UNITED STATES MINERAL RESOURCES 



MERCURY 



By E. H. Bailey, A. L. Clark, and R. M. Smith 



CONTENTS 



Abstract of conclusions 



Introduction 



Uses 



Size and importance of the industry 



Exploitation 



Mining 



Production 



Prices and tariffs 



Outlook 



Greologic environment 



Basic geochemistry 



Ore deposits 



Resources 



Identified resources 



Speculative resources 



Prospecting techniques 



Problems for research 



References 



FIGURES 



46. 



49. 



78. 



79. 

 80. 



81. 

 82. 

 83. 



Graph showing mercury production and prices, 

 1850-1971 



Graph showing demand and domestic supply of 

 mercury in the United States, 1850-1971 ___ 



Map showing relation of mercury deposits of 

 the world to post-Jurassic subduction zones- 



Map showing relation of mercury deposits of 

 California to the Coast Range thrust 



TABLES 



Uses and consumption of mercury in the United 



States 



Mercury produced in the United States 



Mercury supply and demand in the United 



States 



Mercury content of various natural substances- 

 Identified mercury resources of the world 



Identified mercury resources of the United 

 States 



401 

 401 

 402 

 402 

 402 

 402 

 403 

 405 

 405 

 405 

 405 

 407 

 409 

 409 

 409 

 411 

 411 

 413 



404 

 406 

 410 

 412 



402 

 403 



405 

 407 

 409 



409 



ABSTRACT OF CONCLUSIONS 



Mercury has several thousand uses, for many of which no 

 substitution is practical or desirable. The annual world pro- 

 duction is nearly 300,000 flasks (76 lb each), and the U.S. 

 production in recent years has been less than one-tenth of 

 this amount. In contrast, the United States, to supply its in- 

 dustrial base, has required about one-third of the world pro- 

 duction. 



In the past few years in the United States, concern over 

 mercury poisoning and pollution has led to legal restrictions, 

 reduced consumption, drastic drop in the price of mercury, 

 and closing of most mercury mines. The geologic outlook for 

 new domestic discoveries of ores rich enough to be com- 

 petitive in the world market is poor, although there is some 

 possibility in the less explored parts of southwest Alaska. 

 Correlation of occurrences with elements of the "new global 

 tectonic" framework suggests that areas of the Southwest 

 Pacific will be found to contain undiscovered deposits. 



Additional domestic research is needed to determine the 

 quantity and mode of occurrence of mercury in the litho- 

 sphere, how mercury migrates under geologic processes, how 

 mercury is converted to the highly toxic organic compounds, 

 what are tolerance levels, and how to eliminate or inactivate 

 mercury in already polluted areas. Other research directed 

 toward recovery of mercury from mine and plant wastes 

 would benefit the environment and add to the supply needed 

 by the United States. 



INTRODUCTION 



Mercury is the only metallic element that at ordi- 

 nary temperatures is a fluid, which together with 

 its silvery color has led to its being commonly called 

 quicksilver. It has many uses, most of which are 

 for technologically advanced applications, and there- 

 fore it is in greatest demand in the most indus- 

 trialized countries. The United States years ago 

 produced more than enough mercury to supply its 

 needs, but now it consumes one-third of the world 

 production while producing less than one-tenth of 

 the world supply.' Much of the U.S. requirement is 

 met by imports, but the total dollar value of the 

 U.S. mercury consumption is relatively small, 

 amounting to $40 million in 1969 and only $15 



1 All statistical data regarding production and consumption for the 

 period since 1932 are from records compiled by the U. S. Bureau of 

 Mines. 



U.S. GEOL. SURVEY PROF. PAPER 820 



401 



