Idaho Mining Industry
Economic Impact
Members of the Idaho Mining Association were responsible for more than $857 million of economic impact in 2010 according to a study completed by Idaho Economics, a Boise economic forecasting firm.
- These companies were responsible for direct payrolls of $251 million and $216 million of direct purchases for a total of $467 million of direct impact.
- Another $390 million was added to the total personal income in Idaho as a secondary result of this direct economic activity.
- $558 million of the total economic impact was in Southeast Idaho (Caribou, Bannock and Power counties); $115 million was in Central Idaho (Custer and Lemhi counties) and $184 million was in North Idaho (Kootenai and Shoshone counties).
- This economic activity generate nearly $96 million in tax, license and royalty revenues to state and local governments.
- These companies had 2,860 direct employees meaning that each job generated about $33,500 in state and local revenue.
Members of the Idaho Mining Association produce all of the phosphate and molybdenum and most of the silver, lead, zinc and copper produced in Idaho. IMA companies produced about 80 percent of mineral value produced in 2010 and employed about 70 percent of those employed in the mining and mineral processing industry. Other companies produce sand, gravel, cement, and stone and other mineral products. Taken together, the entire industry contributes millions of dollars to the state's economy. This figures provided below show the latest figures available on the total industry's earnings, employment and other financial information.
Mineral Production
Between 2005 and 2009 (the most recent figures available), Idaho’s mining industry
added billions of dollars to the Idaho economy through:
- Total mineral production was valued at more than $4.4 billion.
- Molybdenum and silver production (combined) was valued at $2.5 billion, which
was 57 percent of the total. - Phosphate production was valued at $719 million, 16 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 $505 million.
- The production of “Other minerals” such as lead, zinc, copper and building
stone was valued at over $700 million.
Mineral Production
2005 - 2009
(Millions of Dollars)
|
|
|
|||||
|
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
5 YR Total |
Phosphate |
$97 |
$105 |
$126 |
$182 |
$209 |
$719 |
Moly/Silver |
622 |
429 |
356 |
617 |
498 |
2,522 |
Sand/Gravel |
82 |
117 |
129 |
105 |
72 |
505 |
Other |
95 |
128 |
178 |
163 |
138 |
702 |
TOTAL |
$896 |
$779 |
$789 |
$1,067 |
$917 |
$4,448 |
Mining Employment
- Total wages paid over the five-year period was over $1.2 billion.
- The average wage earned in the mining industry was over $55,300, 46 percent
more than the state median wage of $37,900. - The average wage in the phosphate mining and processing segment of the
industry was $65,100, 71 percent higher than the state median wage. - When health, dental, disability, life insurance and other fringe benefits are
included, Idaho's mining employees earned more than $1.6 billion over the
five-year period.
Mining Employment
2005 - 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
5 YR AVERAGE |
Mining |
2,169 |
2,363 |
2,653 |
2,765 |
2,172 |
2,424 |
Processing |
1,953 |
2,117 |
2,266 |
2,366 |
2,269 |
2,194 |
|
TOTAL |
4,122 |
4,480 |
4,919 |
5,131 |
4,441 |
4,618 |
Mining Wages
2005 - 2009
(Millions of Dollars)
|
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
5 YR TOTAL |
Mining |
$99 |
$120 |
$148 |
$162 |
$123 |
$652 |
Processing |
93 |
107 |
114 |
121 |
122 |
557 |
TOTAL |
$192 |
$227 |
$262 |
$283 |
$245 |
$1,209 |
Mining Taxes, Fees and Royalties
- Mineral production and processing in Idaho paid over $63 million in taxes,
fees and royalties. - Over $23 million was paid in local property taxes to support local schools
and services. - Nearly $31 million was paid in federal and state rents and royalties.
- In 2009, the assessed valuation of the land, buildings and equipment of the
industry was $845 million.
Mining Taxes
2005 - 2006
(Thousand of Dollars)
|
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
5 YR TOTAL |
|
|
Property Taxes |
$5,619 |
$4,428 |
$4,420 |
$4,456 |
$4,436 |
$23,459 |
|
Federal Royalties |
2,997 |
2,009 |
2,413 |
2,452 |
4,136 |
14,007 |
|
State Royalties |
2,991 |
1,862 |
3,233 |
4,382 |
4,259 |
16,727 |
|
Mine License Fees |
370 |
3.563 |
3,555 |
1,259 |
675 |
9,422 |
|
|
TOTAL |
$11,977 |
$11,862 |
$13,621 |
$12,649 |
$13,506 |
$63,615 |
|


