How has the number of workers employed at surface work mining operations changed in recent years?
Figure 4-3 Number of full-time equivalent workers at surface work locations by type of employer, 1992 and 2002. From 1992 to 2002, overall employment at surface mining work locations decreased by 8.5%, from 237,300 to 217,000. At surface locations, the number of metal operator workers decreased 44%, the number of coal operator workers decreased 28%, and the number of nonmetal operator workers decreased 21%. The number employed at surface operations increased for stone operator workers, sand and gravel operator workers, and independent contractor workers. (Sources: MSHA [2003]; NIOSH [2003a].
