IM October 2014 Price Movements

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 Pricing Database. For any information, or to make a comment on prices, please contact our Prices Editor Laura Syrett at lsyrett@indmin.com.

Alumina

Calcined 98.5-99.5% Al₂O₃ bulk FOB US refinery $680-730

Calcined, ground 98.5-99.5% Al₂O₃, bulk FOB US refinery $755-850

Calcined, medium-soda Al₂O₃, bulk FOB refinery $810-850

Alumina, fused

Brown 95% min. Al₂O₃, FEPA F8-220 Grit, FOB China $685-700

Brown 95.5% Al₂O₃, refractory lump & sized, FOB China $665-745

White, 25kg bags, CIF Europe €850-905

Brown 94% Al₂O₃, FEPA 8-220 mesh refractory (mm) Chinese $750-845

Brown, 94% Al₂O₃, FEPA acid washed grits, CIF China $710-760

Hydrated Alumina (ATH)

Hydrated alumina (ATH) Damp (57-60% Al₂O₃, 5-8% moisture) Bulk FOB refinery $290-350

Andalusite

57-58% Al2O3, 2,000 tonne bulk, FCA Mine-RSA €235-290

55-59% Al2O3, FOB European port €355-425

Antimony Trioxide

Typically 99.5% Sb₂O₃, 5 tonne lots, CIF Antwerp/Rotterdam $7950-8050

Typically 99.5% Sb₂O3, 20 tonne lots FOB China $7850-7950

Typically 99.5% Sb₂O₃, ex-works USA $8150-8250

Ingot, 99.65% min, CIF Rotterdam $9400-9600

Ingot, 99.65% min, FOB China $9300-9500

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 $138-145

FOB Morocco $115-127

FOB China $115-130

C&F North Sea (Moroccan) $145-160

OCMA/API bulk, SG 4.10 FOB Chennai $110-125

FOB China $109-113

API, CIF Gulf Coast, Chinese $150-160

Indian $158-171

Ground

OCMA bulk, del. Aberdeen £95-105

OCMA bulk, del. Gt Yarmouth £112-125

OCMA/API, big bags (1.5t), FOB S.Turkey $150-155

SG 4.22, bagged, FOB Morocco $110-170

Paint grade

Ground white 96-98% BaSO₄,

350 mesh, 1-5 lots, del. UK £195-220

Chinese lump, CIF Gulf Coast $235-275

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

Chemical grade

Chinese, CIF Gulf Coast $161-180

Bauxite

Refractory grade

Chinese Al₂O₃/Fe₂O₃/BD, lumps 0-25mm Shanxi, FOB Xingang

Round kiln 87/2.0/3.2 $375-385

Round kiln 86/2.0/3.15-3.20 $370-380

Round kiln 85/2.0/3.15 $310-320

Rotary kiln 86/1.8/3.15 $385-395

Rotary kiln 85/1.8/3.15 $320-335

Guizhou, FOB Zhanjiang/Fangcheng

Round kiln 87/2.0/3.2 $375-385

Guyana RASC bauxite, bulk,

FOB Linden $460-510

Abrasive grade

Chinese

FOB Zhanjiang, China $335-350

Welding grade

FOB Zhanjiang, China $510-520

FOB Linden, Guyana $450-510

Bentonite

Cat litter, grade 1-5mm, bulk, FOB main European port €42-60

Indian, cat litter grade, crushed, dried, loose in bulk, FOB Kandla $34-38

OCMA/Foundry grades, crude & dried, bulk, FOB Milos €60-80

API grade, bagged rail-car, ex-works Wyoming, per s.ton $92-130

Foundry grade, bagged, railcars, ex-works Wyoming, per s.ton $97-124

IOP grade, crude, bulk, ex-works Wyoming, per s.ton $68-72

(Dried material in bulk) FOB Greece, €/tonne €65-75

Cat litter grade, ex-works Wyoming, USA, $/s.ton $52-65

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 $140-220

Borates/Boron minerals

Boric Acid, FOB Chile $620-900

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

Decathydrate Borax, FOB Buenos Aires $940-975

Ulexite, 40% B₂O₃, FOB Buenos Aires $690-750

Ulexite, 40% B₂O₃, FOB Lima $620-650

Ulexite, granular 40% B₂O₃, FOB Chile $720-820

Borax, PP bags (25kg & 50kg), Boric acid, gran, tech, FOB Latin America $620-1000

Borax, PP bags (25kg & 50kg), Decahydrate borax, gran, tech, FOB Latin America $910-1050

Boric acid, FOB Buenos Aires $620-1000

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

Ulexite 46-48% B₂O₃, FOB Lima $675-720

Bromine

Purified, bulk, 99.95% Br, domestic destination, tonne lot, ex-works USA $1.6-1.75

