Attapulgite Ball Clay Bentonite Calcium Bentonite Common Clay |
Fire Clay Hectorite Kaolin Meerschaum Palygorskite |
Refractory Clay Saponite Sepiolite Shale Sodium Bentonite |
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Six types of clays are mined in the United States: ball clay, bentonite, common clay, fire clay, fuller's earth, and kaolin. Mineral composition, plasticity, color, absorption qualities, firing characteristics, and clarification properties are a few of the characteristics used to distinguish between the different clay types. Major domestic markets for these clays are as follows: sanitaryware and ceramic tile for ball clays; absorbents, drilling mud, foundry sand bonding agent, and iron ore pelletizing for bentonite; brick, lightweight aggregate, and portland cement clinker for common clay and shale; refractories for fire clay; absorbents for fuller's earth; and paper and refractory markets for kaolin. |
Publications
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Annual Publications
- Clays
PDF Format:
| 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | - Appendixes
- Clay and Shale
PDF Format:
| 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
XLS Format:
| 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | - Archive
| 1932-1993 |
Special Publications
- Historical Statistics for Mineral and Material Commodities in the United States
Data Series 140 - Statistical Compendium
- USGS Information Handout
Other Sources of Information
- References on Bentonite (PDF)
- References on Ball Clay (PDF)
- References on Fullers Earth (PDF)
- References on Kaolin (PDF)
Contacts
- USGS Mineral Commodity Specialist
Robert L. Virta
Phone: 703-648-7726
Fax: 703-648-7757
Email: rvirta@usgs.gov
- USGS Mineral Resource Specialist