.
...
Basic Minerals
U, So Mineral Produetior At New High
FACTS AN FIGURE
F0 R T nE
c H E MI c A L PROCE INDUSTRl
&.
INERAL PRODUCTION in the United Statea during 1953 was the greatest in history. The vulue of mined products rose 7% over 1952 to $14,346,000,000. The greatest increase wus in fuels, but production of nonmetallic minerals and metals ulso
Part of the reason for the large increase was that the governmenhided build-up of basic mineral production and processing capacity was beginning to show results in increased production. Some of the 1955 production capacity goals have already been met. Cessation of hostilities in Korea resulted in u “stretcbout” of U. 8. defense preparations. But long-term defense needs kept stockpiling and research on strategic minerals at high levels. In April 1954 President Eisenhower instructed the Office of Defense Mobilization (ODM) to establish new long-term stockpile goals. As a result ODM started to plan a new mebl and mineral buying program under which some 35 metals and minerals of strategic importance in the event of war are going to be stockpiled ut an increased rate. Although domestic commercial production of titanium sponge metal in 1953 wus double thut of 1 9 5 h n -timated 2300 tons compared with 1075-militury demand for this metal grew even faster. As a result, ODM set a higher defense expansion goal25,Wton annual capacity, an increase of 3000 tons over the goal set in October 1952. Controls were reimposed on the distribution of titanium products for the civilian market, and interest in constructing plants for converting titanium minerals to metal was stimulated. Domestic production of ilmenite concentrates was about 9% below 1952, but production of rutile concentrates was slightly higher in 1953 than in 1952. Zirconium and hufnium metals were produced commercially in u small way for the first time during the year.
The Bureau of Mines continued to produce virtually all the hafnium-free 5irconiurn and hafnium metal required by the Atomic Energy Commission. Hafnium, which like zirconium has important atomic energy ~888,became available for the first time in quantities larger than those required for laboratory testing. Last yeur’s production of fertilimr mineralephosphate rock and potash-was the greatest in history. Prospects for the development of an important source of by-product uranium were discussed by government o5cials and phosphatic fertilizer industry representatives in September 1953. Florida phosphates have been a source of by-product uranium since September 1952 ut one plant. Other recovery plants were under construction in 1953. Some soft spots appeared in mine production of nonferrous metals. Domestic mine production of lead and zinc was the smallest since 1938. On the other hand, copper and aluminum supply and demand came into balunce in 1953 following an acute shortage which began as a result of stepped-up defense preparations following the Korean outbreak. Increases in copper supply were stimulated during 1952 and 1953 by government long-term contracts with u number of mining companies. Under the contracts the s u p p l i m are guaranteed a market for certain tonnages of copper at prices which are subject to “escalation.” U.S. production capacity of primary aluminum continued to grow. About 300,000 of the 315,000-ton increase above 1952 waa from plants built or expanded under government-programmed expansion. The coal-versus-oil battle continued. Coal producers pressed for congressional curbs on residual oil imports, which rose from 128,500,000barrels in 1952 to 140,000,000 in 1953. The issue was carried over into 1964. Metals and Nonmetallic Minerals
Antimony. Domestic smelter production of antimony decreased 32% in 1953 to 8100 tons. Importa of ore and 1109
I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G CHEMISTRY
1110
Vol. 46, No. 6
TOTAL VALUE, U. S. MINERAL PRODUCTION (millions of dollars)
r 14,346
10.18‘
__
U.S. iuiriu oi Y
concentrates fell about 3l%, but imports of metal and oxide increased 79 and 74%, respectively. Stocks of primary antimony fell about 10% between January and December 1953. Domestic consumption of primary antimony dropped about 3%. Largest nonmetallic use was in frits and ceramic enamels (945 tons), followed by pigments (700tons), and glass and pottery uses (700tons). Arsenic. Production of white arsenic in the United States in 1953 fell 31% from 15,700tons produced in 1952, but imports were up slightly. Consumption rose to 16,000 tons from 13,700tons used in 1952. The strong trend in consumer preference for organic chemicals over arsenicals continued unabated in 1953. Lead arsenate production in 1953 was reported at 6500 tons, down from 7143 tons in 1952. Calcium arsenate production was cut in half in 1953 (2500 tons against 5179 tons in 1952) and was way below the 1950 high of 23,750 tons. Bauxite. Domestic production of bauxite fell about 5% in 1953, but consumption reached new highs. Imports, which were 2,800,000long tons in 1951,rose to 3,500,000in 1952,and 4,400,000in 1953. I n October 1952, the Aluminum Ore Co.’s new plant at Bauxite, Ark., began production. The plant can process 400,000tons of local alumina annually. Reynolds Metals Co. began construction of a new plant a t La Quinta, Tex., designed to produce 365,000tons of alumina per year from Jamaican bauxite. Cadmium. An all-time high in U.9. production of cadmium metal was reached in 1953. The quantity, 9,700,000 oounds. is about 700.000oounds above the orevious Deak iecorded in 1950. Imports of cadmiurn metal Buatuate widely, but reached I
.
