Although the Mining industry is often impacted by weather and usually reports an employment decrease in first quarter when compared to the previous quarter, the industry experienced an increase of 0.7% adding 90 employees. Sector activity was mixed with Metal Mining (10) and Oil & Gas Extraction (13) up 85 and 123 employees, respectively, and Coal Mining (12) and Mining & Quarry Nonmetal (14) decreasing. Gains in Metal Mining were primarily from the start-up of a mine that had been temporarily closed and expansion at another mine. Oil & Gas Extraction saw an increase in a number of projects providing field services. Coal Mining employment which dropped by 43 employees reflected cutbacks at a small number of business. Cutbacks occurred in administration facilities as well as at the mines. Mining & Quarry Nonmetal slipped by 75 employees. Losses were seasonal occurring mainly in Crushed & Broken Stone (142).
ANNUAL
The Mining industry has reflected annual employment declines every quarter since late 1990. While the decline continues with annual employment down 154, this loss is the lowest recorded over the six year time span. Mining dropped 1.1% over a year ago. Sector activity was mixed. Oil & Gas Extraction (13) reported the largest loss dropping by 234 employees. Corporate downsizing accounted for most of the loss. Coal Mining (12) dropped by 68 workers due to the closure of one mine and cutbacks at three others. Employment in Metal Mining (10) rose by 121 over a year ago. The two subsectors with the largest activity were Misc Metal Ores (109) and Metal Mining Services (108). Misc Metal Ores incurred steady increases over the year due to growth in uranium mining. Work expansions at three companies contributed to the expansion in Metal Mining Services. Mining & Quarry Nonmetal (14) added 27 employees due to growth in Sand & Gravel (144).
1996 SIC CHANGES
As a result of reclassification Mining gained approximately 101 employees and a quarterly payroll of $1,365,904.
Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) First Quarter 1997
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