Minerals and You

New York ranks in the top 15 mineral producing states. Annually, New York miners produce over $1.5 billion in mineral products.

What do a billiard ball, an automobile and a ceramic cookie jar have in common?
......all of these are made with New York minerals! economic minerals display

Did You Know ?

  • Our 2500 mines produce an amazing variety of products.
  • Each year, every New Yorker uses more than 41,000 pounds of newly mined mineral materials.
  • New York's sand, gravel, and crushed stone are used to build and maintain roads, schools, hospitals, airports, and houses.
  • Halite is mined for food, medicine, and road salt.
  • Garnet is mined in the Adirondacks to use for sandpaper, polishing glass and metal, and water filtration.
  • Limestone is mined in eastern New York to produce cement - the backbone of many construction projects.
  • Brick manufacturers mine clay in the Hudson River Valley.
  • Lead and silver are by-products of zinc mines in the northwest Adirondacks.
  • Granite, slate, and sandstone are mined in several parts of the state for use as building stone.
  • Wollastonite is an ingredient in billiard balls, electrical panels, and automotive parts.
  • Zinc is used in every car tire and as a coating to prevent steel from rusting. Talc is mined for filler and ceramics.