to higher prices in Q3 2012.



IM takes price ideas and comments from many sources, which are used in strict confidence to ascertain pricing levels. If you would like to contribute and enhance our pricing coverage and comment, please contact Angela Hillyard at ahillyard@indmin.com, or Siobhan Lismore at slismore@indmin.com

IM Disclaimer
Prices and other information contained in this publication have been obtained by Industrial Minerals (“IM”) from various sources believed to be reliable. This information has not been independently verified by IM. Those prices and price indices which are evaluated or calculated by IM represent an approximate evaluation of current levels based upon dealings (if any) that may have been disclosed prior to publication to IM. Such prices are collated through regular contact with producers, traders and purchasers although not all market segments may be contacted prior to the evaluation, calculation, or publication of any specific price or index. Actual transaction prices will reflect quantities, grades and qualities, credit terms, and many other parameters. The prices are in no sense comparable to the quoted prices of commodities in which a formal futures market exists.
Efforts are made to ensure that pricing information is representative, but because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by our sources, IM, or others, IM does not guarantee the accuracy, currentness or completeness of any published information. Neither IM nor any of its providers of information make any warranties, express or implied, as to the results to be obtained from use of this publication, and make no express or implied warranties of fitness for a particular purpose or use. IM is not responsible for errors or omissions, or for the results obtained by the use of such information or for any decision made or action taken in reliance on such information or for any consequential, special or similar damages, and IM disclaims any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by such errors or omissions, use or decision, including those arising from the negligence of IM, its employees, or representatives.
Evaluations or calculations of prices and price indices by IM are based upon certain market assumptions and evaluation methodologies, and may not conform to prices or information available from third parties. There may be errors or defects in such assumptions or methodologies that cause resultant evaluations to be inappropriate for use.
IM is not an investment advisor, a financial advisor or a securities broker. The information in this publication has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes, and is not an offer to buy or sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security, commodity or instrument or to participate in any particular trading strategy. Such information is intended to be an aid to your own investment process and your investment actions should be solely based upon your own decisions and research.