Idaho Mining Industry

Idaho's mining and mineral processing industry contributes millions of dollars to the

state's economy. This report provides the latest figures available on the industry's

earnings, employment and other financial information.

Between 2004 and 2008 (the most recent figures available), Idaho’s mining industry

added billions of dollars to the Idaho economy through:

Total mineral production was valued at nearly $4.2 billion.
Molybdenum and silver production (combined) was valued at $2.1 billion, which
was 51 percent of the total.
Phosphate production was valued at $849 million, 20 percent of the total. This
does not include the value added by additional processing of phosphate into
elemental phosphorus and fertilizer.
Sand and gravel production was valued at more than $525 million.
The production of “Other minerals” such as lead, zinc, copper and building
stone was valued at over $660 million.

(Millions of Dollars)

Mining employment increased every year since 2003.
Total wages paid over the five-year period was over $1.1 billion.
The average wage earned in the mining industry was over $55,300, 68 percent
more than the state median wage of $33,000.
The average wage in the phosphate mining and processing segment of the
industry was $68,200, more than twice the state median wage.
When health, dental, disability, life insurance and other fringe benefits are
included, Idaho's mining employees earned more than $1.5 billion over the
five-year period.

(Millions of Dollars)

Mineral production and processing in Idaho paid nearly $61 million in taxes,
fees and royalties.
More than $24 million was paid in local property taxes to support local schools
and services.
Nearly $27 million was paid in federal and state rents and royalties.
In 2008, the assessed valuation of the land, buildings and equipment of the
industry was $766 million.

(Thousand of Dollars)