record levels during 1952 and 1953 (about 1,500,000pounds per year). The chemical industry uses cadmium compounds in many applications. Cadmium sulfide and cadmium sulfoselenide, for example, are standard agents for imparting high-quality yellow and red colors to paint, soap, rubber, glass, and ceramic glazes. Cadmium compounds are also used in electroplating solutions, photographic films, process engraving, and lithographing. Bismuth. Bismuth consumption fell about 14% in 1953 to 1,531,000 pounds. Imports were down 9%, 641,000 pounds against 708,000 pounds in 1952. But inventories were reduced and stocks on hand in December 1953 were down 30% from January 1 totals. Chromite. Under the stimulus of greatly increased requirements for chromium alloys and metal, conaumption of chromite rose 13% above 1952. Chemical uses were the largest contributors to the gain. In making sodium bichromate, chromic acid, and other chemicals, the chemical industry consumed 25% more chromite in 1953 than in 1952. Production of domestic chromite increased significantly after the Monat Chrome Mine in Stillwater County, Mant a m , began operations in August 1953. By the end of 1953 the Mouat mine bad produced 64% as much chromite as the other 122 domestic producers combined. An estimated 29% gain in imports over 1952,the former peak year, together with a year-end drop in consumption brought industry stocks t o an all-time high. Copper. Domestic use of new copper rose from 1,360,000 tons in 1952 to 1,443,000tons in 1953, although domestic mine production has remained virtually unchanged, being 928,000tons in 1951. 925,000tons in 1952, and 924,000 tons in 1953. Imports rose from 619,000tons in 1952 to 878,000tons in 1953.
-
,w-
June 1954
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
Chief chemical use of copper is in the manufacture of copper sulfate. Production of copper sulfate dropped to 72,900 tons from 94,500in 1952. About two fifths went into the manufacture of insecticides, germicides, and fungicides. Fluorspar. Consumption of fluorspar reached a record high of almost 485,000tons in 1953. Production and ship ments were under 1952, but imports rose to a new record of 367,000tons, exceeding domestic output by about 11%. Biggest gain was in its use in hydrofluoric acid-223,360 tons against 178,267 tons in 1952, accompanying the 34% expansion in primary aluminum production. Lead and Zinc. Domestic production of lead and zinc declined during 1953,largely because of low prices brought about by heavy imports. In 1953 lead supplies of 1,325,000tons were about 136,OOO above consumption. Domestic mine production of 335,000 tons was the lowest since the depression year of 1935.
Although imports during 1953 were about 12% below 1952, the total tonnage entering the country (554,000 tons) was still the second highest on record. The chemical industry uses about 10% of the lead consumed in the United S t a h . cbieflv as tetraethvllead. Another 10%.- is usedinpigme&. Zinc consumption in 1953 was at a record high, but zinc supplies were even higher. Total supply (U.5.production and imuorts) was 1,204,000tons, but consumution (including-exports) was~l,lO6,000 to&. Mine output was 535,000 tons compared with 666,000 tons in 1952. For the first time on record, imports (743,000
.
