The Power of Production

The U.S. Geological Survey Released its 2012 Production Report, Revealing the Ups and Downs of Regional Activity.

By Mark S. Kuhar

USGS just reported full-year 2012 production numbers, and aggregates production has taken a step forward. The estimated annual output of construction aggregates produced for consumption in 2012 was 1.99 billion metric tons (Gt), a slight increase compared with that of 2011’s total of 1.93 Gt. An estimated 484 million metric tons (Mt) of total construction aggregates was produced and shipped for consumption in the United states in the fourth quarter of 2012, a slight decrease compared with that of the same period of 2011.  

“This past year, sales of construction aggregates repeated the slight (less than 1 percent) increase reported by the industry in 2011,” said Jason Willet, crushed stone commodity specialist for USGS. “Sales of construction aggregates have not yet return to the historical average of a 2-4 percent increase every year.”

Of the 2012 total, the estimated annual output of crushed stone produced for consumption was 1.16 Gt, a slight increase compared with that of 2011. An estimated 282 Mt of crushed stone was produced and shipped for consumption in the United states in the fourth quarter of 2012, a slight decrease compared with that of the same period of 2011.

Of the 2012 total, the estimated annual output of construction sand and gravel produced for consumption was 823 Mt, a slight increase compared with that of 2011. The estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the fourth quarter of 2012 was 202 Mt, a slight increase compared with that of the same period of 2011.

The estimated production for consumption of construction aggregates in the fourth quarter of 2012 increased in three of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the fourth quarter of 2011. In the fourth quarter, production for consumption of aggregates increased in 18 of the 43 states for which estimates were made. The estimated total annual production for consumption of construction aggregates in 2012 increased, compared with that of 2011, in 31 of the 50 states for which estimates were made.

The five leading states, in descending order of total annual output for 2012, were:

  • Texas
  • California
  • Pennsylvania
  • Ohio
  • Missouri.

Their combined total annual output was 588 Mt, an estimated increase of a little greater than 5 percent when compared with that of 2011.

Crushed Stone
The estimated production for consumption of crushed stone in the fourth quarter of 2012 increased in four of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Production for consumption of crushed stone increased in 20 of the 43 states for which estimates were made. The five leading states, in descending order of production for consumption, were:

  • Texas
  • Pennsylvania
  • Missouri
  • Florida
  • Illinois

Their combined total production for consumption was 96.8 Mt and represented 34 percent of the U.S. total.

Sand and Gravel
The estimated production for consumption of construction sand and gravel in the fourth quarter of 2012 increased from fourth quarter 2011 levels in three of the nine geographic divisions.

Production for consumption of construction sand and gravel increased in 20 of the 46 states for which estimates were made. The five leading states, in descending order of production for consumption, were:

  • Texas
  • California
  • Arizona
  • Michigan
  • Colorado

Their combined total production for consumption was 63.9 Mt and represented 32 percent of the U.S. total.

Shipments of portland cement increased by an estimated 9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012, and annual consumption increased by an estimated 10 percent in 2012, compared with consumption in 2011. This information is obtained from the USGS monthly survey of U.S. cement producers.

CONSTRUCTION AGGREGATES SOLD OR USED BY PRODUCERS IN THE UNITED STATES, BY DIVISION1
(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)
2012
Region/Division2 Quantity
1st qtr.
Percent
Change5
Quantity
2d qtr.
Percent
Change5
Quantity
3rd qtr.
Percent
Change5
Quantity
4th qtr.
Percent
Change5
1st – 4th qtr. 3 Value
1st-4th qtr.
Northeast:                    
  New England 7,740 72.7 24,200 31.7 32,400 22.9 17,300 -9.1 85,200 865,000
  Middle Atlantic 29,400 36.5 52,700 -5.8 55,000 -18.6 40,700 -25.3 178,000 1,890,000
Midwest:                    
  East North Central 39,500 30.6 100,000 24.6 104,000 -10.1 77,400 -11.6 321,000 2,320,000
  West North Central 34,500 45.7 79,300 26.2 76,100 -9.3 57,000 -6.4 270,000 2,040,000
South:                    
  South Atlantic 61,100 5.4 72,700 -6.4 76,400 -0.1 68,600 3.2 279,000 3,380,000
  East South Central 18,400 -10.7 27,500 -9.3 27,400 -23.0 24,600 -14.6 142,000 1,430,000
  West South Central 73,800 1.9 86,900 9.2 85,900 4.0 80,000 14.0 327,000 2,520,000
West:                    
  Mountain 32,300 17.2 48,000 0.4 53,100 -7.2 43,300 6.2 206,000 1,470,000
  Pacific 30,100 -4.3 49,100 -2.4 56,400 -5.7 43,000 -2.4 179,000 1,710,000
Total4 358,000 9.1 555,000 3.6 589,000 -0.6 484,000 -0.6 1,990,000 17,700,000
 
