The Economics of Fluorspar (Ninth Edition)

Table of Contents

1. Summary 1

2. Introduction 6

3. Occurrences and reserves of fluorspar 8

3.1 Mineralogy of fluorspar 8

3.2 Occurrences of fluorspar 9

3.3 Resources of fluorspar 9

3.3.1 Fluorite 10

3.3.2 Fluorapatite 11

3.3.3 Other 12

4. Mining and processing of fluorspar 13

4.1 Fluorspar 13

4.1.1 Grades of Fluorspar 14

4.2 Hydrofluoric acid 15

4.3 Aluminium fluoride 16

4.4 Synthetic cryolite 17

5. World production of fluorspar 18

5.1 Main producers of fluorspar 20

6. Review of fluorspar production and processing by company and country 23

6.1 Afghanistan 23

6.2 Argentina 23

6.2.1 Producers of fluorspar in Argentina 24

6.3 Australia 25

6.3.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in Australia 25

6.3.2 New mining projects and exploration for fluorspar in Australia 25

6.3.2.1 Moina 25

6.3.2.2 Speewah 26

6.3.3 Markets for fluorspar in Australia 26

6.4 Belgium 27

6.5 Bolivia 27

6.6 Brazil 28

6.6.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in Brazil 28

6.6.2 Producers of fluorspar in Brazil 29

6.6.2.1 Cia Nitro Quimica Brasiliera (CNQB) 30

6.6.2.2 Empresa de Mineracao Tangua Ltda (Emitang) 30

6.6.2.3 Mineracao Nossa Senhora de Carmo Ltda (MNSCL) (Sartor Group) 30

6.6.3 Previous producers of fluorspar in Brazil 30

6.6.4 Markets for fluorspar in Brazil 31

6.7 Canada 31

6.7.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in Canada 32

6.7.2 Previous production of fluorspar in Canada 32

6.7.3 Markets for fluorspar in Canada 33

6.8 China 34

6.8.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in China 36

6.8.2 Producers of fluorspar in China 36

6.8.2.1 Jinhua Dongfang Fluorspar Co Ltd 38

6.8.2.2 Fujian Kings Fluoride Industry Co Ltd 38

6.8.2.3 Jiangxi Yingpeng Mining Co Ltd 39

6.8.2.4 Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical Ind Co Ltd 39

6.8.2.5 Shaowa Fujian Mineral Haisheng Co Ltd (SFMH) 39

6.8.2.6 Shandong Hongxing Fluorite Co 39

6.8.2.7 Jinhua Jingxuan Minerals Industry Co Ltd 40

6.8.2.8 Jiangxi De?fAn Yongfei Mineral Industry Co Ltd 40

6.8.3 Markets for fluorspar in China 40

6.8.3.1 Hydrofluoric Acid producers in China 40

6.8.3.2 Aluminium fluoride producers in China 42

6.9 Czech Republic 42

6.9.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in Czech Republic 43

6.9.2 Previous producers of fluorspar in Czech Republic 43

6.9.3 Markets for fluorspar in Czech Republic 43

6.10 Egypt 43

6.11 France 44

6.11.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in France 45

6.11.2 Societe Generale de Recherches et d?fExploitation Minieres (Sogerem) 45

6.11.3 Previous producers of fluorspar in France 45

6.11.3.1 Societe dEnterprises Carrieres et Mines de lEsterel (Secme) 45

6.11.3.2 Societe Industrielle du Centre (SIC) 46

6.11.3.3 Societe des Mines du Haut du Them (MHT) 46

6.11.4 Markets for fluorspar in France 46

6.12 Germany 47

6.12.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in Germany 48

6.12.2 Sachtleben Bergbau 48

6.12.3 Previous producers of fluorspar in Germany 48

6.12.3.1 Fluss und Schwersparwerke Pforzheim GmbH (Bayer) 48

6.12.3.2 VAW Flusspat Chemie 48

6.12.3.3 Fluss und Schwerspatwerke Lengenfeld 49

6.12.4 Markets for fluorspar in Germany 49

6.13 Greece 50

6.14 Greenland 50

6.15 India 50

6.15.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in India 51

6.15.2 Producers of fluorspar in India 52

6.15.2.1 Gujarat Mineral Development Corp (GMDC) 52

