Azco begins mica production

FERNDALE, Wash. (April 17)—Azco Mining Inc. has entered full production on its stockpile of high-grade mica at its Glendale, Ariz., processing plant. The company has targeted capacity at 22 million pounds of the material annually, a spokesman said. Mica possesses "exceptional physical, chemical, electrical, thermal and mechanical properties" and is used as a component in high-end cosmetics, rubber products, plastics, automotive parts, paints and high-tech components, according to Alan P. Lindsay, chairman, president and CEO of Azco.