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1. In 2002, 14,520 mining operations reported employment statistics to the Mine Safety and Health Administration

(MSHA). Almost half (49%) were sand and gravel mines, followed by stone mines (30%), coal mines (14%), 

nonmetal mines (5%), and metal mines (2%). 

2. Mine operators reported 224,803 employees (or 227,685 full-time equivalent [FTE] workers1

) to MSHA. 

Underground mines accounted for 18.8% of mine operator employees, while surface mines2 accounted for 

81.2% of the employees. 

Among underground mine operator employees, the majority (81.2%) worked in coal mines. 

The largest percentage of surface operator employees worked in stone mines (36.4%).

3. Of the 69,270 independent contractor employees (or 35,328 FTE contractor workers) reported to MSHA in 

2002, 43.8% were coal contractor employees and 56.2% were noncoal contractor employees. 

4. In 2002, there were 66 occupational mining fatalities, compared to 72 in 2001. The overall mining fatality rate 

was 25.1 per 100,000 FTE workers. 

• The fatality rate for mine operator employees was 23.3 per 100,000 FTE workers (n = 53; 80.3%), while the 

rate for contractor employees was higher at 36.8 per 100,000 FTE workers (n = 13; 19.7%). 

• The fatality rate at underground operations was 39.1 per 100,000 FTE workers (n = 18; 27.3%) compared to 

the lower rate at surface locations of 22.1 per 100,000 FTE workers (n = 48; 72.7%). 

5. There were 9,358 nonfatal lost-time injuries reported to MSHA in 2002. These occurred at a rate of 3.6 

injuries per 100 FTE workers and resulted in a total of 479,655 days lost from work.3

• The underground injury rate was greater than the surface injury rate (7.2 vs. 2.8 per 100 FTE workers). 

• The nonfatal lost-time injury rate for mine operator employees was higher than the rate for contractor 

employees (3.7 vs. 2.7 per 100 FTE workers). Coal contractor employees had the highest nonfatal lost-time 

injury rate (13.0 per 100 FTE workers). 

• The highest percentage of nonfatal lost-time injuries was due to handling materials (36.8%). 

• The back continued to be the most frequently reported part of the body injured. It accounted for 2,167 

injuries, 115,555 days lost from work, and 24.1% of all days lost. 

6. In 2002, 744 cases of occupational illnesses were reported to MSHA.4 

Joint, tendon, or muscle inflammation or irritation accounted for 40.2% (n = 299) of reported occupational 

illnesses. 

There were 188 cases of hearing loss or impairment reported to MSHA (or 25.3% of all occupational illnesses 

reported). 

Mining operations reported 118 cases of black lung (coal workers’ pneumoconiosis) and 14 cases of silicosis.

1 Computed using reported employee hours (2,000 hours = 1 FTE); excludes office employees. 2

Surface production operations include strip mines, surface operations at underground mines (excluding preparation plants), auger mining, culm

 banks, dredge, and surface shops and yards. 3 Includes actual days away from work and/or days of restricted work activity. For permanently disabling injuries only, statutory days charged by 

 MSHA were used if they exceeded the total lost workdays. 4 Because of the complexity of attributing disease causation to the workplace, occupational illnesses may be underreported. 

January 2004

Mining Facts - 2002 
Delivering on the Nation's Promise:

Safety and health at work for all people 

Through research and prevention 

For information about occupational safety and health topics contact NIOSH at: 

 1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674) 

 Fax: 513-533-8573 

 E-mail: pubstaft@cdc.gov 

Or visit the NIOSH Mining Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining 

SAFER • HEALTHIER • PEOPLETM

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-122