The decline in Mining employment slowed in 2000. The division lost 127 jobs to average 12,880. The average wage declined by 4.1 percent to $64,716. The average wage decline was caused by unusually large bonuses being paid in 1999 and not a trend toward lower wages. The strength within this weak sector was related to higher fuel prices and the construction boom.

Oil and Gas Extraction had a very strong year with a gain of 347 jobs to average 7,285. In 1999, Oil and Gas Extraction employment declined by 913 jobs. The average wage bucked the overall Mining trend and increased from $63,997 to $69,180. Oil and Gas Field Services’, NEC employment increased by 393 jobs to average 2,005. This was the highest average employment in Oil and Gas Field Services, NEC since 1994. Drilling Oil and Gas Wells’ employment reversed a two-year decline with an increase of 173 jobs to average 520 jobs in 2000. Oil and Gas Exploration Services added 156 jobs to average 542. The long running decline in employment in Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas continued in 2000 with a decrease of 64 jobs to 4,162. Natural Gas Liquids’ employment remained steady with an increase from 55 jobs to 57.

Mining and Quarrying of Non-Metallic Minerals, Except Fuels’ employment continued to increase in 2000. The sector added 118 jobs to average 2,018. Construction Sand and Gravel employment increased by 19 jobs to 1,095 in 2000. In 1992, there were only 527 jobs in Construction Sand and Gravel. Dimension Stone employment continued to steadily increase with an additional 27 jobs to average 201. There were 73 jobs in Dimension Stone in 1992. Crushed and Broken Stone, Including Riprap employment increased by 17 jobs to 372.

Coal Mining employment declined for the third consecutive year with a drop of 132 jobs to average 2,016. The average wage classified in Coal Mining declined from $61,035 to $58,759. Bituminous Coal Underground Mining employment declined by 47 jobs to 1,265. The second largest sector within Coal Mining is Bituminous Coal and Lignite Surface Mining, which saw employment drop by 62 jobs to 665. Coal Mining Services’ employment decreased from 109 employees to 86.

Metal Mining employment experienced its largest drop since 1992 when 539 jobs were lost. Metal Mining employment declined by 462 jobs to 1,558. The average wage declined from $112,965 to $83,681. Thirty-six percent of jobs classified in Metal Mining are in the five-county Denver MSA. Gold Ore employment declined from 753 to 668. Ferroalloy Ores, Except Vanadium declined by 192 jobs to 442.