Nitrogen
D.A. Kramer
2007, Mining Engineering (59) 44-45
Ammonia was produced by 15 companies at 25 plants in 16 states in the United States during 2006. Fifty-seven percent of U.S. ammonia production capacity was centered in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas because of their large reserves of natural gas, the dominant domestic feedstock. In 2006, U.S. producers operated at...
EAARL Topography-Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
John Brock, C. Wayne Wright, Amar Nayegandhi, Matt Patterson, Laurinda J. Travers
2007, Open-File Report 2007-1394
This Web site contains lidar-derived bare earth (BE) and first return (FR) topography maps and GIS files for the Sagamore Hill National Historic Site. These lidar-derived topography maps were produced as a collaborative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coastal and Marine Geology Program, FISC St. Petersburg, Florida, the National...
Applying the scientific method when assessing the influence of migratory birds on the dispersal of H5N1
Paul L. Flint
2007, Virology Journal (4)
Background The role of wild birds in the dispersal of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 continues to be the subject of considerable debate. However, some researchers functionally examining the same question are applying opposing null hypotheses when examining this issue. Discussion I describe the...
Industrial diamond
D.W. Olson
2007, Mining Engineering (59) 37-38
World production of natural and synthetic industrial diamond was about 648 million carats in 2006, with 79 percent of the production coming from Ireland, Japan, Russia, South Africa, and the U.S. U.S. consumption was was an estimated 602 million carats, imports were over 391 million carats, and exports were about...
Mineral resource of the month: talc
Robert Virta, Brad Van Gosen
2007, Geotimes (2007)
When most people think of talc, they probably think of talcum and baby powder. However, these uses of talc are quite minor compared to its wide variety of applications in manufacturing. The leading use of talc is in the production of ceramics, where it acts as a source of magnesium...
Gemstones
D.W. Olson
2007, Mining Engineering (59) 32-33
Part of the 2006 industrial minerals review. During 2006, total U.S. gemstone trade with all countries and territories exceeded $28.3 billion. Estimates indicate that U.S. gemstone markets accounted for over 35 percent of world gemstone demand in 2006. Natural gemstone production from U.S. deposits during 2006 was worth an estimated...
Magnesium compounds
D.A. Kramer
2007, Mining Engineering (59) 43-44
Seawater and natural brines accounted for about 52 percent of U.S. magnesium compounds production in 2006. Dead-burned magnesia was produced by Martin Marietta Magnesia Specialties from well brines in Michigan. Caustic-calcined magnesia was recovered from sea-water by Premier Chemicals in Florida; from well brines in Michigan by Martin Marietta and...
Exploration review
D.R. Wilburn
2007, Mining Engineering (59) 37-47
This summary of international mineral exploration activities for 2006 draws upon available information from literature, industry and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) specialists. The summary provides data on exploration budgets by region and mineral commodity, identifies significant mineral discoveries and areas of mineral exploration, discusses government programs affecting the mineral exploration...
Industrial garnet
D.W. Olson
2007, Mining Engineering (59) 38-39
World production of industrial garnet was about 326 kt in 2006, with the U.S. producing about 11 percent of this total. U.S. consumption, imports, and exports were estimated at 74.3 kt, 52.3 kt, and 13.2 kt, respectively. The most important exporters are Australia, China, and India. Although demand is expected...
Ball clay
R.L. Virta
2007, Mining Engineering (59) 19-19
The article offers information on ball clay. Among the companies that mine ball clay in the U.S. are H.C. Spinks Clay, Kentucky-Tennessee Clay and Old Hickory Clay. In 2006, an estimated 1.2 million tons of the mineral was sold or used domestically and exported. Forty-percent of the total sales is...
Petroleum systems of the San Joaquin Basin Province, California -- geochemical characteristics of oil types: Chapter 9 in Petroleum systems and geologic assessment of oil and gas in the San Joaquin Basin Province, California
Paul G. Lillis, Leslie B. Magoon
2007, Professional Paper 1713-9
New analyses of 120 oil samples combined with 139 previously published oil analyses were used to characterize and map the distribution of oil types in the San Joaquin Basin, California. The results show that there are at least four oil types designated MM, ET, EK, and CM. Most of the...
Fluorspar
M. Miller
2007, Mining Engineering (59) 30-32
Apart from some fluorspar by-product, there was no U.S. production of fluorspar in 2006. Imports were 553 kt, nearly 14 percent less than in 2005, and China was by far the largest supplier. China's changing export policy and high ocean freight rates indicate that delivered prices for fluorspar may increase...
Mineral resource of the month: zirconium and hafnium
Joseph Gambogi
2007, Geotimes (2007)
Zirconium and hafnium are corrosion-resistant metals that are grouped in the same family as titanium on the periodic table. The two elements commonly occur in oxide and silicate minerals and have significant economic importance in everything from ink, ceramics and golf shoes to nuclear fuel rods....
