National Mining Association Publications

Mining & Minerals - Evaluations

Date posted: 12/02/10

The contributions of U.S. mining to the nation's economy are dramatically underscored in a new report released today that shows nearly 1.8 million Americans from all 50 states owe their jobs wholly or in part to the mining of domestic coal, metals and minerals and suppliers of goods and services to U.S. mining operations. The report by PricewaterhouseCoopers, The Economic Contributions of U.S. Mining in 2008, documents that more than 564,000 Americans were employed directly by an estimated 15,000 U.S. mining operations and their support and transportation providers in 2008. An additional 1.23 million American jobs were generated by suppliers, including suppliers of capital goods for mining operations, and the economic impact of payroll spending. U.S. mining and allied activities supported a $107 billion payroll in 2008; added $189 billion to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP); and paid nearly $45 billion in taxes to federal, state and local governments.