1Quarterly totals shown are estimates based on a sample survey. Estimated quantities for prior quarters have been recalculated.
2Sales region equivalent to U.S. Census Bureau Geographic Division as follows: New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT); Middle Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA);
East North Central (IL, IN, MI, OH, WI); West North Central (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD); South Atlantic (DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV);
East South Central (AL, KY, MS, TN); West South Central (AR, LA, OK, TX); Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY); Pacific (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA).
3Data may not add to totals shown because of independent rounding and differences between projected totals by States and by divisions.
4Includes all 50 states.
5Compared with same period of preceding year; all percentages are calculated using unrounded totals.

CRUSHED STONE SOLD OR USED BY PRODUCERS IN THE UNITED STATES, BY DIVISION1
(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

2012
Region/Division2 Quantity
1st qtr.
Percent
Change5
Quantity
2d qtr.
Percent
Change5
Quantity
3rd qtr.
Percent
Change5
Quantity
4th qtr.
Percent
Change5
1st – 4th qtr. 3 Value
1st-4th qtr.
Northeast:                    
  New England 2,800 45.1 9,500 -0.4 12,400 -2.8 8,840 -12.5 33,600 373,000
  Middle Atlantic 21,500 42.5 38,600  -3.5 40,700 -14.5 29,800 -25.0 131,000 1,470,000
Midwest:                    
  East North Central 24,800 34.9 57,900 19.6 61,400 -10.2 48,000 -10.2 192,000 1,490,000
  West North Central 24,900 52.7 42,500 14.8 41,600 -10.2 34,900 -0.8 145,000 1,360,000
South:                    
  South Atlantic 49,800 4.5 58,800 -9.1 62,500 -1.8    55,400 2.2 227,000 2,950,000
  East South Central 22,500 -8.5 29,700 -9.2 30,300 -17.4 27,300 -10.7 110,000 1,200,000
  West South Central 46,900 5.8 55,000 10.7 55,000 6.9 47,400 10.8 204,000 1,540,000
West:                    
  Mountain 8,130 6.7 11,500 -13.0 12,200 -14.4 10,400 0.6 50,200 376,000
  Pacific 10,400 -15.2 15,800 -6.6 19,200 -1.7 14,300 0.7 59,700 539,000
Total4 220,000 8.7 322,000 1.8 339,000 -1.3 282,000 -1.3 1,160,000 11,500,000
 
1Quarterly totals shown are estimates based on a sample survey. Estimated quantities for prior quarters have been recalculated.
2Sales region equivalent to U.S. Census Bureau Geographic Division as follows: New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT); Middle Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA);
East North Central (IL, IN, MI, OH, WI); West North Central (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD); South Atlantic (DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV);
East South Central (AL, KY, MS, TN); West South Central (AR, LA, OK, TX); Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY); Pacific (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA).
3Data may not add to totals shown because of independent rounding and differences between projected totals by States and by divisions.
4Includes all 50 states.
5Compared with same period of preceding year; all percentages are calculated using unrounded totals.

CONSTRUCTION SAND AND GRAVEL SOLD OR USED BY PRODUCERS IN THE UNITED STATES, BY DIVISION1
(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