Bulk, purified, 99.95% Br, ex works, CIF Europe $1.6-1.75

Large contract, Bulk, European $3000-3180

Calcium carbonate

GCC, coated, fine grade,ex-works UK £85-105

GCC, 50-22 microns, FOB USA $22-28

GCC, 22-10 microns, FOB USA $53-110

GCC, 3 microns (untreated), FOB USA $179-195

GCC, stearate coated 1.1-0.7 microns, FOB USA $285-420

GCC, 1.1-0.7 microns (untreated), FOB USA $210-305

PCC, Fine, surface treated (0.4-1 microns), FOB USA $288-295

GCC, coated, chalk, ex-works UK £63-80

PCC, coated, ex-works, UK £388-575

PCC, uncoated, ex-works, UK £357-575

Celestite

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

Chromite

Chemical grade, 46% Cr₂O₃, wet bulk, FOB South Africa $220-250

Refractory grade, 46% Cr₂O₃ wet bulk, FOB South Africa $300-330

Foundry grade, 46% Cr₂O₃, wet bulk, FOB South Africa $260-300

South African, Northwest, Metallurgical grade, friable lumpy, 40% Cr₂O₃ $170-185

Sand, moulding grade, 98% <30 mesh, del UK £370-430

Foundry +47% Cr₂O₃ dried 1 tonne big bags FOB South Africa $340-420

Foundry, 45.8% min Cr₂O₃, wet bulk, FOB South Africa $280-360

Metallurgical grade, Conc’ 40%, FOB Northwest, South Africa $165-200

Diatomite

US, calcined filter-aid grade, FOB plant $605-670

US, flux-calcined filter-aid grade, FOB plant $610-865

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 $168-176

(-20 micron, FCL’s, bagged, >92 brightness) FOB Durban, South Africa $199-210

(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 $370-420

Mexican, FOB Tampico $290-330

Chinese wet filtercake, CIF Rotterdam $290-330

Chinese, wet filtercake, FOB China $280-310

South African, dry basis, FOB Durban $310-340

Chinese dry basis, CIF US Gulf Port $340-370

Metallurgical

Chinese, min 85% CaF₂, CIF Rotterdam $290-310

Mexican, FOB Tampico $230-270

Chinese, min 80%, wet bulk, FOB China $200-220

Chinese, min 85% CaF₂, bulk, FOB China $230-250

Chinese bulk, min. 90% CaF₂, FOB China $250-275

Graphite

Amorphous powder 80-85% Chinese del Europe $430-480

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 $700-800

Fine, 90%C, -100 mesh $670-720

Medium flake 90% C, +100-80 mesh $900-1000

Large flake, 90% C, +80 mesh $900-1000

Fine, 94-97%C, -100 mesh $1100-1200

Medium, 94-97%C, +100-80 mesh $850-900

Large flake 94-97% C, +80 mesh CIF $1300-1400

Ilmenite

China, bulk concentrates. min 54% TiO₂, CIF $140-155

Australian, bulk concentrates. min 54% TiO₂, FOB $155-170

Australian, spot price, min 54% TiO₂, FOB $155-170

Iodine

Iodine crystal, 99.5% min, drums, spot, $/kg $35-40

Iodine crystal, 99.5% min, drums, contract, $/kg $35-40

Iron Oxide Pigment

Brown type 868, bagged, FOB China $1015-1080

Red type 130 90% Fe₂O₃, bagged, FOB China $1435-1640

Kaolin

No 1 paper coating grade, Ex-Georgia plant, s.ton $130-180

No 2 paper coating grade, Ex-Georgia plant, s.ton $112-175

Kyanite

Ex-works USA, 55-60% Al₂O₃, raw kyanite, s.ton $225-320

55-60% Al₂O₃, 22 ton lots, calcined $375-440

Leucoxene

min. 91% TiO₂, max. 1% ZrO₂, bagged, FOB West Australia A$1455-1510

Lithium

Lithium carbonate, del continental, USA large contracts, $ per lb $2.8-3.1

Lithium carbonate, large contracts, del continental US, $/kg $5.8-6.5

Lithium carbonate, large contracts, packed in bags, CIF Asia, $/kg $5-5.5

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

del Europe or USA, $/kg $7.2-8

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

del Europe $/kg $7-8

Petalite, 4.2% LiO₂, FOB Durban, $170-265

Spodumene concentrate, >7.5% Li₂O, CIF USA, s.ton $700-775

Spodumene concentrate, 5% Li₂O, CIF USA, s.ton $400-450

Spodumene concentrate, 7.5% Li₂O, CIF Europe $740-790

Spodumene concentrate, 5% Li₂O, CIF Europe $450-500

Spodumene concentrate, > 7.5% Li₂O, bulk, CIF Asia $725-775

Spodumene concentrate, 5% Li₂O, CIF Asia $310-400

Magnesia

Calcined, 90-92% MgO, lump, FOB China $255-280

European calcined, agricultural grade,

CIF Europe €240-350

Dead-burned,

Lump, FOB China

90% MgO $255-270

92% MgO $320-400

94-95% MgO $350-400

97.5% MgO $450-485

Fused,

Lump, FOB China

96% MgO $600-630

97% MgO $890-1000

98% MgO $1020-1100

Magnesite

Greek, raw, max 3.5% SiO₂,

FOB East Mediterranean €65-75

Mica

Indian mine scrap green

(Andhra Pradesh) for mica paper,

