Calcium fluoride CaF2, whose mineral form is fluorine is used as the source of the fluorine element in many chemical industries (mineral and organic derivatives), in metallurgy as a flux as well as for the glass and ceramics industries. Depending on the CaF2 content of the treated products marketed, as well as the presence of trace elements that can be penalizing, the following qualities are distinguished:
In the current market context, the known global fluorite reserves correspond to less than 35 years of consumption at the current rate. However, the reserves of many countries are not yet indicated or available, and the global total could increase significantly.
Fluorochemical Products already appear as a substance of economic importance subject to a high risk of supply, among the 14 strategic raw materials. Global production is currently significant, but China, the largest producer with more than 4.4 Mt in 2014, is increasingly facing an increase in internal consumption to meet its own needs for the production of fluorinated refrigerants.
The exports of Fluorochemical Products are increasingly reduced, especially since its known reserves are only about 6 years, at the rate of current consumption. The other three main producers, Mexico, Mongolia and South Africa, are therefore supplied to the industrialized countries, but with products of unequal quality, which do not always correspond to the users’ standards.
The state of Coahuila concentrates almost all of the country’s production. Six mines are active in the municipalities of Muzquiz and Acuña. Three other mining projects were in the licensing process in 2014 in the state of Coahuila. With reserves of 32 Mt, or 15% of world reserves, Mexico is therefore a major player in the fluorite market and will have a decisive influence on its evolution.
The main mines (2 underground mines and 3 open-pit mines) are located in the Khentii Dornogovi and Dundgovi Provinces, and would have reserves of 9 Mt of ore containing 35.4% CaF2. They are operated by a company owned 51% by the Mongolian state and 49% by the Russian state. The production capacity would be 130 000 t of acid-grade fluorite and 20 000 t of metallurgical quality (2010 data).
These Fluorochemical Products production figures may, however, be questionable because the internal market is very small, the level of production is mainly linked toRussia and China, for which data are not very transparent.
Despite the difficulties associated with a decline in demand in the international market in 2014, Mongolia’s production levels (340 kt in 2014 according to USGS) remained high, pending a recovery in consumption in 2014. 2015. According to the information currently available, the reserves are in the order of 22 Mt, but could probably be larger.
