IC 9527

INFORMATION CIRCULAR/2012

Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Information Circular 9527 

National Survey of the Mining Population

Part I: Employees

Linda Jansen McWilliams, Patricia J. Lenart, Jamie L. Lancaster, John R. Zeiner, Jr.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Office of Mine Safety and Health Research

Pittsburgh, PA • Spokane, WA

June 2012
ii

This document is in the public domain and may be freely 

copied or reprinted.

Disclaimer 

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National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). In addition, citations to Web 

sites external to NIOSH do not constitute NIOSH endorsement of the sponsoring organizations 

or their programs or products. Furthermore, NIOSH is not responsible for the content of these 

Web sites. All Web addresses referenced in this document were accessible as of the publication 

date.

Ordering Information

To receive documents or other information about occupational safety and health topics, 

contact NIOSH at

Telephone: 1–800–CDC–INFO (1–800–232–4636)

TTY: 1–888–232–6348

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or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh. 

For a monthly update on news at NIOSH, subscribe to NIOSH eNews by visiting 

www.cdc.gov/niosh/eNews. 

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2012–152 

June 2012 

SAFER • HEALTHIER • PEOPLETM
SECTION CONTENTS

Employee Statistics for All Mines

Employee Statistics for Coal Mines

Employee Statistics for Metal Mines

Employee Statistics for Nonmetal Mines

Employee Statistics for Stone Mines

Employee Statistics for Sand and Gravel Mines

v 

Contents

Abstract ........................................................................................................................... 1 

Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 2 

Background and Overview .............................................................................................. 2 

Survey Materials ............................................................................................................. 3 

The Paper Questionnaire ........................................................................................ 3 

The Internet Questionnaire...................................................................................... 4 

Sample Design and Selection ......................................................................................... 4 

Definition of the Target Population .......................................................................... 4 

Construction of the Sampling Frame....................................................................... 5 

Stratification Guidelines........................................................................................... 5 

Sampling Plans ............................................................................................................. 15

Data Collection.............................................................................................................. 19

Survey Packet ....................................................................................................... 19

Survey Promotion.................................................................................................. 20

Follow-up Contacts ............................................................................................... 21

Data Imputation and Statistical Weighting Procedures.................................................. 21

Data Imputation..................................................................................................... 21

Data Weighting, Estimation, and Variance Estimation .......................................... 22

Lessons Learned........................................................................................................... 22

Survey Results .............................................................................................................. 23

Employee Job Titles...................................................................................................... 27

Statistical Analysis......................................................................................................... 28

Employee Statistics for All Mines .................................................................................. 29

Employee Statistics for Coal Mines............................................................................... 55

Employee Statistics for Metal Mines.............................................................................. 73

Employee Statistics for Nonmetal Mines....................................................................... 91

Employee Statistics for Stone Mines........................................................................... 111

Employee Statistics for Sand and Gravel Mines ......................................................... 131

Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................... 149

References.................................................................................................................. 151

Appendices ................................................................................................................. 153

Appendix A. Questionnaire Booklet............................................................................. 155
vi

Appendix B. Questions and Answers Brochure........................................................... 179

Appendix C. MSHA Form 7000-2: Quarterly Mine Employment and Coal Production 

Report.................................................................................................................... 183

Appendix D. Standard Industrial Classifications (SIC) for Active Mines in 2007 ......... 187

Appendix E. Stratification and Sample Size Guidelines .............................................. 191

Appendix F. Sample Size Allocation Using MSHA Data from the Second Quarter of 

2002....................................................................................................................... 197

Appendix G. Critical Items from the Questionnaire ..................................................... 209

Appendix H. Job Titles as Submitted by Survey Respondents.................................... 215

Appendix I. Glossary ................................................................................................... 243
vii

Figures

Figure 1. Map of Active Coal Mining Operations for 2007.............................................. 7 

Figure 2. Map of Active Metal Mining Operations for 2007............................................. 8 

Figure 3. Map of Active Nonmetal Mining Operations for 2007. ..................................... 9 

Figure 4. Map of Active Stone Mining Operations for 2007.......................................... 10

Figure 5. Map of Active Sand and Gravel Mining Operations for 2007......................... 11

Figure 6. Density Map for Mine Operator Employees for 2007. ................................... 12

Figure 7. Density Map for Underground Mine Operator Employees for 2007............... 13

Figure 8. Density Map for Surface Mine Operator Employees for 2007. ...................... 14

Figure 9. Weighted Response Rates by Sector and Mine Type................................... 26

Figure 10. Education Level of Employees at All Mines................................................. 35

Figure 11. Race of Employees at All Mines.................................................................. 36

Figure 12. Primary Work Location of Employees at All Mines...................................... 37

Figure 13. Occupational Categories of Employees at All Mines................................... 53

Figure 14. Education Level of Employees at Coal Mines. ............................................ 61

Figure 15. Race of Employees at Coal Mines. ............................................................. 62

Figure 16. Primary Work Location of Employees at Coal Mines. ................................. 63

Figure 17. Occupational Categories of Employees at Coal Mines. .............................. 72

Figure 18. Education Level of Employees at Metal Mines............................................ 79

Figure 19. Race of Employees at Metal Mines............................................................. 80

Figure 20. Primary Work Location of Employees at Metal Mines. ................................ 81

Figure 21. Occupational Categories of Employees at Metal Mines. ............................. 89

Figure 22. Education Level of Employees at Nonmetal Mines. .................................... 97

Figure 23. Race of Employees at Nonmetal Mines. ..................................................... 98

Figure 24. Primary Work Location of Employees at Nonmetal Mines........................... 99

Figure 25. Occupational Categories of Employees at Nonmetal Mines. .................... 109

Figure 26. Education Level of Employees at Stone Mines. ........................................ 117

Figure 27. Race of Employees at Stone Mines. ......................................................... 118

Figure 28. Primary Work Location of Employees at Stone Mines. ............................. 119

Figure 29. Occupational Categories of Employees at Stone Mines. .......................... 129

Figure 30. Education Level of Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines........................ 137

Figure 31. Race of Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines......................................... 138

Figure 32. Primary Work Location of Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines............. 139

Figure 33. Occupational Categories of Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines.......... 147
viii

Tables

Table 1. Sample Allocation for Underground Coal Mines............................................. 16

Table 2. Sample Allocation for Surface Coal Mines ..................................................... 16

Table 3. Sample Allocation for Underground Metal Mines ........................................... 16

Table 4. Sample Allocation for Surface Metal Mines.................................................... 17

Table 5. Sample Allocation for Underground Nonmetal Mines..................................... 17

Table 6. Sample Allocation for Surface Nonmetal Mines ............................................. 17

Table 7. Sample Allocation for Underground Stone Mines........................................... 18

Table 8. Sample Allocation for Surface Stone Mines ................................................... 18

Table 9. Sample Allocation for Sand and Gravel Mines ............................................... 18

Table 10. Number of Mines in the Final Sample by Sector, Type, and Reporting 

Week ..................................................................................................................... 20

Table 11. Summary of Final Results for All Sampled Mines......................................... 24

Table 12. Number of Completed Surveys by Mode...................................................... 24

Table 13. Summary of Ineligible Mines by Sector ........................................................ 25

Table 14. Summary of Refusal by Mine Sector and Type of Refusal........................... 25

Table 15. National Estimates of Mines and Mine Employees in Spring/Summer

2008......................................................................................................................... 27

Table 16. Demographic Characteristics of Employees at All Mines ............................. 33

Table 17. Occupational Characteristics of Employees at All Mines.............................. 34

Table 18. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at All Mines . 38

Table 19. Estimated Number of Maintenance Employees at All Mines ........................ 43

Table 20. Number of Miscellaneous Employees at All Mines....................................... 44

Table 21. Estimated Number of Production Employees at All Mines ........................... 45

Table 22. Estimated Number of Service and Utility Employees at All Mines ................ 50

Table 23. Demographic Characteristics of Employees at Coal Mines.......................... 59

Table 24. Occupational Characteristics of Employees at Coal Mines .......................... 60

Table 25. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at Coal

Mines ....................................................................................................................... 64

Table 26. Estimated Number of Maintenance Employees at Coal Mines..................... 67

Table 27. Number of Miscellaneous Employees at Coal Mines ................................... 68

Table 28. Estimated Number of Production Employees at Coal Mines ........................ 68
ix

Table 29. Estimated Number of Service and Utility Employees at Coal Mines............. 70

Table 30. Demographic Characteristics of Employees at Metal Mines......................... 77

Table 31. Occupational Characteristics of Employees at Metal Mines......................... 78

Table 32. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at Metal 

Mines ....................................................................................................................... 82

Table 33. Estimated Number of Maintenance Employees at Metal Mines ................... 85

Table 34. Number of Miscellaneous Employees at Metal Mines .................................. 86