6.15.2.2 Rajasthan State Mineral Development Corporation (RSMDC) 53

6.15.2.3 Maharashtra State Mining Corporation (MSMC) 53

6.15.3 Markets for fluorspar in India 53

6.16 Iran 55

6.16.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in Iran 55

6.16.2 Producers of fluorspar in Iran 56

6.16.2.1 Yazd province 56

6.16.2.2 Mazandaran Province 56

6.16.2.3 Markazi province 57

6.16.2.4 Khorassan province 57

6.16.2.5 Others 58

6.17 Italy 58

6.17.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in Italy 59

6.17.2 Nuova Mineraria Silius 59

6.17.3 Previous producers and processors of fluorspar in Italy 60

6.17.4 Markets for fluorspar in Italy 60

6.18 Japan 61

6.18.1 Markets for fluorspar in Japan 62

6.19 Jordan 64

6.20 Kazakhstan 64

6.21 Kenya 65

6.21.1 Kenya Fluorspar Company 65

6.22 North Korea 66

6.23 South Korea 67

6.24 Kyrgyzstan 68

6.25 Malawi 68

6.26 Mexico 68

6.26.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in Mexico 70

6.26.2 Producers of fluorspar in Mexico 70

6.26.2.1 Cia Minera Las Cuevas 71

6.26.2.2 Fluorita de Mexico SA de CV 72

6.26.2.3 Minerales y Productos Metalurgicos SA (MPM) 72

6.26.2.4 Minera Muzquiz SA de CV 72

6.26.2.5 Others 72

6.26.3 Previous producers of fluorspar in Mexico 73

6.26.4 Markets for fluorspar in Mexico 73

6.26.4.1 Quimica Fluor SA de CV 74

6.26.4.2 Solvay Fluor Mexico SA de CV 74

6.26.4.3 Industrias Quimicas de Mexico 74

6.26.4.4 Quimbasicos 75

6.27 Mongolia 75

6.27.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in Mongolia 76

6.27.2 Producers of fluorspar in Mongolia 76

6.27.2.1 Mongolrostsvetmet 77

6.27.2.2 Mongolia minerals 77

6.28 Morocco 77

6.28.1 Societe Anonyme d?fEnterprises Minieres (Samine) 78

6.29 Mozambique 79

6.30 Namibia 79

6.30.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in Namibia 80

6.30.2 Okorusu Fluorspar 81

6.31 Netherlands 81

6.32 Nigeria 82

6.33 Norway 82

6.34 Pakistan 82

6.35 Paraguay 83

6.36 Poland 83

6.37 Romania 83

6.38 Russia 83

6.38.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in Russia 84

6.38.2 Producers of fluorspar in Russia 84

6.38.2.1 Yaroslavsky GOK 85

6.38.2.2 JSC Zabaikalsky GOK 85

6.38.2.3 JSC Kalanguisky PShK 85

6.38.2.4 Suran Cooperative Quartz 85

6.38.3 Markets for fluorspar in Russia 86

6.39 Saudi Arabia 86

6.40 South Africa 86

6.40.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in South Africa 87

6.40.2 Producers of fluorspar in South Africa 88

6.40.2.1 Vergenoeg Mining Company (Pty) Ltd (Metorex Ltd) 88

6.40.2.2 South African Land and Exploration Co Ltd (Sallies) 89

6.40.2.3 International Metals Processing (Pty) Ltd (Buffalo) 89

6.40.3 Previous producers of fluorspar in South Africa 90

6.40.4 Markets for fluorspar in South Africa 90

6.41 Spain 91

6.41.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in Spain 91

6.41.2 Minerales y Productos Derivados SA (Minersa) 92

6.41.3 Previous producers of fluorspar in Spain 92

6.41.4 Markets for fluorspar in Spain 93

6.42 Sweden 93

6.43 Taiwan 94

6.44 Tajikistan 94

6.45 Thailand 95

6.45.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in Thailand 95

6.45.2 Mining and processing of fluorspar in Thailand 95

6.45.2.1 Asian Mineral Resources Co Ltd 96

6.45.2.2 Previous producers of fluorspar in Thailand 96

6.46 Tunisia 96

6.47 Trinidad and Tobago 97

6.48 Turkey 97

6.49 United Kingdom 98

6.49.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in the United Kingdom 98

