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 2.5 Mt of dimension stone, valued at $520 million, was sold or used by U.S. producers in 2022. Dimension stone was produced by approximately 200 companies conducting mining operations at 231 sites in 34 states. Leading producing states were Texas, Wisconsin, Indiana and Vermont (in descending order by tonnage). These four states accounted for about 68 percent of the production quantity and contributed about 58 percent of the value of domestic production. Approximately 49 percent, by tonnage, of dimension stone sold or used was limestone, followed by granite (19 percent), sandstone (18 percent), dolomite and slate (4 percent each), and the remaining 6 percent was divided, in descending order of tonnage, among marble, traprock, miscellaneous stone and quartzite. Consumption and pricing Rough stone represented 59 percent of the tonnage and 56 percent of the value of all the dimension stone sold or used by domestic producers, including exports in 2022. The leading uses and distribution of rough stone, by tonnage, were in building and construction (66 percent) and in irregular-shaped stone (26 percent). The leading uses and distribution of dressed stone, by tonnage, were in ashlars and partially squared pieces (43 percent), curbing (13 percent), slabs and blocks for building and construction (10 percent) and flagging (9 percent). The average price per ton as reported by domestic producers for dimension stone was $208/t. By value, the leading sales or uses were for limestone (47 percent), followed by granite (26 percent), sandstone (10 percent), and marble and slate (5 percent each); the remaining 7 percent was divided, in descending order of total value, among dolomite, traprock, quartzite and miscellaneous stone. 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 In 2022, Brazil, China, Italy and India were the leading sources in terms of value and weight of dimension stone imports into the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Nearly 73 percent of the total value (and 68 percent of the total tonnage) of U.S. dimension stone imports came from those four countries in 2022. Canada was the leading export destination, with approximately 56 percent of the total value (and 94 percent of the tonnage) of U.S. dimension stone exports being attributed to this single country. Italy, the Bahamas, China and Mexico were also other significant destinations, together accounting for 30 percent of the total value of U.S. dimension stone exports. These four countries accounted for most of the remaining 6 percent of the tonnage of dimension stone exports, although 67 other countries received relatively smaller volumes of dimension stone, which accounted for the remaining 14 percent of the value of dimension stone exports in the United States in 2022. Outlook The United States remained one of the world’s leading markets for dimension stone. In 2022, total imports of dimension stone increased in value by about 9 percent compared with those in 2021. In 2022, the value of dimension stone exports increased by 3 percent to about $48 million. Apparent consumption, by value, was estimated to be $2.9 billion in 2022 — an 11 percent increase compared with that in 2021. Dimension stone production trends similarly to economic indicators for the construction industry in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, most economic indicators for construction have shown slight to moderate growth in 2022. At a national level, the price index for multifamily homes increased by 6 percent, the average producer price index for construction materials increased by 13 percent from what was reported in 2021, and the total amount spent on construction increased by 29 percent. At a state level, all four of the leading dimension stone producing states saw increases in total construction earnings and number of construction employees. The dimension stone industry continued to be concerned with safety and health regulations and environmental restrictions in 2022, 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.

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.

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