The estimated 2001 value of nonfuel mineral commodities produced in South Carolina decreased by about 4% from 2000 to $531 million, 27th in the nation.
Portland and masonry cement were the leading mineral commodities produced in South Carolina in 2001 by value. According to preliminary figures, some 33.1 million metric tons were produced, valued at $255 million. Two companies in Orangeburg County and one in Dorchester County produced portland cement. Crushed stone, the 2nd leading mineral, consisted primarily of granite and limestone with minor amounts of dolomite, marl, and shell. Its estimated value in 2001 was $180 million, with 27.2 million metric tons produced. Production of gold, a major component of South Carolina's nonfuel mineral sector, ceased when Kennecott Minerals's Ridgeway Mine closed down operations in 1999. Construction sand and gravel was the 3rd most valuable nonfuel mineral produced in 2001, with 10.1 million metric tons, valued at $40.5 million. Kaolin was the 4th most valuable mineral commodity produced (422,000 metric tons, $20.6 million). Common clay and shale and fuller's earth were other varieties of clay mined. South Carolina remained the 2nd-leading state in vermiculite production, 3rd in the production of kaolin, fire clays, and mica, 4th in masonry cement, 8th in portland cement, and 11th in industrial sand and gravel (755,000 metric tons, valued at $18.6 million).