Several non-metallic mineral deposits are covered by this survey, including stone quarries/clay and sand pits; chemical and fertiliser mineral deposits; salt deposits; and deposits of quartz, gypsum, natural gem stones, asphalt and bitumen, peat and other non-metallic minerals other than coal and petroleum.
These minerals do not contain metal content. Sulphur, phosphates and nitrates are examples of non-metallic minerals.
The nonmetallic minerals industry is best known for the production of cement, ceramics, glass, and lime products. Thus, the range of application is quite broad, from construction materials to sanitary ware to tableware and decorative products.
The transformation of nonmetallic minerals into these products is often an energy-intensive process, which can include several steps, such as heating, grinding, mixing, cutting, shaping and honing.
In the United States, the Nonmetallic Mineral Products Industry was formerly known as the Stone, Clay, Glass, and Concrete Products Industry.
Under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), this subsector is separated into clay product and refractory, glass and glass products, cement and concrete products, lime and gypsum products, and other nonmetallic mineral products.
