Abstract: The invention relates to stable high solids aqueous dispersions of talc (a natural but relatively hydrophobic complex hydrated magnesium silicate) useful in the preparation of coated paper in place of the currently-used china clay dispersions. The inventive compositions contain at least 60 wt % talc held as a stable dispersion by small quantities of one or more of certain sulphated ethoxylated phenol, or alkylated phenol, salts, optionally together with small amounts of antifoaming air-release agents (such as certain of the known polypropylene glycol-based ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymers).