1040 MINERALS YEARBOOK 1985 
 
tion at high operating rates in part because American process zinc oxide
and 415 to 53 
concentrates were readily available at fa cents for French process zinc oxide
Photovorable treatment-charge rates and because conductive grades of zinc
oxide were gener of advantages accruing from currency dif ally priced 2 to
3 cents higher than French ferences with the U S dollar At yearend process
zinc oxide throughout the year 
several Western European zinc producers The price quoted in Chemical Marketing
were considering plans to switch from the Reporter (CMR) for zinc sulfate
granular volatile US dollar base pricing system to a monohydrate industrial
grade 36% zinc in multicurrency system to reduce unpredict- bags in carload
lots, ranged from $26.50 to able swings in zinc values generated by $29.00
per 100 pounds. Agricultural zinc currency fluctuations~ sulfate in bulk
was quoted at $2000 per 100 
 American and French process lead free pounds Technical-grade zinc chloride
50% zinc oxide prices at the beginning of the solution in tanks was quoted
by CMR at year were quoted in Metals Week at 52 to $1840 per 100 pounds until
September and 545 cents and 535 to 560 cents per pound $2020 thereafter Standard
pigment-grade respectively In September the zinc oxide zinc dust types 1
and 2 in drums was prices for each fell 3 cents and in Decem quoted by CMR
at 59 to 67 cents per pound ber prices were adjusted downward ending during
the year 
the year at 40 to 51 cents per pound for 
 
 
FOREIGN TRADE 
 1D.ity on zinc ores, concentrates, and zinc-bearing materials was suspended
until Dec. 31, 1989, as provided by PublicLaw 98-573. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 U.S. slab zinc imports were about 28,000 tons less than the record-high
quantity imported in 1984. Imports from Canada were at record-high levels
in terms of tonnage and percentage of U.S. imports. Canada accounted for
about 63% of imports compared with an average import level of 54% in the
1980-84 period. The record-high import levels from Canada were, in part,
attributed to intercontinental trades to reduce transportation costs. The
second leading import source for slab zinc was Mexico, accounting for slightly
less than 9%. Zinc oxide imports exceeded 1984's record-high 
level and captured about 22% of the domestic consumption up from 20% in 1984

 Despite the closing of Asãrco's primary zinc refinery in Texas
early
in the year, imports of concentrates continued at relatively high levels
because of substantial reductions in domestic output. Exports of concentrates
fell to their lowest level since 1979 owing mainly to reduced production
at exporting mines 
 Waste and scrap exports reached recordhigh levels in 1985 Taiwan was the
prmci pal importer, accounting for about 45% of 
the waste and scrap exported. 
 
 
Table 2.—U.S. import duties for zinc materials, January 1, 1985

tam 
i'sus 
 
 
No. 
Most favored 
nation (MFN) 
Non-MFN 
 
 
Jan. 1, 1985 
Jan. 1, 1987 
Jan. 1, 1985 
Zinc oxide, dry               
Ores and concentrates'         
473.76 
602.20 
0.4%advalorem 
0.39 cent per pound on zinc content. 
Free          
0.3 cent per pound on zinc content. 
5.5%advalorem. 
1.67 cents per pound on zinc content. 
Fume                     
603.50 
 
do        
Do. 
Unwrought, other than alloys - - - - 
 
Alloys                    
Wasteandscrap'             
626.02 
 
626.04 
626.10 
1.6% ad valorem - 
 
19.0% advalorem 
2.9% advalorem 
1.5% ad valorem - 
 
19.0% advalorem 
2.1%advalorem_ 
1.75 cents per pound. 
45.0% advalorem. 
11.0% advalorem.