Nonmetallic Mineral Mining & Quarrying Industry Profile

Companies in this industry develop mine sites, mine and quarry nonmetallic minerals and provide related support services, and separate minerals from waste. Major nonmetallic mining companies include Martin Marietta and Vulcan Materials (both based in the US), along with DeBeers (South Africa) and HeidelbergCement and K+S (both based in Germany).

The world's most mined nonmetallic minerals are lime (420 million metric tons produced in 2020), phosphate rock (223 million), and salt (270 million). China and India have the largest nonmetallic mineral reserves in the world.

The US nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying industry includes about 5,000 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with annual revenue of about $30 billion.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by construction spending and spending on fertilizers. Large companies have some economies of scale in purchasing and administrative systems, and have the production volume to supply large construction projects, such as new highways. Small companies typically own just one mine and compete in a local market based on superior customer service.

Imports of nonmetallic minerals account for 7% of the US market. Major sources of imports include Canada, Mexico, China, Peru, and Morocco. US exports, mainly to Canada, China, Mexico, Japan, and Germany, represent about 8% of domestic production.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major products for the industry in the US include crushed and broken limestone (about 30% of industry revenue), construction sand and gravel (20%), and crushed and broken granite (10%). ...