In 2001, New Mexico ranked 24th nationally in total nonfuel mineral value, down from 18th place in 2000. In the same year, according to preliminary figures, nonfuel mineral production was valued at $614 million, down 22% from 2000. In 2001, New Mexico remained 3rd, behind Arizona and Utah, of 13 copperproducing states. Copper is the 3rd most widely used metal, after iron and aluminum, and one that is employed in electrical and telecommunications products, building construction, industrial machinery, transportation, consumer products, and in strategic military applications. Copper and potash again led other mineral commodities in New Mexico, and, along with construction sand and gravel and portland cement, accounted for about 88% of the state's total nonfuel mineral value.
The state continued to lead the country in perlite production with the largest output of six producing states, and the main markets for New Mexico's perlite were its uses in building construction, as filter aids, as a filler, and in agriculture. New Mexico also ranked 1st in production of potash and zeolites, 2nd in pumice and pumicite, 3rd in crude mica, and 5th in molybdenum and was an important producer of construction sand and gravel. According to the state, the vast majority of the potash finds its way as a soil amendment in agriculture; the remainder is used in industry for such things as manufacturing television tubes, chinaware, soaps, and synthetic rubber.