Table 35. Estimated Number of Production Employees at Metal Mines....................... 86

Table 36. Estimated Number of Service and Utility Employees at Metal Mines ........... 88

Table 37. Demographic Characteristics of Employees at Nonmetal Mines.................. 95

Table 38. Occupational Characteristics of Employees at Nonmetal Mines .................. 96

Table 39. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at 

Nonmetal Mines..................................................................................................... 100

Table 40. Estimated Number of Maintenance Employees at Nonmetal Mines........... 103

Table 41. Number of Miscellaneous Employees at Nonmetal Mines ......................... 104

Table 42. Estimated Number of Production Employees at Nonmetal Mines .............. 104

Table 43. Estimated Number of Service and Utility Employees at Nonmetal Mines... 107

Table 44. Demographic Characteristics of Employees at Stone Mines...................... 115

Table 45. Occupational Characteristics of Employees at Stone Mines ...................... 116

Table 46. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at Stone

Mines ..................................................................................................................... 120

Table 47. Estimated Number of Maintenance Employees at Stone Mines................. 123

Table 48. Number of Miscellaneous Employees at Stone Mines ............................... 124

Table 49. Estimated Number of Production Employees at Stone Mines .................... 124

Table 50. Estimated Number of Service and Utility Employees at Stone Mines......... 127

Table 51. Demographic Characteristics of Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines .... 135

Table 52. Occupational Characteristics of Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines..... 136

Table 53. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at Sand 

and Gravel Mines................................................................................................... 140

Table 54. Estimated Number of Maintenance Employees at Sand and Gravel 

Mines ..................................................................................................................... 142

Table 55. Number of Miscellaneous Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines.............. 143

Table 56. Estimated Number of Production Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines... 143
x 

Table 57. Estimated Number of Service and Utility Employees at Sand and Gravel 

Mines ..................................................................................................................... 145

Table E-1. Half-Length of 95% Confidence Intervals in Percentage Points for 

Various Percentages Being Estimated for Domains of Various Sizes with 

Various Design Effects........................................................................................... 196

Table F-1. Sample Allocation for Underground Coal Mines ........................................ 199

Table F-2. Sample Allocation for Surface Coal Mines................................................. 200

Table F-3. Sample Allocation for Underground Metal Mines....................................... 201

Table F-4. Sample Allocation for Surface Metal Mines................................................ 202

Table F-5. Sample Allocation for Underground Nonmetal Mines ................................ 203

Table F-6. Sample Allocation for Surface Nonmetal Mines......................................... 204

Table F-7. Sample Allocation for Underground Stone Mines ...................................... 205

Table F-8. Sample Allocation for Surface Stone Mines............................................... 206

Table F-9. Sample Allocation for Sand and Gravel Mines........................................... 207
xi

Acronyms and Abbreviations

CI Confidence Interval

DEFF Design Effect

DSU Data suppressed 

FPC Finite population corrected

FTE Full-time Equivalent 

IC Information Circular

LCL Lower Confidence Limit

MIPS Mining Industry Population Survey 

MSHA Mine Safety and Health Administration

NA Not applicable 

NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

OMB Office of Management and Budget

OMSHR Office of Mine Safety and Health Research

SIC Standard Industrial Classification

UCL Upper Confidence Limit

Definition of Terms

Confidence Interval: An interval that gives an estimated range of values 

which is likely to include an unknown population 

parameter, the estimated range being calculated 

from a given set of sample data

Jackknife Repeated A commonly used resampling approach to variance 

Replication: estimation

Lower Confidence Limit: The lower bound of a confidence interval 

National Estimate: A weighted statistical calculation which uses the 

results from a probability sample survey to estimate 

a national number 

Survey Count: The actual number of responses obtained from the 

National Survey of the Mining Population 

Upper Confidence Limit: The upper bound of a confidence interval 

National Survey of the Mining Population

Part I: Employees

Linda Jansen McWilliams, Patricia J. Lenart, Jamie L. Lancaster, John R. Zeiner, Jr.

Office of Mine Safety and Health Research

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Abstract

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted the first 

comprehensive survey of the U.S. mining population in more than 20 years. The National 

Survey of the Mining Population captured the current profile of the U.S. mining workforce. Data 

collection began in March 2008 and continued through August 2008. Randomly selected mining 

operations in all of the major mining sectors (i.e., coal, metal, nonmetal, stone, and sand and 

gravel) received the survey and had the option of completing a paper or web-based 

questionnaire. A total of 737 mining operations returned completed questionnaires and reported 

data for 9,008 employees. 

Two sets of data were collected in this national survey. There were questions about the 

mining operation, including employee training, work schedules, the use of independent 

contractor employees, and mine communication and safety systems. The employee questions 

included demographic and occupational questions about individual employees. The survey 

sample data were weighted in order to provide national estimates of mine and employee 

characteristics.

This Information Circular (IC) is published in two parts—“Part I: Employees” presents the 

employee-level data and “Part II: Mines” presents the mine-level data. Both parts of this IC 

include an overview of the survey background, development of the survey materials, sample 

design and sample selection, data collection and processing, statistical weighting, and lessons 

learned. The survey data are summarized for the overall U.S. mining industry and the five major 

mining sectors. The information gathered from the survey respondents is being published only 

as summarized data so that no single mining operation or employee can be identified. 
2 

Introduction

Surveillance of occupational injuries, illnesses, and exposures has been an integral part of 

the work of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) since its creation 

by the Occupational Safety and Health Act in 1970. Surveillance activities at the Office of Mine 

Safety and Health Research (OMSHR) are focused on the nation’s mining workforce. These 

surveillance activities make extensive use of data from a number of different national databases. 

The most frequently used databases are those maintained by the Mine Safety and Health 

Administration (MSHA). Included are databases of reported employment, 

accidents/injuries/illnesses, hazardous exposures, coal production, mine inspections, violations 

and citations, etc. Two of the most commonly used databases are the mine operator and 

contractor address/employment file and the file listing reports of accidents, injuries, and 

illnesses.

Analysis of data from the existing MSHA employment and accident/injury/illness 

databases has been able to meet some, but not all, of the OMSHR surveillance needs. For 

example, to identify subpopulations in each major mining sector or type of mining operation at 

risk of adverse health and safety outcomes, OMSHR needs the capability to calculate age-, 

gender-, and occupation-specific rates of injuries, fatalities, and disease. Additionally, due to the 

reduced reporting requirements for independent contractors, OMSHR cannot determine the 

number of contractor employees working separately in metal, nonmetal, stone, or sand and 

gravel operations. The National Survey of the Mining Population was designed to collect mineand employee-level information to address these and other data gaps. 

Background and Overview

The last national survey targeting the mining workforce, the Mining Industry Population 

Survey (MIPS), was conducted in 1986 by the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) in the U.S. 

Department of the Interior. The mining industry has experienced many changes since the MIPS 

was conducted, and its data are too outdated to be considered useful for surveillance on the 

current mining workforce. In addition, the MIPS did not include any information on independent 

contractor employees. Therefore, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 

Office of Mine Safety and Health Research conducted this survey to provide updated 

demographic and occupational information on the mining workforce. The National Survey of 

the Mining Population collected information from each of the five major mining sectors (coal, 

metal, nonmetal, stone, and sand and gravel). The survey’s main objectives were to:

• Collect basic information about mining operations. 

• Establish the demographic and occupational characteristics of mine operator 

employees.

• Estimate the number of independent contractor employees used by mining operations. 

Data collection began in March 2008 and continued through August 2008. A survey 

packet was mailed to each sampled mining operation. Respondents were given the option of 

completing a paper questionnaire or using a web questionnaire. Two sets of data were collected 
3 

in this survey. The mine questions included items about the mining operations, communication 

and safety systems, and the mine’s use of independent contractor employees. The employee 

questions included demographic and occupational questions about individual employees. The 

survey’s employee-level data will be used by OMSHR to determine the accident rates for various 

demographic and occupational categories as well as provide information that will be used to 

improve the safety and health of miners. 

This Information Circular (IC) is published in two parts—“Part I: Employees” presents 

the employee-level data and “Part II: Mines” presents the mine-level data. The employee and 

mine data are summarized for the overall U.S. mining industry and the major mining sectors. In 

addition, the data in the Mines IC is stratified by underground and surface for the coal, metal, 

nonmetal, and stone sectors. The information gathered from the survey respondents is being 

published only as summarized data so that no single mining operation or employee can be 

identified. The intent of this IC is to present the methodology used to design and conduct the 

survey and to provide up-to-date information about U.S. mining operations and their employees. 

Survey Materials

A survey packet was developed which contained a cover letter, a questionnaire booklet 

with employee sampling instructions (Appendix A), directions for accessing the Internet version 

of the questionnaire, a Questions and Answers (Q&A) brochure (Appendix B), and a stamped, 

self-addressed return envelope. 

