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Talc
Talc is a fine grained mineral
composed of hydrated magnesium silicate with the chemical formula
H2Mg3(SiO3)4 or Mg3Si4O10(OH)2.
The highly appreciated properties of talc are its softness,
chemical inertness and lamellar structure, with the major industrial
uses being for paper, coating and pitch control, plastics and
paints. Agribusiness and pharmaceutical industries consume relatively
small quantities. Lower quality products are used in ceramics,
insecticide or pesticide powder, rubber and asphalt roofing
products.
Link:
EUROTALC-The
European Talc Producers Association
EU 30 Production of Talc
tonnes
| |
2001 |
2002 |
| Austria |
137.776 |
138.195 |
| Finland |
477.000 |
477.000 |
| France |
417.000 |
359.000 |
| Greece |
2.073 |
– |
| Italy |
126.868 |
130.000 |
| Norway |
24.626 |
23.564 |
| Portugal |
8.362 |
8.916 |
| Romania |
7.270 |
7.292 |
| Slovakia |
2.600 |
2.290 |
| Spain |
119.000 |
108.312 |
| Sweden |
14.000 |
20.000 |
| Turkey (1) |
50.000 |
50.000 |
| United Kingdom |
4.947 |
6.194 |
| EU 30 total |
1.407.000 |
1.348.000 |
Note:
(1) Pyrophyllite
Source: British Geological Survey - European Mineral Statistics
1998-2002, p.265
World Production of Talc and Pyrophyllite
tonnes
| |
2002 |
2003 (e) |
| United States (1) |
775.000 |
817.000 |
| Brazil |
450.000 |
600.000 |
| China |
3.600.000 |
6.500.000 |
| India |
550.000 |
560.000 |
| Japan |
665.000 |
630.000 |
| Republic of Korea |
1.100.000 |
1.000.000 |
| Other Countries |
1.730.000 |
1.750.000 |
| World total |
8.870.000 |
8.860.000 |
Notes:
(e) Estimated
(1) Excludes pyrophyllite
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodities Summaries,
January 2004 -
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/
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