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World production of vermiculite in 2002 reached 592,000t, which represents a recovery to the level of production recorded at the end of the 1980s. The sharp dip in output in the early 1990s occurred as a consequence of the closure of the US-based Libby mine following the discovery that the ore contained asbestos. Over the past five years the main increases in vermiculite production have been in China and in Africa. US production has declined from 209,000t in 1990 to 150,000t in 2002 reflecting continuing consumer concerns about the alleged presence of asbestos in some sources of vermiculite. This has made it hard for the remaining producers in the USA faced, for example, with the wholesale withdrawal of vermiculite from some horticultural products. It is anticipated that new Canadian production coming on line in 2003 will displace imports of vermiculite, which, in turn, will present further challenges to US producers. Production of vermiculite in South Africa fluctuates, as the vermiculite is a co-product of copper mining at the Palabora Mine. In 2002 output reached 224,000t and represented more than 37% of world supply. African output is likely to increase further over the next few years as the Canmin mine in Uganda racks up production and a further 10,000tpy from Zimbabwean operations comes on stream. Palabora Mining Company continues to dominate world production of vermiculite; the next largest producers are Virginia Vermiculite and W.R.Grace and Co, both of the USA and both with production capacities of around 100,000tpy. Roskill estimates that vermiculite consumption has declined by 10% over the past four years to around 592,000t in 2002. Most of this decline can be attributed to a fall in US demand, particularly for the use of vermiculite in lawn care and potting soil mixes. Western European demand for vermiculite has remained fairly constant over the last decade with the majority of exfoliated vermiculite consumed in proprietary added value products such as building boards, specialist plasters, insulation shapes and brake linings. Around two thirds of the vermiculite used in Japan is used in horticulture and this demand is met from domestic production and imports of Chinese vermiculite, whereas vermiculite imported from South Africa is used construction and insulation applications. Vermiculite consumption outside the USA has been affected by a decline in construction activity, particularly in Germany, other countries of the EU and Japan. Economic recovery in the EU and Japan could result in higher levels of demand but vermiculite is vulnerable to substitution in some construction and industrial uses. In the USA any growth in demand for vermiculite is likely to be in building product and industrial uses where the mineral is purchased by commercial operations rather than individuals. Overall, Roskill predicts that demand for vermiculite will grow at 1-2%pa to 2007 and that increases in production in China, Africa and Canada will easily match this level of growth.
The key trends, issues and developments in the market are now analysed in this major new report from Roskill. It provides a clear insight into all areas of the industry and an authoritative analysis of the prospects for the future.
Chapters
- Summary
- Occurrence and reserves
- Mining and processing
- World production
- Production by country and company
- International trade
- Consumption of vermiculite
- End uses
- Prices
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