Mining employment fell 1.7% over the quarter dropping 238 employees. All but one sector experienced losses. Oil & Gas Extraction (13) reported the largest loss dropping 149 employees. Losses were confined to establishments operating oil and gas field properties classified in the subsector Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas (1311). Employment in Mining & Quarry Nonmetal (14) was down by 72. Seasonal cutbacks throughout the sector contributed to the drop, however, declines were greatest in construction sand and gravel preparation. Metal Mining (10) reported an employment decline of 50 due to a large temporary layoff. Coal Mining (12) was the only sector to gain employment over the quarter. Employment increased by 32. The return to work following a temporary layoff at one mine and expansions at a couple of mines generated the increase.
ANNUAL
Since fourth quarter a year ago Mining lost 1149 employees dropping 7.9%. All sectors declined. Oil & Gas (13) experienced the most severe losses dropping by 774 employees. Cutbacks in the operation of oil and gas field properties and contracted services, which were particularly abundant in first quarter 1996, created the decline. Though coal production broke state records in 1996 Coal Mining (12) reported a loss of 311 employees. Closure of a large mine in first quarter caused most of the employment loss. Mining & Quarry Nonmetal (14) dropped by 60 employees. Minor losses occurred in all subsectors except for Chemical & Fertilizer Mineral Mining (147) which had a small increase. A layoff this quarter in Lead & Zinc (103) and expansions in Gold and Silver (104), Ferroalloy Ores (106) and Misc Metal Ores (109) offset each other leaving the Metal Mining (10) sector down by only 4.
Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Fourth Quarter 1996
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