Aggregate production up 7.1 percent in 2014

Total aggregates production rose 7.1 percent in 2014, according to new information from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In its just-released Mineral Commodity Summaries 2015 report, USGS says 2.17 billion metric tons of aggregate were shipped last year compared to an estimated 2.03 billion metric tons in 2013. The report breaks down crushed-stone and sand-and-gravel figures as follows:

In 2014, 1.26 billion metric tons of crushed stone valued at more than $12.8 billion was produced by 1,550 companies operating 4,000 quarries, 91 underground mines, and 210 sales/distribution yards in the 50 states. This compares with 1.18 billion metric tons produced in 2013, an increase of 6.8 percent.

Leading states were, in descending order of production, Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia, which together accounted for more than half of the total crushed stone output. Of the total domestic crushed stone produced in 2014, about 69 percent was limestone and dolomite; 14 percent, granite; 7 percent, traprock; 5 percent, miscellaneous stone; 4 percent, sandstone and quartzite; and the remaining 1 percent was divided among other materials.

Of the 600 million tons of crushed stone reported by use, 82 percent was used as construction material, mostly for road construction and maintenance; 10 percent, for cement manufacturing; 2 percent each, for lime manufacturing and agricultural uses; and 4 percent for miscellaneous other uses.

The estimated output of construction sand and gravel in the United States, 911 million tons shipped for consumption in 2014, was 7.6 percent higher than the 847 million tons estimated for 2013.

Construction sand and gravel valued at $7 billion was produced by an estimated 4,100 companies and government agencies from about 6,600 operations in the 50 States. Leading producing states were, in order of decreasing tonnage, Texas, California, Minnesota, Washington, Michigan, Colorado, Arizona, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Ohio, which together accounted for about 55 percent of total output.

It is estimated that about 44 percent of construction sand and gravel was used as concrete aggregates; 25 percent for road base and coverings, and road stabilization; 13 percent as asphaltic concrete aggregates and other bituminous mixtures; 12 percent as construction fill; and 6 percent for miscellaneous other uses.