World Mineral Production - NERC Open Research Archive - Natural ...

Production of bentonite and fuller's earth tonnes
Country 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Australia
Bentonite (e) 113 047 144 755 264 038 *223 000 *135 000
Fuller's earth 11 926 11 187 10 142 9 784 *10 000
New Zealand
Bentonite 7 800 10 940 10 050 7 590 3 028
World Total Bentonite 12 100 000 12 600 000 13 000 000 14 000 000 14 600 000
World Total Fullers Earth (g) 4 000 000 4 800 000 4 600 000 4 400 000 4 400 000
Note(s):-
(1) Bentonites consist of montmorillonite (one of the smectite group of clay minerals) and occur in two main varieties, calcium
bentonite, the most commonly occurring, and sodium bentonite, industrially the more important
(2) Calcium bentonite can be converted to sodium bentonite by a sodium-exchange process
(3) In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, calcium bentonite is known as fuller's earth, a term which is also used to refer
attapulgite, a mineralogically distinct clay mineral but exhibiting similar properties
(4) In addition to the countries listed, Austria is believed to produce bentonite and France may produce fuller's earth
(a) Saleable production based on data from producing companies
(b) Years ended 31 March following that stated
(c) Sold or used by producers
(d) Years ended 20 March following that stated
(e) Years ended 30 June of that stated
(f) Smectite
(g) Including attapulgite and sepiolite
Production of beryl tonnes
Country 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Madagascar (a) 1 *1 12 *12 *12
Mozambique 54 78 45 146 130
Uganda ... ... 207 19 *20
Zambia 7 7 7 *7 *7
USA 1 970 2 100 2 210 2 780 3 830
Brazil *4 *4 *4 *4 *4
China *500 *500 *500 *500 *500
Note(s):-
(a) Includes ornamental and industrial products
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