Industrial MineralsIndustrial Minerals

George J. SimandlGeorge J. SimandlIndustrial Minerals SpecialistIndustrial Minerals Specialist

Current Trends and Future OpportunitiesCurrent Trends and Future Opportunities

Ministry of Energy and Mines

OutlineOutline

Industrial Minerals Industrial Minerals and the Economyand the Economy

TrendsTrends

British Columbia’s British Columbia’s Geological PotentialGeological Potential

Assessment of Assessment of Mineral ProjectsMineral Projects

Any rock, mineral, or other Any rock, mineral, or other naturally occurring substance of naturally occurring substance of economic valueeconomic value, exclusive of:, exclusive of:

Definition of Industrial MineralsDefinition of Industrial Minerals

Dual minerals

metallic ores mineral fuels gemstones

Non-m etals

Metals

Year

0

4

8

12

Bill

ion

Can

$

16

198

5

1990

1995

200

0

Industrial Minerals and Metal ProductionIndustrial Minerals and Metal Productionin Canadain Canada

50%

75%

(Industrial Minerals and Structural Materials) ★

B.C.

Industrial Minerals in B. C.Industrial Minerals in B. C.

Mine - QuarryProcessing PlantProspect/DevelopmentMainly AggregatesOther Occurrence

High-Low PrincipleHigh-Low Principle

• High value: world market

• Low value: local market

Mineral US$/tonne

Wollastonite 200 - 300

Graphite 230 - 750

Mica 210 - 1200

Mineral US$/tonne

Crushed stone 6

Natural aggregate 4

Gypsum 7

High-Low PrincipleHigh-Low Principle

Developed / Developing countries

Security of land tenure

Trade barriers & government initiatives

Land sterilization

Value-added processing

Energy cost differences

• High value: world market

• Low value: local market

Land Sterilization / UrbanizationLand Sterilization / Urbanization

Source: USGS and BC Ministry of Energy and Mines

Land Sterilization / UrbanizationLand Sterilization / Urbanization

Source: USGS and BC Ministry of Energy and Mines

Raw Industrial Mineral

+Processing Method

Milling, Micronisation, and

Classification Flotation

Surface Modification

Bleaching Expansion

Delamination Calcining

Fusion

Value-Added Product

Value-added ProcessingValue-added Processing

Modified from: Simandl et al, 1996

Value-added Processing of CaCOValue-added Processing of CaCO33

Source: Harben & Kužvart, 1996

1. Aggregates / Agricultural lime

2. Glass, Carpet, Shingles

3. Adhesives, Caulks, Putty, Rubber, Stucco, Floor tiles

4. Fine ground fillers

150 10 14

40

80

120

160

200

Energy-intensive Value-added ProductsEnergy-intensive Value-added Products

Mineral Product US$/tonneMagnesite Raw 50

Caustic MgO 119 - 138Dead-burned MgO 105 - 135Fused MgO >320Mg Metal 2430

Energy-intensive Value-added ProductsEnergy-intensive Value-added Products

SiliconFerrosiliconSilicon carbideSintered or electrofused refractoriesTraditional or advanced ceramicsReinforcing or insulating fibresGlassIndustrial intermediates

Other Examples:

Global TrendsGlobal Trends

Environmental Regulations Health Regulations Recycling Efforts Technology

Environmental RegulationsEnvironmental Regulations

ZeolitesPerliteDolomiteCalcium carbonateLime Magnesia / MagnesitePeatDiatomite

Negative Impact Positive Impact

Sulphur

Gypsum

Environmental RegulationsEnvironmental Regulations

Source: Institute for Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, 2001

Salt

Health RegulationsHealth Regulations

Asbestos

Source: Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Youngstown State University, 2001

Silica

ATHWollastoniteDiatomiteMg(OH)2 PerliteVermiculitePumicePyrophylliteBariteAlumina/Emery

FiberglassCeramic fibersCarbon fibersAramid fibers

GarnetOlivineMagnesiteSlag

RecyclingRecycling

Source: National Asphalt Paving Association

TechnologyTechnology

Past

Glass plastic containers Acid neutral paper

Present

Wireless communications Flame retardants “Superpave”

Future ?

Internet marketing Fuel cell CO2 sequestration

What are the opportunities in British Columbia?

Project SelectionProject Selection

Successful IM Project

Deposit

Market

TenureTechnical FactorsInfrastructureTransportation

BC Industrial BaseExportsNicheTrends

Kettle Valley Stone CompanyKettle Valley Stone Company

B.C. Successes & ConclusionB.C. Successes & Conclusion

Rocky Mountain TufaRocky Mountain Tufa

MargraniteMargranite

IKOIKO

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