6.49.2 Glebe Mines Ltd 99

6.49.3 Previous producers of fluorspar in the United Kingdom 99

6.49.3.1 Sherburn Minerals 99

6.49.3.2 Biwater Industries (Clay Cross) Ltd 100

6.49.3.3 Dresser Minerals 100

6.49.4 Markets for fluorspar in the United Kingdom 100

6.50 USA 101

6.50.1 Reserves and resources of fluorspar in the USA 103

6.50.2 Previous producers of fluorspar in the USA 103

6.50.3 Markets for fluorspar in the USA 104

6.51 Uzbekistan 104

6.52 Venezuela 105

6.53 Vietnam 105

6.53.1 Tiberon Minerals Ltd 105

6.54 Zambia 105

6.55 Zimbabwe 106

7. World Consumption of fluorspar 107

8. Applications for fluorspar in the chemical industry 112

8.1 Production of fluorocarbons used in non-feedstock applications 115

8.1.1 The impact of regulatory controls on fluorocarbon production 116

8.1.2 The potential for replacing CFCs with HCFCs and HFCs 122

8.1.3 Applications for non-feedstock fluorcarbons 123

8.1.3.1 Refrigeration 124

8.1.3.2 Blowing agents 125

8.1.3.3 Pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals 125

8.1.3.4 Solvent cleaning 126

8.1.3.5 Fire extinguishers 126

8.1.4 Outlook for fluorspar in the manufacture of non-feedstock fluorocarbons 126

8.2 Fluoropolymers and fluorelastomers 127

8.2.1 Outlook for fluorspar demand in fluoropolymers and fluorelastomers 130

8.3 Other fluorochemicals and end-uses 130

8.4 Other applications for chemicals derived from HF 131

8.4.1 Fluoridation of drinking water 131

8.4.2 Uranium manufacture 132

8.4.3 Petroleum alkylation 132

8.4.4 Glass cleaning and etching 133

8.4.5 Fluorine chemicals used in the electronics industry 133

8.4.5.1 Electronic grade hydrofluoric acid 133

8.4.5.2 Germanium tetrafluoride 134

8.4.5.3 Nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) 134

8.4.6 Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) 135

8.4.7 Fluorographite (CF2) 135

8.4.8 Metal processing 135

8.4.8.1 Hydrometallurgical extraction of niobium and tantalum 135

8.4.8.2 Other applications in metal processing 137

8.4.9 Potassium fluoride 137

8.4.10 Detergents 137

8.4.11 Outlook for fluorspar demand in applications for chemicals derived from HF, other than fluorocarbons 137

9. Fluorspar applications in primary aluminium production 139

9.1 Use of fluorine in the aluminium industry 141

9.2 Sources of fluorine additions 143

9.3 Production of primary aluminium 143

9.4 Factors affecting demand for fluorspar in the aluminium industry 150

9.4.1 Environmental considerations 150

9.5 Outlook for fluorspar demand in primary aluminium production 151

10. Fluorspar applications in iron and steel production 152

10.1 Use of fluorspar in the iron and steel industry 152

10.2 Production of iron and steel 153

10.3 Supply of metspar to the steel industry 156

10.4 Consumption of fluorspar in the iron and steel industry 157

10.5 Outlook for fluorspar end-use in iron and steel production 159

11. Other applications for fluorspar 160

11.1 Metspar 160

11.1.1 Cement clinker manufacture 160

11.2 Use of acidspar as a flux or opacifier 161

11.2.1 Enamels 161

11.2.2 Welding rods 162

11.2.3 Glass 162

11.2.4 Fibreglass 162

11.3 Outlook for other applications for acidspar in the form of CaF2 162

12. International trade 163

12.1 Fluorspar 163

12.1.1 Exports 165

12.1.2 Imports 170

12.2 Hydrofluoric acid 173

12.3 Aluminium fluoride 176

13. Prices 181

13.1 Fluorspar 181

13.2 Hydrofluoric Acid 185

13.3 Aluminium fluoride 186

13.4 Fluosilicic acid 187

List of tables

• Table 1: Physical properties of fluorspar 8
• Table 2: World: Reserves of fluorspar, 2003 10
• Table 3: World: Reserves of phosphate rock, 2003 11
• Table 4: World: Mine production of fluorspar, 1992 to 2004 18
• Table 5: World: Production of fluorspar by region, 1991 to 2003 19
• Table 6: World: Production of fluorspar by country and by grade, 1998 and 2003 20
• Table 7: World: Production by major suppliers, 1950-2003 21
• Table 8: World: Fluorspar production of major producers by country, 2003 21
• Table 9: World: Fluorspar production by major producing companies, 2003 22
• Table 10: Argentina: Production of fluorspar 1990-2003; and by province 1994-1996 24
• Table 11: Australia: Imports of fluorspar, 1999-2004 26
• Table 12: Belgium: Imports of fluorspar and hydrofluoric acid, 1999-2004 27
• Table 13: Brazil: Production of fluorspar, 1993-2003 28
