The aggregates sector is by far the largest amongst the non-energy extractive industries in numbers of sites, companies, numbers employed and tonnages produced. The European (EU27 + EFTA, 2021) aggregates demand is 3.000 million tonnes per year, an annual turnover estimated at up to €20.000 M€ billion. The European average demand for aggregates is almost 6 tonnes per capita per year, employing close to 187.000 people.
https://www.aggregates-europe.eu/facts-figures/facts/
U.S. construction sand and gravel production was about 960 million tons in 2022, a slight increase compared with that in 2021. Apparent consumption also increased to 960 million tons. Consumption of construction sand and gravel increased in 2022 because of growth in the private and public construction markets.
Usually, commercial and heavy-industrial construction activity, infrastructure funding, labor availability, new single-family housing unit starts, and weather affect growth in construction sand and gravel production and consumption. Long-term increases in construction aggregates demand are influenced by activity in the public and private construction sectors, as well as by construction work related to infrastructure improvements around the Nation.
Sand and gravel resources are plentiful throughout the world. However, because of environmental regulations, geographic distribution, and quality requirements for some uses, sand and gravel extraction is uneconomical in some cases. The most important commercial sources of sand and gravel have been glacial deposits, river channels, and river flood plains. Use of offshore deposits in the United States is mostly restricted to beach erosion control and replenishment. Other countries routinely mine offshore deposits of aggregates for onshore construction projects.
https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2023/mcs2023-sand-gravel.pdf
“Crushed stone, one of the most accessible natural resources, is a major basic raw material used by construction, agriculture, and other industries that utilize complex chemical and metallurgical processes. Despite the low value of its basic products, the crushed stone industry is a major contributor to and an indicator of the economic well-being“
“An adequate supply of aggregates of the right quality is essential to construct and maintain serviceable, safe, durable and cost effective building and civil engineering works including our homes, hospitals, schools, work places and transport systems. All are vital to our well being, our social development and economic growth. Aggregates are, therefore, vital to the maintenance and development of what is literally the physical framework of our society.”
Aggregates – Sand, gravel and crushed rock aggregates for construction purposes (third edition), edited by M. R. SMITH & L. COLLIS
Aggregates are the primary components of concrete and asphalt, essential for building roads, bridges, buildings, and countless other structures. Moreover, they serve as a vital resource for manufacturing and maintenance in sectors ranging from transportation and energy to agriculture and landscaping. The availability and affordability of aggregates directly impact the cost and pace of construction projects, which, in turn, influence a nation’s economic competitiveness.
Follow the links for references on aggregates’ 1. Sources, Exploration, and Mining, 2. Application and Markets, 3. Resources, Reserves, and Valuation
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