FACTS ABOUT AGGREGATES & INDUSTRIAL MINERALS MINED IN OHIO

 
Definition: Aggregates are naturally occurring or manufactured rocks or minerals that are crushed and then used in the construction industry. In Ohio, aggregates are crushed limestone, crushed sandstone, sand, gravel, and crushed iron or steel slag from the steel industry.

Over 131 Million tons of natural aggregates were sold from Ohio mines in 2006, along with about 4 million tons of manufactured aggregates (iron and steel slag).  Ohio is the Nation’s second leading raw steel-manufacturing State.

Over 8 million tons of other industrial minerals, such as salt, shale, clay, industrial sand, gypsum, and building stone were produced in Ohio in 2006.

Aggregates and industrial minerals are produced in 86 Ohio counties – 292 companies operated 453 industrial-mineral mining operations in Ohio. In 2006, Ohio’s nonfuel raw mineral production was valued at $941 Million, based upon U.S. Geological Survey (USGA) data.  This represents an 7% increase from 2005.  Ohio ranks 17th among the 50 states in total nonfuel raw mineral production value and accounted for about 2% of the U.S. total value.  Compared with quantities produced in the other 50 State in 2005: Ohio ranked 4th in production of salt and lime, 7th in the construction sand and gravel, 3rd in production of fire clays, 7th in crushed stone.  Ohio was a significant producer of portland cement, masonry cement and dimension stone, 5th in common clays and 10th in industrial sand and gravel.

The average price of aggregate is about $6.25 per ton at the plant site. The price per ton varies among the rest of Ohio’s industrial minerals. Ohio’s aggregate and industrial mineral industry directly employees almost 4,910 people being paid an average annual wage of $44,113.

Another 40,000 people are employed indirectly in Ohio’s mineral industry as truck drivers, electricians, mechanics, and many other similar professions.

The revision of the Ohio Surface Mine Act in 2001 assures that all land disturbed by aggregate and industrial mineral extraction will be reclaimed. Reclamation means the mined land will be restored to a useable form that is compatible with future land use.

Aggregate and industrial mineral deposits are becoming scarce as they are covered up by development or prohibited by zoning. Much of Ohio’s large metropolitan areas are built on top of sand and gravel deposits.  A possible solution may be that areas of critical mineral resources should be identified, the minerals extracted, and then the land reclaimed.

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

An average of 11 tons of aggregates and industrial minerals is required annually for each Ohio resident.  Construction of an average American home requires 400 tons of aggregates. Construction of an average-size school or hospital requires 15,000 tons of aggregates.

An average of 38,000 tons of aggregates is necessary to construct one mile of a four-lane highway. Aggregates make up approximately 95 percent of every ton of asphaltic concrete and 85 percent of every cubic yard of portland cement concrete.

Trucks move over 90 percent of all aggregates and industrial minerals produced in Ohio. Most aggregates are used within 50 miles of where it is produced. The remaining 10 percent of material is moved by rail and by barge on the Ohio River and Lake Erie. Haul distance largely controls the price of aggregates. For every 10 miles the aggregate is transported by truck, the cost of the material doubles.

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. 

It is important to remember that mining is a temporary land use, and that desirable aggregate and industrial mineral deposits are not located everywhere.
 
OAIMA represents over 90 percent of the producers of aggregates and industrial minerals in Ohio. 

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