Page 511

  511Diatomite 
By Benjamin Petkof1 
 Domestic diatomite production in 1972 increased 8% in quantity and 9% in
value compared with 1971 figures. The United States maintained its status
as a major 
world diatomite producer. Exports of processed diatomite to countries throughout
the world increased significantly in quasitity and value over those of 1971.
DOMESTIC PRODUCTION 
 Production increased in the major producing States of California and Nevada,
but declined in Arizona and Oregon and remained unchanged in Washington.
California retained its place as the largest producing State, followed by
Nevada, Washington, Arizona, and Oregon. 
 During 1972 nine companies, with a total of 11 operations, mined and prepared
diatomite for various industrial end uses. This was an increase of one producing
company from the number reported in 1971. The bulk of the diatomite produced
during the year was supplied by the following companies: Johns-Manville Products
Corp., with facilities near Lompoc, Calif.; GREFCO, Inc., with operations
near Mina, Nev., and Lompoc, Calif.; Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., with
operations near Sparks and Lovelock, Nev.; and Kenite Corp., Division of
Whitco Chemical Corp., with an operation near Quincy, Wash. The remaining
producers were: Superior Company near San Manuel, Ariz.; Basalt Rock Co.
Inc., near Napa, Calif.; Airox, Inc., near Santa Maria, Calif.; The United
Sierra Division, Cyprus Mines Corp. near Fernley, 
Nev.; and A. M. Matlock near Christmas Valley, Oreg. The Kenite Corp. completed
an expansion program at the Quincy, ~Tash. plant with the addition of a new
larger kiln and an air classifier. 
 A new pattern has appeared in the domestic distribution of diatomite filter
aid that partially replaces the bagged shipment of the processed diatomite.
A bulk distilbution station was established at Rollins Terminals in Norristown,
Pa., by the Cclite Division of the Johns-Manville Products Corp. Prepared
filter aid will be shipped from Lompoc, Calif., to Norristown in bulk pneumatic
discharge hopper cars, unloaded into silos, and shipped in bulk truck loads
to consumers in the eastern United States. 
 Johns-Manville Products Corp. also announced the introduction of a system
to recover spent diatomite filter aid. The system recovers up to 60% of the
filter aid from the filter cake using either a batch or continuous method
of operation. 
 1 Physical scientist, Division of Nonme:talik Minerals. 
Table 1.—Diatomite sold or used by producers in the United States 
1966—68' 
1969 
1970 
1971 
1972 
Domestic production (sales) short tonsAveragevalueperton                
1,881,877 
$54.18 
598,482 
$60.96 
597,636 
$54.63 
535,318 
$64.25 
5T5, 089 
$65.19 
' Annual figures are confidential, prior to 1969.