The present invention provides compositions and methods involving the use of a carboxylate graft polymer having high molecular weight and low ratio of acid-to-polyoxyalkylene groups. Such clay-mitigation is particularly useful for treating clay and clay-bearing aggregates, particularly those aggregates used for construction purposes. The present invention minimizes the need to wash the aggregates, thus preserving fine aggregates (“fines”) content in construction materials, and thereby beneficiating the performance and/or properties of construction materials containing the clay-bearing aggregates.