TELLURIUM (Data in metric tons of tellurium content, unless noted) Domestic Production and Use: Tellurium and tellurium dioxide of commercial grades were recovered from anode slimes at one electrolytic copper refinery in the United States. High-purity tellurium, tellurium master alloys, and tellurium compounds were produced by primary and intermediate processors from commercial-grade metal and tellurium dioxide. Tellurium was used mainly in the production of free-machining steels. It was used as a minor additive in copper and lead alloys and malleable cast iron, as an accelerator in rubber compounding, in thermoelectric applications, and as a semiconductor in thermal-imaging and photoelectric applications. Tellurium was added to selenium-base photoreceptor alloys to increase the photo speed. In 1995, the estimated consumption was for iron and steel products, 50%; catalysts and chemicals, 25%; additives to nonferrous alloys, 10%; photoreceptors and thermoelectric devices, 10%; and other uses, 5%. Salient Statistics--United States: 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 Production, refinery W W W W W Imports for consumption: Unwrought, waste and scrap1/ 29 48 45 27 40 Exports NA NA NA NA NA Consumption, apparent NA NA NA NA NA Price, dollars per pound, 99.7% minimum2/ 32 35 30 26 27 Stocks, producer, refined, yearend W W W W W Employment NA NA NA NA NA Net import reliance3/ as a percent of apparent consumption NA NA NA NA NA Recycling: There was no domestic secondary production of tellurium. However, some tellurium may have been recovered abroad from selenium-base photoreceptor scrap exported for recycling. Import Sources (1991-94): Belgium, 20%; United Kingdom, 18%; Japan, 17%; Philippines, 16%; and other, 29%. Tariff: Item Number Most favored nation (MFN) Non-MFN4/ 12/31/95 12/31/95 Metal 2804.50.0000 Free 25.0% ad val. Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign). Government Stockpile: None. Prepared by Robert D. Brown, Jr., (703) 648-4984. TELLURIUM Events, Trends, and Issues: Domestic and world tellurium demand increased in 1995, and production also increased, resulting in a moderate increase in stocks. Detailed information on the world tellurium market was not available. Cadmium-telluride remains among the most promising thin-film photovoltaic (PV) module compounds for power generation, achieving some of the highest power conversion ratios yet obtained. Domestic manufacturers are in a partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratories, part of the U.S. Department of Energy, to develop the U.S. PV industry and to enhance its worldwide competitiveness. World Refinery Production, Reserves, and Reserve Base: Refinery production Reserves5/ Reserve base5/ 1994 1995e/ United States W W 3,000 6,000 Canada 27 30 700 1,500 Japan 48 50 -- -- Peru 19 20 500 1,600 Other countries NA NA 16,000 29,000 World total (rounded) 6/ NA 6/ NA 20,000 38,000 World Resources: The reserve base includes only tellurium contained in economic copper deposits. Significant quantities of tellurium are contained in economic gold and lead deposits, but currently none is recovered. Deposits of coal, copper, and other metals that are undeveloped or of subeconomic grade contain several times the amount of tellurium contained in identified economic copper deposits. However, it is unlikely that tellurium contained in these deposits can be recovered economically. Substitutes: The chief substitutes for tellurium are selenium, bismuth, and lead in metallurgical applications; selenium and sulfur in rubber compound applications; and selenium, germanium, and organic compounds in electronic applications. e/Estimated. NA Not available. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. 1/Imports of boron and tellurium are grouped together under the Harmonized Code System; however, imports of boron are thought to be small relative to tellurium. 2/Yearend prices quoted by the sole producer. 3/Defined as imports - exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 4/See Appendix B. 5/See Appendix C for definitions. Tellurium contained in copper resources only. 6/In addition to the countries listed, Australia, Germany, Kazakstan, the Philippines, Russia, and the United Kingdom produce refined tellurium, but output is not reported, and available information is inadequate for formulation of reliable production estimates. Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 1996