The U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summary - 2017

Federal & State Resources / US Geological Survey (USGS)

Date posted: 02/09/17

In 2016, the estimated value of total nonfuel mineral production in the U.S. of $74.6 billion was a slight increase from the revised total of $73.4 billion in 2015. Increased construction activity spurred increased production of industrial minerals, especially those used in infrastructure and residential construction. Although starting the year relatively low, prices for several metals, especially for some of the precious metals, began to trend upward. Decreased production of most metals produced in the U.S., however, contributed to an overall decline in the value of metal production. Several U.S. metal mines and processing facilities were idled or closed permanently in 2016, including iron ore mines in Michigan and Minnesota, three primary aluminum smelters in Indiana, Missouri, and Washington, one secondary zinc smelter in North Carolina, a titanium sponge facility in Utah, the only such facility in the U.S., and titanium mineral operations in Virginia. In addition, in May, the weekly average rig count for oil and gas drilling reached its lowest level since the 1940s when that measurement was first recorded. The reduced drilling activity resulted in decreased production of some industrial mineral products used in the drilling sector. The USGS generates composite leading and coincident indexes to measure economic activity in the primary metals and the nonmetallic minerals industries. The estimated value of U.S. metal mine production in 2016 was $23.0 billion, 5% less than that of 2015. Principal contributors to the total value of metal mine production in 2016 were gold (37%), copper (29%), iron ore (15%), and zinc (7%). The estimated value of U.S.industrial minerals production in 2016 was $51.6 billion, about 5% more than that of 2015. The value of industrial minerals production in 2016 was dominated by crushed stone (31%), cement (18%), and construction sand and gravel (17%). 11 States each produced more than $2 billion of such products.