How has employment at underground mining operations changed in recent years?
Figure 4-4 Number of full-time equivalent workers at underground work locations by type of employer, 1992 and 2002. From 1992 to 2002, the number of full-time equivalent workers at underground locations declined by 34% (from 69,300 to 46,000). The number of workers in coal operations declined 38% but still accounted for 77% of underground employment during this period. The number of metal and nonmetal operator workers also declined, whereas the number increased for stone operator workers and metal/nonmetal-independent contractor workers. (Sources: MSHA [2003]; NIOSH [2003a].
