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Diatomite
Diatomite is a nearly pure silicious sedimentary rock consisting
of fossilised skeletal diatoms i.e. siliceous skeletons of microscopic
unicellular floating acquatic algae.
Diatomite, recovered either by open pit or underground mining,
typically containing up to 50% moisture, is dried in rotary
kilns or sundried ready for light milling and separation to
produce natural, calcined and flux calcined grades of diatomite.
Calcination (870°-1.093°C) or flux calcinations (1.148°C)
removes organics, reduces surface area by fusing the fines structure
of the particles.
Link: IDPA-The
International Diatomite Producers Association
Production of Diatomite
tonnes
| |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
| Europe |
|
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|
| Czech Republic |
7.400 |
6.800 |
6.000 |
5.600 |
| Denmark (moler) (1) |
164.000 |
189.000 |
190.000 |
210.000 |
| France |
80.000 |
75.000 |
75.000 |
75.000 |
| Hungary |
1.240 |
1.878 |
1.323 |
1.656 |
| Iceland |
28.299 |
27.614 |
30.434 |
26.494 |
| Italy |
25.000 |
25.000 |
25.000 |
25.000 |
| Macedonia |
5.000 |
5.000 |
5.000 |
5.000 |
| Poland |
1.240 |
1.270 |
1.000 |
1.000 |
| Portugal |
772 |
686 |
387 |
400 |
| Commonwealth of Independen
States (2) |
80.000 |
80.000 |
80.000 |
80.000 |
| Spain (3) |
51.897 |
66.770 |
70.000 |
50.000 |
| Turkey |
5.926 |
– |
– |
– |
| total |
450.774 |
479.018 |
484.144 |
480.150 |
| |
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| Africa |
|
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| Algeria |
2.563 |
2.979 |
2.863 |
3.185 |
| Kenya |
507 |
448 |
441 |
1.333 |
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| America |
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| Argentina |
34.056 |
35.000 |
35.000 |
30.000 |
| Brazil (4) |
9.223 |
11.242 |
10.000 |
10.000 |
| Chile |
14.477 |
13.384 |
22.705 |
30.274 |
| Colombia |
4.000 |
4.000 |
4.000 |
4.000 |
| Costa Rica |
18.000 |
31.704 |
26.350 |
26.000 |
| Mexico |
65.146 |
96.448 |
69.474 |
62.322 |
| Peru |
35.000 |
35.000 |
35.000 |
35.000 |
| USA (5) |
747.000 |
677.000 |
644.000 |
624.000 |
| |
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| Asia |
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| China |
82.170 |
83.300 |
124.100 |
– |
| Iran (6) |
4.350 |
300 |
50 |
– |
| Japan |
132.090 |
111.193 |
129.267 |
– |
| Republic of Korea |
30.222 |
34.143 |
27.530 |
20.666 |
| Saudi Arabia |
1.000 |
1.000 |
– |
– |
| Thailand |
2.332 |
390 |
720 |
– |
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| Oceania |
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| Australia
(7)/total |
25.330 |
28.810 |
28.407 |
31.122 |
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| World
total |
1.670.000 |
1.660.000 |
1.660.000 |
1.640.000 |
Notes:
In addition to the countries listed, Egypt is believed to
produce diatomite
(1) Moler is an inpure diatomite containing a large proportion
of clay
(2) Diatomite is produced in Armenia, Georgia and Russia but
information is not available to provide
(3) Including Tripoli
(4) Including beneficiated and directly shipped material
(5) Sold or used by producers
(6) Years ended 20 March following that stated
(7) Years ended 30 June following that stated
Source: British Geological Survey, World Mineral Statistics
1998-2002, p.90
World Mine Production and Reserves for 2002 and
2003
tonnes
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Mine Production |
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2002 |
2003 |
Reserves |
| USA (2) |
624.000 |
625.000 |
250.000.000 |
| China |
370.000 |
370.000 |
110.000.000 |
| Commonwealth of Independent States |
80.000 |
80.000 |
NA |
| Czech Republic |
35.000 |
35.000 |
4.500.000 |
| Denmark (3) |
28.000 |
30.000 |
NA |
| France |
75.000 |
75.000 |
NA |
| Japan |
180.000 |
180.000 |
NA |
| Mexico |
70.000 |
65.000 |
NA |
| Peru |
35.000 |
35.000 |
2.000.000 |
| Republic of Korea |
30.000 |
21.000 |
NA |
| Spain |
36.000 |
36.000 |
NA |
| Other countries |
170.000 |
170.000 |
550.000.000 |
| World total (rounded) |
1.730.000 |
1.720.000 |
920.000.000 |
Notes:
(1) Esitmated
(2) Processed ore sold and used by producers
(3) Includes sales of moler prouction
NA: Not available
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodities Summaries,
January 2004 - http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/
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