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Why Mining is Needed
The Essential Role of Quarries in Supporting Infrastructure and Daily Life
Supporting Everyday Life Through Quarries
Quarries play a vital role in meeting the demand for construction materials, forming the foundation for buildings, roads, and essential infrastructure. While recycling helps, mining remains indispensable. Locating quarries close to demand centers reduces costs and lowers transportation-related emissions.
The graphics below, published annually by the Mineral Education Coalition (MEC), highlight our reliance on mined resources. The Mineral Baby shows the lifetime minerals, metals, and fuels each American will need; Minerals Needed Every Year illustrates annual per-person demand; and Look Around... Everything is Made from Something reveals the resources behind everyday products.
The Mineral Baby
The 2025 Mineral Baby infographic is a powerful representation of the immense mineral, metal, and fuel needs of every American child over their lifetime.
According to the Mineral Education Coalition (MEC), an American born in 2025 will require an estimated 2.99 million pounds of these resources. This striking visualization serves as a reminder of the ongoing demand for mining and the essential role it plays in supporting modern life.
Minerals Needed Every Year
The 2025 MEC Minerals Needed Every Year infographic offers a clear snapshot of per capita mineral use in the United States. It shows that each person requires about 38,016 pounds of new minerals annually to meet the needs of everyday life.
For example, 6,952 pounds of sand and gravel are needed each year to produce concrete, asphalt, roads, blocks, and bricks. This visualization underscores the vital role of mining and quarries in sustaining infrastructure and supporting society’s daily needs.
