BISMUTH (Data in metric tons of bismuth content, unless noted) Domestic Production and Use: One refinery in Nebraska produced bismuth as a byproduct of lead refining. Thirty-five companies in the Eastern United States accounted for 84% of the bismuth reported consumed in 1995. Based on the average annual price, reported consumption was valued at $12.2 million. Bismuth was used in pharmaceuticals and chemicals, 53%; fusible alloys and solders, 28%; metallurgical additives, 17%; and other, 2%. Salient Statistics--United States: 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995e/ Production, refinery W W W W W Imports for consumption 1,410 1,620 1,330 1,660 1,400 Exports1/ 75 90 70 160 120 Shipments from Government stockpile excesses 57 91 -- 145 139 Consumption, reported 1,260 1,300 1,300 1,470 1,500 Price, average, domestic dealer, dollars per pound 3.00 2.66 2.50 3.25 3.75 Stocks, yearend, consumer 247 272 323 297 350 Employment, plante/ 30 30 30 30 30 Net import reliance2/ as a percent of apparent consumption W W W W W Recycling: Bismuth was recovered from fusible alloy scrap, contributing about 5% of the U.S. supply. Import Sources (1991-94): Mexico, 37%; Belgium, 27%; China, 12%; Peru, 8%; and other, 16%. Tariff:Item Number Most favored nation (MFN) Non-MFN3/ 12/31/95 12/31/95 Articles thereof, including waste and scrap 8106.00.0000 Free 7.5% ad val. 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 Bismuth 366 136 366 139 Events, Trends, and Issues: Growth in the domestic consumption of bismuth was slow despite the development of several new applications designed to provide nontoxic substitutes for lead. New products include bismuth brass, pigments, ceramic glazes, fishing sinkers, shot for hunting, solders, lubricating greases, and crystal ware. In order to make a large impact on the market, lead would have to be restricted or banned for a significant use, such as plumbing fixtures. Seven large faucet makers, representing about one-half of domestic faucet sales, agreed to remove essentially all lead from plumbing fixtures in the settlement of a suit brought by California and the Natural Resources Defense Fund. The brass industry tested several bismuth and bismuth-selenium free-machining brasses that could be used as a replacement for leaded brass in plumbing fixtures. Both machining and leach test results were very encouraging. Selenium is added to lower the amount of bismuth required. Prepared by Robert D. Brown, Jr., (703) 648-4984. BISMUTH World production of bismuth also has remained fairly flat due mainly to low prices and level demand. In 1994 and 1995, output from China and Korea decreased because of reduced tungsten production. World lead production has also declined in recent years, limiting the amount of bismuth that can be produced. Concerns over possible shortages caused the price to increase rapidly in July 1994, from about $2.50 per pound to $4.00 per pound. Since then, the price has been lowered to $3.65 per pound. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) sold 139 tons of bismuth from the National Defense Stockpile in 1995; this was slightly more than the entire amount authorized for disposal in fiscal year 1995. The DLA was authorized to dispose of 136 tons in fiscal year 1996. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service again conditionally approved the use of 97% bismuth-3% tin shot for waterfowl hunting in the 1995-96 hunting season. Recent studies have shown bismuth-tin shot to be nontoxic to waterfowl. Bismuth-tin shot is an alternative to steel shot, which replaced lead shot for waterfowl hunting several years ago. Bismuth-tin shot has much better dropping power than steel shot. The feasibility study for the Tasna Mine in Bolivia was completed. It is the only mine in the world where bismuth is the primary product. World Mine Production, Reserves, and Reserve Base: Mine production Reserves4/ Reserve base4/ 1994 1995e/ United States W W 9,000 14,000 Australia -- -- 18,000 27,000 Bolivia -- -- 5,000 10,000 Canada 131 150 5,000 30,000 China 700 800 20,000 40,000 Japan 150 150 9,000 18,000 Kazakstan 25 25 5,000 10,000 Mexico 900 950 10,000 20,000 Peru 1,000 1,000 11,000 42,000 Other countries 110 100 15,000 35,000 World total (rounded) 5/ 3,020 5/ 3,200 110,000 250,000 World Resources: Bismuth is recovered in the United States during the processing of domestic and imported lead ores and concentrates. Other potential domestic sources include byproduct recovery from molybdenum or tungsten processing, although most of these domestic reserves are subeconomic. World reserves of bismuth are usually associated with lead deposits, except in China and Korea, where bismuth is found with tungsten ores, and Australia, where it is found with copper-gold ores. Bismuth minerals rarely occur in sufficient quantities to be mined as principal products, except in Bolivia and possibly China. Substitutes: Antibiotics, magnesia, and alumina can replace bismuth in pharmaceutical applications. Titanium dioxide-coated mica flakes and fish scale extracts are substitutes in pigment uses. Indium can replace bismuth in low-temperature solders. Resins can replace bismuth alloys in holding jigs for machining. Glycerine-filled glass bulbs replace bismuth alloys as a triggering device for fire sprinklers. Selenium, tellurium, or lead could replace bismuth in free machining alloys. e/Estimated. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data. 1/Includes bismuth, bismuth alloys, and waste and scrap. 2/Defined as imports - exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 3/See Appendix B. 4/Most of reserves and reserve base represent bismuth recoverable from the lead reserve base. See Appendix C for definitions. 5/Excludes U.S. production. Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 1996