MICA (NATURAL), SHEET1/ (Data in metric tons, unless noted) Domestic Production and Use: A minor amount of sheet mica, estimated at less than 500 kilograms, was produced in 1995. The domestic consuming industry was dependent on imports and shipments of Government stockpile excesses to meet demand. During 1995, an estimated 920 tons of mica split block and mica splittings valued at $1.3 million was consumed by 14 companies in 7 States, mainly in the East and Midwest. Most was fabricated into parts for electronic and electrical equipment. An additional 1,200 tons of imported worked mica valued at $7.8 million was also consumed. Salient Statistics--United States: 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995e/ Production, minee/ (2/) (2/) (2/) (2/) (2/) Imports, split block, splittings, other 2,340 3,460 4,310 6,320 9,430 Exports, crude and rifted, and plates, sheets, and strips 616 606 909 1,110 1,310 Shipments from Government stockpile excesses 2 264 165 134 600 Consumption, apparent 1,780 2,250 2,180 5,350 8,710 Price, average value, dollars per kilogram, muscovite mica, reported: Block 85 80 95 66 80 Splittings 1.54 1.53 1.55 1.59 1.60 Stocks, fabricator and trader, yearende/ NA NA 502 503 510 Net import reliance3/ as a percent of apparent consumption 100 100 100 100 100 Recycling: None. Import Sources (1991-94): India, 88%; Brazil, 4%; Finland, 3%; China, 2%; and other, 3%. Tariff: Item Number Most favored nation (MFN) Non-MFN4/ 12/31/95 12/31/95 Split block mica 2525.10.0010 Free Free. Mica splittings 2525.10.0020 Free Free. Unworked-other 2525.10.0050 Free Free. Plates, sheets, and strips of agglomerated or reconstructed mica 6814.10.0000 Free Free. Worked mica and articles of mica-other 6814.90.0000 Free Free. Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign). Government Stockpile: Stockpile Status--9-30-95 Uncommitted Committed Authorized Disposals Material inventory inventory for disposal Jan.-Sept. 95 Block: Muscovite 1,895 116 1,836 321 Phlogopite 59 -- -- -- Film, muscovite 337 123 337 132 Splittings: Muscovite 6,234 59 6,234 59 Phlogopite 546 13 542 26 Prepared by James B. Hedrick, (703) 648-7725. MICA (NATURAL), SHEET Events, Trends, and Issues: Demand for sheet mica remained at about the same level as that of the previous year. Imports remained the primary source of sheet mica, and shipments from Government stockpile excesses remained a minor source of supply. The availability of good quality mica remains in short supply. There were no environmental problems associated with the manufacture of mica products. World Mine Production, Reserves, and Reserve Base: Mine production Reserves5/ Reserve base5/ 1994 1995e/ United States (2/) (2/) Very small Small India 3,000 3,000 Very large Very large Russia 1,500 1,500 Moderate Large Other countries 900 900 Moderate Large World total 5,400 5,400 Large Large World Resources: There has been no formal evaluation of world resources of sheet mica because of the sporadic occurrence of this material. Large deposits of mica-bearing rock are known to exist in countries such as Brazil, India, and Madagascar. Limited resources of sheet mica are available in the United States. These domestic resources are uneconomic because of the high cost of hand labor required to mine and process the sheet mica. Substitutes: Many materials can be substituted for mica in many electrical and electronic uses. Substitutes include acrylic, Benelex, cellulose acetate, Delrin(r), Duranel N(r), fiberglass, fishpaper, Kapton(r), Kel F(r), Kydex(r), Lexan(r), Lucite(r), Mylar(r), nylon, nylatron, Nomex(r), Noryl(r), phenolics, Plexiglass(r), polycarbonate, polyester, styrene, Teflon(r), vinyl-PVC, and vulcanized fiber. Mica paper made from scrap mica can be substituted for sheet mica in electrical uses. e/Estimated. NA Not available. 1/See also Mica (Natural), Scrap and Flake. 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. Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 1996