Strontium

Commercially, celestite (SrSO,) is the only significant strontium mineral. Among other strontium-bearing minerals, only strontianite (SrCO,) occurs commonly; however, it is not an item of commerce. The principal production of celestite is in England, Mexico, and Spain. New production is now coming on stream in Canada. Consumption is mainly in the United States. Lesser quantities are consumed in Japan and Europe. Main uses are for the manufacture of strontium carbonate and nitrate. The carbonate is used in glass for TV tube face plates and in ferrites for magnets. The nitrate is used in pyrotechnics to which it imparts a characteristic brilliant red color, mainly in safety flares. Minor amounts of strontium compounds are used in electrolytic zinc manufacturing and very small quantities in greases, ceramics, soaps, alloys, and pharmaceuticals. Specifications and Prices Typical celestite specifications for the carbonate and nitrate markets are as follows: [ ] Celestite currently shipped from Mexico for carbonate manufacture tends to be slightly better than these industry specifications, assaying about 92-93% SrSO, with less than 1% BaSO, but it is generally below the 95% minimum required for nitrate production. Contract prices for celestite are approximately $32-34 per st at U.S. Port of Entry in 50 to 60-ton carload lots for Mexican material. Spot prices are generally reported as low as $20 per st but are for minor volumes. A recent sale of surplus from the U.S. stockpiles, announced by the General Service Administration (GSA), was 4005 st sold to Du Pont for $140- 455 or $35.07 per st. British celestite, ground, washed, and graded, 95% SrSO, bulk, ex- works, 240 mesh, is quoted at £ 28.75 per mt in British trade journals, and a recent figure quoted for crushed lump material was $36.00 per st f.0.b. vessel Bristol Channel port (1973). Specifications of manufactured carbonate made from celestite and sold in two grades, one to the glass industry, the other to the electronic industry for ferrites, are given in [Table 1]