April 04, 2005
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE USE
FOR MORE INFORMATION,
CONTACT: Diana Barnum (614) 529-9459
Each of us depends on Ohio’s
mineral aggregate resources. Every
American born today will
need 3.6 million pounds of minerals,
metal and fuels in his of
her lifetime, including 1.7 million
pounds of aggregates and industrial
minerals mined in Ohio.
Further, the aggregate mined
here in Ohio is used to build our
roadways, homes, schools and
hospitals, among other uses.
“Aggregates and industrial
minerals mined in Ohio include
limestone and sand &
gravel for roads, bridges, asphalt and
concrete for roads, bridges
and buildings, clay and shale for
brick, block and pavers,
gypsum for wallboards, industrial sand
for drinking and wastewater
treatment and salt for melting ice in
the winter and softening our
water at home,” said Patrick A.
Jacomet, Executive Director
of the Ohio Aggregates and Industrial
Minerals Association
(OAIMA). “Agricultural lime, also from
mining, allows farmers to
enhance their soils, increase
production and decrease the
dependence on fertilizers and
pesticides.”
The aggregate and industrial
mining industry is vital to Ohio’s
economy. Last year, Ohio’s miners produced over 137
million tons
of industrial minerals
valued at over $800 million. The
industry
makes a significant
contribution to the Ohio economy, employing
more than 5,400 people
averaging over $40,000 in yearly salaries.
Another 40,000 are employed
indirectly in Ohio’s mineral industry
as truck drivers,
electricians, mechanics, engineers, office
personal and other related
professions. In fact, a recent study
shows, that for every one
dollar of output from the industry an
additional $1.58 is
generated in the national economy.
Quarries must operate in
areas where quality deposits exist.
Aggregates and industrial
minerals are produced in 86 Ohio
counties from approximately
730 mining operations statewide.
Unlike other businesses,
aggregate facilities can only operate
where quality deposits
exist. Access to quality aggregate
resources is critical to the
economic viability of the state of
Ohio and is the key to a
solid infrastructure and safe and
efficient transportation
system.
“OAIMA promotes awareness of
the industry throughout the
community,” explained
Jacomet. “Our website, at www.oaima.org is
an educational project in
progress and hosts a Teacher’s Corner.”
Website visitors can click a
red apple in the top right corner
for PowerPoint presentations
and other free resources.
“It is important to realize
that our lives would be totally
different were it not for
the mineral resources that Ohio is
blessed with,” continued
Jacomet. “In fact, if you look around
you will find that
everything we use in our daily lives is
directly or indirectly
linked to mining. We have a saying, and
that is, ‘If it can’t be
grown, it has to be mined.’ From the
buildings we live in to the
schools we learn in to the roads we
drive on, mineral resources
form the cornerstone of the Ohio
economy and the lifestyles
of Ohio’s citizens.”
For more information and inclusion
in the OAIMA mailing list,
contact OAIMA at 162 N.
Hamilton Rd., Gahanna, OH 43230. Call:
(800) OH-ROCKS / (614)
428-7954; fax inquiries to: (614)
428-7919. Visit the
Statehouse Museum Shop for an Educational
Ohio Mined Rock Set Gift,
also available online at
www.statehouseshop.com
SIDEBAR:
FAST FACTS
Group members in OAIMA
promote awareness of the industry
throughout the community.
Neighborhood groups, school children,
media, and legislative
representatives – nearly everyone can
benefit from learning, “If
it can’t be grown, it has to be
mined.” So the group helps
educate with facts like:
AGGREGATE QUICK FACTS
· There are 95,000 Tons of Aggregate per 1-mile of 4-lane
highway
· There are 11-tons of Aggregate and Industrial Minerals for
Each
Ohio Resident
· The Average Home Requires 106 Tons of Aggregate
· The Average School or Hospital Requires 15,000 Tons of
Aggregate
OHIO’S CONSTRUCTION
AGGREGATES
· Natural aggregate – 4th Nationally
· Limestone – 4th Nationally
· Slag – Top 4 (2nd in Steel Manufacturing)
OHIO’S INDUSTRIAL MINERALS
· Clay and Shale – 5th Nationally
· Sandstone and Industrial Sands – 2nd Nationally
· Salt – 5th nationally
· Cement – Overall Ohio is 10th Nationally in Aggregate and
Mineral Production
-30-
###
Media Notes:
1. Patrick A. Jacomet, Executive Director of OAIMA is available
for interviews and speaking
engagements. Contact him at:
Ohio Aggregates and
Industrial Minerals Association
162 N. Hamilton Rd.
Gahanna, OH 43230
Call: (800) OH-ROCKS / (614)
428-7954
Fax: (614) 428-7919
2. Ohio Mined Rock Sets,
great to use as promotional pieces, are
available upon request for
media. Contract Patrick Jacomet (above
in #1) for sets. Photo and
description online at Statehouse
Museum Shop: http://www.statehouseshop.com/browse.cfm/4,1353.html