THORIUM (Data in metric tons of thorium oxide (ThO2) equivalent, unless noted) Domestic Production and Use: Monazite, a rare-earth and thorium phosphate mineral, was not mined domestically in 1995. In prior years, monazite had been recovered by dredging methods by one mine in Green Cove Springs, FL. Production had been as a byproduct during processing for titanium and zirconium minerals and monazite was recovered for its rare-earth content. Essentially all thorium compounds and alloys consumed by the domestic industry were derived from imports, stocks of previously imported materials, or materials purchased from U.S. Government stockpiles. About 14 companies processed or fabricated various forms of thorium for nonenergy uses, such as ceramics, carbon arc lamps, magnesium-thorium alloys, and welding electrodes. The value of thorium metal, alloys, and compounds used by the domestic industry was estimated to be about $200,000. Salient Statistics--United States: 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995e/ Production, refinery1/ NA -- -- -- -- Imports: Thorium ore and concentrates (monazite) gross weight -- -- -- -- 40 Compounds 43 14 18 3 10 Exports: Thorium ore and concentrates (monazite) gross weight -- 5 -- 33 -- Compounds 3 <1 <1 <1 <1 Shipments from Government stockpile excesses -- -- -- -- -- Consumption, reportede 54 40 13 17 NA Price, yearend, dollars per kilogram: Nitrate, welding-grade2/ NA 5.46 5.46 5.46 5.46 Nitrate, mantle-grade3/ 19.94 21.36 22.25 23.30 23.30 Oxide, yearend: 99.0% purity4/ 63.80 63.80 65.00 63.80 NA 99.9% purity4 NA NA NA NA 88.50 99.99% purity -- 107.00 107.00 107.25 107.25 Stocks, industrial, yearend NA NA NA NA NA Employment, mine -- -- -- -- -- Net import reliance5/ as a percent of apparent consumption NA NA NA NA NA Recycling: None. Import Sources (1991-94): Monazite: Australia, 100%. Tariff: Item Number Most favored nation (MFN) Non-MFN6/ 12/31/95 12/31/95 Thorium ores and concentrates (monazite) 2612.20.0000 Free Free. Thorium compounds 2844.30.1000 7.3% ad val. 35% ad val. Depletion Allowance: Percentage method: Monazite, 22% on thorium content, 14% on rare-earth and yttrium content (Domestic); 14% (Foreign). Government Stockpile: Stockpile Status--9-30-95 Uncommitted Committed Authorized Disposals Material inventory inventory for disposal Jan.-Sept. 95 Thorium nitrate 3,219 -- 2,969 -- (thorium oxide equivalent) (1,540) -- (1,420) -- Prepared by James B. Hedrick, (703) 648-7725. THORIUM Events, Trends, and Issues: Domestic mine production of thorium-bearing minerals ceased in 1995 when the sole producer discontinued recovered. With mine production terminated, the United States is now 100% import dependent for additional supplies. Overall demand for thorium products has continued to decline. A decision by the one mine producer in Florida to cease production of monazite in 1995 was the result of decreased worldwide demand for radioactive thorium-bearing ores. As a result of several domestic processors switching to thorium-free concentrates, the buildup of any thorium residues has switched from the domestic processor to the foreign ore refiner. Domestic consumption is forecast to continue to decline with annual demand in nonenergy uses expected to remain below 20 tons of equivalent thorium oxide. The use of thorium in United States has decreased significantly since 1990. Costs to monitor and dispose of thorium continued to increase and have resulted in most domestic processors switching to thorium-free materials. Real and potential costs related to compliance with State and Federal regulations, proper disposal, and monitoring of thorium's radioactivity have limited thorium's commercial value. It is forecast that thorium's use will continue to decline unless a low-cost disposal process is developed. World Refinery Production, Reserves, and Reserve Base: Refinery production Reserves7/ Reserve base7/ 1994 1995 United States -- -- 158,000 298,000 Australia NA NA 300,000 340,000 Brazil NA NA 16,000 18,000 Canada NA NA 100,000 100,000 India NA NA 292,000 300,000 Malaysia NA NA 4,500 4,500 Norway NA NA 166,000 183,000 South Africa NA NA 35,000 39,000 Other countries NA NA 90,000 100,000 World total (rounded) NA NA 1,200,000 1,400,000 Reserves and reserve base are contained primarily in the rare-earth ore mineral, monazite. Without demand for the rare earths, monazite would probably not be recovered for its thorium content. Other ore minerals with higher thorium contents, such as thorite, would be more likely sources if demand significantly increased. No new demand, however, is expected. Reserves exist primarily in recent and ancient placer deposits. Lesser quantities of thorium-bearing monazite reserves occur in vein deposits and carbonatites. World Resources: Thorium resources occur in provinces similar to those of reserves. The largest share are contained in placer deposits. Resources of more than 500,000 tons are contained in placer, vein, and carbonatite deposits. Disseminated deposits in various other alkaline igneous rocks contain additional resources of more than 2 million tons. Large thorium resources are found in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Greenland, India, South Africa, and the United States. Substitutes: Nonradioactive substitutes have been developed for many applications for thorium. Yttrium compounds have replaced thorium compounds in incandescent lamp mantles. Although the yttrium substitute is slightly lower in brightness, it is less brittle and nonradioactive. A magnesium alloy containing lanthanides, zirconium, and yttrium can substitute for magnesium-thorium alloys in aerospace applications. Research to develop nonradioactive substitutes continues in the industry. e/Estimated. NA Not available. 1/All domestically consumed thorium was derived from imported materials. 2/Source: U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency. Based on sales from the National Defense Stockpile. 3/Source: Rhone-Poulenc Basic Chemical Co., f.o.b. port of entry, duty paid, ThO2 basis, 1990-91. Rhone-Poulenc Canada Inc., f.o.b. Ontario, Canada, duty unpaid, 1992-93. Rhone-Poulenc Basic Chemicals Co., Shelton, CT, 1994. 4/Source: Rhone-Poulenc Basic Chemicals Co., f.o.b. port of entry, duty paid. 5/Defined as imports - exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 6/See Appendix B. 7/See Appendix C for definitions. Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 1996