FOB Madras $300-400

Indian wet-ground, CIF Europe $600-900

(325 mesh, FCL’s, bagged) FOB Durban $400-475

(60 mesh, FCL’s, bagged) FOB Durban $450-575

Micronised, FOB plant, USA $700-950

Wet-ground, FOB plant, USA $700-1250

Flake, FOB plant, USA $350-500

Nitrate

Sodium, about 98%, ex-store Chile €530-570

Olivine

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

Perlite

Coarse (filter aid) FOB east Mediterranean, bulk €75-80

Raw, crushed, grade, big bags FOB Turkey $100-105

Raw, crushed, grade, bulk FOB Turkey $85-90

Phosphate

Phosphate, 70-72% BPL, long term contract, FAS Casablanca, Morocco, $/tonne $95-130

Phosphate DAP FOB Central Florida $/tonne $475-505

Potash

C&F Western Europe, contract, Standard $305-335

Muriate, KCl, granular, bulk, ex-works, North America $300-350

Muriate, KCl, standard, bulk, FOB Vancouver $305-330

Muriate, KCl, standard, bulk, FOB Baltic $/tonne $290-310

Rare earth minerals

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

Cerium oxide $4.8-6.0

Dysprosium oxide $360-390

Europium oxide $795-940

Lanthanum oxide $4.8-5.8

Neodymium oxide $57-65

Praesodymium oxide $105-115

Samarium oxide $4.8-6.9

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 $840-940

China concentrate, min. 95% TiO₂, bulk, CIF $825-970

Australian concentrate, min. 95% TiO₂, large vol. for pigment, FOB $900-1030

Salt

Australian solar salt bulk CIF Shanghai, $48-54

Industrial solar salt, ex-works China $45-55

Industrial vacuum salt, ex-works China $50-57

Silica sand

Minus 20 micron, FCL, bagged >92 brightness, FOB Durban $300-375

Glass sand, container, ex-works USA $27-30

Silicon carbide

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

SiC Grade 1 €1900-2100

SiC Grade 2 €1500-1650

Refractory grade,

min 98% SiC €1500-1800

min 95% SiC €1350-1450

Soda ash

Chinese synthetic soda ash, dense & light, CIF Far East $215-230

Chinese synthetic soda ash, dense & light, FOB China $190-205

Indian synthetic soda ash, dense & light, Domestic ex-works India $275-310

Indian synthetic soda ash, dense & light, Export C&F India $200-235

US natural, large contract, FOB Wyoming $300-330

European synthetic, dense & light, Large Contracts ex-works €195-215

Sulphur

Canadian solid, spot, FOB Vancouver $170-195

FOB Middle East $160-190

TiO₂ pigment

Bulk volume, per tonne CFR Asia $3000-3200

CIF Northern Europe €2370-2600

CIF USA $3360-3400

CIF Latin America, per lb $1.6-1.9

Vermiculite

South African, bulk, FOB Antwerp $315-715

Brazilian, big bags, FOB Antwerp $230-577

Brazilian, big bags, FOB East Coast Port $230-550

Wollastonite

US ex-works, s.ton Acicular minus

200 mesh $210-240

325 mesh $220-250

Acicular (15:-1-20:1 aspect ratio) $440-445

Chinese, FOB, tonne Acicular minus

200 mesh $80-90

325 mesh $90-100

Zircon

CIF China, min 65.5% ZrO₂ bulk shipments

Premium $1050-1150

Standard $1080-1100

FOB Australia, min 65.5% ZrO₂, bulk shipments

Premium $1050-1150

Standard $1000-1050

FOB USA, min 65.5% ZrO₂, bulk shipments

Premium $1050-1450

Standard $950-1150

CIF South Africa, bulk shipments

Ceramic grade $1000-1050

FOB South Africa, bulk shipments

ceramic grade $1100-1300

Micronised zircon

99.5% <4µ, average particle size <0.95µ, C&F Asia, $1500-1750

Fused zirconia

Monoclinic, refractory/abrasive, contract, CIF main European port $6200-7200

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 $15000-19000

Stabilised, Refractory grade, Contract price, CIF main European port $6200-7200

Stabilised, Technical ceramic grade, Contract price, CIF main European port $5000-10000

Zircon Opacifiers

Micronised zircon, 100% < 6 microns, average 1-2 microns, bagged,CFR Asia $1500-2100

Micronised zircon, 100% < 6 microns, average 1-2 microns, bagged, ex-works Europe $1500-2100

IM ’s full price listing will now only be published online. If you have any comments or concerns, or wish to discuss any of the grades or prices listed, please contact Laura Syrett, Prices Editor, at lsyrett@indmin.com.

For in-depth fluorspar and graphite price analysis, please visit the IM Data mineral tracker pages online.

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 Laura Syrett at lsyrett@indmin.com .

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