Pumice and pumicite

Production of pumice in the United States during 2012 was estimated to be 515 kt (568,000 st), a 5-percent increase compared to 2011. The unit value of pumice varied widely by end use in 2012. Pumice used as an abrasive was priced at $10.30/t ($9.34/st), while specialty-grade pumice, used in cosmetics, filtration or precision grinding, could be priced as high as $400/t ($360/st) on a spot basis. Eleven companies operated 11 mines in Arizona, California, Idaho, Kansas, New Mexico and Oregon. U.S. pumice exports totaled about 12.5 kt (13,800 st). Imports were higher at 75.1 kt (828,000 st).