2012
Region/Division2 Quantity
1st qtr.
Percent
Change5
Quantity
2d qtr.
Percent
Change5
Quantity
3rd qtr.
Percent
Change5
Quantity
4th qtr.
Percent
Change5
1st – 4th qtr. 3 Value
1st-4th qtr.
Northeast:                    
  New England 5,090 91.2 15,200 65.1 20,600 38.0 8,860 -6.4 51,700 483,000
  Middle Atlantic 7,950 22.6 14,100 -11.3 14,300 -30.4 10,900 -26.1 47,300 423,000
Midwest:                    
  East North Central 14,700 24.0 42,300 32.1 42,700 -9.9 29,400 -13.9 129,000 826,000
  West North Central 11,300 44.1 42,800 39.3 42,500 -7.8 26,200 -25.4 123,000 674,000
South:                    
  South Atlantic 11,300 10.0 13,800 6.9 13,900 7.8 13,200 7.0 52,300 424,000
  East South Central 3,680 8.0 6,820 4.2 6,290 -21.5 5,120 -14.4 31,800 225,000
  West South Central 26,900 -4.1 31,900 6.8 30,900 -1.2 32,600 18.7 122,000 969,000
West:                    
  Mountain 26,200 15.0 42,500 1.9 47,700 -5.5 37,600 8.8 154,000 1,080,000
  Pacific 19,700 2.6 33,200 -0.3 37,200 -7.7 28,700 -3.9 119,000 1,180,000
Total4 139,000 9.9 233,000 6.3 249,000 0.4 202,000 0.4 823,000 6,250,000
 
1Quarterly totals shown are estimates based on a sample survey. Estimated quantities for prior quarters have been recalculated.
2Sales region equivalent to U.S. Census Bureau Geographic Division as follows: New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT); Middle Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA);
East North Central (IL, IN, MI, OH, WI); West North Central (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD); South Atlantic (DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV);
East South Central (AL, KY, MS, TN); West South Central (AR, LA, OK, TX); Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY); Pacific (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA).
3Data may not add to totals shown because of independent rounding and differences between projected totals by States and by divisions.
4Includes all 50 states.
5Compared with same period of preceding year; all percentages are calculated using unrounded totals.

Construction Aggregates Sold or Used By Producers in the United States, by State
(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)

2012
Region/Division2 Quantity
1st qtr.
Percent
Change5
Quantity
2d qtr.
Percent
Change5
Quantity
3rd qtr.
Percent
Change5
Quantity
4th qtr.
Percent
Change5
1st – 4th qtr. 3 Value
1st-4th qtr.
Alabama (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) 43,600 358,000
Alaska (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) 8,630 86,500
Arizona 10,100 7.9 10,700 -7.0 11,300 5.4 11,500 21.0 43,600 357,000
Arkansas
7,170 -14.2 9,030 -0.5 8,930 -3.5 7,540 4.7 32,700 282,000
California 17,800 -7.4 30,300 -1.7 32,400 -8.6 26,800 -3.3 107,000 1,150,000
Colorado 6,880 20.0 9,510 4.0 11,200 2.0 9,120 22.9 36,700 278,000
Connecticut 1,140 115.5 4,450 18.7 5,610 17.7 4,020 6.4 15,200 190,000
Delaware W W W W W W W W W W
Florida 13,600 10.3 13,200 -3.1 17,000 22.8 18,300 46.7 62,100 747,000
Georgia 10,400 -0.8 11,500 -15.6 11,300 -8.9 10,400 2.4 43,500 487,000
Hawaii (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) 5,450 104,000
Idaho 1,080 -19.4 4,840 -10.4 6,330 -0.6 4,820 50.1 17,100 95,700
Illinois 7,430 29.0 19,500 9.8 23,000 -13.1 18,400 -8.6 68,400 612,000
Indiana 8,730 15.3 18,200 14.6 19,300 -12.2 17,000 9.3 63,200 437,000
Iowa 5,170 15.9 15,400 16.9 15,800 -7.7 12,600 1.6 48,900 439,000
Kansas 4,230 39.2 8,260 19.5 8,000 -6.5 6,190 -5.0 26,700 189,000
Kentucky 6,670 -33.2 9,870 -29.7 10,500 -34.6 10,700 -20.7 37,800 357,000
Louisiana W W W W W W W W W W
Maine

