Page 739

MAGNESIUM 
STOCKS 
tary applications, were expected to reach $400 million in 1973, and the market
was estimated to be growing at more than 10% 
739 
per year. The alkaline-magnesium cell market, the fastest growing segment,
was expected to reach $60 million. 
Table 3.—Consumption of primary magnesium in the United States, by
use 
(Short tons) 
1968 
1969 
1970 
1971 r 
1972 ~ 
For structural products: 
Castings: 
Die                            
Permanent mold                   
Sand                           
Wrought products: 
Extrusions                       
Sheet and plate  
Other (includes forgings)               
Total                         
For distributive or sacrificial purposes: 
Alloys: 
Aluminum                          
Copper                             
Zinc                               
Other                           
Cathodic protection (anodes)              
Chemical                           
Nodular iron                            
Powder                                
Scavenger and deoxidizer                
Reducing agent for titanium, zirconium, hafnium, uranium, and beryllium 
Other                                  
Total                           Grand total                       
7,337 
607 
3,740 
11,280 
(' ) 
(' ) 
7,484 
404 
2,562 
13,110 
(' ) 
(5) 
9,002 
260 
1,735 
12,250 
(1) 
(' ) 
7,477 
779 
1,143 
5,481 
4,447 
2,782 
8 600 
955 
768 
8,045 
5,992 
1,377 
22,964 
23,560 
23,247 
22,109 
25,737 
34,484 
(2) 
52 
(2) 
5,714 
(2) 
2,480 
(2) 
(2) 
6,209 
14,524 
37,376 
(2) 
54 
(2) 
6,087 
(2) 
2,374 
(2) 
(2) 
7,363 
18,319 
36,543 
(2) 
35 
(2) 
5,778 
8,385 
4,720 
5,646 
(2) 
6,300 
2,841 
37,335 
1,576 
26 
175 
7,050 
8,960 
4,135 
3,410 
68 
5,587 
27 
40,568 
1,563 
28 
983 
6,428 
9,732 
4,684 
(2) 
327 
6,089 
3,316 
63,463 
71,572 
70,248 
68,349 
73,718 
86,427 
95,132 
93,495 
90,458 
99,455 
 Revised. ~ Preliminary. 
' Included with "Extrusions." 
2lncluded with "Other." 
PRICES 
 During 1972, the quoted base price for primary magnesium pig a'nd ingot
in 10,000-pound lots, 99.8% magnesium, f.o.b. plant, was 37.25 and 38.00
cents per pound, respectively. This compares with corresponding prices of
36.25 and 37.00 cents per pound, respectively, during 1971. 
 Depending upon the state of preservaProducer and consumer stocks of primary
magnesium totaled 22,011 tons as of December 31, 1972. Yearend stocks of
psi' mary magnesium alloy ingot were 986 
tion of the metal available from the national stockpile, GSA accepted bids
for primary magnesium ranging from 28.25 to 34.75 cents per pound, f.o.b.
storage locations. The average price of metal sold by GSA during the year
was 32.45 cents per pound. 
short tons. Stocks a year earlier were 
13,021 short tons of primary metal and 
1,727 short tons of alloy ingot.