Industrial Minerals

Features

• Magnesia blasts back September 2010

  After a difficult two years, the caustic calcined magnesia market is looking up. Chinese export restrictions and rising energy costs have increased magnesia prices, but recovering market demand, together with future concerns over Chinese availability, have rejuvenated western producers and added impetus to customers seeking new supply sources outside China Read More

• Refractories rising September 2010

  After a gloomy 2008-09, steel refractories are now on the way to recovery led by Asia. But raw material supply, mainly dependent on China exports, remains a concern for the industry Read More

• Alumina’s balancing act September 2010

  Producers juggle a delicate supply-demand balance as alumina’s end use sectors call for increasing production from a market still emerging from economic hardship Read More

• Ukraine’s gift and curse September 2010

  Some of Europe’s richest mineral resources lie in the middle of an energy resources super-highway from Russia into Europe. This route has given Ukraine an abundance of cheap gas that has underpinned its economy. It is an asset that has attracted many, and one that could be its undoing Read More

• End user focus: It pays to glaze September 2010

  The final addition to a ceramic body before firing, glaze controls the physical appearance and structural resilience of the ceramic piece. Here some of the key glaze minerals are reviewed Read More

• India enters a deciding decade August 2010

  After designing a symbol for the rupee, India has joined the ranks of only a handful of countries with a currency icon. This is in preparation for the ten years in which, the country believes, it will become an economic superpower. The mining industry, including refractory and white minerals, is central to this plan Read More

• New dawn for fluorine refrigerants August 2010

  With the phase-out of HFC-134a from mobile air conditioning under way, western chemical producers are pioneering a new range of fluorine refrigerants vying to fill their predecessor’s role Read More

• The winds of change August 2010

  The new generation of alternative power sources are providing attractive prospects for industrial mineral applications. Despite the recession, and against expectations, the photovoltaic and wind power sectors grew significantly in 2009, a trend that is expected to continue through 2014 Read More

• The Lithium Supplement 2010: Talison August 2010

  Last month’s lithium merger between Talison Minerals Pty Ltd and Salares Lithium Inc. was met with a bout of surprise. But while the immediate short term challenges seem significant, on longer term the move makes sense Read More

• The Lithium Supplement 2010: Oilfield brine August 2010

  Gerry Clarke reviews Alberta’s oilfield brine potential as a new and different lithium resource that has quietly emerged over the last two years. While the gas companies serve up waste brine containing anomalous lithium values, its future as a resource is critically dependent on processing advances and, ironically, the continuing success of the province’s oil and gas industry and, of course, demand Read More

• The Lithium Supplement 2010: China review August 2010

  Robert Baylis of Roskill Information Services on how brine and mineral convertor expansions in China are preparing for an increase in battery grade lithium demand Read More

• The Lithium Supplement 2010: Afghanistan August 2010

  While Afghanistan’s mineral wealth is undoubtedly huge, a review of the country’s lithium resources shows that the Pentagon has spoken too soon on its potential to be the new “Saudi Arabia of lithium” Read More

• The Lithium Supplement 2010: FMC expands August 2010

  With the expansion of its brine operation in Argentina secured, FMC Lithium shifts its strategy to quality as it reacts to the needs of cathode manufacturers Read More

• The Lithium Supplement 2010: Galaxy Resources August 2010

  Galaxy Resources has led the pack of lithium developers with its Mt Cattlin spodumene mine in Western Australia and its Jiangsu lithium carbonate plant in China. Managing director, Iggy Tan speaks with IM on the company’s progress as it closes in on production start-up Read More

• The Lithium Supplement 2010: Electric vehicles August 2010

  Seth Fletcher makes a case that, while much could still go wrong, in political, economical and technological terms the world appears ready for the electric vehicles that will transform lithium from obscurity to a commodity Read More

• The Lithium Supplement 2010: Reed Resources August 2010

  IM talks with Chris Reed, managing director of Reed Resources Ltd, on its Mt Marion spodumene project, establishing a lithium carbonate plant in Asia, and supply-side competition Read More

• Pharma-minerals focus August 2010

  The versatility of non-metallic minerals ensures they remain central to pharmaceuticals developments Read More

• The bright side of graphite July 2010

  After a difficult 2009, graphite is starting to recover thanks to promising new applications, with opportunities in Africa, Canada and Australia for raw material Read More

• Foundries fire up a gear July 2010

  Automotive markets are giving foundries the drive they need to recover from recession, but western foundries will have to tap into specialised products to compete with developing countries’ heavy industries Read More

• Logistics in the 21st century July 2010

  The evolution of Goldenboat Holding and its expanding minerals business has underlined the importance of partner alliances in modern logistics, pioneering new concepts in shipping, and developing new IT systems Read More

• Set for heavy loads July 2010

  Mineral fillers keep pace with plastic product requirements as demand grows, including applications with higher loadings Read More