Mineral Commodity Summaries 2011 - Environmental and Energy ...

44CLAYS(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)Domestic Production and Use: In 2010, clay and shale production was reported in 39 States. About 180 companiesoperated approximately 820 clay pits or quarries. The leading 20 firms supplied about 50% of the tonnage and 80% ofthe value for all types of clay sold or used in the United States. In 2010, sales or use was estimated to be 27 milliontons valued at $1.5 billion. Major uses for specific clays were estimated to be as follows: ball clay—36% floor and walltile, 22% sanitaryware, and 42% other uses; bentonite—25% absorbents, 19% drilling mud, 17% foundry sand bond,12% iron ore pelletizing, and 27% other uses; common clay—50% brick, 25% lightweight aggregate, 16% cement,and 9% other uses; fire clay—38% heavy clay products, 62% refractory products and other uses; fuller’s earth—74%absorbent uses and 26% other uses; and kaolin—58% paper and 42% other uses.Salient Statistics—United States: 1 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 eProduction, mine:Ball clay 1,190 1,070 967 831 910Bentonite 4,940 4,820 5,030 3,650 4,000Common clay 24,200 20,600 17,500 12,500 13,500Fire clay 848 565 447 320 270Fuller’s earth 2,540 2,6602,3502,0102,300Kaolin 7,470 7,110 6,740 5,290 5,700Total 3 41,200 36,70033,20024,50027,000Imports for consumption:Artificially activated clay and earth 21 23 25 20 18Kaolin 303 194 330 281 250Other 22 14 20 2634Total 3 346 231 375 327 300Exports:Ball clay 140 83 65 35 41Bentonite 1,270 1,430 1,090 710 960Fire clay 4 348 425 393 328 395Fuller’s earth 69 134 127 90 330Kaolin 3,540 3,300 2,960 2,290 2,600Clays, not elsewhere classified 607 279 153 374 365Total 3 5,980 5,650 4,790 3,830 4,700Consumption, apparent 35,600 31,400 28,600 21,000 23,000Price, average, dollars per ton:Ball clay 44 46 46 45 47Bentonite 48 52 49 57 59Common clay 10 11 12 13 13Fire clay 22 42 40 30 31Fuller’s earth 96 9798102107Kaolin 131 135 134 135 140Employment, number: eMine 1,250 1,150 1,060 875 770Mill 5,130 5,080 5,020 4,540 4,100Net import reliance 5 as a percentage ofapparent consumption E E E E ERecycling: Insignificant.Import Sources (2006–09): Brazil, 81%; Mexico, 6%; Canada, 4%; United Kingdom, 3%; and other, 6%.Prepared by Robert L. Virta [(703) 648-7726, rvirta@usgs.gov, fax: (703) 648-7757]