Mineral resource of the month: wollastonite
Robert Virta, Brad Van Gosen
2007, Geotimes (2007)
When asked about wollastonite, most people respond “wollasta-what?” That’s because the wollastonite industry in the United States is relatively small and not highly publicized. Furthermore, the general public does not have any direct contact with wollastonite despite its use in many consumer products, ranging from car brakes to paint....
Source-rock geochemistry of the San Joaquin Basin Province, California: Chapter 11 in Petroleum systems and geologic assessment of oil and gas in the San Joaquin Basin Province, California
Kenneth E. Peters, Leslie B. Magoon, Zenon C. Valin, Paul G. Lillis
2007, Professional Paper 1713-11
Source-rock thickness and organic richness are important input parameters required for numerical modeling of the geohistory of petroleum systems. Present-day depth and thickness maps for the upper Miocene Monterey Formation, Eocene Tumey formation of Atwill (1935), Eocene Kreyenhagen Formation, and Cretaceous-Paleocene Moreno Formation source rocks in the San Joaquin Basin...
Mineral resource of the month: silver
William E. Brooks
2007, Geotimes (2007)
Silver has been used for thousands of years as ornaments and utensils, for trade and as the basis of many monetary systems. The metal has played an important part in world history. Silver from the mines at Laurion, Greece, for example, financed the Greek victory over the Persians in 480...
Mineral resource of the month: steel
Michael D. Fenton
2007, Geotimes (2007)
About 96 million metric tons of steel was produced in the United States last year — more than any other metal. And the $3.46 billion of iron and steel scrap exported was also the highest of any metal scrap export, helping to reduce the U.S. trade deficit....
Kaolin
R.L. Virta
2007, Mining Engineering (59) 39-40
Part of the 2006 industrial minerals review. U.S. kaolin production was an estimated 7.74 Mt in 2006, with 7.1 Mt produced by Georgia. Imports increased from 262 kt in 2005 to about 303 kt in 2006, whereas exports decreased from 3.58 Mt in 2005 to 3.54 Mt in 2006. Inexpensive...
Mineral resource of the month: phosphate rock
Stephen M. Jasinski
2007, Geotimes (2007)
Phosphate rock minerals provide the only significant global resources of phosphorus, which is an essential element for plant and animal nutrition. Phosphate rock is used primarily as a principal component of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, but also to produce elemental phosphorus and animal feed....
Mineral resource of the month: thallium
Xiaoyu Bi
2007, Geotimes (2007)
Thallium is known as a poison, its use initially suspected in the recent death of a Russian spy, but it has a variety of more important applications in everything from medical imaging to wireless communications....
EAARL Submarine Topography - Northern Florida Keys Reef Tract
John Brock, C. Wayne Wright, Amar Nayegandhi, Matt Patterson, Laurinda J. Travers, Iris Wilson
2007, Open-File Report 2007-1432
This Web site contains 32 Lidar-derived bare earth topography maps and GIS files for the Northern Florida Keys Reef Tract. These lidar-derived submarine topographic maps were produced as a collaborative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coastal and Marine Geology Program, FISC St. Petersburg, Florida, the National Park Service (NPS)...
Construction aggregates
T.I. Nelson, W.P. Bolen
2007, Mining Engineering (59) 26-27
Construction aggregates, primarily stone, sand and gravel, are recovered from widespread naturally occurring mineral deposits and processed for use primarily in the construction industry. They are mined, crushed, sorted by size and sold loose or combined with portland cement or asphaltic cement to make concrete products to build roads, houses,...
Mineral resource of the month: kyanite
Michael J. Potter
2007, Geotimes (2007)
Kyanite and related minerals are used in making refractories, which are materials that can withstand high-temperature environments, generally in excess of 1,100 degrees Celsius. Refractories form an inner lining to furnaces, kilns and other containers with which molten metals and glass come into contact. Fifty to 70 percent of global...
Mineral resource of the month: niobium (columbium)
John F. Papp
2007, Geotimes (2007)
It’s not just diamonds associated with conflict in Africa. Coltan, short for columbite-tantalite (a blend of niobium — also called columbium — and tantalum minerals), is linked with the recent conflicts in the Congo that involved several African countries. The metallic ore, which is processed to separate out niobium and...
EAARL Topography-Padre Island National Seashore
John Brock, C. Wayne Wright, Amar Nayegandhi, Matt Patterson, Iris Wilson, Laurinda J. Travers
2007, Open-File Report 2007-1431
This Web site contains 116 Lidar-derived bare earth topography maps and GIS files for Padre Island National Seashore-Texas. These Lidar-derived topography maps were produced as a collaborative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Florida Integrated Science Center (FISC) St. Petersburg, Florida, the National Park Service (NPS) Gulf Coast Network, Inventory...
