The US Geological Survey's 2001 estimate of Louisiana's nonfuel mineral value totaled $274 million, 16% below the figure reported by the state's mineral producers in 2000, and much less than the record $584 million produced in 1980. The leading mineral commodity, accounting for roughly half of all nonfuel mineral production in 2001, was salt (14.5 million metric tons, valued at $142 million). Louisiana is the leading state in salt and sulfur production. Salt brine is produced in Ascension, Assumption, Calcasieu, Iberville, and Lafourche parishes. Rock salt is produced in Iberia and St. Mary parishes. Production of construction sand and gravel in 2001 was an estimated 17.4 million metric tons, valued at $91.3 million.
As of 2001, sulfur production was no longer included in the figures for nonfuel mineral production. All sulfur production came from a mine 17 mi (28 km) off the Louisiana coast that was closed in August 2000. The closure of the sulfur mine plus a $69 million drop in the value of salt accounted for nearly all of the overall decline in nonfuel mineral production for the year. The state's national ranking in mineral value decreased two positions to 37th in 2001.