DIMENSION STONE

Dimension stone is natural rock material quarried for the purpose of obtaining blocks or slabs that meet specifications as to size (width, length and thickness) and shape. Color, grain texture and pattern, and surface finish of the stone also are normal requirements from customers and the stone industry. Although various igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks are used as dimension stone, the principal rock types are granite, limestone, marble, sandstone and slate. Production Approximately 2.3 Mt of dimension stone, valued at $410 million, was sold or used by U.S. producers in 2023. The amount and value were both approximately 3 percent less than in 2022. Dimension stone was produced by approximately 176 companies conducting mining operations at 224 quarries in 33 states. Leading producing states were Texas, Wisconsin, Indiana, Vermont and Georgia (in descending order by tonnage). These five states accounted for about 70 percent of dimension stone production and contributed about 60 percent of the total value of domestic production. Approximately 51 percent, by tonnage, of dimension stone sold or used was limestone, followed by granite (20 percent), sandstone (14 percent), dolomite and quartzite (4 percent each), and the remaining 7 percent was divided, in descending order of tonnage, among miscellaneous stone, marble, traprock and slate. Consumption and pricing Rough stone represented 58 percent of the tonnage and 51 percent of the value of all the dimension stone sold or used by domestic producers, including exports in 2023. The leading uses and distribution of rough stone, by tonnage, were in building and construction (62 percent) and in irregular-shaped stone (29 percent). The leading uses and distribution of dressed stone, by tonnage, were in ashlars and partially squared pieces (47 percent), curbing (12 percent), slabs and blocks for building and construction (11 percent) and flagging (11 percent). The average price per ton as reported by domestic producers for dimension stone was $175/t. By value, the leading sales (or uses) were for limestone (49 percent), followed by granite (25 percent), sandstone (9 percent), dolomite and quartzite (4 percent each), slate and marble (3 percent each), and traprock (less than 1 percent). Prices are substantially different not only for the type of stone but also for the appearance of the same type of stone. Color, grain structure, and finish contribute significantly to price and marketability. Foreign trade According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Italy, China, Turkey, Brazil and India were the leading sources of dimension stone imports into the United States in terms of value in 2023. More than 81 percent of the total value of U.S. dimension stone imports came from those five countries in 2023. The value of imports from Canada and Mexico accounted for 8 percent of total dimension stone imports, and the remaining 11 percent was distributed among 88 different countries or localities. Canada received approximately 56 percent of the total value (and 83 percent of the tonnage) of U.S. dimension stone exports in 2023. Italy, China, the Bahamas and Mexico were also other significant destinations of U.S. dimension stone exports, together accounting for 29 percent of the total value and 12 percent of the tonnage. The remaining 15 percent of the total dimension stone export value was divided among 78 different countries and localities. Outlook The funding of construction projects continued through the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with more than $370 billion in awards announced. In 2023, U.S. construction spending increased by an estimated 6 percent from spending in 2022. However, there was an estimated 13 percent decrease in new housing starts in 2023 compared with 2022. Lower demand for dimension stone products for residential construction might offset some of the increased consumption for public construction projects if the residential housing market slows in the coming year. The Dimension Stone Committee of ASTM International proposed a new standard that tests the physical properties of dimension and other natural building stone under freeze-thaw conditions. The testing procedures would produce additional data on the mechanical performance of different building stones that are subjected to especially cold and harsh environments. The dimension stone industry continued to address safety and health regulations and environmental restrictions in 2023, especially those concerning crystalline silica exposure. In 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration finalized new regulations to further restrict exposure to crystalline silica at quarry sites and other industrial operations that use materials containing it. Final implementation of the new regulations took effect in 2021, affecting various industries that use materials containing silica. Most provisions of the new regulations became enforceable on June 23, 2018, for general industry and maritime operations. Reference U.S. Geological Survey, 2024, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024—Dimension Stone: U.S. Geological Survey, p. 168–169, https://doi.org/10.3133/mcs2024.

DIMENSION STONE

Authored by:
Jason Williams

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To view the past issues of the UCA magazine you must be a member of SME/UCA.

DIATOMITE

FRAC SAND

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