U.S.Geological Survey (USGS): Tellurium

Statistics and Information: Tellurium is a relatively rare element, in the same chemical family as oxygen, sulfur, selenium, and polonium: oxygen and sulfur are nonmetals, polonium is a metal, and selenium and tellurium are semiconductors (i.e., their electrical properties are between those of a metal and an insulator). Nevertheless, tellurium, as well as selenium, is often referred to as a metal when in elemental form. Tellurium production is mainly a byproduct of copper processing. The 1960's brought growth in thermoelectric applications for tellurium, as well as its use in free-machining steel, which became the dominant use. The use of high-purity tellurium in cadmium telluride solar cells is very promising. Some of the highest efficiencies for electric power generation have been obtained by using this material, but this application has not yet caused demand to increase significantly. Commercial-grade tellurium, which is not toxic, is usually marketed as minus 200-mesh powder but is also available as slabs, ingots, sticks, or lumps. The yearend price for tellurium in 2000 was $14 per pound.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries,January 2009