In 2020, the estimated total value of nonfuel mineral production in the United States decreased by 2 percent to $82.3 billion, from the revised value of $83.7 billion in 2019. The estimated value of metals produced domestically increased by 3 percent to $27.7 billion and the estimated value of industrial minerals produced domestically decreased by 4 percent to $54.6 billion (Table 1) (U.S. Geological Survey, 2021).
Increased prices for precious metals, such as gold, which reached a record-high price of $2,060 per troy ounce in August, contributed to the increased value of metal production. Large decreases in consumption of nonfuel mineral commodities in commercial construction, oil and gas production, steel production and transportation manufacturing were attributed to the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many mines were not subject to COVID-19-related stay-at-home orders because they were deemed critical industries, but owing to lack of demand from downstream industries, some mines did have reduced operations.
