Mica: Emissions
Why hand-collected mica carries almost no carbon
What this tab covers The greenhouse-gas footprint of the commodity at a global level, split by lifecycle phase: extraction (or farming), refining and processing, movement, usage, and recycling or end of life. Intensities are per unit of product; the global total combines intensity with world output. Also covers other environmental impacts and the main levers to cut emissions. Emission intensity 0.05 t CO2e per t range 0.01 (hand-collected scrap) to 0.15 (wet-ground, dried) · cradle-to-gate; derived from mining diesel plus grinding and drying energy (assumed about 50-200 kWh/t) Global emissions per year 0.02 Mt CO2e per year 2025 · about 0.05 t CO2e/t x about 350,000 tPer 1 t of ground mica at plant gate (cradle-to-gate). Intensity: Indicative, derived; no public sector LCA found. Global total: Derived from USGS MCS 2026.
Share of footprint by lifecycle phase
Extraction 15% Refining / processing 70% Movement 15%Footprint by lifecycle phase
| Phase | Intensity | Share | Main sources of emissions | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extraction | about 0-0.01 t CO2e/t (indicative) | 15% | hand collection in India and Madagascar; mechanised mining or by-product recovery in China, Finland, US | Informal hand mining uses almost no fuel but has severe social impacts | IBM 2015; indicative |
| Refining / processing | about 0.02-0.12 t CO2e/t (indicative) | 70% | wet or dry grinding, classification, flotation, drying; pigment coating (TiO2) is a separate, much more energy-intensive step | Wet grinding gives finer, higher-value product but needs drying | Indicative; derived |
| Movement | about 0.005-0.02 t CO2e/t (indicative) | 15% | trucking to Kolkata; container shipping to China | Container shipping at about 10-20 g CO2 per t-km | IMO Fourth GHG Study 2020 (indicative) |
| Usage | not applicable directly; enabling | – | insulation in motors, heaters and EV battery packs | Thermal barriers improve battery safety; no figure per t found | USGS MCS 2026 (uses) |
| Recycling / end of life | not applicable at scale | – | mica paper made from scrap reuses waste; products are not recycled | USGS reports no recycling | USGS MCS 2026 |
Other environmental impacts
The main impact is social: child labour and fatal collapses in informal mines in Jharkhand and Bihar (Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation estimated 10-20 deaths a month, 2019). Forest land disturbance in mining districts.
Levers to cut emissions
- Formalised, mechanised mining with audited supply chains (Responsible Mica Initiative)
- Low-carbon power for grinding and drying
- Mica paper from scrap in place of natural sheet
- Synthetic mica where traceability is needed, though it uses high-temperature melting
India
India is the largest exporter by value (31.2% in 2024, UN Comtrade); its carbon footprint per t is low because collection is by hand, but the social footprint is severe and most supply is informal (IBM 2015; Refinery29 2019).
Emission figures are indicative global averages from the life-cycle studies named; actual footprints vary widely by site, energy mix and method.