The Paper Questionnaire

Each survey paper questionnaire booklet was personalized with a box at the top of page 1 

which included: the mine ID number, the mine name, the reporting week (date), and a “submitby” date. The Questionnaire Overview section presented general instructions and guidelines for 

completing the survey. The survey consisted of five parts as summarized below: 

• Mine Questions—This first part of the questionnaire included sections on: Training; 

Other Languages; Work Schedules for Production Workers, Production Support 

Workers, and Preparation Plant/Mill Workers; Shift Work for these same three types 

of workers; Independent Contractor Employees; and Safety, Communication, and 

Rescue Measures.

• Employee Selection Instructions—This page contained step-by-step instructions for 

selecting the sample of employees to be included in the Employee Questions. 

Personalized mine information was preprinted at the top of this page, including: the 

mine ID number, the mine name, the reporting week (date), the range of the estimated 

number of employees working at the mine, a “start-with” number and a “take-every” 

number for selecting employees from the mine’s employee roster.

• Instructions for Employee Questions—This two-page section of the questionnaire 

provided item-by-item explanations for the Employee Questions.
4 

• Employee Questions—These items were formatted as a fold-out answer form. The 

sections included: Regular Job Title, Mining Experience, Number of Hours Worked 

During the Reporting Week, Primary Work Location, Gender, Race, Ethnicity, Birth 

Year, and Education Level. Two pages of the form were included, with the first page 

containing lines for reporting up to 15 employees and the second page containing 

lines for reporting up to 14 additional employees, or a maximum of 29 sampled 

employees.

• Final Questions and Comments—This two-page section of the questionnaire 

included: questions for reporting unusual events or circumstances at the mine during 

the designated reporting week; the date the questionnaire was completed; the name, 

title and telephone number of the company representative who should be contacted 

regarding questionnaire completion; space for entering comments or explanations 

related to specific responses; and mailing instructions. 

The Internet Questionnaire

Beginning in October 2004, a pilot study was conducted to evaluate the recruitment 

materials, questionnaire, and survey procedures developed for the nationwide survey of the 

mining population. This study allowed OMSHR to explore the feasibility of developing a webbased version of the questionnaire. The pilot study debriefing interview contained several 

questions to determine whether the mine had access to the Internet and how convenient this 

would be for completion of the questionnaire. The majority of respondents indicated that an 

Internet connection was available at their mine and more than 50 percent reported preferring an 

electronic response option. Thus, for the National Survey of the Mining Population, a web-based 

survey was made available. The survey contractor developed the web survey, including 

programming of the administrative interface, Section 508 compliance, data validation, quality 

assurance, and programming of the critical questions. 

Sample Design and Selection

Definition of the Target Population

The target population for a survey is the entire set of population units about which the 

survey data are to be used to make inferences. Establishment surveys such as the National 

Survey of the Mining Population must delineate the level of the business organization that 

constitutes the units of the target population. Because hazards vary across mines, the target 

population for this survey was defined in terms of the individual mining operation. 

The target population of mines consisted of active mines in current production. The 

survey was further restricted to operations that were covered under Title 30 of the U.S. Code, 

specifically mines whose mineral output was sold or used in commerce. The target population of 

employees was restricted to those mine employees for whom the mine operator must report hours 

worked using the MSHA Form 7000-2: Quarterly Mine Employment and Coal Production 
5 

Report (Appendix C). This includes all direct employees working at the mine, but not contract 

employees brought in periodically or regularly to perform work at the mine. 

There is an important temporal aspect to these definitions for mines and for mine operator 

employees. Over time, some mines will go in and out of operation. Similarly, employees join 

the mining labor force and leave the labor force over time. Accordingly, the National Survey of 

the Mining Population focused on mines in operation during a particular calendar quarter and the 

current employees of those mines.

Construction of the Sampling Frame

The sampling frame for a survey is the list or mechanism used to enumerate target 

population members for sample selection purposes. Individual sampling frames for each of the 

five major mining sectors (see Figures 1–5) were constructed using the 2007 second quarter data 

released by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, so that the sampling frames would be in 

sync with the actual time period when data collection would begin (the second quarter of 2008). 

To ensure that any startup or intermittent mining operations would not be missed, all mines 

reporting zero employment hours were included in these frames. Any mines with a status of 

abandoned or abandoned/sealed were excluded from the sampling frames. The Standard 

Industrial Classification (SIC) for the active coal, metal, nonmetal, stone, and sand and gravel 

mines used in the sampling frames is presented in Appendix D. 

Stratification Guidelines

For the National Survey of the Mining Population, mine-level and employee-level 

analyses were planned, which required adequate sample sizes of mines and of employees. 

Because multiple employees were to be sampled from each responding mine, sample size 

requirements for mine-level analyses tended to drive the total number of mines that needed to be 

sampled. The sample size for employees was determined by the number of sampled mines 

responding and the average number of employees sampled per mine. 

The competing needs of mine-level analysis versus employee-level analysis required the 

use of a compromise design that supported the objectives of both types of analyses. For minelevel analyses, the best design was one that selected mines with equal probability, while for 

employee-level analyses the best design was one that selected mines with probability 

proportional to the number of employees. The compromise design met both needs by stratifying 

by the number of employees and then sampling mines with equal probability within strata. Strata 

associated with large mines (in terms of employment) were given greater selection probabilities 

than small mines, which would facilitate employee-level analyses by making the employee 

selection probabilities less variable across mines.

Mine size was an important domain for study at the mine level as well as at the employee 

level. For example, mines might be more likely to vary in their training procedures based upon 

employee size. Small mines may be more likely to use trainers from outside the organization, 

while large mines may be more likely to rely on in-house trainers. Hence, stratifying by the 

number of employees when sampling mines served an analytic purpose, as well as facilitated the 

over sampling of large mines needed for employee-level analyses (see Figure 6).
6 

From an analysis standpoint, it was also desirable to control for underground versus 

surface mines when sampling mines and employees (see Figures 7 and 8). Underground coal 

mines, in particular, have higher injury and fatality rates than surface mines. There is substantial 

diversity in the incidence of injuries and fatalities at underground mines versus surface mines 

across all mining sectors. Nearly one-third of coal and metal mines are underground. Less than 

ten percent of nonmetal and stone mines are underground and sand and gravel mines are surface 

only. Stratification by underground mines versus surface mines allows for the control over 

sample sizes needed for effective comparisons of underground mines to surface mines. A more 

in-depth discussion of the stratum size formation and sample size guidelines used in this survey 

can be found in Appendix E.
7

Note: Mines spotted randomly within counties

Not shown: Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

Data Source: MSHA

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Coal Mining Operations, 2007

N = 2,030

Figure 1. Map of Active Coal Mining Operations for 2007.
8

Note: Mines spotted randomly within counties

Not shown: Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

Data Source: MSHA

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Metal Mining Operations, 2007

N = 278

Figure 2. Map of Active Metal Mining Operations for 2007.
9

Note: Mines spotted randomly within counties

Not shown: Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

Data Source: MSHA

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Nonmetal Mining Operations, 2007

N = 725

Figure 3. Map of Active Nonmetal Mining Operations for 2007.
10

Note: Mines spotted randomly within counties

Not shown: Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

Data Source: MSHA

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Stone Mining Operations, 2007

N = 4,639

Figure 4. Map of Active Stone Mining Operations for 2007.
11

Note: Mines spotted randomly within counties

Not shown: Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

Data Source: MSHA

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Sand & Gravel Mining Operations, 2007

N = 7,199

Figure 5. Map of Active Sand and Gravel Mining Operations for 2007.
12

Figure 6. Density Map for Mine Operator Employees for 2007.
13

Figure 7. Density Map for Underground Mine Operator Employees for 2007.
14

Figure 8. Density Map for Surface Mine Operator Employees for 2007.
15

Sampling Plans

The original sampling plans were finalized in 2004 after a pretest with eight mining 

operations. These plans were developed using MSHA data from the second quarter of 2002. 

The number of actual employees was used to develop these designs rather than the number of 

full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, because the mine operator would be sampling based upon 

counts of actual employees, not FTEs. Mines were classified as surface or underground based 

upon MSHA subunit codes. Mines reporting any employment at underground work locations 

were classified as underground mining operations. 

Because there would actually be two surveys, one for mines and one for employees, the 

sampling allocation needed to be balanced. An approach that Cochran [1977] suggested was 

used where the size strata were defined so that they were equal in terms of the square root of the 

size measure (in this case, the number of employees). The square root was used as a 

compromise between the needs of mine-level estimation where equal selection probabilities were 

best (size = 1) and employee-level estimation was best (size = number of employees). Detailed 

sample size allocation tables based on 2002 data for coal, metal, nonmetal, stone, and sand and 

gravel mines can be found in Appendix F. 

