Resumen de Indian mica: : A glittering past but an uncertain future
Industrial Minerals
According to Indian Bureau of Mines data, a total of 127,629 tonnes mica was exported in the financial year 2012-13, a decrease of 4,148 tonnes compared to the prior year period. Almost all exports were in the form of crude mica, which accounted for 126,773 tonnes (comprising blocks: 2,559 tonnes; splittings: 1,559 tonnes; powder: 91,185 tonnes; and waste and scrap: 31,468 tonnes). Exports of processed mica were 856 tonnes (comprising washers and discs: 90 tonnes; sheets and strips: 39 tonnes; micanite and other built up mica: 15 tonnes; other worked mica: 705 tonnes; and a small quantity of mica bricks). Nominal quantities of condenser films, plates, and cuts were also exported.
As outlined above, mica possesses excellent basal cleavage, meaning that it can be easily and accurately split into very thin sheets or films of any specified thickness. Mica also has a unique combination of elasticity, toughness, flexibility and transparency. It is chemically inert, stable and does not absorb water. It can withstand high temperatures as it is a poor thermal conductor. These properties have made mica indispensable in the production of many types of electrical equipment. High-quality muscovite film mica, which is also referred to as Indian ruby mica or ruby muscovite mica, is used as a dielectric in capacitors.
