SAND AND GRAVEL (INDUSTRIAL)1/ (Data in thousand metric tons, unless noted)2/ Domestic Production and Use: Industrial sand and gravel valued at nearly $479 million was produced by 88 companies from 152 operations located in 38 States. Leading States, in order of volume, were Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, California, and Wisconsin. Combined production from these states represented 44% of the national total. About 39% of the national tonnage was used as glassmaking sand, 24% as foundry sand, 6% as abrasive sand, 5% as hydraulic fracturing sand, and the remainder for many other uses. Salient Statistics--United States: 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995e/ Production 23,200 25,200 26,200 27,300 28,200 Imports for consumption 83 164 44 22 60 Exports 1,490 1,340 1,750 1,880 1,910 Consumption, apparent 21,900 24,000 24,500 25,400 26,400 Price, average value, dollars per ton 16.81 17.24 17.33 17.86 17.02 Stocks, yearend NA NA NA NA NA Employment, quarry and mille/ 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 Net import reliance3/ as a percent of apparent consumption E E E E E Recycling: There is some recycling of foundry sand, and recycled cullet (pieces of glass) represents a significant amount of reused silica. Import Sources (1991-94): Belgium, 39%; Australia, 30%; Germany, 27%; Guyana, 2%; and other, 2%. Tariff: Item Number Most favored nation (MFN) Non-MFN4/ 12/31/95 12/31/95 95% or more silica and not more than 0.6% iron oxide 2505.10.1000 Free $1.97/t. Depletion Allowance: Industrial sand or pebbles, 14% (Domestic and Foreign). Government Stockpile: None. Prepared by Wallace P. Bolen, (703) 648-7727. SAND AND GRAVEL (INDUSTRIAL) Events, Trends, and Issues: The United States was the world's largest producer and consumer of industrial sand and gravel based on estimated world production figures. However, it was difficult to collect definitive numbers on silica sand and gravel production in most nations because of the wide range of terminologies and specifications for silica from country to country. Attempts to improve the accuracy of data on world industrial sand and gravel production are ongoing, and revisions should be expected. The United States remained a major exporter of silica sand, shipping sand to almost every region of the world. This was attributed to the high quality and advanced processing techniques of a large variety of grades of silica, meeting virtually every specification for silica sand and gravel. Imports of silica are generally of two types: small-quantity shipments of very high purity silica or a few large shipments of lower grade silica that is shipped only when special circumstances were achieved (i.e., very favorable freight rates). Industrial sand and gravel sold or used increased about 2% in 1995 compared with 1994. It is estimated that 1996 domestic production and U.S. apparent consumption will be about 28 million tons and 26 million tons, respectively. The industrial sand and gravel industry continued to be concerned with safety and health regulations and environmental restrictions in 1995. Local shortages were expected to continue to increase owing to local zoning regulations and land development alternatives. This is expected to continue to cause a movement of sand and gravel operations away from high-population centers. World Mine Production, Reserves, and Reserve Base: Mine productione/ Reserves and reserve base5/ 1994 1995 United States 27,300 28,200 Australia 2,500 2,800 Large. Silica is abundant in the Austria 6,460 6,600 Earth's crust. The reserves and Belgium 2,480 2,400 reserve base are controlled by the Brazil 2,700 2,800 location of population centers. Canada 1,600 1,800 France 6,000 6,000 Germany 10,000 10,000 India 1,300 1,300 Italy 4,000 4,000 Japan 3,940 4,000 Mexico 1,360 1,400 Netherlands 20,000 20,000 Paraguay 2,000 2,000 South Africa 1,920 2,000 Spain 2,000 2,100 Sweden 1,500 1,500 United Kingdom 3,600 3,800 Other countries 9,740 10,000 World total (rounded) 110,000 113,000 World Resources: Sand and gravel resources of the world are sizable. However, because of their geographic distribution, environmental restrictions, and quality requirements for some uses, extraction of these resources is sometimes uneconomic. Quartz-rich sand and sandstones, the main source of industrial silica sand, occur throughout the world. Substitutes: Silica sand continues to be the major material used for glassmaking and for foundry and molding sands; alternates are zircon, olivine, staurolite, and chromite sands. e/Estimated. E Net exporter. NA Not available. 1/See also Sand and Gravel (Construction). 2/See Appendix A for conversion to short tons. 3/Defined as imports - exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock changes. 4/See Appendix B. 5/See Appendix C for definitions. Mineral Commodities Summaries, January 1996