US production of crushed stone, sand and gravel all dropped in the first quarter of the year.
Sand and gravel production was down 4 % and aggregates down 3% year on year in the first quarter of 2017, according to the US Geological Survey quarterly Mineral Industry Surveys.
It estimates some 261 million tonnes of crushed stone and 165 million tonnes of construction sand and gravel was shipped for consumption in the US during the first quarter of 2017.
Construction sand and gravel was produced by an estimated 4,100 companies and government agencies from approximately 6,300 operations in 50 States. Texas was the top producer, followed by California, Michigan, Minnesota, Utah, Washington, New York, Arizona, Ohio, and Colorado, in descending order. Those 10 states accounted for approximately 55% of total output.
Sand and gravel decreases were seen in six of the nine geographic divisions when compared to the first quarter of 2016. The largest decreases in percentages were recorded in the West North Central, the Middle Atlantic, and the East North Central divisions.
Production-for-consumption increased in 23 of the 45 States for which estimates were made. The five leading States were, in descending order, Texas, California, Arizona, Washington, and Colorado. Their combined total was 61.6 Mt, a 6 percent decrease when compared to the first quarter of 2016.
For aggregates decreases were seen in five of the nine geographic divisions when compared to the first quarter of 2016. The largest decrease in percentage was recorded in the West North Central division. Increases were seen in 26 of the 43 States for which estimates were made. The five leading States were, in descending order, Texas, Florida, California, Georgia, and North Carolina. Their combined total was 138m tonnes, an increase of 3% in the same period of 2016.
