Geology topics
Publications and source records attributed to M. Miller.
The U.S. consumed about 525 kt of fluorspar in 1995, with more than 70 percent being used for the production of hydrofluoric acid. Fluorspar is also used for the production of aluminum and steel. About 558 kt of fluorspar was imported in 1995, with a further 186 kt made available from the National Defense Stockpile. The market in the U.S. is expected to grow as increasing use is made of fluorocarbons to replace chlorofluorocarbons.
The production, consumption, and applications of fluorspar are reviewed. In 1994, the U.S. exported about 45 kt of fluorspar, but, according to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, 493 kt were imported during the same period. Consumption, according to preliminary figures from the U.S. Bureau of Mines, was about 473 kt. China continued to be the main supplier of imports to the U.S. with 61 percent of the total imports. Of the 3 major fluorspar markets, hydrofluoric acid (HF), aluminum, and steel, the HF market was the only one to record an increase in consumption in 1994.
The U.S. exported approximately 52 kt of fluorspar in 1993. All reported production of fluorspar came from the Illinois mines of Elf Atochem. The U.S. consumed approximately 439 kt of fluorspar, according to preliminary U.S. Bureau of Mines figures. Fluorspar markets and industry developments are discussed.
No abstract available.
No abstract available at this time
The U.S. produced 50 kt of fluorspar in 1992 and imported nearly 409 kt. Almost all the fluorspar was imported from China. The U.S. consumption of 467 kt represents the lowest level since 1958. This is due to the continuing decrease in consumption by the steel and aluminum industries.