Chrysotile and the other varieties of asbestos are found in practically every country in the world, but generally not in quantities or quality that allow commercial exploitation. The main producers of chrysotile today areRussia,China,Canada,Kazakhstan,Brazil, andZimbabwe. All amphibole deposits have already been mined or closed.
Production and Consumption
At present asbestos is mainly produced by the following countries (see the table below). Sources: U.S. Geological Survey, official statistics.
|
Countries |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
|
Brazil |
198 000 |
188 300 |
209 000 |
172 600 |
209 300 |
230 000 |
|
Canada |
321 330 |
337 000 |
310 000 |
277 000 |
242 200 |
200 000 |
|
China |
297 000 |
329 000 |
314 600 |
310 000 |
310 000 |
310 000 |
|
Zimbabwe |
123 000 |
115 000 |
145 000 |
120 000 |
130 000 |
170 000 |
|
Russia |
600 000 |
675 000 |
750 000 |
750 000 |
750 000 |
867 000 |
|
Kazakhstan |
74 000 |
105 000 |
176 000 |
190 000 |
200 000 |
202 000 |
|
South Africa |
27 195 |
18 836 |
18 782 |
15 733 |
13 400 |
10 000 |
|
Other countries |
202 805 |
121 000 |
64 800 |
59 267 |
55 000 |
56 000 |
|
Total |
1 843 330 |
1 889 136 |
1 988 182 |
1 894 600 |
1 909 900 |
2 045 000 |
According to the data shown in the table, the world production of asbestos in 2002 increased by 10.9% compared to 1998. At present Russian is the main asbestos producer. The main consumers of chrysotile accounting for almost 80% of the world consumption areChina,Russia,Thailand,India,Iran,Ukraine,Vietnam,Indonesia,Brazil, andUzbekistan.
