And then there were…still three producers of andalusite! Andalusite Resources mining andalusite at Maroeloesfontein, Limpopo province, South Africa. The long-awaited decision by South African authorities has appeared to have finally quashed Imerys’ hopes of amalgamating one of the world’s two independent producers of the refractory mineral andalusite. In a statement issued today the [...]
Supply and demand trends revealed by Simon Moores, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence The use of graphite in lithium-ion batteries has been a huge topic of discussion over the last few years. Naturally, this has ramped up interest in the carbon mineral and demand appears to be growing. How the increase in graphite consumption in Li-ion batteries [...]
Announcing IMFORMED's Refractory Raw Material World Sources Map® Primary world sources and production capacity of key refractory raw materials As we know, the physical and chemical properties of industrial minerals make good their application in a wide variety of industrial and domestic uses. Manufacturing of refractory products is one of the most important markets for industrial [...]
Early Bird Registration Closing Today Register Now! Confirmed speakers The graphite supply chain: the rising criticality of niche minerals versus commodities Mike O’Driscoll, Director, IMFORMED, UK Graphite: An independent supply/demand forecast for 2017 onwards Simon Moores, Managing Director, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, UK Refractories: Global trends and the future for graphite’s biggest market Dr Paschoal Bonadia [...]
In Memoriam: William H. McCracken 1923-2016 It is with great sadness that we report the passing of William H. “Bill” McCracken, aged 92. Bill passed away of heart failure, in Lima, Peru on 7 August after suffering two mini-strokes earlier in the year. Bill McCracken was a legend in the field of refractory raw materials, and [...]
Direct sourcing of Chinese high grade fused and dead burned magnesia One of China’s leading magnesia producers, Liaoning Jinding Magnesite Group Co. Ltd (JDMG), has named Jinding USA (JDUSA) its exclusive magnesia sales agent and exporter for North, Central and South America. JDUSA, based in Pennsylvania, was recently established by James Piraino, its President, formerly [...]
Graphite Supply Chain 2016 | The world’s new meeting place for the natural graphite industry As industrial minerals go, graphite can be as exciting as it gets (no disrespect to US frac sand developers in the mid-2000s!). There are few commercially developed sources, distinct grade development and specifications are required, and processing and logistics can [...]
Oilfield Minerals Forum 2016 Review Despite the cautious rally of oil prices in recent weeks the oil industry has remained depressed. In such downturns it is often imperative to glean market knowledge as never before. So perhaps it was no surprise that last week’s Oilfield Minerals & Markets Forum Houston 2016 organised by IMFORMED with [...]
MagForum 2016 Review Austria is host to some wonderful scenery and culture, but it is also the home of the modern magnesia industry, and thus Vienna was a most fitting venue for IMFORMED’s inaugural magnesium minerals and markets conference MagForum 2016, 9-11 May 2016. RHI's Weissenstein magnesite mine, Austria Last week 130 international [...]
The BIG picture for oilfield mineral demand Have we reached the bottom of the oil price decline and tentative recovery is on the way? Perhaps. Oil prices have consistently risen in the last few weeks and while there remains caution in the market, there are signs that perhaps the corner has been turned and there [...]