Following the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to conduct the 

national survey, the final sampling allocations were updated using 2007 second quarter MSHA 

data. Nine sampling frames were constructed based on the mining sector and mine type 

(underground or surface). The sampling was conducted using the SurveySelect procedure in the 

SAS statistical software package (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Systematic random sampling 

within the employee size strata was used together with controlled sorting by the state where the 

mine was located. The latter was done to ensure that the sample of mines was geographically 

representative. All metal mines and all underground nonmetal mines were selected with 

certainty from every stratum. The final survey sample of mines consisted of 331 underground 

coal, 385 surface coal, 74 underground metal, 159 surface metal, 39 underground nonmetal, 286 

surface nonmetal, 96 underground stone, 498 surface stone, and 453 sand and gravel, for a total 

of 2,321 mining operations. Tables 1–9 present the sample allocations by mining sector and mine 

type. 
16

Table 1. Sample Allocation for Underground Coal Mines

Percentage of 

Total 

Employees

Number of 

Mines

Percentage of 

Total Mines

Number of 

Employees

Sample 

Stratum Mines

1–9 146 25.4% 331 0.8% 56

10–25 118 20.5% 1,972 4.8% 68

26–50 117 20.3% 4,460 10.8% 67

51–75 58 10.1% 3,622 8.8% 35

76–100 32 5.6% 2,790 6.8% 22

101–250 61 10.6% 9,267 22.5% 49

251+ 43 7.5%

Total 575 100%

18,750

41,192

45.5%

100%

34

331

Table 2. Sample Allocation for Surface Coal Mines

Percentage of 

Total 

Employees

Number of 

Mines

Percentage of 

Total Mines

Number of 

Employees

Sample 

Stratum Mines

1–9 725 51.8% 2,147 5.7% 101

10–25 302 21.6% 4,945 13.1% 84

26–50 209 14.9% 7,305 19.4% 75

51–75 65 4.6% 4,057 10.8% 36

76–100 30 2.1% 2,612 6.9% 20

101–250 44 3.1% 7,235 19.2% 44

251+

Total

25 1.8%

1,400 100%

9,407

37,708

24.9%

100%

25

385

Table 3. Sample Allocation for Underground Metal Mines

Percentage of 

Total 

Employees

Number of 

Mines

Percentage of 

Total Mines

Number of 

Employees

Sample 

Stratum Mines

1–9 26 35.1% 137 1.8% 26

10–25 8 10.8% 134 1.8% 8

26–50 9 12.2% 327 4.3% 9

51–75 7 9.5% 443 5.8% 7

76–100 2 2.7% 168 2.2% 2

101–250 13 17.6% 2,312 30.4% 13

251+ 9 12.2%

Total 74 100%

4,077

7,598

53.7%

100%

9

74
17

Table 4. Sample Allocation for Surface Metal Mines

Percentage of

Total 

Employees

Number of 

Mines

Percentage of 

Total Mines

Number of 

Employees

Sample 

Stratum Mines

1–9 60 37.7% 217 0.9% 60

10–25 21 13.2% 325 1.3% 21

26–50 13 8.2% 454 1.9% 13

51–75 4 2.5% 239 1.0% 4

76–100 3 1.9% 254 1.0% 3

101–250 26 16.4% 4,518 18.7% 26

251+ 32 20.1%

Total 159 100%

18,204

24,211

75.2%

100%

32

159

Table 5. Sample Allocation for Underground Nonmetal Mines

Percentage of

Total 

Employees

Number of 

Mines

Percentage of

Total Mines

Number of 

Employees

Sample 

Stratum Mines

1–9 7 17.9% 30 0.6% 7

10–25 5 12.8% 95 1.9% 5

26–50 6 15.4% 258 5.2% 6

51–75 4 10.3% 257 5.2% 4

76–100 2 5.1% 170 3.5% 2

101–250 11 28.2% 1,980 40.3% 11

251+ 4 10.3%

Total 39 100%

2,125

4,915

43.2%

100%

4

39

Table 6. Sample Allocation for Surface Nonmetal Mines

Percentage of

Total 

Employees

Number of 

Mines

Percentage of

Total Mines

Number of 

Employees

Sample 

Stratum Mines

1–9 339 53.6% 1,305 7.5% 92

10–25 128 20.2% 1,990 11.4% 65

26–50 81 12.8% 3,052 17.6% 46

51–75 32 5.1% 2,026 11.7% 32

76–100 19 3.0% 1,689 9.7% 17

101–250 25 3.9% 3,805 21.9% 25

251+ 9 1.4%

Total 633 100%

3,520

17,387

20.2%

100%

9

286
18

Table 7. Sample Allocation for Underground Stone Mines

Percentage of 

Total 

Employees

Number of 

Mines

Percentage of

Total Mines

Number of 

Employees

Sample 

Stratum Mines

1–9 15 14.0% 78 2.0% 14

10–25 42 39.3% 733 18.8% 32

26–50 30 28.0% 1,030 26.4% 30

51–75 13 12.1% 812 20.8% 13

76–100 2 1.9% 174 4.5% 2

101–250 4 3.7% 511 13.1% 4

251+ 1 0.9%

Total 107 100%

560

3,898

14.4%

100%

1

96

Table 8. Sample Allocation for Surface Stone Mines

Percentage of 

Total 

Employees

Number of 

Mines

Percentage of 

Total Mines

Number of 

Employees

Sample 

Stratum Mines

1–9 2,034 49.6% 9,039 11.9% 116

10–25 1,345 32.8% 21,224 28.0% 114

26–50 426 10.4% 15,002 19.8% 95

51–75 107 2.6% 6,537 8.6% 51

76–100 56 1.4% 4,903 6.5% 36

101–250 128 3.1% 18,294 24.1% 83

251+ 3

Total 4,099

0.1%

100%

911

75,910

1.2%

100%

3

498

Table 9. Sample Allocation for Sand and Gravel Mines

Percentage of

Total 

Employees

Number of 

Mines

Percentage of 

Total Mines

Number of 

Employees

Sample 

Stratum Mines

1–3 2,846 44.3% 5,555 13.0% 119

4–6 1,615 25.1% 7,761 18.2% 80

7–9 729 11.3% 5,682 13.3% 37

10–25 1,010 15.7% 14,629 34.4% 110

26–50 190 3.0% 6,411 15.1% 70

51–75 27 0.4% 1,632 3.8% 27

76–100 8 0.1% 684 1.6% 8

101–250 2 0.0% 219 0.5% 2

251+ 0

Total 6,427

0.0%

100%

0

42,573

0.0%

100%

0

453
19

Data Collection

Survey Packet

The survey packet mailed to each sampled mining operation contained the following 

materials:

• A cover letter from NIOSH that introduced the study to the selected mines and 

stressed the importance of the study to the safety and health of miners. The letter was 

personalized and addressed to the best respondent identified through initial contacts 

with the mine.

• A Questions and Answers brochure that answered frequently asked questions. 

• A copy of the paper questionnaire. 

• Personalized directions for accessing the Internet questionnaire.

• A postage-paid return envelope for returning the hard-copy questionnaire. 

The mine respondents were given the option of completing either the paper questionnaire 

booklet or the web-based survey questionnaire. The Questions and Answers brochure explained 

that both surveys asked the same questions. To minimize the employee-level questionnaire 

burden, mines with 30 or more employees were asked to provide data for only a sample of the 

total employees working during the specific reporting week. Mines with less than 30 employees 

were asked to report for all of them.

For mines with 30 or more employees working in the reference week, the mine 

respondent was asked to select the sample of employees by following sampling instructions 

included in the survey questionnaire. The sampling instructions were designed to select from 15 

to 25 employees per mine, with employee counts from the frame used to determine the sampling 

rate. The employees were selected using systematic sampling with custom-generated “startwith” and “take-every” numbers included on the instructions page of the questionnaire. The 

“take-every” number was determined by dividing the number of employees the mine reported to 

MSHA by 30 and then rounding down. A random number table was consulted to get a random 

number between 1 and the “take-every” number which would be the “start-with” number. The 

“start-with” number constituted the first selection made from the list, prepared by the mine, of 

employees working during the reference week. The “take-every” number needed to be added 

repeatedly to the “start-with” number to determine the remaining selections. The variable 

number of employees selected per mine resulted from the need to use an integer as the “takeevery” number to simplify the mathematics for the respondent.

The MSHA employment data printed on the mine’s questionnaire may not have been 

current for the data collection period. This limitation was handled by instructing the mine 

respondents to call in when their mine employment for the reference week was 20 percent 

greater or 20 percent less than the employment projected from the MSHA data. The survey 

contractor would then provide alternative “start-with” and “take-every” numbers to these mine 

respondents, after determining that the respondents were reporting for the correct mine. 

