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Talcum (talc), monocline rock-forming mineral, magnesium silicate. Used particularly in the 19th century as "soapstone" for the production of refractory furnace linings. Current uses include especially ground products for the paper, plastic and pigment industries and, to a less extent furnace linings and styluses. Talc is mined by the open-cast process at Rabenwald and in underground mines at Weisskirchen and Lassing, Styria; grinding plants are also operated in these locations. Output in 1993 amounted to 136,640 tons of crude talc.