• Table 14: Brazil: Imports of fluorspar and derivatives, 1999-2004 28
• Table 15: Brazil: Fluorite and cryolite reserves divided by area, 2000 29
• Table 16: Canada: Trade in fluorspar, HF and AlF3, 1999-2004 31
• Table 17: China: Fluorspar production, domestic consumption and exports, 1998-2004 35
• Table 18: China: Exports of acidspar and metspar by leading destinations 1998-2004 35
• Table 19: China: Fluorspar production capacity, 1999 37
• Table 20: China: Principal fluorspar producers, 2003 38
• Table 21: China: Principal HF producers, 2001 41
• Table 22: China: Principal AlF3 producers, 2002 42
• Table 23: Czech Republic: Import and export of fluorspar, 1998-2004 43
• Table 24: Egypt: Fluorspar production, 1993-2003 44
• Table 25: France: Production of fluorspar, 1973-2004 44
• Table 26: France: Trade in fluorspar and its derivatives and apparent domestic consumption, 1999-2004 44
• Table 27: Germany: Fluorspar production, 1980-2003 47
• Table 28: Germany: Imports and exports of fluorspar and its derivatives and inferred domestic fluorspar consumption, 1999-2004 47
• Table 29: India: Production of fluorspar, 1993-2003 51
• Table 30: India: Trade in fluorspar and its derivatives and apparent domestic consumption, 1999-2003 51
• Table 31: India: Recoverable reserves of fluorite, April 2002, CaF2 52
• Table 32: India: Production of fluorspar by grade and region, 2001-2003 52
• Table 33: India: Consumption of fluorspar by industry sector, 1997-2002 54
• Table 34: Iran: Production of fluorspar, 1994-2003 55
• Table 35: Iran: Exports of fluorspar as recorded by importing countries 1999-2003 55
• Table 36: Iran: Principal producers of fluorspar, 2003 56
• Table 37: Italy: Production of fluorspar, 1993-2003 58
• Table 38: Italy: Trade in fluorspar and its derivatives, 1999-2003 59
• Table 39: Japan: Imports of fluorspar and its derivatives, 1999-2004 62
• Table 40: Japan: Producers of HF and fluorine chemical products 62
• Table 41: Japan: Production capacity of principal producers of HF, 2002 63
• Table 42: Jordan: Output and exports of AlF3, 1985-2003 64
• Table 43: Kenya: Production of fluorspar, 1979-2004 65
• Table 44: Kenya: Exports of fluorspar, 1998-2003 65
• Table 45: North Korea: Fluorspar production, 1993-2003 67
• Table 46: South Korea: Fluorspar production, 1970-2003 67
• Table 47: South Korea: Trade in fluorspar and its derivatives, 1999-2004 67
• Table 48: Kyrgyzstan: Production of fluorspar, 1996-2003 68
• Table 49: Mexico: Production of fluorspar, 1960-2004 69
• Table 50: Mexico: Trade in fluorspar and its derivatives, 1999-2004 69
• Table 51: Mexico: Production of fluorspar by company, 2002-2003 71
• Table 52: Mexico: Production of HF, 1997-2002 74
• Table 53: Mongolia: Production of fluorspar, 1980-2003 75
• Table 54: Mongolia: Fluorspar production by company, 2001-2003 75
• Table 55: Mongolia: Exports of metspar, 2000-2003 76
• Table 56: Morocco: Fluorspar production, 1984-2003 78
• Table 57: Morocco: Exports of fluorspar, 1998-2003 78
• Table 58: Namibia: Production of fluorspar, 1988-2003 79
• Table 59: Namibia: Recorded imports of fluorspar by main countries of destination, 1998-2004 81
• Table 60: Pakistan: Production of fluorspar, 1980-2003 82
• Table 61: Russia: Production of fluorspar 1993-2004 84
• Table 62: Russia: Trade in fluorspar and its derivatives 1998-2003 84
• Table 63: South Africa: Production of fluorspar, 1970-2004 87
• Table 64: South Africa: Production and sales of fluorspar, 1999-2004 87
• Table 65: South Africa: Reported sales of fluorspar: Vergenoeg Mining, 2000-2004 89
• Table 66: Spain: Production of fluorspar, 1982-2004 91
• Table 67: Spain: Trade in fluorspar and its derivatives, 1999-2003 91
• Table 68: Taiwan: Imports of fluorspar and its derivatives 1999-2004 94
• Table 69: Thailand: Production of fluorspar, 1980-2003 95
• Table 70: Tunisia: Production of fluorspar, 1980-1999 97
• Table 71: UK: Production of fluorspar, 1980-2003 98
• Table 72: UK: Trade in fluorspar and its derivatives, 1999-2004 98
• Table 73: USA: Production of fluorspar, 1973-2003 101
• Table 74: USA: Trade in fluorspar and its derivatives, 1999-2004 102
• Table 75: USA: Imports of fluorspar by main country of origin 1999-2004 102
• Table 76: World: Fluorspar demand, 1950-2003 107
• Table 77 World: Consumption of fluorspar by application, 1990-2030, 108
• Table 78: Fluorspar: World consumption in 2003 by product and industry 109
