EXHIBIT 23.3 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS We have issued our report dated February 11, 1997 accompanying the consolidated financial statements of Monroc, Inc. and Subsidiary as of and for the year ended December 31, 1996 contained in the Form S-1 Registration Statement and Prospectus of U.S. Aggregates, Inc. We consent to the use of the aforementioned report in the Registration Statement and Prospectus and to the use of our name as it appears under the caption "Experts". /s/ Grant Thornton LLP GRANT THORNTON LLP Salt Lake City, Utah July 30, 1999