Talc

Rio Tinto produces talc through our wholly owned subsidiary, Luzenac.

Talc is hydrated magnesium silicate and is the softest rock in the world. It generally occurs in two morphologies, either macro- or microcrystalline.

Talc can have slightly differing compositions based on the associated minerals in the ore body of its origin, but all talcs exhibit to a lesser or greater extent the following unique features: softness, water repellent, inert and platy. These properties can be further enhanced by careful and sometimes propriety processing and bring a number of specific benefits to a wide range of industries including paper, paints, plastics, ceramics, rubber, personal care and roofing.

Present annual world talc production is about 5.5 million tonnes, extracted from some 250 deposits scattered across the world. The term 'talc' covers over 500 products, each distinct by their nature, the proportion of by-minerals they contain and by their properties.

Other minerals vying with talc vary according to the user industry: the two principal ones being carbonates and kaolin.

1. Ludlow, North America
2. Talc de Luzenac, Europe
3. Three Springs, Australia
4. Yellowstone, North America

(All members of the Luzenac Group)

For more information about Rio Tinto's talc production operations, visit Our operations.