According to the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey), it is estimated that about 607 million Mt (Metric tons) of all construction aggregates have been put through production and shipped off to the U.S. for consumption during the second quarter of this year (2015).   

The USGS has estimated that during the first half of 2015 about 994 Mt was produced for consumption.  Comparing that to the same half year in 2014, this is an increase of 5%.

Comparing with what was used or sold in the second quarter of last year (2014), construction aggregates produced for consumption are estimated to be decreased in 4 of the 9 geographic divisions measured in the second quarter of this year (2015).  Additionally, in twentyfour of the forty three states production for consumption actually increased.  The five states leading in this area are (in ascending order) Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, and Texas.

The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that about 360 Mt of crushed stone have been produced and have shipped throughout the United States for consumption during the second quarter of this year (2015).  This is an increase of 5% in comparison to last years second quarter.  The initial estimation for the first half of this year was 589 Mt.  So this year 6% more has been produced.

Timetric’s MIC ( Mining Intelligence Center) recently did a survey of 630 managers of mines throughout the globe and found that there are more mines expecting an increase in South America during the next year, compared to other mining regions throughout the world.

 Those surveyed were requested to lay out any spending changes that are being planned over the coming year, that differ from the previous 12 months.  According to this study, in South America, a greater share of those surveyed have plans to spend more over the next year.   

  The answers offered to those surveyed were, ‘significant reduction, slight reduction, stay the same, slight increase, and significant increase.’  With spending freezes currently taking place around the world in the mining industry, comparing each planned out spending trend throughout the globe provided interesting and varied results.  Sixteen percent of those surveyed in South America stated answered ‘significant increase’ in what they will be spending over the next year.  This was the highest percentage in comparison to any of the other regions like North America with 3%, Europe and Australia with 4%, Asia with 9%, and Africa with 10%.