Gravel is an important component of the California economy.
Minerals are inorganic elements or compounds with a definite chemical composition and specific physical properties. They are solid, crystalline structures formed by geological processes within the Earth. Many minerals are valuable economic commodities that are important to state economies. California contains vast amounts of minerals. According to the California Geological Survey (CGS), California produced $4 billion worth of non-fuel minerals in 2008.
Gold
Gold, one of the earliest metals discovered by humans, resists corrosion and does not disintegrate when exposed to salt, oxygen or water. This durability makes it a valuable commodity. Currently, the electronics, aerospace and armaments industries use gold as components of products, such as computers. Workers at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California, discovered gold in 1848. The most important gold deposits in California are located in the Mojave Desert, Sierra Nevada Mountains and Klamath Mountains. Unmined, low-grade deposits are scattered across the state. In 2008, California mined 119,300 ounces of gold worth approximately $104 million, according to the CGS.
Benitoite
Benitoite is a rare gem found only in a small area of San Benito County, California. It occurs as a crystal in a variety of colors, including purple, blue, white, pink and colorless. A fluorescent mineral, benitoite turns a bright, deep, sky blue when exposed to x-rays and ultraviolet light. Only found in small quantities, it is a highly valued collector's item due to its scarcity.
Sand and Gravel
California was the top sand and gravel producer in 2008, according the CGS. Sand and gravel are important raw materials in the construction and manufacturing industries. They are the state's leading industrial minerals. The CGS reports that the state produced 108,529,000 tons of construction sand and gravel and 1,940,000 tons of industrial gravel and sand worth approximately $1 million in 2008.
Boron
California contains the largest boron deposits in the United States. Boron forms bright, transparent crystals that are almost as hard as diamonds. It is used in cleaning compounds and fertilizers and also as an abrasive. The CGS reports that California mined about $700,000 worth of boron in 2008.
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