Gypsum industry news

US: Gypsum producers mined 22Mt of natural gypsum in 2024, according to the figures published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Production rose by 2% year-on-year from 21.5Mt in 2023. The USGS listed California, Iowa and Kansas as the top producers among 15 gypsum-mining states in the US in 2024. 45 different mines contributed to the total. Major domestic applications for the gypsum included use as raw materials in the country’s 3.16Bnm²/yr-capacity gypsum wallboard industry. The sector sold an estimated 2.6Bnm² of wallboard throughout the year, up by 4% year-on-year.

The US exported 45,000t of natural gypsum during 2024, up by 2% from 44,000t in 2024. Its imports declined year-on-year, meanwhile, by 4%, from 7.77Mt to 7.4Mt – 17% of a total domestic consumption of 44Mt.

Spain: The province of Almería in Andalusia exported €544m-worth of gypsum and limestone in 2024, 10% of its total exports by value. Ideal Online News has reported that this represents a year-on-year drop in exports of the products of 9%.

Regional delegate for Economy, Finance, EU Funds and Industry, Energy and Mining Guillermo Casquet said “Almería continues to strengthen its international position, registering growth in regular exporting companies and maintaining a strong balance of trade.”

Spain: The Directorate General of Mines and the Geological and Mining Institute are developing a new National Exploration Programme for Critical Raw Materials. Local press has reported that Spain’s gypsum is subject to on-going assessment as part of the programme. The organisations are evaluating sustainable extraction strategies and its potential contributions to the country’s technological and sustainability transition.

Kenya: The Kenyan government says that it is intensifying efforts to curb illegal gypsum mining, which is ‘rampant’ in the cement industry. Kenya News has reported that Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho claimed that 3000 unlicensed mines have already closed due to government actions since the beginning of 2022.

Joho said that Kenya’s cement sector has been ‘buying and using gypsum in cement manufacturing,’ however “There is no record of anyone licensed to mine gypsum in Kenya. There are no records on production, payment of taxes and royalties or community programmes undertaken by any gypsum dealer.” He added that this is because “They are doing it illegally.”

Tunisia: The president of Tunisia’s National Chamber of Gypsum Institutions and Professions, Maysara Al-Baroudi, has spoken about the untapped economic potential of Tunisia’s gypsum reserves. Addressing delegates at the Afro-European Economic Forum in Hammamet, Naboul Governorate, Al-Baroudi said that Tunisia’s reserves were close in volume to those of Canada, which the US Geological Survey reported as having 450Mt in 2024. In Tunisia, deposits of gypsum are situated in the Chaîne du Thaljah Mountains in Gafsa Governorate and in the Oued El Ghar area of Tataouine Governorate.

Initiatives that aim to generate increased value from the reserves include three upcoming gypsum products plants scheduled to launch in 2026 and a major community enterprise for gypsum extraction.

Ukraine: Knauf Ukraine has obtained a 20-year licence to mine the 43.9Mt Skoviatynske gypsum deposit in Ternopil, Western Ukraine. Business World Magazine News has reported that the company bid US$2.87m for the asset at auction. Knauf Ukraine already works the nearby Shyshkovets deposit.

UAE: The government of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah has launched Ras Al Khaimah Minerals, an investment company for the minerals and metals industries. The Arabian Post newspaper has reported that the government aims to leverage Ras Al Khaimah's natural resources, including gypsum, to attract local and foreign investors. This will help to diversify its economy away from oil and gas.

Kenya: Gypsum traders in Garissa have called on the government to lift a ban on gypsum mining in the country. The ban also prevents land allocation and demarcation. The Star newspaper has reported that it resulted from a perceived security threat due to violence at local mines, in which 12 people have died.

Mine owner Issa Kuno invited Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Joho to visit. He said “Personally, I have never experienced or witnessed any insecurity related to gypsum mining activities."

Natural gypsum mined in Garissa County previously sold for US$38.60/t.

India: The Bikaner District Mining Department plans to issue a new round of tenders for local gypsum mines. The Times of India newspaper has reported that the department previously tendered contracts for the sites in Rajasthan for US$7.27m earlier in 2024.

The Bikaner District Mining Department said “Like every year, gypsum production will be lower until September due to the rainy season. We are hopeful of finding takers this time."

India: Residents of Baramulla have commenced protests against renewed gypsum mining in the district in Jammu and Kashmir. Local press has reported that the protestors claim the operations cause ‘serious’ harm to health and agriculture. The village council of Salamabad responded by temporarily suspending operations at the site in question.