US mining/quarrying to reach 6 billion metric tons in 2021

U.S. mining and quarrying activity, as measured in volumes of nonfuel ore, aggregate and waste handled, is forecast to total 6 billion metric tons in 2021, according to “Mining & Quarrying: United States,” a report recently released by Freedonia Focus Reports.

Stone quarries are expected to retain its position as the largest source of materials handled in the U.S. industry. New domestic construction activity will drive volume growth. Because stone features a high cost-to-weight ratio, it is uneconomical to ship long distances. Exports and imports of stone, consequently, are negligible.

The volume of materials handled at U.S. copper mining operations is expected to continue to outpace all other discrete industry segments, remaining the leading source of metal ore and waste materials. Expansion in domestic construction activity will stoke gains, as growing U.S. production of copper-based building materials will stimulate a rise in ore mining.

The full report, available here, forecasts the total activity of U.S. mines and quarries as measured in metric tons of materials handled to 2021.