The Mining industry reported one of its strongest quarters of employment growth since third quarter 1995 gaining 234 up 1.7%. Mining & Quarry Nonmetal (14) accrued 187 employees over the quarter, the largest sector gain in the Mining industry. Half of this increase can be attributed to seasonal expansions related to the operation of sand and gravel pits. Seasonal expansions in Crushed & Broken Stone (142) added almost 50 to the sector. Coal Mining (12) grew by 98 employees. Small expansions occurred at a number of the larger mines. Metal Mining (10) rose 30 employees. Gains occurred in a number of subsectors but were strongest in Metal Mining Services (108) due to a couple of projects. Losses in Gold & Silver (104), down 43 due to layoffs and a mine closure, offset gains in Metal Mining.
ANNUAL
Annually, Mining employment barely changed adding only 10 employees for a gain of 0.1%. This minor change, however, belies the activity within the sectors of the industry. Coal Mining (12) added 135 employees since second quarter a year ago as four large mines expanded their workforce. Metal Mining (10) added 110 employees. Despite the closure of a large gold mine in first quarter 1997, increased mining in Ferroalloy Ores (106), increased mining and corporate expansions in Uranium-Vanadium Ores (109), and a short term project in Metal Mining Services (108) caused positive changes for this sector. Increases in sand and gravel were the sole cause of growth in Mining & Quarry Nonmetal (14) up 82 employees. Industry gains were clouded by the loss of 316 in Oil & Gas Extraction (13) due to corporate downsizing.
Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Second Quarter 1997
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