DIATOMITE (Data in thousand metric tons, unless noted) Domestic Production and Use: The estimated value of processed diatomite, f.o.b. plant, was $174 million in 1995. Six companies with 12 processing facilities in 4 States produced diatomite. California and Nevada were the principal producing States. End uses of diatomite were filter aid, 73%; fillers, 14%; and other, 13%. Salient Statistics--United States: 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995e/ Production1/ 610 595 599 613 670 Imports for consumption 1 (2/) (2/) (2/) (2/) Exports 152 163 165 157 145 Consumption, apparent 458 432 436 456 525 Price, average value, dollars per ton, f.o.b. plant 229 237 251 248 259 Stocks, producer, yearend 36 36 36 36 36 Employment, mine and plante/ 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 Net import reliance3/ as a percent of apparent consumption E E E E E Recycling: None. Import Sources (1991-94): Mexico, 60%; France, 22%; Canada, 5%; and other, 13%. Tariff: Item Number Most favored nation (MFN) Non-MFN4/ 12/31/95 12/31/95 Diatomite, crude or processed 2512.00.0000 Free Free. Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign). Government Stockpile: None. Prepared by Diatomite Specialist, (703) 648-7710. DIATOMITE Events, Trends, and Issues: The United States remained the largest producer and consumer of diatomite and exported processed diatomite to more than 50 countries, primarily for filtration use. All domestic mining is by open pit, and challenging land use problems exist. Control of dust in mining is assisted by the high moisture content of the crude ore. Effective control of silica dust in processing is facilitated by enclosure of the process. World Mine Production, Reserves, and Reserve Base: Mine production Reserves5/ Reserve base5/ 1994 1995e/ United States1/ 613 670 250,000 500,000 Denmark6/ 96 95 NA France 250 250 Other 2,000 Germany 52 50 countries: NA Korea, South 70 70 550,000 NA Mexico 46 50 2,000 Spain 36 40 NA Former Soviet Union7/ 120 120 NA Other countries 157 160 NA World total (may be rounded) 1,440 1,500 800,000 Large World Resources: World resources of crude diatomite are adequate for the foreseeable future, but the need for diatomite to be near markets encourages development of new sources for the material. Substitutes: Many alternate materials can be substituted for diatomite. However, the unique properties of diatomite assure its continuing use for many applications. Expanded perlite, asbestos, and silica sand compete for filtration purposes, although, in most instances, diatomite is a superior material. Alternate filler materials include talc, ground silica sand, ground mica, clay, perlite, vermiculite, and ground limestone. For thermal insulation, materials such as brick, clay, asbestos, mineral wool, expanded perlite, and exfoliated vermiculite can be used. e/Estimated. E Net exporter. NA Not available. 1/Processed ore sold and used by producers. 2/Less than 1/2 unit. 3/Defined as imports - exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 4/See Appendix B. 5/See Appendix C for definitions. 6/Includes sales of moler production. 7/As constituted before Dec. 1991. Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 1996