Minerals group gauges per capita cement, aggregate consumption

The Mineral Information Institute’s latest “Minerals Baby” notes that 38,052 lb. of new minerals must be provided for every person in the United States to make the items used daily. This includes 8,509 lb. of stone for roads, buildings, bridges, landscaping, and numerous chemical and construction uses; 5,599 lb. of sand and gravel for concrete, asphalt, roads, blocks and bricks; and 496 lb. of cement for roads, sidewalks, bridges, buildings, schools and houses. The SME Foundation-affiliated MII produces a Minerals Baby chart and companion educational materials to promote industry awareness in K–12 schools. Each year, MII factors information provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, Energy Information Administration, and National Mining Association to calculate the amounts of different rocks and minerals that go into structures used on a daily basis.