Modern Mining & Economic
Impact in Idaho
Idaho's vast mineral wealth includes one of the widest array of minerals of any state. Gold in north, central and southern Idaho, silver, lead and zinc in the north, molybdenum and cobalt in central Idaho and phosphate in southeast Idaho.
Mining may take place in remote locations, but its impact reaches all Idahoans whether they live in big cities or small towns. Mining companies pay millions of dollars each year in state and local taxes, supporting schools and community services. Idaho's mining industry directly employs more than 4,100 men and women with an annual payroll of nearly $200 million. Additional dollars are being spent annually on exploration in Idaho, and millions more are spent with local support businesses such as trucking companies, petroleum dealers, building contractors, equipment suppliers and retail merchants.
Idaho's mining industry continues to grow in its economic importance. During the first 100 years of mining in Idaho, the total value of mineral production was estimated at $2.5 billion using historic prices. In 1995, the value of minerals produced and processed in Idaho exceeded $1 billion dollars for the first time, and production in 2004 and 2005 totaled over $2.5 billion.
Mineral Production
2001-2005
