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Asbestos Mine Locations
List of principal asbestos ore locations in various countries
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Asbestos ore & mine locations: Where has asbestos been mined around the world, where are the principal asbestos deposits? This article describes the locations of asbestos ore deposits around the world and where asbestos was mined.
This articles series about the manufacture & use of asbestos-containing products includes detailed information on the production methods, asbestos content, and the identity and use of asbestos-containing materials.
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World Locations of Asbestos Ore Deposits
Asbestos is made available to industry either directly from
the mines or through distributors. Ninety per cent of the
asbestos is obtained directly from the mines. Most of the
companies that mine asbestos use it principally as an ingredient
in their products and have only a secondary interest
in supplying it to other companies.
[Click to enlarge any image]
Asbestos ore deposits have been found in almost all quarters of the world.
The chief producers of industrial asbestos in the world are Canada, Russia, South Rhodesia and the Union of South Africa. The Canadian asbestos deposits are generally considered to be superior to others insofar as essential properties of infusibility, tensile strength, fineness, low iron content, and elasticity are concerned.
The United States is the world's largest consumer and producer of asbestos products. The main source of asbestos for United States is Canada providing approximately 90 per cent of the asbestos used. Domestic asbestos contributes approximately seven per cent.
United States Asbestos Ore Deposit Locations
Domestic deposits of asbestos are principally
found in the states of Vermont and Arizona with
small quantities available in North Carolina, Georgia, California,
Washington and Alaska.
In Vermont, chrysotile asbestos deposits are found in slipfiber
veins. Even though the slip fiber is quite long, it is
not suitable for textile production.
The United States with its Vermont asbestos mines ranks next in order of importance in the production of chrysotile to Canada and Africa.
These deposits supply approximately 3,000 tons of ore per day to a modern plant producing close to forty thousand tons of fiber per year, with a good proportion in the medium length grades. See Figure 1.1 at left.
The Arizona asbestos is of the chrysotile variety and occurs as cross fiber. Because of its extreme low iron content, it is used primarily for electrical insulation and filter fibers.
Figure 1.1 - at above left: View of a quarry bench shows the Vermont asbestos mine filling a high valley in the Green Mountains. (Courtesy The Ruberoid Co.)
Although amphibole asbestos is available in different localities in the United States, the bulk of it is found in Georgia. The output of amphibole asbestos in United States is very small.
Asbestos MIne Locations in California Counties and the Eastern United States
- The U.S.G.S. United States Department of Geological Survey reports (as of 2008) 542 locations in the U.S. where asbestos occurs naturally (and may have been mined).
http://mrdata.usgs.gov/asbestos/ - Chubb Custom Cartography at the company's website: cccarto.com provides links to maps showing the locations of numerous asbestos mines in the U.S .for the U.S. states listed below. Example live links are included below. You can contact the company by email to sales@cccarto.com
- Asbestos Occurrences in Alabama AL
- Asbestos Occurrences in Georgia GA included asbestos mines across the state
- Asbestos Occurrences in MassachusettsMA
- Asbestos Occurrences in Maryland MD
- Asbestos Occurrences in Maine ME
- Asbestos Occurrences in North Carolina NC
- Asbestos Occurrences in Nevada NV
USGS Open-File Report 2008-1095 Reported historic asbestos mines, historic asbestos prospects, and natural asbestos occurrences in the southwestern United States (Arizona, Nevada, and Utah)
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1095/ - (13 March 2008) in turn cites three asbestos mine locations in Nevada discussed in
Van Gosen, B.S., 2008, Reported Historic Asbestos Mines, Historic Asbestos Prospects, and Natural Asbestos Occurrences in the Southwestern United States (Arizona, Nevada, and Utah): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1095, 1 plate.
Excerpt
Nevada and Utah asbestos deposits. Only a few, widely scattered asbestos deposits are documented in Nevada and Utah. Most of these deposits are small occurrences of amphibole asbestos, including one small past producer of mass-fiber tremolite asbestos in Utah −the Tremolite no. 1 mine. In the Southwestern U.S., tremolite and actinolite are commonly reported in the contactmetamorphic (skarn) zone of metallic ore deposits, which formed where an igneous body intruded and metamorphosed a magnesium-bearing carbonate rock. In most instances, the literature does not describe the crystal form of the tremolite or actinolite. Thus, several instances of unreported fibrous to asbestiform tremolite-actinolite may occur in skarn geologic environments in these States.
