Mining Industry Profile
The U.S. mining industry consists of the search for, extraction, beneficiation, and processing of naturally occurring solid minerals from the earth. These mined minerals include coal, metals such as iron, copper, or zinc, and industrial minerals such as potash, limestone, and other crushed rocks. Oil and natural gas extraction (NAICS code 211) is not included in this industry. Metals and other minerals are an essential source of raw materials for the U.S. building and chemical industries and are also a critical part of the production of everyday electronics and consumer products. For example, over 65 different minerals are required to produce a modern computer. Furthermore, mined materials such as coal and uranium account for around 71% of electric power generated in the United States.
Geography
The mining industry plays an important role in all 50 states. As a supplier of coal, metals, industrial minerals, sand and gravel to businesses, manufacturers, utilities and others, the mining industry is vital to the well being of communities across the country.
Production and Supply
The U.S. is the World's 2nd leading producer of coal accounting for nearly 17% of World's production. The U.S. is also the World's leading producer of lead, soda ash, and phosphate rock, and the second largest producer of gold and copper. In 2002, the U.S. mining industry processed 1,162.8 million tons of coal, 59.4 million tons of metals, and 3,128.9 million tons of industrial minerals.
Minerals are mined either underground or through surface methods like open-pit mining. Approximately 69% of coal and 97% of non-fuel minerals are extracted through surface mining methods. Both mining methods go through a process involving three general stages. The first stage is extraction, which includes activities such as blasting and drilling in order to loosen and remove material from the mine. The second stage is materials handling, which involves the transportation of ore and waste away from the mine to the mill or disposal area. The third stage, beneficiation & processing, takes place at the processing plant. This stage recovers the valuable portion of the mined material and produces the final marketable product. Beneficiation operations primarily consist of crushing, grinding, and separations, while processing operations involve smelting and/or refining. Each of these stages is dependent on large amounts of energy from varying sources including electricity and diesel fuel.
Energy
The mining industry consumes an estimated 551 trillion British termal units (Btu) in energy end use. Major energy sources include fuel oil, electricity (purchased and produced on-site), coal, and natural gas.
Markets
Minerals are essential to practically every aspect of our lives and our economy; however, they are scarcely noticeable to most of us. Surface and underground mining are the two mining methods. The method selected depends on a variety of factors, including the nature and location of the deposit, as well as the size, depth and grade of the minerals. Both surface and underground mining are used widely in the extraction of coal.
Employment
Mining operations are often the leading employers in the communities where they operate. More than 219,000 people work directly in the U.S. mining industry. The industry also indirect supports an additional 1.6 million jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and environmental and geological consulting.