US aggregates output continues to rise
AN estimated 437 million tonnes of crushed stone were produced for consumption in the US in the second quarter of 2000, according to the US Geological Survey's latest quarterly mineral industry survey. This represents an increase of 4.0% compared with the same period last year. The estimated output of construction sand and gravel over the same period was 310 million tonnes, an increase of 6.7%.
The USGS says the increases in production are again mostly due to the high level of activity in public, private and commercial construction work.
The five leading States in the production of crushed stone in the second quarter were Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and Illinois, who between them represent 29.8% of the US total. The five leading sand and gravel States were California, Texas, Michigan, Arizona and Minnesota, representing 37.1% of the total.
Figures for the first six months of 2000 show increases of 5.2% and 5.6% for crushed stone (729 million tonnes) and sand and gravel (502 million tonnes), respectively, compared with the same period last year.