Also see ASBESTOS ORIGIN & NATURE which reports recent (2014-2015) concern with naturally-occurring asbestos deposits being disturbed (airborne asbestos) by the mining of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite, discussed by geologists in Boulder City, Nevada. - Asbestos Occurrences in New Jersey NJ
- Asbestos Occurrences in New York NY included The New Rochelle Serpentinite mine - Chrysotile Asbestos, and a number of asbestos mines right on Staten Island mined for chrysotile and anthophyllite asbestos
- Asbestos Occurrences in Pennsylvania PA
- Asbestos Occurrences in South Carolina SC
- Asbestos Occurrences inVermont VT
- California Asbestos Mines:
- Asbestos Mines in Calaveras Co
Asbestos Mines in Contra Costa Co
Asbestos Mines in Fresno Co
Asbestos Mines in Gila Co
Asbestos Mines in Kern Co
Asbestos Mines in Kings Co
Asbestos Mines in Lake Co
Asbestos Mines in Los Angeles Co
Asbestos Mines in Merced Co
Asbestos Mines in Monterey Co
Asbestos Mines in Napa Co
Asbestos Mines in Nevada Co
Asbestos Mines in Plumas Co
Asbestos Mines in Riverside Co
Asbestos Mines in Riverside Co
Asbestos Mines in San Bernardino Co
Asbestos Mines in Siskiyou Co
Asbestos Mines in Trinity Co
Asbestos Mines in Tulare Co
- Asbestos Mines in Calaveras Co
[Thanks to reader Chris for these additions 8/10/14 - Ed. From Chris's post we removed promotional links that did not directly provider asbestos mine locations.]
Canadian Asbestos Mines & Ore Locations
For the past 80 years [to 1959], the largest and most extensive asbestos mining operations in the world have been in the eastern townships of the Province of Quebec. Canada produces asbestos in four provinces; i.e., Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Newfoundland.
A predominant characteristic of Canadian asbestos, as
compared to asbestos in other countries, is the remarkable
degree of its uniformity as regards its chemical composition
and consequently in its technical properties. Modern
mill facilities are available. See Figure 1.2.
Figure 1.2. Aerial view showing Johns-Manville asbestos fiber (completely ventilated) mill in foreground, head frame of underground mine at right, and open pit mine in background. (Courtesy Johns-Manville Corp.)
Since 1950 capital expenditures in the mining of Canadian asbestos have been approximately $100,000,000.00. Approximately 95 per cent of the fibers mined is chrysotile. Some production occurs in various locations in the mining of tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite.
Asbestos Ore Deposits & Mining in Great Britain
The manufacture of asbestos products is a major industry in Great Britain. The principal source of asbestos is Africa. There are relatively no domestic deposits in the British Isles.
Asbestos Ore Deposits & Mining in South Africa
The three important varieties of asbestos are found in this area. Chrysotile is economically available in large quantities. Crocidolite or Blue asbestos was discovered in approximately 1803 in Cape Providence and Transvaal in South Africa. "Amosite" was discovered in 1907 by a company known as Asbestos Mines of South Africa. The name "Amosite" was derived from the initials of the company.
Asbestos Ore Deposits & Mining in Southern Rhodesia
Chrysotile is the only variety of asbestos found in Southern Rhodesia. This area ranks next to Canada as a world source for chrysotile asbestos; although, the Russian deposits are probably larger. There are different mines in the area however, the largest and most popular being the Shabani Mine.
Asbestos Ore Deposits & Mining in Russia
The enormous territory of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics contains asbestos deposits to such an extent that it should be considered one of the principal producers of asbestos in the world. However, these deposits are generally considered second of importance to the Canadian.
Prior to World War I, Russia occupied second place among the world's asbestos producers. Its largest asbestos mines are situated in the Ural Mountains; deposits also exist in Siberia.
Russia is now [in 1959] reporting a production totaling 790,000 short tons, including 250,000 tons of Groups 7 and 8, with plans for a very substantial increase which will bring the annual figure to more than 1,000,000 tons. It is understood that important chrysotile deposits are under development in the Province of Kazakhstan in Middle Asia with the production of 500,000 tons of fiber annually slated before 1960.
Asbestos Ore Deposits & Mining in Cyprus
The island of Cyprus is second to the Italian deposits; it contains the oldest known asbestos mines. Greeks obtained their asbestos for the eternal lamps and shrouds of kings from these mines. Chrysotile is of prime importance; however, most of the fibers are of the short variety.
Asbestos Ore Deposits & Mining in Italy
The asbestos industry originated in Italy through the mines located in the North; the main area is around Torino. Tremolite and chrysotile are of prime importance.
Asbestos Ore Deposits & Mining in Finland and Yugoslavia
World production of the amphibole varieties of asbestos other than crocidolite and Amosite comparatively limited. The larger quantity is apparently mined in Finland and Yugoslavia. In 1956 Finnish production was 18,000 tons. For the same year in Yugoslavia, production was 8,000 tons.
Asbestos Reserves
Canada's asbestos ore reserves are estimated at 47 million tons, based on a mine life of 50 to 75 years. This figure includes a minimum of 20 years of open pit operations. It is difficult to estimate total amount of asbestos fiber reserves, inasmuch as mine owners consider the information to be confidential. In addition, new asbestos ore deposits are being discovered. These not only increase the present supply but also the reserves.
Based on the afore-mentioned figure, and a recent United States Department of Commerce review on this subject, the conclusion is that there will continue to be an ample supply of asbestos fibers. The basic problem will probably be how to take advantage of available fibers.