573 90.8 3,300 1.7 5,320 15.0 2,500 -28.3 11,700 82,400
Maryland 4,690 18.5 6,980 -13.7 5,840 -28.6 5,660 -20.8 23,200 253,000
Massachusetts 4,360 78.0 9,650 73.7 13,000 112.5 5,610 -2.0 32,600 352,000
Michigan 4,660 59.8 17,700 18.3 20,800 -3.5 13,100 -1.2 56,200 303,000
Minnesota 2,210 6.6 12,800 12.4 18,100 -6.0 9,040 -27.7 42,100 272,000
Mississippi 2,620 4.9 4,340 3.4 4,250 1.3 3,420 -0.3 14,600 166,000
Missouri 17,500 63.3 21,500 7.5 20,400 -15.1 19,600 1.9 78,900 695,000
Montana (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) 13,200 109,000
Nebraska 3,890 59.5 8,690 44.8 6,170 0.3 5,810 1.0 24,600 183,000
Nevada 5,890 31.6 5,930 5.7 6,190 -18.4 5,670 -18.8 23,700 165,000
New Hampshire 1,040 31.6 2,500 -11.5 3,230 -31.5 2,170 -26.8 8,940 80,900
New Jersey 3,730 31.7 6,190 -15.5 5,890 -28.6 5,230 -28.4 21,000 204,000
New Mexico (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) 16,100 121,000
New York 8,230 28.7 17,500 -7.3 19,200 -18.6 14,800 -15.4 59,700 619,000
North Carolina 10,300 -0.8 13,400 -7.8 15,200 7.6 12,300 5.9 51,200 692,000
North Dakota (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) 22,900 128,000
Ohio 11,900 51.8 26,400 34.1 26,400 -3.7 20,200 -7.1 84,800 709,000
Oklahoma 11,300 0.3 13,800 1.5 14,500 6.9 13,800 21.6 53,400 408,000
Oregon 3,770 0.3 6,480 -19.5 9,800 -5.0 6,140 -1.5 26,200 197,000
Pennsylvania 17,500 41.6 29,000 -2.3 30,000 -10.5 20,700 -21.1 97,100 1,070,000
Rhode Island (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) 3,540 43,200
South Carolina 5,620 -4.2 6,870 -8.6 7,150 -3.5 6,440 12.4 26,100 232,000
South Dakota 1,510 58.7 12,600 137.3 7,730 -5.6 3,780 -11.2 25,700 137,000
Tennessee 9,090 12.0 13,300 9.8 12,600 -5.8 10,500 -6.9 45,500 549,000
Texas 50,800 10.6 58,000 15.5 57,200 8.4 53,600 21.7 220,000 1,590,000
Utah 4,510 14.7 9,800 13.5 9,810 -21.7 7,030 -15.5 31,100 201,000
Vermont 626 51.6 4,280 43.2 5,250 10.2 3,030 2.6 13,200 116,000
Virginia 12,200 9.6 15,600 0.1 14,800 -4.5 11,700 -15.6 54,300 782,000
Washington 8,530 0.6 12,300 7.6 14,200 2.5 10,100 -0.2 45,200 367,000
West Virginia 3,510 12.2 4,000 -9.8 3,900 -17.3 2,800 -37.1 14,200 151,000
Wisconsin 6,850 10.5 18,400 51.8 14,700 -15.0 8,680 -44.6 48,600 261,000
Wyoming 3,870 40.9 7,220 -3.7 8,310 -5.4 5,220 0.0 24,600 147,000
 
W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.
1Quarterly totals shown are estimates based on a sample survey. Estimated quantities for prior quarters have been recalculated.
2Data may not add to totals shown because of independent rounding, and differences between projected totals by States and by divisions.
3State not included in quarterly survey.
4Compared with same period of preceding year; all percentages are calculated using unrounded totals.

 

