AMERICAS — Talc output in U.S. off 3%

A dozen companies operated 17 talc mines in eight states in 1993, the U.S. Bureau of Mines reports.

Most of the domestic talc production was from open-pit mining operations; underground mining was used only when a large waste rock-to-ore ratio made open-pit mining uneconomical.

Crude talc output last year declined 3% in tonnage to 968,000 tons and 11% in value to US$28 million.

Montana, New York, Texas and Vermont accounted for 98% of domestic talc production; Montana led all states in tonnage and value. Other states hosting talc mines were Arkansas, California, Oregon and Virginia.

Talc’s applications include as a filler and extender in plastics, and in the manufacture of caulks, ceramic tile, joint compounds, paint, roofing and sanitaryware.

In Canada, talc is produced by three companies: Bakertalc, in Quebec; Canada Talc, in Ontario; and Luzenac, in Quebec and Ontario.