Facts

Did You Know?

Aggregates, largely sand, gravel, rock and stone are critical to the growth and maintenance of our country. These facts are taken from an article entitled "The Value of Aggregates Industry to America." As you examine these facts, we hope you'll gain a greater understanding of the value and necessity of aggregates in our lives.

Production growth

Production of aggregates in the U.S. went from about 351 million metric tons in 1940 to approximately 2.78 billion metric tons in 2001.

Aggregates and the average school

15,000 tons of aggregates are required for the construction of an average size school or hospital.

Maintaining our highway infrastructure

America's highway and transportation infrastructure is badly in need of upgrading. The Federal Highway Administration estimates that more than $50 billion a year in highway needs alone is needed to simply repair and maintain our nation's highway system.

Per capita consumption

During the past 60 years, per capita consumption of aggregates has increased from 3.5 tons per year to over 10 metric tons annually - that is just over 22,000 lbs. for every man, woman and child in America each year!

Some economic benefits

For every $1 billion spent on highway construction, 47,500 jobs are generated each year. Every dollar invested in the highway system yields $2.60 in economic benefits to the nation.

Population growth vs. highway capacity

Over the past 30 years, there has been a 30% increase in the nation's population, a 64% increase in the number of licensed vehicles and a 125% increase in the number of vehicle miles traveled, but only a 6% increase in highway capacity.

Environmental stewardship

Our nation's air is getting remarkably cleaner, in large part due to cleaner fuel burning vehicles. Reduction of gridlock and traffic congestion by improving old highways and building new ones will make the air even cleaner. The aggregates industry is a responsible steward of the environment. Not only are our products used for environmentally beneficial purposes, such as flue gas desulphurization, erosion control and aglime, but also to reclaim and return to the communities a variety of positive land-uses from wetlands to lakes, wildlife habitats, recreational centers and even amusement parks and golf courses.

Aggregates operations are everywhere

Every state, virtually every Congressional District and 70% of the nation's counties are home to an aggregates operation.

Building a highway

An estimated 38,000 tons of aggregates are necessary to construct one mile of lane of interstate highway.

Aggregates and the average home

Construction of an average modern home requires 400 tons of aggregates (15-20 truckloads).

Asphalt and aggregates

94% of asphalt and 80% of concrete is made up of aggregates.

Extraction proximity

90% of aggregates are used within 50 miles of their place of extraction.

Gravel operation life span

The average production life of a sand and gravel operation is 25 years, whereas a stone quarry can be productive for over 50 years.

Aggregate scarcity

Aggregate and industrial mineral deposits are becoming scarce as they are covered up by development or prohibited by zoning. Many metropolitan areas are built on top of sand and gravel deposits.

Aggregate land use in the U.S.

Aggregate mining has touched less than one-quarter of one percent of all the land in the United States.

Hauling and pricing

Haul distance largely controls the price of aggregates.

Aggregates and your tax dollars

Over half of all aggregate used is paid for by tax dollars. Major users are the state, counties, townships and municipalities in their road and infrastructure programs. Federal dollars are involved for airports, dams, locks, erosion control and waste treatment facilities.

Reclamation

Reclamation means the mined land will be restored to a useable form that is compatible with local land use.

Finding a balance

In the next few years, the major challenges facing the aggregates and industrial minerals industry are in the area of public perception and land use. On one hand, every popular land use conflicts with mining, such as farming, development or recreation. On the other hand, everything we do and come in contact with every day is connected to mining. Obviously, a balance is needed between mining and other land use. This can be accomplished by remembering two things: a) that mining is a temporary land use, and b) that desirable aggregate and industrial mineral deposits are not located everywhere. Areas of "critical mineral resources" should be identified in countywide comprehensive land-use plans. After the needed minerals are extracted, the land can be restored for future land use.