Mining drives Nevada job growth
November 15, 2012
Nevada’s mining sector has accounted for 14 percent of jobs add...
With Newmont Mining Corporation and Barrick Gold, two of the world’s largest mining companies, both operating in Nevada, it’s no surprise that Elko Daily recently highlighted the mining sector as an “essential part of rural Nevada, providing among the highest-paying jobs in the state on average.”
Not only are mining jobs in Nevada plentiful, they are also among the most lucrative professions. The jobs that these companies provide are high-paying and come complete with competitive benefits. As stated by Barrick Gold’s Director of Communications, Lou Schack, “Total compensation including benefits in the mining industry is about double the state average… Our benefits package is pretty much unrivaled.”
In fact, the Nevada Mining Association carried out a member survey which found that “mining paid approximately $254 million in benefits and $1 billion in wages statewide.” According to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR), the mining sector’s salaries and wages grew “114 percent between 2003 and 2013.”
While this growth is impressive, it’s certainly not limited to Nevada. With more than 1.2 million jobs supported by the mining sector in the U.S., it is estimated that every metal mining job generates 2.5 additional jobs elsewhere in the economy. By creating jobs and providing essential materials, mining continues to emerge as one of the most important industries stimulating economic recovery.
Learn more about Nevada’s mining sector here.