Each sampled mining operation was randomly assigned a reporting week, balanced by 

mine type and sector. The reporting week was a seven-day period that the mine respondent was 

asked to reference when answering some items in the questionnaire. The reporting week was 
20

described in the questionnaire as the mine’s payroll week, which included the date that was 

preprinted on the first page of the questionnaire. Over the course of the survey, there were a total 

of 12 reporting weeks. On average, 193 mines were assigned to each reporting week (see Table 

10). 

Table 10. Number of Mines in the Final Sample by Sector, Type, and Reporting Week

Sand 

and 

Gravel

Total 

Week Mines Coal Metal Nonmetal Stone Surface Underground

1 193 59 20 27 50 37 147 46

2 193 60 19 27 49 38 148 45

3 194 60 19 28 50 37 148 46

4 193 60 19 27 49 38 148 45

5 194 60 19 27 50 38 149 45

6 194 60 19 27 50 38 149 45

7 193 59 20 27 49 38 149 44

8 194 60 20 27 50 37 148 46

9 193 60 19 27 49 38 148 45

10 193 59 20 27 49 38 149 44

11 193 59 20 27 49 38 149 44

12 194 60 19 27 50 38 149 45

Total 2,321 716 233 325 594 453 1,781 540

Survey Promotion

Several initiatives were implemented before the start of data collection to promote the 

survey and to maximize response rates. OMSHR undertook considerable efforts to publicize the 

survey. At the start of data collection in March 2008, the National Mining Association offered to 

prepare and publish an article about the survey in its newsletter. Throughout the data collection 

period, OMSHR continued to pursue additional publicity efforts, promoting the survey both 

within NIOSH and to the mining community. A sand and gravel industry newsletter included an 

article about the survey. A notice about the survey was also published in the May 2008 issue of 

CoalUSA magazine.

Prior to the mailing of the survey packet, initial telephone calls were made to the contacts 

identified for each selected mine. In some cases the same contact individuals were found to be 

associated with multiple mines; for example, nine contacts were affiliated with mining 

companies that each had seven or more mines in the sample. A special effort was made by 

OMSHR to contact these individuals and inform them of the selection of multiple mining 

operations, determine the most appropriate addressee/recipient of the survey packet, and 

encourage participation in the survey. Throughout the data collection period, OMSHR continued 

to assist the survey contractor in both initiating and receiving calls with mine contacts and in 

responding to e-mails from the sampled mining operations.
21

Follow-up Contacts

Once the survey packet had been sent to the contact person at the mine, the data 

collection schedule provided for a three-week waiting period, to allow the contact the 

opportunity to complete the survey. After the waiting period, follow-up reminder calls were 

made to those mines that did not return their questionnaires or complete the web surveys by the 

“please submit” date printed on the survey. The main functions of the follow-up calls were to:

• Ensure that the survey materials had been received and that the materials were 

delivered to the appropriate person. 

• Answer any questions regarding completing the survey. 

• Serve as a reminder to complete the survey.

The most difficult challenge of follow-up was simply reaching the contacts. To deal with 

this issue, various approaches and initiatives were implemented. Because e-mail addresses were 

often available for mine contacts, an e-mail initiative was developed whereby an e-mail reminder 

was sent to anyone who had: (1) started, but did not complete a web survey; (2) not yet opened a 

web survey; (3) not returned a questionnaire; or (4) not made contact during the follow-up calls. 

This resulted in some immediate responses to the e-mails, along with many calls to the toll-free 

study telephone line and directly to OMSHR, often from contact persons who had a question on 

how to complete the survey. There were also a number of out-of-office replies that were useful in 

determining when another follow-up attempt could be made. 

In addition, OMSHR also prepared a follow-up letter, cosigned by the study project 

director and the director of the NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health Research, with space at 

the bottom for the web survey login information and mine-specific password. This letter was 

mailed to contacts at more than 1,000 mining operations. As a result, OMSHR received some 

additional completed questionnaires. However, a large number of letters were returned as 

undeliverable. 

Data Imputation and Statistical Weighting Procedures

A questionnaire was considered completed if it was missing no more than two of the 52 

critical items listed in Appendix G. Returned questionnaires with more than two missing critical 

items were considered partially complete and, when possible, data imputation was used to 

complete these missing items.

Data Imputation

Imputation is the process of replacing missing data with legitimate values derived 

through logical deduction, regression models, or other probabilistic means. For the National 

Survey of the Mining Population, an attempt was made to impute missing data for the questions 

in the Training; Prep Plant/Mill Workers (found in the Work Schedules and Shift Work 

sections); Independent Contractor Employees; Safety, Communication, and Rescue Measures; 

and Employee Length of Service sections of the questionnaire. The Prep Plant/Mill Workers 

questions were imputed via information retrieved from the MSHA data on mines not having a 
22

preparation plant. In these cases, the relevant questionnaire items were set equal to zero or to the 

“not applicable” response. The questions in the Training; Independent Contractor Employees; 

and Safety, Communication and Rescue Measures sections were imputed via logical deduction, 

that is, when one or more responses were affirmative within the section and no negative 

responses were recorded, all missing items were set to the negative response. The Employee 

Length of Service section was completed via a regression model that predicted one or more 

missing items for the Total Years in this Job Title, Total Years at this Mine, and Total Years in 

Mining questions from those of the three that were reported. 

Data Weighting, Estimation, and Variance Estimation

Sample survey data are weighted in order to provide unbiased or nearly unbiased 

estimates. The weights take into account variable probabilities of selection as well as 

compensate for bias introduced by differences between respondents and nonrespondents. For the 

National Survey of the Mining Population, weights were calculated in two steps. First, a base 

weight was calculated as the reciprocal of a given mine’s probability of selection. These 

probabilities varied by major mining sector (coal, metal, nonmetal, stone, and sand and gravel), 

mine type (underground or surface), and mine size (number of employees). Second, a 

nonresponse adjusted weight was calculated as the product of the base weight and a nonresponse 

adjustment factor. The nonresponse adjustment factor was calculated as the ratio of the sum of 

weights for all eligible mines within a primary stratum (sector by mine type) to the sum of the 

weights for all responding mines.

Survey sampling implies some imprecision in the estimates and this imprecision is 

measured as variance and standard errors. For this survey, the Jackknife Repeated Replication 

(JRR) method was used to support variance estimation. One hundred replicate weights were 

created for each record in the dataset, with every replicate weight repeating the two steps 

described previously. Each replicate weight was used to derive a replicate estimate, and the 

variance in the replicate estimates (across the 100 replicates) could then be used to estimate the 

variance and standard error of each survey estimate.

Lessons Learned

The following lessons learned are based on project staff observations (by both OMSHR 

and the survey contractor) and the feedback obtained from the survey respondents. Also 

presented are any additional methods that could have been implemented to potentially increase 

the response rate or the efficiency of the study management.

• The questionnaire, with its foldout employee section and sample selection approach, 

appeared to be a barrier to completion. It is possible that the perceived level of effort for 

completing the survey prevented some mines from participating.

• Comments regarding ease of use of the survey were similar for both paper and web-based 

respondents. Partial responses on both versions of the questionnaire often stopped at the 

beginning of the employee section. This may have occurred when the mine contact 

realized that he/she could not complete the full questionnaire without retrieving 

information from other people in the mine organization, or from records not conveniently 
23

located, or that other staff may have been unable or unwilling to complete the 

questionnaire. 

• There was no incentive provided for completion of the survey, other than to assist 

OMSHR.

• Most refusal information related to time/burden issues. Some contacts refused after 

learning that they were assigned to complete questionnaires for multiple mines in their 

organization. Health and safety contacts often said that the survey content focused too 

little on health and safety issues and too much on human resource questions. 

• The e-mail follow-up reminders and OMSHR follow-up letter were helpful initiatives, 

but may have been more effective had they been initiated at an earlier time in the data 

collection process.

• Even though multiple contact attempts and various response modes were used in this 

survey, conducting a nonresponse survey could have helped to ascertain whether the 

population of nonresponders differed measurably from the participants. It also could 

have been very useful in understanding and characterizing barriers to participation. 

• Some suggestions for future surveys are the following: 

o Conducting the survey to focus on one major mining sector at a time in order to 

improve performance. 

o Reducing the length of the questionnaire, in response to complaints from mines 

that did not have the staff or the time to complete it.

o Involving large mining companies in early reviews of the survey to obtain their 

input on questions they might find objectionable and their feedback on how to 

best administer the survey. 