tonifwere greater than domestic production. Inventories of slab zinc at zinc-reduction plants doubled during 1953 and were over 200,000tons at end of February 1954. The market price, which was 12.5 cents a pound in January 1953, fell to 11 cents by mid-year, and was below 10 cents in the spring of 1954. Prices for zinc pigments and salts dropped proportionately. Lime. Domestic sales of lime, which fell slightly to 7,770,545tons in 1952,reached an all-time high of 8,356,546 tons in 1953. A little over half of the 1953 output went into chemical and other industrial uses; the remainder into agricultural and building applications. Magnesium. Primary magnesium production in 1953 was 93,075 tons, about 12% below 1952. About one third was produced a t Dow Chemical Co.'s Freeport, Tex., plant, the balance in six of the seven government-owned plants, which were rehabilitated in 1951 and 1952. Magneaium consumption fell about 15% below 1952, chiefly because of smaller demand for structural products by the armed forces. But more magnesium was used in alloys, for additions to gray cast iron to produce ductile csst iron, for use in deoxidation and desulfurization of steel, and 88 a reducing agent in the production of titanium and eirconium. Stocks of magnesium were su5cient by mid-1953 to justify closing of all the government-owned plants except the one at Velasco, Tex. Manganese. Imports into the United States of manganese ore, which dropped somewhat in 1951, rose sharfily in 1952 to 2,668,557tons, and totaled 3,514,353tons in
h.kr*kn and Value HOSPHAlE ROCK
dliii
I939
1947
1951
1912
I953
J O
rii
SALT (Sodium Chloride)
rntlirar of d o h
O I 60
Ill I Ilml I
1111
SULFUR
1112
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISYRY
1953. Domestic mine shipments experienced a similar drop in 1951 and sharp recovery in 1952 and 1953. Consumption from all sources rose from 1,918,OoOtons in 1952 to 2,254,000tons in 1953. About 27,000 tons of foreign, high-grade manganese ore was used in the manufacture of chemicals, and another 41,000 in the manufacture of dry cell batteries. Mercury. Industrial consumption of mercury rose 23% above 1952. The 1952 and 1953 gains were in part due to the opening of three new chlorine and caustic soda plants using mercury cella. But it was still 8% below therecord consumption in 1951. Use of mercury for insecticides, fungicides, and bactericides also rose in 1953, but other uses declined. Domestic consumption in 1953 was 52,400 flasks, about 10,000flasks above 1952. Domestic production of 14,330 flasks was 14% above 1952. Imports in 1953 rose to 85,784 flaaks. Prices, which were over $220 per flask in 1952,dropped to $183 in the fall of 1953, and rose again in the spring of 1954 to $235. Phosphate Rock and htnsh. Marketable phosphate rock production increased 10% to an estimated total of 13,100,000long tons, valued at $78,500,000. Potash production was estinurted at 1,800,000tons of KIO equivalent, valued at over ~opoO,OOO, an 8% increase over 1952. Salt. Nearly 20,000,OOO tons of salt were produced in the United States in 1952. This was slightly under 1951 and is due to decreasing production of soda ash, for which
Vol. 46.No. 6
salt is the raw material. Production in 1953 is estimated to equal 1952. Sulfur. Sulfur production in 1953 continued its steady climb begun in 1950,although production from pyrites of 994,342tons in 1952 waa slightly below the all-time high (1,017,769tons) reached in 1951. The s ~ p p l ysituation improved sufficiently by November 1952 so that controla on domestic consumption were re moved. But a fine supply-demand balance continu-. Sulfur exports in 1952 were about 1,300,000tons and are expected to be slightly under this figure for 1953. Several new domes were discovered in the United States and Mexico, assuring additional suppliee. Tin. Total domestic consumption of tin rose 5% in 1953 to 83,500long tons. Allocation controls over pig tin were completely removed in February 1953. Tin imports fell about 8% to 74,540long tons. About 60% of metallic tin imports were from Malaya. The chemical industry uses a large tonnage of tin in many compounds, including tin oxide and chloride, stannous sulfate, and sodium and potassium stannate. Eleetrolytic tin plating takes large quantities of these compounds. Tin platers, the largest consumers of tin, increased their use by 17% in 1953, keeping their proportionate use (60% of total primary tin) in both 1952 and 1953. Titanium. Record commercial domestic production of titanium metal and pigment was reached in 1953. Output of titanium metal in l95a waa about double that of 1952. Titanium pigment production last year was up 6% and
. 1
-METALS
AND MINERALS
'Production" and Value of Selected Items Value
Quanti@
@antit#
. Vdue
182.771 329,484 341,300 345,400 328.891
$
Fl"OnpW
393 5.316 3,472 2,160 2 3 7
1947 1951 1952 1953
s
97 3,556 3,067 1,902 1,528
AneniP 22,341 18,755 16,190 15,673 10,873
1,340 2,251 2,105 1,881 1,196
2,071 4,254 4,156 4 284 4,864
2,654 13,358 21,194 19,095 19,458
~
Chmlh
1939 1947 1951 1952 1953
4,048 948 6,897 21,000 57,000
47 26 621 1,890 5.130
4,621 1,829 1,981 1.893 1,691
161.720 64,022 69,323 66.264 59,192
1939 .~.. 1947 1951 1952 1953
1939 1947 1951 1952 1953
0 338 378 418
52,322 112,047 144,556 163,032
16,872 336,533 535,835 528,588 481.064
137 5,038 8.064 8,114 7.800
888
..
63.872 35,757 39,767 39.452 36.737
TYdguHI.
60% W08'
1,550 4,070 4,656 4,947 5.000
1939 1947 1951 1952 1953
....
n.1.
