Facts & Figures
Everything You Need to Know About Mining in Texas.
Did You Know?
- Crushed stone accounted for the biggest share of the state's output of industrial resources used in construction followed closely by sand and gravel primarily used in the preparation of concrete.
- Portland and masonry cement formed a third of the total value of domestic resources mined and processed for use in the construction industry in 1995.
- Texas is the 4th largest producer of clay and aggregates in the US.
- Texas is the 5th largest producer of coal in the US.
- Texas ranks first in the nation in coal consumption for electricity generation.
- Texas has the nation's eighth largest mining industry, providing more than 14,000 direct jobs and over 225,000 indirect jobs.
What This Means to the Environment
- Each year, the Texas lignite mining industry spends in excess of $100 million on land restoration and other environmental procedures including ground water protection and improvement, clean air protection and archaeological review and protection (25% of the total spent on products and services by the industry).
- Restored land is primarily for cattle grazing, crops, commercial timber, wildlife habitat and wetlands.
- The restored land is generally returned to a more productive state than before it was mined. At the very least, it is restored to its original condition.
- Based on EPA's Acid Rain Database, Texas ranks sixth best in the nation and is best among coal-using states in emissions of NOx.