Idaho's Mining Industry
2001-2005

Mining and mineral processing continue to play an important role in Idaho's economic outlook. This report describes the employment, wages and taxes paid by Idaho's mining industry from 2001 through 2005 (latest figures available).

Mining Employment
2001-2005

Workers in Idaho's mining industry earned nearly $900 million in wages during the five-year period. Average annual employment during that time was 3,890 workers. The average worker earned about $46,600 annually in 2005. This is more than four times the average annual wage earned in the tourism industry and 60 percent greater than the annual wage of the average Idaho worker. If worker benefits such as health, dental, disability and life insurance are included, the total earned by Idaho workers employed in the mining industry exceeded $1.2 billion over the five years.

Mining Wages
2001-2005

Mining Taxes, Fees and Royalties Chart
2001-2005

The production and processing of minerals in Idaho generated $66 million in local and state taxes and fees and state and federal royalties during the five-year period. About $31 million, 47 percent of total, was in the form of royalties and $33 million, 50 percent of the total, in the form of property taxes. The assessed value of the industry for property tax purposes was $975 million in 2006, an increase of $412 million over 2005. This total is greater than the total assessed values of more than 26 of Idaho's 44 counties.