Industrial Minerals

Focus of the Week

• Producers reflect on tough year 18 March 2010

  The industrial minerals industry faced exceptionally tough conditions in 2009. Most reported steady improvement towards the end of the year but a recovery to pre-crisis levels still seems a long way off Read More

• USA cracks down on dumping 11 March 2010

  Chinese companies found guilty in paper, fertiliser and refractory brick trade probes; China brands investigations “discriminatory” Read More

• Grand plans for Bolivian lithium 04 March 2010

  Bolivia is sitting on the world’s largest lithium reserves in the Salar de Uyuni. The country’s lithium mining chief outlined to IM the government’s plans to build a world-leading project. Read More

• EU clamps down on cartels 25 February 2010

  Cement, glass and speciality graphite all in the spotlight as the European Union investigates price fixing in industrial mineral markets Read More

• Trioxide trials and tribulations 18 February 2010

  Chinese dominance reigns supreme in antimony trioxide as export prices spike in January. However, the market has started to turn since Twinkling Star restarted its disaster-struck mine. Read More

• Russian flame retardant market 11 February 2010

  The steady growth of 11-13% in Russian flame retardants supports Nikochem/Rusnano’s nano magnesium hydroxide project Read More

• POSCO’s lithium rationale 04 February 2010

  South Korean steel producer talks to IM on its entry into the lithium industry via investments in Pan American Lithium and a seawater source as it searches for the world’s “new growth engine” Read More

• Manganese dioxide murmurs 28 January 2010

  Manganese ore price is moving upwards as steel markets recovers, while China has emerged as the world’s largest producer Read More

• Potash crawls into 2010 21 January 2010

  Downturn in the potash market has lasted longer than many expected as prices sink below $400/tonne. Analysts predict a recovery in 2011 but new entrants in the market could create a flood of new supply in the longer term Read More

• Oregon foundry minerals imminent 14 January 2010

  With mining leases, construction permits and mineral distribution agreements in place, Oregon Resources looks set to become the next major supplier of foundry minerals from its Coos Bay, USA, site Read More

• Challenging outlook for soda ash 07 January 2010

  Report forecasts 9.5% soda ash demand drop and rationalisation to check overcapacity. Global operating rates are seen averaging 74% in 2009. Read More