INTRODUCTION: Indiana produced a variety of fuel and nonfuel mineral commodities. The fuels coal, crude oil, and natural gas are essential in powering the diverse facets of the state's economy. Most of the nonfuel commodities are used in some aspect of the construction industry. Cement is used in mortar and concrete and for highways and buildings; common clay and shale primarily for aggregate, concrete manufacture, and cement; dimension limestone for building stone and flagstone; sandstone for building stone and rubble; gypsum for wallboard and cement; and sand and gravel primarily for concrete aggregate, roadbase and stabilization and fill. Other commodities produced are used for a variety of purposes. Ball clay is used primarily for absorbents and fillers, lime primarily in the steel industry; peat primarily for soil improvement and earthworm culture; and industrial sand for refractory purposes, as well as molding, blasting, and glass. In addition, gemstones freshwater pearls and occasionally garnets are produced in Indiana. The industry is widespread: only four of Indiana's 92 counties did not produce at least one mineral commodity during 1993. Commodities produced in Indiana during 1992 and 1993, as well as quantity and value of that production, are listed in publication. During 1993, total Indiana mineral production including fuels and nonfuels was valued at $1.1 billion, a decrease of 8.3 percent from 1992 reported value. Industrial mineral production was valued at $473 million, a less than one percent decrease form 1992. The state ranked twenty-first nationally in total value of industrial minerals produced. The combined value of fuels was $670 million, an overall decrease of 13 percent from 1992. Fuels made up 58.6 percent of the total value of minerals produced during the year. The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reports that an average of 2,948 individuals were mining coal in Indiana during the year, a decrease of 15.2 percent from the 3,476 engaged in mining coal the previous year; and 3,504 persons were employed in mining industrial minerals during 1993, a less than one percent increase from the 3,486 persons reported in similar activity during 1992. Most individuals employed in mining industrial minerals were in aggregates production.