516.408 910,652 1,017.769 994,342
I.wO,OW
BITUMINOUS COAL AND UOwm 1939
&6 7 2 8
VALUE OF SALES 395 VOWME
1941
OF PRODUCTION 631
dgZ6
1951 1952
-go9
1953
*did4' million af *on tans
millions of dollon
1939
n
1947 1951
1939 1947 1951 1952 1953
0
n.a.
MINERAL FUELS hadudon a d Value
ANTHRACITE 64 501 1,387 1,891 2,112
6.282 ~,~..
3,603 3.081 6,214 7,600 9,447
1952
m
a
d
43,355 32,360 35,989 35,704 33,247
:
?
b d ?$
1953 million af *on tons
siiV.,, i o ~ n n .
P W n , lo"# ton*=
1939 1947 1951 1952 1953
1939 1947 1951 1952 1953
Ilmenih
coball 1939 1947 1951 1952 1953
3,705 10,955 14,133 16,009 16,426
Helium. lo00 cw. A.
bdmium
1939 1947 1951 1952 1953
1939 1947 1951 1952 1953
OOM,IOKNI~.~Z.
1939 1947 1951 1952 1953
1113
I N Dv S T R I A L A N D E N 0 I N E E R I N 0 C H E M I S T R Y
June 1954
............................................................ millions of ddhn
PETROLEUM. C N d e
br'2" 1,265 1947
3,700 4,336 22,751 28,929 35,710
1951
l9SZ 1953
............................................................ ndliins of hmlr
shipments 14% over 1952. Four chemicnl firms were producing titanium pigments in 1953. Two of the firms announced expansion plans in 1953. American Cyanamid Co.said it would build a $14,000,000 titanium pigment plant near Savannah, Ga. E. I. du Pont de Nemoun & Co., he., reported the expansion of titanium pigment facilities at Newport, Del.
NATURAL @AS
Mineral Fuels
1952
New highs were reached in 1953 in both physical volume and value of petroleum and natural gaa production, but coal continued to decline. Petroleum. Domestic petroleum production rose 3.3% in 1953 to a record 2,359,000,000barrels. Total demand (domes4ic and export) averaged 8,000,000barrels daily, an increase of 300,000 barrels a day (or about 4%) over 1952.
1947 1951
1923 Y h el d k fnt I u r m U.S. BUIfAU OF MINES
millionr of dollars
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
1114
COST OF FUELS AND ELcCtRlC ENERQY malm3 I( Wlln
0
200
IW
1204
I400 1600
1800 20W
primary .mehl produds
H
chemicals and d i e d products
lSo0
food and kindred products
p a p r and allied products
lexh% mill prodUlh
I952 + I951 -t
I
1W-
I I I ""I"/
I
I
I
1920
1910
1940
0
I
I
I920
I 1930
I940
I950
1920
1930
1940
I950
I IM
1940
01
1910
I I I950
mu,, 1011
IO00
Imports of crude oil in 1953 were up to 236,000,000 barrels, rising 27,000,000 barrels (or 13%) over 1952. There was some stockpiling of gasoline and distillate and some unsteadiness in price began to show up late in 1953. Natural Gas. Marketed production of natural gas in 1953 was 8425 billion cubic feet, or about 5% above 1952. Average value of gas a t wells continued to rise, averaging 8.5 cents a thousand cnhic feet against 7.8 cents in 1952. Biggest disappointment to the gas producers was the U. S. Supreme Court refusal to review a lower court decision that directed the Federal Power Commission to regulate field prices of gas destined for interstate pipelines. Coal. Bituminous coal and lignite production in 1953, estimated at 450,000,000 tons, was down 4% from 1952. The number of men employed in the mines reached an alltime low for the 20th century, about 250,000 men. During the postwar reconversion period about 435,000 men worked in the mines, producing a peak output in 1947 of 630,000,000 tons. Only the electric power and steel industries continued to hold up their demand a t about 250,000,000 tons a year. The 30,000,000 tons of anthracite mined in 1953 represents a 26% drop from 1952. The decline continued a t a lower rate into 1954 and is attributed partly to sharper competition from fuel oil and natural gas following the extension of new natural gas lines into anthracite regions, and partly to mild winters. Coke and Coal Chemicals. Cokeoven use of coal was up 16% over 1952, and on a par with 1951. Over 1000 new ovens went into operation during 1953. Although many of them were replacements, thc industry gained about 4,000,000 tons of coke-oven capacity, which a t the end of the year totaled about 80,000,000 tons annually. Production of coal chemicals paralleled increase in coke-oven output and reached about $388,000,000in value.
I
LEAD L l N l l If d*n M
low aoo 600
400
200 0
1910
ZINC Ih*ahOf 4 . "
*I
600
300
I
I
1910
1920
I
I 1 1950
