In 2001, Alabama's nonfuel mineral industry mined and processed an estimated $938 million of mineral commodities (about 2.5% of the US total), according to statistics related by the US Geological Survey. This was a decrease of about 1% from the value reported by the state's 155 mineral producers in 2000. Value increased for cement, clay, sand, gravel, and stone, the mineral commodities used in construction.
According to preliminary figures, in 2001 Alabama produced 4.4 million metric tons of portland cement valued at $344 million, 2.3 billion metric tons of clay worth $28.6 million, 58.1million metric tons of construction sand and gravel valued at $58.1 million, and 50.5 million metric tons of crushed stone worth $318 million. Portland cement, crushed stone, lime, and construction sand and gravel accounted for 94% of the total nonfuel mineral value in 2001.
The state ranked 16th nationally in total mineral production, and remained 2nd in kaolin, 3rd in lime, common clays, and bentonite, and 4th in iron oxide pigments. Alabama was also among the top five masonry-producing states.