USGS reports second quarter increases in crushed stone production

An estimated 316 million metric tons of crushed stone were produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the second quarter of 2012, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The 316 million is a slight increase compared to the second quarter of 2011. Also, the estimated production for consumption in the first six months of 2012 was 532 metric tons, an increase of 4.3 percent compared to the same stretch in 2011.

More specifically, the estimated production-for-consumption of crushed stonein the second quarter of 2012 increased in three of the nine geographic divisions USGS tallies, compared to that sold or used in the second quarter of 2011. The increases were recorded in the East North Central, West North Central and West South Central divisions. Production-for-consumption increased in 24 of the 46 States that were estimated. The five leading states, in descending order of production-for-consumption, were Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Ohio and Virginia. Their combined total production-for-consumption was 112 metric tons and represented 36 percent of the U.S. total.

The estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the second quarter of 2012 was also up. USGS reports 230 metric tons were produced, representing an increase of 6.5 percent compared to the second quarter of 2011. The estimated production for consumption in the first six months of 2012 was 366 metric tons, an increase of 7.4 percent compared to the same period of 2011.

The estimated production-for-consumption of construction sand and gravelin the second quarter of 2012 increased in seven of the nine geographic divisions, compared with that sold or used in the second quarter of 2011. The largest increases in percentages were recorded in the West North Central, New England and East North Central divisions. Production-for-consumption increased in 33 of the 47 states that were estimated. The five leading States, in descending order of production-for-consumption, were California, Texas, Michigan, Ohio and Minnesota. Their combined total production-for-consumption was 76.5 metric tons and represented 32 percent of the U.S. total.

Portland cement consumption was also up in the second quarter, with a 12 percent increase compared to the second quarter of 2011. For the first six months of 2012, portland cement was up 5.6 percent compared to the first six months of 2011 with 898 metric tons produced.