Q: What is the Nevada Mining Association?
A: The Nevada Mining Association is comprised of operating mining companies, exploration companies, suppliers of industry equipment, goods and services, counselors and consultants, and individuals interested in the well-being of the industry. The association’s objective is to maintain a business and operating environment that will encourage the development and production of minerals in Nevada using safe and environmentally conscious methods

Q: Why is mining so important to Nevada?
A: Since 1990, mining has contributed more than $100 million each year to Nevada and local economies. This is particularly important to rural economies; mining is the largest industry in rural Nevada. Because of mining, taxes from Washoe and Clark counties are not necessary to support rural areas of the state, and mining provides many high-paying jobs for rural communities. In 2009, direct taxes by mining companies in Nevada to the state and local governments, not including any taxes paid by suppliers or employees, was $200 million.

Q: How many jobs does mining provide in Nevada?
A: In 2007, the Nevada mining industry generated roughly 50,000 total jobs including direct and ancillary jobs. There were over 11,500 direct mining jobs in the state in 2009.

Q: What is the average mining salary?
A: Mining wages are the highest in Nevada. In 2009, average annual salary was $78,700 plus benefits. In the metal ore mining segment, earnings were at $81,800 plus benefits. This compares with state-wide average earnings in all industries of about $43,000.

Q: What kind of mining jobs are available?
A: Mining is a dynamic, high-tech industry offering a wide variety of high paying jobs for men and women as geologists, hydrologists, engineers, welders, mechanics, to name just a few positions.

Q: What does mining give back to Nevada given that by virtue of what it does, extracting minerals from the land?
A: Cutting edge technology has enabled mining to evolve into a cleaner and safer industry, eliminating many environmental concerns. Nevada mining companies contribute millions of dollars each year to environmental protection, wildlife habitat enhancement and concurrent reclamation that often exceed required standards. Because of various environmental issues, mining is one of the heaviest regulated industries in the nation.

Mining has invested more than $30 billion in exploration and expenditures on plant and equipment since 1980, and has contributed more than $100 million in tax revenues each year since 1995 to state and local economies (2009 tax contributions were $200 million). This, along with economic development, jobs and local spending, is particularly important to rural communities.

Q: What is mining’s monetary contribution to state and local taxes?
A: The combination of state and local revenues from the four main taxes paid by the industry was $204 million in 2010.

Q: What minerals and ores are produced in Nevada?
A: Nevada leads the nation in gold production and is the fourth largest gold producer in the world. Other minerals and ores produced in the state include: aggregates, barite, copper, diatomite, dolomite, gypsum, limestone, lithium carbonate, magnesium oxide, molybdenum, perlite, precious opals, salt, silica sand, silver and specialty clays.

Q: Is there one mineral or ore that Nevada is most known for?
A: Although Nevada is called the "silver state", Nevada is the fourth largest gold producer in the world. Nevada operators produced approximately 5.6 million ounces of gold in 2009 worth over $5 billion. Nevada's gold production accounted for more than 79 percent of total U.S. production and approximately 5.6 percent of world production.

Additionally because Nevada leads the nation in the production of so many other minerals, Nevada has become a leader in the development of processing technologies and exploration techniques leading to new mineral deposit discoveries.

Q: What is the total value of Nevada mineral production?
A: The total value of all mineral production (excluding oil and geothermal production) in 2009 was $5.8 billion.

Q: How many gold and silver mines are in Nevada?
A: According to the Nevada Division of Minerals, there are more than 20 major gold/silver mines in Nevada although several of these are closed or operating at reduced levels. In addition, a number of these operations have multiple points of extraction (actually consist of several “mines”).

Q: How else does mining affect Nevada?
A: Much of the materials mined in Nevada stay in Nevada. For example, sand and gravel are used to build roads and rocks are used for landscaping.

Q: Why should I care about mining? Why is mining so important?
A: Without mining, your computer, telephone, television and other everyday products
we take for granted wouldn’t exist. In fact, everything harvested, manufactured,
transported or published requires minerals that come from mining.

Every year, 40,000 lbs. of minerals must be provided for every person in the United States to maintain our standard of living.

Q: Is mining a safe industry?
A: Mining is a very safe industry compared to many other industries, according to research.

Q: How does mining affect the environment?
A: Mining practices have changed dramatically for the better. Cutting edge technology has enabled mining to evolve into a cleaner and safer industry, eliminating many environmental concerns.

Because of various environmental issues, mining is one of the heaviest regulated industries in the nation. The Nevada mining industry’s concern about the quality of the environment is further reflected in millions of dollars spent each year on environmental protection, wildlife habitat enhancement and concurrent reclamation that often exceed required standards.

Q: Does mining take up a lot of land in Nevada?
A: Modern mining activity in Nevada, including exploration, mill sites, mines, roads and all associated activities, impacts approximately 1/10th of 1 percent of land in the state.

Q: How long has mining occurred in Nevada?
A: Nevada's formal mining industry was born with the discovery of the Comstock Lode and its huge silver and gold deposit in 1859.

Mining is a vital part of our state heritage and is woven into our economic, social and cultural fabric. Mining is something we all should be proud of.

Q: Where can I get more information about the Nevada Mining Association?
A: Call (775) 829-2121 or visit www.nevadamining.org.