US aggregates production rose estimated 7.6 percent in 2012

By |  January 30, 2013

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has released its 2013 Mineral Commodity Summaries, which include estimated numbers for 2012 aggregates production. Based on the estimates, U.S. aggregates production of 2.08 billion tons in 2012 was an increase of about 7.6 percent over 2011 numbers.

The USGS reports the following:
In 2012, crushed stone valued at more than $11 billion was produced by 1,550 companies operating 4,000 quarries, 91 underground mines, and 210 sales/distribution yards. Leading states, in descending order of production, were Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, Virginia, Indiana, Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina, which together accounted for one-half of the total crushed stone output. Of the total crushed stone produced in 2012, about 69 percent was limestone and dolomite; 14 percent, granite; 7 percent, traprock; 4 percent, sandstone and quartzite; and 6 percent, miscellaneous.

It is estimated that 1.24 billion tons of crushed stone were consumed in the United States in 2012, an increase of 8.8 percent. Of the amount 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 for agricultural uses; and 4 percent, for special and miscellaneous uses and products.

Construction sand and gravel valued at $6.4 billion was produced in 2012 by an estimated 4,000 companies and government agencies from about 6,500 operations in 50 states. Leading producing states, in order of decreasing tonnage, were California, Texas, Minnesota, Michigan, Utah, Ohio, Colorado, New York, Washington and Arizona, which together accounted for about 49 percent of the total output.

It is estimated that about 842 million tons of construction sand and gravel were consumed in the United States in 2012, an increase of 5.9 percent. Of the amount reported by use, 43 percent of construction sand and gravel was used as concrete aggregates; 26 percent for road base and coverings and road stabilization; 12 percent each as asphaltic concrete aggregates and other bituminous mixtures and construction fill; 1 percent each for concrete products, such as blocks, bricks, and pipes; plaster and gunite sands; and snow and ice control; and the remaining 4 percent for filtration, golf courses, railroad ballast, roofing granules and other miscellaneous uses.

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About the Author:

Darren Constantino is an editor of Pit & Quarry magazine. He can be reached at dconstantino@northcoastmedia.net.

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