The Rock 100
Top Aggregates Producers List
(Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars)
2011
Rank
2010
Rank
Company 2011
Rank
2010
Rank
Company
1 1 Oldcastle Materials, Inc. 51 73 Strata Corp.
2 4 Lehigh Hanson, Inc. 52 56 F.S . Lopke Contracting, Inc.
3 3 Vulcan Materials Co. 53 65 Wright Materials, Inc.
4 2 CEMEX S.A.B. de C. V. 54 38 Irving Materials, Inc.
5 6 US Bureau of Land Management 55 Tiller Corp.
6 5 MDU Resources Group, Inc. 56 59 Heritage Group
7 7 Holcim Group/Aggregate Industries Mananagement, Inc. 57 55 Watson Gravel, Inc.
8 8 Martin Marietta Aggregates 58 85 Cretex Companies, Inc.
9 10 Granite Construction, Inc. 59 48 E. R. Jahna Industries, Inc.
10 9 Lafarge North America, Inc. 60 Farden Construction, Inc.
11 11 Mitsubishi Materials Corp. 61 67 A. Lindberg & Sons, Inc.
12 12 Trinity Industries, Inc. 62 Dalrymple Gravel & Construction Co.
13 16 Colas, Inc. 63 60 Boral USA
14 14 Fisher Industries 64 50 Clemente Materials, Inc.
15 13 Cal Portland Co. 65 64 Memphis Stone & Gravel Co.
16 17 A. Teichert & Son, Inc. 66 35 McMurry Ready Mix Co.
17 15 Clyde Cos., Inc. 67 76 Southwest Rock Products, LLC
18 19 Edw. C. Levy Co. 68 57 Wood Resources Corp.
19 22 Fordyce Ltd. 69 24 Las Vegas Paving Corp.
20 45 WM. D. Seepaniak Construction 70 Bowes Construction, Inc.
21 27 Mathy Construction Co. 71 B. R. Amon & Sons, Co.
22 20 Nugent Sand Company 72 62 Simpson Construction Materials, LLC
23 18 Texas Industries, Inc. 73 69 Grand Rapids Gravel Co.
24 23 Lyman-Richey Sand & Gravel Co. 74 77 Hilltop Basic Resources, Inc.
25 21 Gila River Indian Community 75 78 Miller Springs Materials
26 44 Miles Sand & Gravel Co. 76 75 Capital Sand Co., Inc.
27 40 Holliday Rock Products Corp. 77 100 Higman Sand & Gravel, Inc.
28 25 R.E. Janes Gravel Co. 78 Liberty Materials, Inc.
29 28 L.G. Everist, Inc. 79 82 Mark Sand & Gravel Co.
30 30 All American Asphalt Co. 80 O & G Industries, Inc.
31 29 Ash Grove Cement Co. 81 81 Hammett Gravel Co.
32 34 Gernatt Dan Gravel Products, Inc. 82 88 Chaney Enterprises Ltd.
33 46 The Olen Corp. 83 52 Sundre Sand & Gravel, Inc.
34 42 F S T Sand & Gravel, Inc. 84 97 Pacific Aggregates, Inc.
35 36 Summit Materials LLC 85 Rasmussen Group, Inc.
36 39 U.S. Concrete, Inc. 86 Nebco, Inc.
37 83 Standard Sand & Silica Co. 87 Seven Points Sand & Gravel, Inc.
38 86 Amboy Aggregates 88 51 Thelen Sand & Gravel, Inc.
39 JMAC Resources, Inc. 89 William Mueller & Sons
40 89 Aggregate Construction, Inc. 90 91 Wissota Sand & Gravel Co.
41 47 Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community 91 84 Roanoke Sand & Gravel Corp.
42 26 Yourk Building Products Co. 92 Waste Management, Inc.
43 37 Southern Aggregates LLC 93 68 Croell Redi-Mix, Inc.
44 63 Doles Bros. Co. 94 LS Sand & Gravel Ltd.
45 41 Central Specialties, Inc. 95 Alleyton Resource Corp.
46 49 New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc. 96 BJ Rees’s Enterprise
47 53 Eucon Corp. 97 93 Aggregate Resources, Inc.
48 32 Multisources Ltd. 98 Hi-Grade Materials Co.
49 61 Chandler Aggregates, Inc. 99 Northern Improvement Co.
50 43 Mulzer Crushed Stone, Inc. 100 96 Baldwin Sand and Gravel
Crushed Stone Production: Historical Perspective
[All values in metric tons (t) gross weight unless otherwise noted] Last modification: November 27, 2012
Year Production Recycled Imports Exports Apparent
Consumption
Unit Value ($/t) Unit Value (98$/t)
1951 258,000,000   181,000 90,100 258,000,000 1.49 9.31
1952 272,000,000   213,000 844,000 272,000,000 1.52 9.3
1953 277,000,000   263,000 781,000 277,000,000 1.55 9.45
1954 380,000,000   209,000 666,000 380,000,000 1.48 8.97
1955 426,000,000   282,000 1,030,000 425,000,000 1.52 9.27
