Purpose and Description

The Industrial Minerals Association - North America is a trade association created to advance the interests of North American companies that mine or process minerals used throughout the manufacturing and agricultural industries. Examples of minerals represented by the IMA-NA include ball clay, bentonite, borates, calcium carbonate, feldspar, industrial sand, mica, soda ash and talc.

The IMA-NA is open to membership of industrial minerals producers and companies that provide equipment and services to the industry. IMA-NA operates through a board of directors augmented by standing committees and task forces. IMA-NA meetings are held twice a year, and meetings of the committees occur throughout the year on an as-needed basis. Through its committee structure IMA-NA addresses such issues as safety and health, governmental affairs, the environment, industry operations, engineering and technology, research and transportation.

The IMA-NA structure makes it possible for the industrial minerals industry to bring its unique focus and an economy of scale to those issues that affect the industry at large. At the same time, because each of the distinct industrial minerals has its own section within the Association, it can address issues particular to each industrial mineral's needs, characteristics and interests. Issues common to more than one industrial mineral are addressed by the IMA-NA committees and board of directors, comprised of representatives of each of the industrial mineral groups. The IMA-NA builds upon the many positive relationships that exist between the industrial minerals industry and other related industries, scientific societies, governmental agencies and international bodies.