Survey Results

Overall, 954 completed or partial surveys were returned from the sampled mining 

operations. The outcomes of data collection for each of the sampled mines are summarized in 

Table 11. The 651 “critical items complete” and 86 “final missing critical items” questionnaires 

were the 737 survey responses that were used for the estimates presented in this IC. The mode 

of completion by the respondents is shown in Table 12. 
24

Table 11. Summary of Final Results for All Sampled Mines

Result Code Description Total

Critical items complete *

Final missing critical items *

Partial response

Final refusal—explicit refusal by corporate management

Final refusal, other reason—explicit refusal by local mine management

Final refusal, records unavailable—explicit refusal by local mine management

Final refusal, staff time—explicit refusal by local mine management

Ineligible mine

Ineligible, no contact

Initialized, no response

Hard-copy questionnaire received, but blank

651

86

217

56

77

5

85

85

32

1,020

7

Total 2,321

 *Comprised final survey dataset

Table 12. Number of Completed Surveys by Mode

Mode Count Percentage

Web questionnaire 360 49%

Paper questionnaire 377 51%

Total 737 100%

Based on the review of the results of all contact attempts, 117 mines were determined to 

be ineligible. A summary of the ineligible mines by sector is presented in Table 13. Some of the 

reasons for ineligibility were:

• Mine has been closed.

• No contact was ever made with anyone at the mine.

• Mine is nonproducing. 

• Construction work on the mine has not yet begun. 

• Mine is shutting down and moving out equipment. 

• Mine was just an exploration mine and was never in a producing status. 

• Mine contracts out all of its mining operations.
25

Table 13. Summary of Ineligible Mines by Sector

Mine Sector

Ineligible

Mine

Ineligible

No Contact Total

Coal 53 14 67

Metal 10 7 17

Nonmetal 9 4 13

Stone 7 3 10

Sand and Gravel 6 4 10

Total 85 32 117

Refusals to participate in the survey were received from 223 mines. The major reasons for 

refusal are shown in Table 14. 

Table 14. Summary of Refusal by Mine Sector and Type of Refusal

Reason for Refusal Coal Metal Nonmetal Stone

Sand 

and 

Gravel Total

Corporate refusal 20 1 11 16 8 56

General refusal 18 7 13 23 16 77

Records unavailable 1 3 0 0 1 5

Staff time 27 8 12 16 22 85

Total 66 19 36 55 47 223

The overall weighted response rate for the survey was 36.7 percent, with the lowest response 

rate for coal mines (25.8 percent) and the highest for nonmetal mines (48.8 percent). 

Underground mines responded at 30.1 percent compared to surface mines at 37.1 percent. The 

response rate data are presented in Figure 9. 

The weighted response rates were calculated as the ratio of the sum of the weights of 

responding mines divided by the sum of the weights for all eligible sampled mines. The 

denominator included all nonresponding mines that were known to be eligible along with a 

percentage, p, of the weight corresponding to mines which did not respond but for whom it was 

not possible to determine whether in fact they were eligible. The percentage, p, was computed as 

the ratio of the weights of known eligible nonrespondents, plus respondents, plus ineligible 

mines. The ratios were computed separately for each nonresponse adjustment cell, which was 

defined by sector, mine type, and mine size. 
36.7%

36.2%

39.7%

48.8%

34.9%

25.8%

37.1%

36.2%

39.9%

48.3%

37.7%

25.3%

30.1%

33.9%

55.5%

29.8%

27.2%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

All Mining Sectors

Sand and Gravel

Stone

Nonmetal

Metal

Coal

Weighted Response Rate, Percent

Mining Sector

Underground

Surface

Overall

26

Figure 9. Weighted Response Rates by Sector and Mine Type.
27

Based on the data collected in this survey, Table 15 represents national estimates of the 

number of mines and the mine operator employees (with associated 95 percent confidence 

intervals) by sector during a typical week in the spring/summer of 2008. 

Table 15. National Estimates of Mines and Mine Employees in Spring/Summer 2008

Number of 

Mines*

Number of 

Mine Sector 95% CI Employees* 95% CI

Coal, underground 454 (411, 498) 38,290 (31,088, 45,492)

Coal, surface 1,053 (925, 1,181) 31,717 (23,810, 39,625)

Metal, underground 71 (62, 79) 8,653 (2,419, 14,887)

Metal, surface 130 (113, 147) 30,430 (9,332, 51,528)

Nonmetal, underground 38 (29, 47) 3,424 (1,919, 4,928)

Nonmetal, surface 577 (506, 647) 15,925 (10,668, 21,182)

Stone, underground 105 (92, 118) 2,959 (2,491, 3,427)

Stone, surface 3,852 (3,600, 4,104) 68,006 (62,641, 73,372)

Sand and Gravel 6,042 (4,774, 7,309) 32,144 (26,275, 38,013)

Total 12,321 (11,003, 13,640) 231,549 (204,685, 258,413)

*Data do not sum to total due to independent rounding.

There were an 

estimated 231,549 employees working in 12,321 mines. Of these employees, 53,326 worked in 

668 underground mines and the remaining 178,222 worked in 11,654 surface mines. 

Employee Job Titles

The information for the mine operator employee job titles was collected using an openended format in which the survey respondent was asked to “write in” the job title for each of 

his/her sampled employees. A detailed listing of the job titles supplied by the respondents can be 

found in Appendix H. This approach allowed flexibility and lessened burden by not constraining 

the respondent to determine the most appropriate fit from a list of predefined job-title categories.

Initially, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Part 50 Data User’s 

Handbook [MSHA 2007] was used to code the job titles supplied by the survey respondents. In 

some cases, slang terms or the name of a piece of mining equipment were provided as the 

employee’s job title. To handle these situations, job codes were assigned by researching the 

equipment, mine type or commodity, and consulting A Dictionary of Mining, Mineral, and 

Related Terms [Thrush 1968] and The Dictionary of Mining and Mineral Terms [Infomine Inc. 

2010]. Mining program researchers who were former mine employees also assisted by 

reviewing the “difficult-to-code” job titles and defining the occupation. In some instances, 

where logical, multiple job titles were combined under a single occupation code. For example, a 

“Belt Worker” and “Belt Man” were assigned the same code.

Once the job titles were coded, they were grouped into occupational categories. The four 

major categories are Administration/Professional, Maintenance, Production, and Service and 
28

Utility. When a reported job title did not fit within any of these four categories, it was put into a 

Miscellaneous category. Within the four major occupational categories, there are subunits with 

up to four levels. Each of these subunits is further divided based on the type of work performed. 

National estimates of the number of workers have been computed for each major category 

(excluding Miscellaneous where only survey counts are reported) and the first three subunit 

levels. 

Statistical Analysis

The statistical analysis of the data from the National Survey of the Mining Population 

was conducted using the SAS statistical software package. The SAS SURVEYFREQ and 

SURVEYMEANS procedures were used to create the weighted summary statistics that are 

reported in the IC. These procedures properly analyze data from complex sample surveys by 

taking the sample design into account. The variance estimation method used with these data was 

the Jackknife Repeated Replication (JRR). At this time, the subpopulation analysis for JRR is 

not available in SAS 9.2. In order to provide national estimates for the coal, metal, nonmetal, 

stone, and sand and gravel mining sectors, a SAS macro, using a reweighting method, proposed 

by Wang and Waldron [2010] was adopted for these subpopulation analyses. In their paper, 

Wang and Waldron compared the results of a subgroup analysis using their macro with PROC 

SURVEYMEANS and found these results were almost identical to those obtained when using 

the standard subpopulation analysis procedure in both the Stata 10.0 (StataCorp LP) and 

SUDAAN 10 (RTI International) statistical analysis software packages. In order to provide a 

measure of precision, a 95 percent confidence interval (CI) has been calculated for all survey 

estimates reported in this IC. Data were suppressed, and no national estimates were computed 

when the unweighted survey count was fewer than five responses (i.e., the number of responses 

was too small to be able to produce a reliable estimate) [NCHS 2002, 2004]. Due to independent 

rounding, the percentages shown in the individual bar charts may not sum to exactly 100 percent. 
29

Employee Statistics for

All Mines
30
31

Summary of Employee Statistics for All Mines

The demographic and occupational characteristics of employees in the U.S. mining 

industry are presented in Tables 16 and 17 and Figures 10–12. The weighted estimate for gender 

indicates that the workforce is composed predominately of male employees (92.5 percent). The 

major racial category is White (93.6 percent) followed by Black or African American (4.3 

percent). Twelve percent of these employees have an ethnicity of Hispanic or Latino. Sixty-five 

percent are high school graduates, with another 24.1 percent having an education level beyond 

high school. A review of the weighted estimates indicates that the average worker is 43.3 years 

of age and has worked in mining for 12.9 years, 9.0 years at the current mine, and 7.1 years in 

his/her job title. The number of hours worked per week averages 45.4 with the “Surface Mine: 

Strip, Open Pit or Quarry” being the primary work location for the majority, or 34.1 percent of 

miners. An additional 23.0 percent of employees work in “Mill Operations, Preparation Plants, 

or Breakers,” and another 18.3 percent are employed in the “Underground Mine: Underground” 

work location. 