• Table 79: World: Consumption of fluorspar by region, 1990-2003 110
• Table 80: World: Fluorspar demand by region and application, 2003 110
• Table 81: World: Production and capacity of hydrofluoric acid plants, 2004 112
• Table 82: Control Measures of the Montreal Protocol 117
• Table 83: Annual production of fluorocarbons as reported to AFEAS, 1980-2002 119
• Table 84: Ozone depletion potential and global warming potential of major fluorocarbons 121
• Table 85: USA: Proposed fluorocarbon production bans 2010-2030 122
• Table 86: EU: Proposed fluorocarbon production bans 2010-2030 122
• Table 87: USA: Fluorocarbon Producer Capacity, 2001 123
• Table 88: World: Fluorocarbons: Main products and major applications, 2004 124
• Table 89: World: Estimated use of fluorspar in fluorocarbon production as reported to AFEAS, 1970-2002 126
• Table 90: World: Fluorspar use in fluorocarbon production 2002, and forecasts to 2030, 126
• Table 91: Fluorocarbons main feedstock products and major applications, 2004 127
• Table 92: World: Estimated PTFE capacity, 2003 128
• Table 93: Structure and uses of commercially important fluoropolymers and fluoroelastomers 129
• Table 94: World: Producers of electronic grade Hydrofluoric Acid 134
• Table 95: HF markets other than fluorocarbons: Roskill forecasts to 2030 138
• Table 96: World: Aluminium fluoride production using fluorspar feedstock by country, company, and plant, 2003 139
• Table 97: World: AlF3 capacity using FSA feedstock by country, company and plant, 2004 140
• Table 98: World: Aluminium fluoride production and usage 141
• Table 99: World: Production of primary aluminium by country 1993-2003 144
• Table 100: World: Forecast demand for aluminium, 2008 146
• Table 101: World: Principal primary aluminium producing companies, 2004 147
• Table 102: World: Acidspar use in aluminium manufacture. 2003-2030 151
• Table 103: World: Production of crude steel by region 1994 to 2003 153
• Table 104: World: Reported and forecast production of stainless steel by region, 2001-2005 154
• Table 105: World: Stainless steel production by country, 1996-2003 155
• Table 106: World: Leading producers of stainless steel, 2002, 2003 and 2005 156
• Table 107: World: Metspar: Unit consumption kg/t steel output 1994 - 2003 and forecasts to 2030 159
• Table 108: Main countries: Estimated yearend clinker production capacity, 1996 to 2003 161
• Table 109: World: Exports of fluorspar by leading country and continent 1983-2004 166
• Table 110: World: Exports of metspar by leading exporting countries and main destinations, 1998-2004 169
• Table 111: World: Exports of acidspar by leading exporting countries and main destinations, 1998-2004 170
• Table 112 World: Imports of fluorspar by leading countries and regions 1983-2004 171
• Table 113: World: Imports of metspar by leading importing countries and main sources, 1998-2004 172
• Table 114: World: Imports of acidspar by leading importing countries and main sources, 1998-2004 173
• Table 115: World: Exports of HF by leading exporting countries and main destinations, 1998-2004 175
• Table 116: World: Imports of HF by leading importing countries and main sources, 1998-2004 176
• Table 117: World: Exports of AlF3 by leading exporting countries and main destinations, 1999-2004 177
• Table 118: World: imports of AlF3 by leading importing countries and main sources, 1998-2004 178
• Table 119: World: Exports of synthetic cryolite by leading exporting countries and main destinations, 1998-2004 179
• Table 120: World: imports of synthetic cryolite by leading importing countries and main sources, 1998-2004 180
• Table 121: China: Export quotas and licence fees 1993-2005 182
• Table 122: USA: Average values of imports of fluorspar, 1990-2004 182
• Table 123: Japan: Average values of imports of fluorspar, 1990-2004 183
• Table 124: World: Fluorspar prices: Industrial Minerals quotations 1990-2003 184
• Table 125: Fluorspar prices: Date of change 2000-2005 184
• Table 126: US price for hydrofluoric acid, 1970-2003 185
• Table 127: Average value of US imports of hydrofluoric acid 186
• Table 128: Average value of imports of aluminium fluoride by leading importing countries 186
• Table 129: Average value of imports of synthetic cryolite by leading importing countries 186
• Table 130: USA: Average value of shipments of fluosilicic acid 2000-2003 187

