The U.S. Geological Survey has released its "Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2012" Report.  This annual report summarizes the state of U.S. minerals production.

The good news:

• The value of U.S. mineral production increased 12 percent from $66 billion in 2010 to $74 billion in 2011.
• There was a 23 percent increase in the value of domestic metal production between 2010 and 2011.
• Coal production value rose from $38.6 billion in 2012 to about $39.2 billion in 2011.
• Employment increased in several sectors.  Most dramatic was metals mining, which jumped from 29,000 workers to about 95,000 between 2010 and 2011.

The bad news:

• The U.S. continues to be dependent on foreign sources for a huge portion of its minerals-related needs.  Foreign sources accounted for more than 50 percent of domestic consumption of 43 key minerals in 2011.

Access the USGS Report here.