Tables 18, 19, 21, 22, and Figure 13 present the national estimates of the number of 

workers by four major occupational categories. (No estimates were calculated for Table 20: 

“Miscellaneous.”) An estimated 62,646 (27.2 percent) mine workers are employed in the 

“Administration/Professional” category; 35,276 (15.3 percent) in the “Maintenance” category; 

90,495 (39.4 percent) in the “Production” category; and 41,851 (18.2 percent) in the “Service

and Utility” category.
32
33

Table 16. Demographic Characteristics of Employees at All Mines

 

 

Survey

Count

National

Estimate

National 

Demographic Characteristic 95% LCL 95% UCL Percent 95% LCL 95% UCL

Gender:

Male 8,414 211,471 188,671 234,270 92.5 91.1 93.9

Female 577 17,213 12,403 22,024 7.5 6.1 8.9

Age (years) 8,673 43.3 42.4 44.1

Highest level of education:

Less than 9th grade 222 4,996 3,062 6,930 2.4 1.5 3.3

9th–12th grade (no diploma) 800 18,600 15,299 21,902 8.8 7.3 10.3

136,599 121,769 151,429 64.7 61.3 68.1

Some College, Associate Degree, or 

Technical School

HS Graduate or Equivalent (GED) 5,452

1,392 39,326 30,655 47,996 18.6 15.9 21.3

Bachelor's Degree or beyond 452 11,516 9,017 14,014 5.5 4.5 6.4

Ethnicity:

Hispanic or Latino 927 26,622 17,120 36,123 12.1 8.9 15.4

Non-Hispanic or Non-Latino 7,766 192,839 172,663 213,016 87.9 84.6 91.1

Race:

American Indian or Alaska Native 119 4,050 1,851 6,249 2.0 0.9 3.0

Asian 9 183 56 311 0.1 0.0 0.2

Black or African American 397 8,893 6,419 11,367 4.3 3.2 5.4

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 14 634 140 1,127 0.3 0.1 0.5

White 7,717 194,016 174,955 213,077 93.6 92.1 95.0
34

Table 17. Occupational Characteristics of Employees at All Mines

 

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

National 

Occupational Characteristic Percent 95% LCL 95% UCL

Hours worked (per week)

Experience:

Experience in this Job Title (years)

Experience at this Mine (years)

Total Mining Experience (years)

Primary Work Location:

Underground Mine: Underground

Underground Mine: Surface Shops or 

Yards

Surface Mine: Strip, Open Pit, or Quarry

Surface Mine: Auger, Culm Bank, or 

Refuse Pile (Coal Mine Only)

Surface Mine: Dredge

Surface Mine: Other Surface Mining 

(Metal/Nonmetal Only)

Independent Shops or Yards

Mill Operations, Preparation Plants, or 

Breakers

Office

8,363

8,641

8,773

8,539

1,585

287

2,722

78

185

922

64

2,251

889

45.4

7.1

9.0

12.9

42,191

4,884

78,493

3,581

4,491

21,492

1,304

53,052

20,835

44.6

6.4

8.3

12.1

34,049

3,461

58,106

267

2,551

14,757

205

45,563

16,764

46.2

7.8

9.6

13.7

50,333

6,307

98,879

6,896

6,430

28,227

2,404

60,541

24,906

18.3

2.1

34.1

1.6

1.9

9.3

0.6

23.0

9.0

15.0

1.5

28.4

0.1

1.1

6.4

0.1

19.2

7.8

21.6

2.7

39.7

3.0

2.8

12.3

1.0

26.9

10.3
35

5.5%

18.6%

64.7%

8.8%

2.4%

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160

Bachelor's Degree or beyond

Some College, Associate Degree, or Technical School

HS Graduate or Equivalent (GED)

9th-12th grade (no diploma)

Less than 9th grade

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 10. Education Level of Employees at All Mines.
36

93.6%

0.3%

4.3%

0.1%

2.0%

0 50 100 150 200 250

White

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Black or African American

Asian

American Indian or Alaska Native

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 11. Race of Employees at All Mines. 
37

9.0%

23.0%

0.6%

9.3%

1.9%

1.6%

34.1%

2.1%

18.3%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Office

Mill Operations, Preparation Plants, or Breakers

Independent Shops or Yards

Surface Mine: Other Surface Mining (Metal / Nonmetal Only)

Surface Mine: Dredge

Surface Mine: Auger, Culm Bank, or Refuse Pile (Coal Mine Only)

Surface Mine: Strip, Open Pit, or Quarry

Underground Mine: Surface Shops or Yards

Underground Mine: Underground

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 12. Primary Work Location of Employees at All Mines. 
38

Table 18. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at All Mines

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

ADMINISTRATION/PROFESSIONAL

Office Staff

Administrative Staff

Administration

Administrative Assistant

Clerk

Coal Distribution Coordinator

Communications

Customer Service

Human Resources

Information Technology

Mine Clerk

Office Clerk

Office Staff

Plant Clerk

Receptionist

Secretary

Systems Analyst

Technical Coordinator

Business

Accounting

Bookkeeper

Buyer

Cost Coordinator

Payroll

Procurement

Purchasing

Sales

Shipping

Terminal Operator

Security

Guard

Security

Supplies

Supply Clerk

Warehouse

Warehouse Technician

Warehouseman

Union Representative

Professional

Engineer

Director of Engineering

Engineer 

(Electrical/Mining/Ventilation)

Engineer, not otherwise specified

Environmental Engineer

Plant Engineer

2,453

408

225

136

14

31

2 

334

61

62,646

10,181

5,493

3,510

346

818

DSU

10,304

1,722

54,584

8,304

4,299

2,257

119

404

DSU

7,332

860

70,708

12,057

6,687

4,762

573

1,232

DSU

13,276

2,584
Table 18. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at All Mines

(continued)

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Process Engineer

Production Engineer

Project Engineer

Non-engineer 90 3,408 1,568 5,249

Chemist

Control Person/Analyst

Environmental

Environmental Specialist

Geologist

Metallurgist

Operating Engineer

Operations

Operations Specialist

Physical Tester

Planner

Production Scheduler

Reliability Engineer

Surveyor

Utility Engineer

Technician 183 5,174 3,148 7,199

Coal Sampler

Electrical Technician

Electronic Technician

Engineering Technician

Fuel Operator/Technician

Lab Technician

Laboratory Technician/Refiner

Materials Technician

Mechanic Technician

Mill Technician

Mine Technician

Plant Technician

Process Control 

Operator/Technician

Production Technician

Quarry Technician

Sampler/Lab Technician

Technician

Utility Technician

Safety 51 1,425 854 1,996

Inspector

Safety

Safety Director

Safety Manager

Safety Supervisor

39
Table 18. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at All Mines

(continued)

40

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Supervisory 46,018

Executive

CEO

General Manager

Mine Owner

President

Vice President

Foreman

Assistant Superintendent

Belt Foreman (underground)

Electrical Foreman (underground)

Foreman

Foreman/Manager

Foreman/Shift Boss

Labor Foreman

Lead Man

Maintenance Foreman

Maintenance Lead Man

Mill Foreman

Mine Foreman

Outby Foreman

Pit Foreman

Plant Foreman

Preparation Plant Foreman

Production Foreman

Section Foreman

Section Foreman/Boss

Shift Foreman

Shop Foreman

Superintendent

Track Foreman

Underground Foreman

Manager

Area Manager

Assistant Manager

Assistant Mine Foreman/Assistant 

Mine Manager

Concentrator Manager

Customer Service Manager

Distribution Manager

Dredge Manager

Dry Plant Manager

Engineer/Operations Manager

Engineering Manager

Environmental Manager

Equipment Maintenance Manager

Equipment Manager

Facility Manager

Financial Manager

Human Resources Manager

1,660

71

626

339 

40,736

1,365

15,807

8,224

35,454

1,005

12,870

6,266

1,726

18,744

10,182
Table 18. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at All Mines

(continued)

41

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Lab Manager

Maintenance Manager

Management

Manager

Mill Manager

Mine Foreman/Mine Manager

Mine Manager

Office Manager

Operations Manager

Plant Manager

Plant Superintendent

Process Manager

Production Manager

Project Manager

Purchasing Manager

Quality Control Manager

Quarry Manager

Raw Material Manager

Regulatory Manager

Sales Manager

Scale Office Manager

Shift Manager

Shipping Manager

Shop Manager

Storeroom Manager

Technical Services Manager

Supervisor

Assistant Mine Supervisor

Assistant Supervisor

Auger Crew Supervisor

Backhoe Supervisor

Bagging/Baghouse Supervisor

Belt Coordinator

Blasting Supervisor

Clay Operator

Concentrator Supervisor

Control Room Supervisor

Crusher Supervisor

Dozer Supervisor

Electrical Supervisor

Engineering Supervisor

Equipment Supervisor

Gold House Supervisor

Lab Supervisor

Leaching Supervisor

Loader Supervisor

Loadhouse Supervisor

Maintenance Supervisor

Mechanic Supervisor

Mine Operations

Mine Operator

624 15,340 13,052 17,627
Table 18. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at All Mines