List of figures

• Figure 1: World: Production of fluorspar by leading producing countries, 1991-2004 2
• Figure 2: Production of fluorspar by company, 2003 3
• Figure 3: World: Fluorspar consumption by end-use, 2003 4
• Figure 4: World: Production of fluorspar, 1913-2003 7
• Figure 5: Production of fluorspar by region, 1992 to 2003 19
• Figure 6: World: Acidspar and metspar demand by region, 2003 111
• Figure 7: World: HF manufacture by region 113
• Figure 8: World: HF applications by intermediate and end products 114
• Figure 9: Trends in annual production of fluorocarbons reported to AFEAS 1980-2002 118
• Figure 10: Global warming Potential: Emission comparison of C02 and HFC-134a with time 120
• Figure 11: Solvent extraction of tantalum and niobium compounds 136
• Figure 12: Aluminium fluoride production by region, 2003 140
• Figure 13: World: Production of primary aluminium, 1940 to 2002 144
• Figure 14: Top ten producing steel countries in 2003, comparison with 1998 and1992 154
• Figure 15: Trends in stainless steel production by region 155
• Figure 16: World: Major fluorspar importing and exporting countries 2003 164
• Figure 17: Trends in Chinese exports of fluorspar and its derivatives 1999-2004 165
• Figure 18: Leading exporters of fluorspar: Trends in supply 1999-2003 167
• Figure 19: China: Trends in exports of HF as recorded by leading importing countries 1999-2004 174
• Figure 20: USA: Average value of imports of acidspar (A) and metspar (M) 1990-2004 183
• Figure 21: Recent trends in the price of US imports of Chinese acidspar 185