THE MINERAL INDUSTRY OF TEXAS 767 
 
Other construction uses included mason's lime and finishing plaster. In agriculture,
the lime was used as a soil conditioner and neutralizer. 
 Two-thirds of the 1967 lime output was sold or used for chemical and other
industrial purposes. Such uses included applications in production of aluminum,
chem' icals, glass, magnesium, pulp, paper, and steel (as fluxing agent);
and in softening and purifying water. 
 Approximately 1.4 million tons of limestone was used in the preparation
of lime during 1967. Lime plants located on the gulf coast utilized shell
as the raw material. 
 Of the 1967 Texas lime output, 98 percent was used within the State. Other
markets included those located in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi,
New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Wyoming. 
 During the year, United States Gypsum Co. began operating a 300-ton-per-day
preheater-type rotary kiln in its lime plant at New Braunfels. 
 
 Mica.—No production of mica from 
Texas deposits was reported during 1967. 
Mica mined outside of Texas was processed 
at the Fort Worth grinding plant of 
Western Mica Co., Division of United 
States Gypsum Co., for use in paint. 
 
 Natural Sodium Sulfate.—Ozark-Mahoning Co. produced natural sodium
sulfate from shallow brines in West Texas alkalilake beds. The company operated
facilities near Seagraves in Gaines County, Brownfield in Terry ' County,
and Monahans in Ward County. Most of the production was processed to salt
cake which is used in making kraft paper, glass, ceramics, and other products.

 In Fort Worth, American Cyanamid Co. recovered sodium sulfate as a byproduct
at its chemical and fertilizer plant. 
 
 Perlite.—Crude perlite was mined in Texas by one company, Perlite
Producers, 
Inc. Production was from the open-pit Shely Ranch mine, located ' in the
Pinto Canyon area of west-central Presidio County. ' Output, which was down
20 percent from that of 1966, was processed at the company drying and grinding
plant adjacent to the mine. 
 Six plants expanded perlite in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Irving, LaPorte,
and Midland. The expanded product was used as loose-fill insulation, concrete
aggregate, soil ' conditioner, filter aid, additive in building plaster,
and for other purposes. 
 
 Pumicite (Volcanic Ash).—Pozzolana, Inc., was the only producer of
pumicite in Texas during 1967. Production was from an open-pit mine in Tertiary
strata located near Rio Grande City in Starr County. The pumicite was processed
in the company plant at Rio Grande City for use as a concrete admixture.

 
 Salt (Sodium Chloride).—With an increase of 8 percent in tonnage and
value, salt production exceeded the record high of 1966. Most of the output
was consumed by the chemical and petrochemical industries in the State. Some
of the many other applications included use in animal feed, canning, and
meat packing. 
 Nine companies reported salt production at 11 operations. Most of the salt
was produced from brine wells drilled into salt domes in Brazoria, Chambers,
Duval, Harris, and Jefferson Counties, and from wells drilled into Permian
salt strata in Hutchinson, Ward, and Yoakum Counties. Seven companies produced
salt brine at eight operations and two companies produced both evaporated
and rock salt. 
 Rock salt was mined from the Grand Saline salt dome in Van Zandt County
by Morton Salt Co. and from the Hockley salt dome in Harris County by United
States Salt Corp. 
 
Table 22.—Lime sold or used by producers 
Year 
Quicklime 
(short tons) 
Hydrated lime 
(short tons) 
Total 
 
 
 
 
Short tons 
Value 
(thousands) 
1963                            
571515 
559,690 
1,131,205 
$13,026 
1964                            
1965                            
1966                            
1967                            
764250 
716574 
802,214 
853,607 
586,115 
621,377 
671,015 
710,843 
1,350,365 
1,337,951 
1,473,229 
1,564,450 
17,201 
19,663 
18,696 
20,713