Western Mineral Resources
Limestone is an essential mineral commodity of national importance. Some of the many products made using limestone are shown in this photographÑbreakfast cereal, paint, calcium supplement pills, a marble tabletop, antacid tablets, high-quality paper, white roofing granules, and Portland cement. (USGS photograph; use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.)
Limestone, as used by the minerals industry, is any rock composed mostly of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Although limestone is common in many parts of the United States, it is critically absent from some. Limestone is used to produce Portland cement, as aggregate in concrete and asphalt, and in an enormous array of other products, making it a truly versatile commodity. Portland cement is essential to the building industry, but despite our NationÕs abundance of limestone, there have been cement shortages in recent years. These have been caused in part by a need to find new areas suitable for quarrying operations. To help manage our NationÕs resources of such essential mineral commodities, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides crucial data and scientific information to industry, policymakers, and the public.
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For questions about the content of this report, contact Jim Bliss.
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This report is also available in print from:
USGS Information Services, Box 25286,
Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225
telephone: 888 ASK-USGS; e-mail: infoservices@usgs.gov
U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2008/3089/
Page Contact Information: Michael Diggles
Page Created: January 22, 2009
Page Last Modified: January 23, 2009
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