1956 458,000,000   268,000 1,140,000 458,000,000 1.53 9.16
1957 482,000,000   294,000 1,100,000 481,000,000 1.54 8.95
1958 484,000,000   465,000 854,000 484,000,000 1.54 8.70
1959 528,000,000   626,000 1,130,000 527,000,000 1.56 8.72
1960 557,000,000   823,000 979,000 557,000,000 1.55 8.52
1961 502,000,000   712,000 834,000 502,000,000 1.54 8.42
1962 521,000,000   923,000 668,000 521,000,000 1.55 8.38
1963 622,000,000   923,000 793,000 622,000,000 1.56 8.30
1964 656,000,000   1,470,000 1,340,000 656,000,000 1.61 8.47
1965 706,000,000   1,270,000 1,120,000 706,000,000 1.58 8.19
1966 736,000,000   1,150,000 1,350,000 736,000,000 1.59 7.99
1967 711,000,000   2,080,000 1,330,000 712,000,000 1.61 7.85
1968 742,000,000   2,790,000 1,440,000 743,000,000 1.64 7.7
1969 781,000,000   2,660,000 1,510,000 782,000,000 1.70 7.55
1970 787,000,000   2,720,000 1,970,000 788,000,000 1.86 7.81
1971 793,000,000   2,320,000 2,210,000 793,000,000 2.01 8.09
1972 834,000,000   2,960,000 2,540,000 834,000,000 2.00 7.78
1973 960,000,000   3,040,000 2,830,000 961,000,000 2.06 7.57
1974 945,000,000   3,270,000 3,140,000 945,000,000 2.18 7.22
1975 816,000,000   2,770,000 3,930,000 815,000,000 2.48 7.51
1976 817,000,000   2,670,000 3,380,000 816,000,000 2.59 7.42
1977 865,000,000   3,490,000 3,610,000 865,000,000 2.72 7.32
1978 952,000,000   3,940,000 3,680,000 952,000,000 2.91 7.28
1979 995,000,000   3,990,000 3,890,000 995,000,000 3.28 7.36
1980 892,000,000   3,570,000 2,830,000 893,000,000 3.43 6.79
1981 792,000,000   3,040,000 3,300,000 791,000,000 3.95 7.08
1982 717,000,000   1,700,000 1,900,000 717,000,000 4.07 6.88
1983 782,000,000   2,450,000 2,220,000 782,000,000 4.26 6.97
1984 867,000,000   2,950,000 2,180,000 868,000,000 4.33 6.80
1985 908,000,000   2,760,000 2,180,000 908,000,000 4.46 6.76
1986 928,000,000   2,950,000 2,680,000 929,000,000 4.59 6.83
1987 1,090,000,000   3,540,000 2,960,000 1,090,000,000 4.82 6.92
1988 1,130,000,000   3,310,000 3,350,000 1,130,000,000 4.91 6.76
1989 1,100,000,000   4,000,000 3,580,000 1,100,000,000 4.84 6.36
1990 1,110,000,000   4,570,000 4,680,000 1,110,000,000 5.04 6.29
1991 997,000,000   5, 200,000 2,220,000 1,000,000,000 5.31 6.35
1992 1,050,000,000   7,000,000 3,660,000 1,050,000,000 5.32 6.18
1993 1,120,000,000   8,440,000 4,820,000 1,120,000,000 5.30 5.98
1994 1,230,000,000 1,190,000 8,930,000 5,180,000 1,230,000,000 5.38 5.92
1995 1,260,000,000 9,600,000 10,900,000 6,040,000 1,270,000,000 5.36 5.73
1996 1,330,000,000 10,300,000 11,300,000 3,270,000 1,350,000,000 5.40 5.61
1997 1,410,000,000 9,960,000 12,400,000 4,090,000 1,430,000,000 5.64 5.73
1998 1,510,000,000 11,800,000 13,600,000 4,370,000 1,530,000,000 5.38 5.38
1999 1,530,000,000 16,300,000 12,300,000 4,120,000 1,550,000,000 5.35 5.23
2000 1,550,000,000 15,600,000 13,000,000 4,020,000 1,570,000,000 5.36 5.08
2001 1,590,000,000 16,400,000 13,500,000 4,370,000 1,620,000,000 5.57 5.12
2002 1,510,000,000 14,700,000 14,300,000 2,560,000 1,540,000,000 5.71 5.17
2003 1,530,000,000 17,100,000 15,300,000 1,010,000 1,560,000,000 5.93 5.25
2004 1,630,000,000 13,500,000 18,600,000 1,280,000 1,660,000,000 6.07 5.24
2005 1,700,000,000 14,400,000 21,000,000 1,260,000 1,730,000,000 7.29 6.09
2006 1,780,000,000 15,400,000 19,800,000 1,140,000 1,810,000,000 8.03 6.49
2007 1,650,000,000 20,100,000 19,500,000 1,020,000 1,690,000,000 8.58 6.75
2008 1,450,000,000 29,100,000 20,900,000 1,240,000 1,500,000,000 9.36 7.09
2009 1,160,000,000 28,500,000 12,200,000 1,260,000 1,200,000,000 9.73 7.39
2010 1,160,000,000 26,400,000 14,600,000 1,210,000 1,200,000,000 9.57 7.15
2011 1,160,000,000 27,200,000 15,000,000 911,000 1,200,000,000 9.68 7.01
               