The Western Hemisphere is self sufficient in chrysotile, but research is definitely needed to develop substitutes and synthetics for the strategic and limited availability of amosite and crocidolite. Chrysotile is the most important fiber; fortunately, it is the most abundant.
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Citations & References
In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.
- Rosato, D.V., Asbestos, its Industrial Applications, D.V. Rosato, engineering consultant, Newton MA, Reinhold Publishing Co., NY, 1959, Library of Congress Catalog No. 59-12535. Excerpts & adaptations are found in InspectApedia.com articles on asbestos history, production & visual identification in and on buildings.
Re-printed online with additional annotations, photos, and information, beginning at
ASBESTOS, ITS INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS, ROSATO 1959 - [2] "Asbestos in Plastic Compositions", A.B. Cummins, Modern Plastics [un-dated, pre 1952]
- [3] "Asbestos in Your Home," Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority, Spokane WA 509-477-4727 www.scapa.org provides a one-page image, a .pdf file drawing of a house warning of some possible sources of asbestos in the home. The sources are not ranked according to actual risk of releasing hazardous levels of airborne asbestos fibers and the list is useful but incomplete.
- [4] The US EPA provides a sample list of asbestos containing products epa.gov/earth1r6/6pd/asbestos/asbmatl.htm
- [5] "Characterization of asbestos exposure among automotive mechanics servicing and handling asbestos-containing materials", Gary Scott Dotson, University of South Florida, 1 June 2006, web search 3/9/2012 original source: scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3505&context=etd [copy on file as /hazmat/Automotive_Asbestos_Exposure.pdf ].
- [6] Asbestos Identification and Testing References
- Asbestos Identification, Walter C.McCrone, McCrone Research Institute, Chicago, IL.1987 ISBN 0-904962-11-3. Dr. McCrone literally "wrote the book" on asbestos identification procedures which formed the basis for current work by asbestos identification laboratories.
- Stanton, .F., et al., National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 506: 143-151
- Pott, F., Staub-Reinhalf Luft 38, 486-490 (1978) cited by McCrone
- [6] ASBESTOS IN YOUR HOME U.S. EPA, Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
- [7] Asbestos products and their history and use in various building materials such as asphalt and vinyl flooring includes discussion which draws on ASBESTOS, ITS INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS, ROSATO 1959, D.V. Rosato, engineering consultant, Newton, MA, Reinhold Publishing, 1959 Library of Congress Catalog Card No.: 59-12535 (out of print, text and images available at InspectAPedia.com).
- [8] "Handling Asbestos-Containing roofing material - an update", Carl Good, NRCA Associate Executive Director, Professional Roofing, February 1992, p. 38-43
- [9] EPA Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-Containing Materials in buildings, NIAST, National Institute on Abatement Sciences & Technology, [republishing EPA public documents] 1985 ed., Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
- EPA ASBESTOS MATERIALS BAN: CLARIFICATION 1999
- Basic Information about Asbestos, US EPA, web search 08/17/2010, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/help.html
- "Handling Asbestos-Containing roofing material - an update", Carl Good, NRCA Associate Executive Director, Professional Roofing, February 1992, p. 38-43
- EPA Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-Containing Materials in buildings, NIAST, National Institute on Abatement Sciences & Technology, [republishing EPA public documents] 1985 ed., Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
- EPA, ASBESTOS IN YOUR HOME [PDF] - U.S. EPA, Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
- Vermiculite:
Protect Your Family from Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation, U.S. EPA , web search 08/17/2010, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm.html
Web search 01/20/2011, original source: http://epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm_questions.html - Proteja su familia del aislante de vermiculita contaminator con asbestos, U.S. EPA HOJA INFORMATIVA - Proteja a su familia del aislante de vermiculita contaminator con asbestos, web search 08/17/2010, original source http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm-ques-sp.pdf
- [copy on file as /hazmat/Vermiculite_US_EPA.pdf/ Current Best Practices for Vermiculite Attic Insulation - May 2003, U.S. EPA
- [copy on file as] /hazmat/Vermiculite_Health_Canada.pdf] Vermiculite Insulation Containing Amphibole Asbestos - September 2009, Health Canada
- Managing Asbestos in Place, How to Develop and Maintain a Building Asbestos Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Program, U.S. EPA, web search 01/20/2011, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/management_in_place.html
- Asbestos Strategies, Lessons Learned about Management and Use of Asbestos: Report of Findings and Recommendations on the Use and Management of Asbestos, 16 May 2003, US EPA, web search 01/20/2011, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/asbstrategiesrptgetf.pdf
prepared by the: Global Environment & Technology Foundation, 7010 Little River Turnpike, Suite. 460, Annandale VA 20003 - Other US EPA Publications on asbestos: web search 01/20/2011, see http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/pubs.html
- In addition to citations & references found in this article, see the research citations given at the end of the related articles found at our suggested
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