On April 29th, the California Geological Survey (CGS) released production data from 2012 indicating that the production of construction aggregate (sand, gravel and crushed stone) increased for the first time since 2007 in California. Construction aggregate production increased by 7.3 percent to 121.3 million tons (valued at $1.162 billion). Portland cement production also increased by 10.7 percent to 9.3 million tons (valued at $621.1 million).
Gold production — California’s 3rd largest non-fuel mineral commodity by value after construction aggregate and Portland cement — continued to decline with production down by 6 percent to 186,980 ounces (valued at $312.7 million).
For more information about California’s non-fuel mineral production data, see the CGS press release and the CGS Annual Report for California Non-Fuel Minerals (2012).