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 DeBeers (South Africa), HeidelbergCement (Germany), K+S (Germany), Martin Marietta Materials (US), Nutrien (Canada), and Vulcan Materials (US).

The world's most mined nonmetallic minerals are lime (350 metric tons produced in 2017), phosphate rock (263 metric tons), and salt (280 metric tons). 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 $28 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 about 8% of the US market. Major sources of imports include Canada, Mexico, China, Peru, and Morocco. US exports, mainly to Canada, Mexico, Japan, and China, represent about 8% of domestic production.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major products for the industry in the US include crushed and broken limestone, construction sand and gravel, and potash, soda, and borate. Other products include phosphate rock, crushed and broken stone, and kaolin and ...