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Soda Ash
Sodium carbonate or soda ash is
a sodium salt of carbonic acid, soluble in water and very slightly
soluble in alcohol. It can also occur naturally in arid regions,
especially in the mineral deposits (evaporates) formed when
seasonal lakes evaporate. Its formula is Na2CO3. This white
crystalline compound with a cooling alkaline taste is also found
in the ashes of many plants. It is produced artificially in
large quantities from common salt.
The principal uses of sodium carbonate are in the manufacture
of glass and the production of chemicals such as sodium silicates
and sodium phosphates. It is also used in processing wood pulp
to make paper, in making soaps and detergents, in refining aluminium,
for the treatment of water and in many other applications.
Link:
ESAPA-The
European Soda Ash Producers Association
World Mine Production
(e)
Thousand Metric tonnes
| |
2001 |
2002 |
| Australia |
300 |
300 |
| Austria |
150 |
150 |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina |
15 |
15 |
| Botswana |
251 |
270 |
| Brazil |
200 |
200 |
| Bulgaria |
800 |
800 |
| Canada |
300 |
300 |
| China |
9.144 |
10.189 |
| Egypt |
50 |
50 |
| Ethiopia |
5 |
6 |
| France |
1.000 |
1.000 |
| Germany |
1.400 |
1.400 |
| India |
1.500 |
1.500 |
| Iran |
150 |
150 |
| Italy |
1.000 |
1.000 |
| Japan |
680 |
690 |
| Kenya |
298 |
308 |
| Mexico |
290 |
290 |
| Netherlands |
400 |
400 |
| Pakistan |
203 |
230 |
| Poland |
1.100 |
1.100 |
| Portugal |
150 |
150 |
| Republic of Korea |
310 |
310 |
| Romania |
560 |
550 |
| Russia |
2.370 |
2.400 |
| Spain |
500 |
500 |
| Taiwan |
140 |
140 |
| Turkey |
640 |
600 |
| Ukraine |
650 |
678 |
| United Kingdom |
1.000 |
1.000 |
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United States |
10.300 |
10.500 |
| World total |
35.900 |
37.100 |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey,
Minerals Commodities Summaries, January 2004 -
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/
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