1Compiled by C.A. DiFrancesco (retired), V.V. Tepordei (retired), and J.C. Willett.
Data are calculated, estimated, or reported. See notes for more information.

Crushed Stone (Data in million metric tons unless otherwise noted)
Domestic Production and Use: 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 in 50 states. 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 6 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, in descending order of tonnage, among marble, volcanic cinder and scoria, slate, shell, and calcareous marl. It is estimated that of the 1.24 billion tons of crushed stone consumed in the United States in 2012, 46 percent was reported by use, 27 percent was reported for unspecified uses, and 27 percent of the total consumed was estimated for nonrespondents to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) canvasses.

Of the 512 million tons 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.
To provide a more accurate estimate of the consumption patterns for crushed stone, the "unspecified uses – reported and estimated," as defined in the USGS Minerals Yearbook, are not included in the above percentages.

Demand for crushed stone was slightly higher in 2012 because of the apparent end of the slowdown in activity that some of the principal construction markets have experienced during the last 6 years. Long-term increases in construction aggregates demand will be influenced by activity in the public and private construction sectors, as well as by construction work related to security measures being implemented around the nation.

The underlying factors that would support a rise in prices of crushed stone are expected to be present in 2013, especially in and near metropolitan areas. The crushed stone industry continued to be concerned with environmental, health and safety regulations.

Shortages of crushed stone in some urban and industrialized areas are expected to continue to increase owing to local zoning regulations and land-development alternatives. These issues are expected to continue and to cause new crushed stone quarries to locate away from large population centers.

Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2013

Highway, Bridge Contracts Down in 2012

Despite the 2012 passage of MAP-21, the real value of highway and bridge contract awards over the last 12 months was down three percent compared to the previous 12-month period, according to the latest analysis of McGraw-Hill Dodge data by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).

Taking into account changes in wages, materials and inflation, state and local governments awarded $54.3 billion in real highway and bridge contract awards between February 2012-January 2013, compared to $55.8 billion in the same 2011-2012 time period.

Contract awards are a leading indicator of construction activity at the state level. “We did see a significant jump in the value of awards in January 2013,” said ARTBA’s Chief Economist Dr. Alison Premo Black. “Although that is a positive sign, the increase was primarily due to several large projects in Arizona, Arkansas, California, New York and Virginia.”

The outlook on a state-by-state level is mixed. The real value of highway contract awards is down in 23 states and Washington, D.C., up in 20 states, and within a range of plus or minus five percent in seven states. Bridge awards are down in 22 states and Washington, D.C., up in 24 states, and within a range of plus or minus five percent in four states.

“This tells us that nearly half the states are pulling back on their programs,” Black noted. “The good news is that we do expect to see an uptick in activity later this year given the recent increase in federal aid obligations – many of those projects should go through the bidding and awards process over the next few months. It remains to be seen, however, if it will be enough to provide real growth in the highway and bridge construction market by the end of 2013.”

There is better news for state and local government contract awards for docks,­­­­­ piers and wharves, which were up nearly 30 percent in the past 12 months, to $1.4 billion. Awards in California, Georgia and New Jersey drove growth in January 2013.

Awards were also up nearly 30 percent to $3.5 billion for state and local government transit and railroad awards, reflecting an increase in demand following 33 months of extensions of the federal aid program. January awards were driven by projects in California, Illinois, New Mexico and Pennsylvania.

Finally, the value of state and local government airport runway contract awards was down 3.2 percent.

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