INDIUM (Data in metric tons, unless noted) Domestic Production and Use: No indium was recovered from ores in the United States in 1995. Domestic indium production was derived from the upgrading of lower-grade imported indium metal. Two companies, one each in New York and Rhode Island, were the major producers of indium metal and indium products in 1995. Several firms produced high-purity indium shapes, alloys, and compounds. Thin film coatings, which are used in applications such as liquid crystal displays and electroluminescent lamps, continued to be the largest end use. Indium semiconductor compounds were used in infrared detectors, high-speed transistors, and high-efficiency photovoltaic devices. Estimated uses in 1995 were about the same as in 1994: coatings, 45%; solders and alloys, 35%; electrical components and semiconductors, 15%; and research and other, 5%. The estimated value of primary metal consumed in 1995, based on the average price, was $16.1 million. Salient Statistics--United States: 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995e/ Production, refinery NA NA NA NA -- Imports for consumption 36.3 36.3 73.4 70.2 73.0 Exports NA NA NA NA NA Consumptione/ 30.0 30.0 35.0 40.0 43.0 Price, average annual, dollars per kilogram (99.97% indium) 230 218 200 138 375 Stocks, producer, yearend NA NA NA NA NA Employment NA NA NA NA NA Net import reliance1/ as a percent of apparent consumption NA NA NA NA NA Recycling: Small quantities of old scrap were recycled. Substantial amounts of new scrap were recovered from the fabrication of indium products. Import Sources (1991-94): Canada, 51%; France, 14%; Italy, 12%; Belgium, 7%; Russia, 7%; and other, 9%. Imports from Russia increased dramatically in 1994. Tariff: Item Number Most favored nation (MFN) Non-MFN2/ 12/31/95 12/31/95 Unwrought, waste and scrap 8112.91.3000 Free 25% ad. val. Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign). Government Stockpile: Stockpile Status--9-30-95 Uncommitted Committed Authorized Disposals Material inventory inventory for disposal Jan.-Sept. 95 Indium 1.56 -- -- -- Prepared by Robert D. Brown, Jr., (703) 648-4984. INDIUM Events, Trends, and Issues: Estimated domestic indium consumption increased to 43 tons. Concern over increased world demand resulted in price increases beginning in January and continuing through most of 1995. World production increased slightly in 1995, as the world market remained close to a balance of supply and demand. Producers were barely able to keep pace with growing world demand, especially in Japan, which consumes more than 80 tons per year, almost all for electronic applications. Canada remained the world's largest producer of indium, with output from the major producer being marketed through a U.S. company. World Refinery Production, Reserves, and Reserve Base: Refinery productione/ Reserves3/ Reserve base3/ 1994 1995 United States NA -- 300 600 Belgium 18 18 (4/) (4/) Canada 40 40 700 2,000 China 10 10 400 1,000 France 25 25 (4/) (4/) Italy 12 12 (4/) (4/) Japan 30 33 100 150 Peru 1 4 100 150 Russia 5 5 200 300 Other countries 4 4 800 1,500 World total (may be rounded) 145 150 2,600 5,700 World Resources: Indium occurs predominantly in solid solution in sphalerite, a sulfide ore of zinc. Significant quantities of indium also are contained in ores of copper, lead, and tin, but many deposits are either subeconomic or information does not exist to formulate reliable estimates. Indium is recovered almost exclusively as a byproduct of zinc. Estimates of the average indium content of the Earth's crust range from 50 to 200 parts per billion. The average indium content of zinc deposits ranges from less than 1 to 100 parts per million. The highest known concentrations of indium occur in vein or replacement sulfide deposits, usually associated with tin-bearing minerals. However, these types of deposits are often difficult to process economically. Substitutes: Gallium arsenide can substitute for indium phosphide in solar cells and semiconductor applications. Silver-zinc oxide or tin oxide are lower-cost substitutes for indium-tin oxide in transparent conductive coatings for glass. Hafnium can replace indium alloys for use in nuclear reactor control rods. e/Estimated. NA Not available. 1/Defined as imports - exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 2/See Appendix B. 3/Estimate based on the indium content of zinc ores. See Appendix C for definitions. 4/Reserves for European countries are included in "Other countries." Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 1996