America produced nearly $112 billion worth of nonfuel minerals in 2025, according to a new analysis of United States Geological Survey data. Nevada ranked first with $12.6 billion in production value, representing 11.26 percent of the national total.
Arizona placed second at $10.4 billion, or 9.28 percent of the U.S. total. Texas followed closely in third with $10.2 billion, equal to 9.12 percent. Together the three states generated nearly 30 percent of the country’s nonfuel mineral production value.
The Alloy Market, a precious metal buyer, ranked the states using the USGS’s official order based on total mineral production value. The materials covered include gold, silver, copper, zinc, cement, stone, sand, gravel and other industrial minerals. Fuel resources such as coal, oil and natural gas were excluded.
Alaska ranked fourth with $6.41 billion, driven by gold, silver, lead and zinc. California came fifth at $5.86 billion. Florida, Utah, Missouri, Minnesota and Michigan completed the top 10.
Nevada’s principal commodities include copper, gold, silver, diatomite and construction sand and gravel. Arizona’s list is led by copper and molybdenum concentrates along with cement and crushed stone. Texas relies heavily on cement, lime, sand, gravel and crushed stone.
In several states, the USGS withheld the value of one or more commodities to protect company data. Those disclosed figures therefore understate the true totals, though the official ranking already reflects the full production values.
Brandon Aversano, CEO and Founder of The Alloy Market, said: “Gold may be the material that captures the public’s imagination, but this ranking shows how varied America’s mineral economy really is. Nevada is the clear standout, with gold and silver among its principal commodities, but Arizona and Texas show that enormous value can also come from copper, cement, sand, stone, and other materials people rely on every day.
“Texas is probably the best example of that. It ranks third despite gold and silver not appearing among its principal commodities. Materials used to build homes, roads, and infrastructure may not attract the same attention as precious metals, but they are needed in huge quantities and can generate billions of dollars for a state.
“It is also striking that Nevada, Arizona, and Texas together account for almost 30% of the country’s total nonfuel mineral production value. That shows just how much of the industry is concentrated in a small number of states, even though each of them benefits from a very different mix of resources.
“Another thing that stands out is how often cement, sand, gravel, and crushed stone appear in the ranking. We tend to think of mineral wealth in terms of rare metals, but much of its value comes from ordinary materials that are constantly needed for new homes, roads, factories, and public infrastructure.
“What lies beneath the ground is only one part of the picture. States also need the workforce, infrastructure, and industries required to extract, process, and transport these materials. When those pieces are in place, the benefits can spread beyond mining itself to local suppliers, transport firms, manufacturers, and other businesses.”
The analysis is based on the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026. Full state rankings and additional details are available at thealloymarket.com.
© Albert Hyseni