(continued)

42

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Mine Supervisor

Mobile Equipment Supervisor

Pit Operator

Pit Supervisor

Plant Operator

Plant Supervisor

Prep Plant Operator

Process Supervisor

Production Supervisor

Quality Assurance Supervisor

Quarry Operator

Quarry Supervisor

Shift Supervisor

Shipping Supervisor

Supervisor

Tailings Supervisor

Transportation Supervisor

Warehouse Supervisor

Wash Plant Supervisor

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
43

Table 19. Estimated Number of Maintenance Employees at All Mines

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

MAINTENANCE 1,311 35,276 29,913 40,639

Specialty 272 8,234 6,445 10,022

Electrician 190 6,291 4,592 7,990

Diagnostic Electrician

Electrician

Electrician/Wireman

Electrician Trainee

Maintenance Electrician

Master Electrician

Trainer Electrician

Welder 82 1,942 1,312 2,572

Certified Welder

Maintenance Welder

Repair/Welder

Welder

Welder (nonshop)

Welder/Fabricator

Welder/Mechanic

Support 1,039 27,043 22,718 31,367

Maintenance 392 8,873 7,065 10,682

Continuous Miner Maintenance

Crusher Maintenance

Dragline Oiler

Electrical Maintenance

Equipment Maintenance

Fixed Maintenance

Greaser/Oiler

Liquid Fuel Handler

Maintenance

Maintenance Clerk

Maintenance Coordinator

Maintenance Planner

Maintenance Technician

Mechanic Clerk

Mechanical Maintenance

Mill Maintenance

Millwright

Mobile Maintenance

Pipefitter

Plant Maintenance

Production/Process Maintenance

Road Maintenance

Skilled Maintenance

Truck Maintenance

Underground Belt Maintenance

Underground Maintenance
Table 19. Estimated Number of Maintenance Employees at All Mines (continued)

44

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Mechanic 556 14,368 11,607 17,129

Aggregate Mechanic

Automotive Mechanic

Belt Mechanic

Diagnostic Mechanic

Diesel Mechanic

Equipment Mechanic

Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Maintenance Mechanic

Master Mechanic

Mechanic

Mechanic/Electrician

Mechanic/Welder

Mechanic Helper

Mechanic Trainee

Mobile Equipment Mechanic

Mobile Maintenance Mechanic

Mobile Mechanic

Plant Mechanic

Prep Plant Mechanic

Shop Mechanic

Underground Belt Mechanic

Wrens Mechanic

Repairman 91 3,801 739 6,864

Automotive Repairman

Crusher Repairman

Electronic/Electrical Repairman

Heavy Duty Repairman

Instrument Repairman

Maintenance Repairman

Mechanical Repairman

Plant Repairman

Repairman

Skilled Repairman

Tailings Repairman

Underground Belt Repairman

Underground Repairman

Table 20. Number of Miscellaneous Employees at All Mines

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

MISCELLANEOUS 35

Trainee 19

Unknown 16
45

Table 21. Estimated Number of Production Employees at All Mines

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

PRODUCTION 3,571 90,495 76,183 104,807

Equipment Operator 1,860 49,707 40,495 58,920

Dragline Operator 24 677 275 1,079

Equipment Operator 944 23,373 19,276 27,469

Backhoe Operator

Bobcat Operator

Bulldozer Operator

Crane Operator

Dredge Operator

End Dump Driver

End Dump Driver/Operator

Equipment Operator

Forklift Operator

Front End Loader

Front End Loader Operator

Grader Operator

Gravity Mag Operator

Heavy Equipment Operator

Highlift Operator

Hopper Operator

Large Shovel/Backhoe/Load 

Operator

Machine Operator

Mobile Bridge Operator

Mobile Equipment Operator

Mucking Machine Operator

Paver Operator

Payloader Operator

Raise Borer Operator

Road Grader Operator

Rock Duster

Rotary Bucket Excavator Operator

Rotary Dump Operator

Scaler (mechanical)

Scraper Operator

Stationary Equipment Operator

Stripping Operator

Tower Operator

Track Hoe

Tractor Operator

Tractor Operator/Motorman

Hoist 36 430 93 766

Hoist Engineer

Hoist Operator

Hoistman

Skip Tender/Cager/Station 

Attendant
Table 21. Estimated Number of Production Employees at All Mines (continued)

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Material Mover 704 18,923 14,005 23,841

Dump Truck Driver

Haul Truck Operator

Haul Truck Operator/Driver

Hauler/Haul Unit Operator

Hauler Operator

Off Road Truck Driver

Ore Truck Driver/Operator

Pit Truck Driver

Quarry Truck Driver

Refuse Truck Driver/Backfill Truck 

Driver

Rock Truck Driver

Rubber Tire Operator

Scoop Car Operator

Scoop Loader

Scoop Tram Operator

Shuttle Car Operator

Stock Truck/Stock Pile Driver

Truck Driver

Underground Coal Hauler

Underground Haulage Operator

Water Truck Operator

Mining Machines 106 4,056 2,635 5,477

Continuous Miner Helper

Continuous Miner Operator

Face Operator

Head Operator

Jacksetter

Longwall Operator

Shearer Operator

Undercutter Operator

Operator/Driver 29 740 300 1,179

Dump Operator

Motorman

Motorman/Locomotive Operator

Operator/Driver

Transportation

Shovel Operator 17 1,510 0 3,434

Extraction Labor 212 5,229 2,590 7,868

Coal Miner

Heading Prep

Mine Production

Mine Spec

Mine Support

Miner

Miner Support

Production Miner

46
Table 21. Estimated Number of Production Employees at All Mines (continued)

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Material Preparation 304 6,178 4,598 7,758

Additives 14 271 9 532

Additive Press Operator

Additives Utility

Calcine Operator

Thickener Operator

Crusher 122 2,891 1,732 4,050

Blunging Operator

Breaker Operator

Crusher Attendant

Crusher Helper

Crusher Operator/Pan Feeder 

Operator

Crusher Plant Operator

Hammer Mill Operator

Jaw Operator

Mill Crusher Operator

Rock Breaker Operator

Screenhouse Crusher

Cutter 70 1,194 286 2,102

Cutting Machine Operator

Sawyer

Splitter

Stone Cutter

Trimmer

Mill 98 1,822 1,101 2,543

Dry Mill Operator

Limestone Prep Operator

Mill Hand/Helper

Mill Operator (ball/pebble/rod)

Mill Production Worker

Milling Machine Operator

Mill Man

Roller Mill Operator

Roller Operator

Process 186 5,769 2,649 8,890

Belt Vulcanizer 9 464 0 1,197

Dry Processing 42 763 362 1,164

Dry Plant/Process Operator

Dryer Operator

Fluid Bed Dryer Operator

Kiln Operator

Other 32 825 300 1,351

Fabricator

Process Attendant

Process Operator

47
Table 21. Estimated Number of Production Employees at All Mines (continued)

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Separation

Centrifuge Utility

Digestion Operator

Extruder Operator

Filter Evaporation Operator

Filter Operator

Flotation Plant Operator

Flotation/Concentrator Operator

Froth Cell Operator

Grinder Operator

Leach Utility

Leaching Operations Worker

Mix Chemist

Mix Operator

Pan Operator

Pelletizing Operations Worker

Pug Operator/Mixer Tender

Rotex Operator

Screen Plant Labor

Screen Plant Operator

Slurry Operator

Tailings Operator

Wash Process 12 410 105 715

Wash Operator

Washer Operator

Wet Processing 8 63 7 120

Wet Plant Attendant

Wet Plant Operator

Support 1,009 23,611 19,052 28,170

Drill Operator 101 1,684 1,179 2,189

Auger Operator

Coal Drill Operator

Drill Helper/Chuck Tender

Drill Operator

Highwall Drill Operator

Rotary Electric/Hydraulic Drill 

Operator

Electronics 4 DSU DSU DSU

Console Operator

Power Systems

Robot Operator

Explosives 82 1,524 864 2,183

Blaster

Driller/Blaster

Explosives/Powder Man

Shooter

Shot Firer

48

83 3,244 275 6,212
Table 21. Estimated Number of Production Employees at All Mines (continued)

49

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Other 579 14,279 9,944 18,614

Control Room

Controller

Control Man

Dispatcher

Operator, not otherwise specified

Panel Operator

Port Operator

Production Operator

Rak Handler

Scaler (hand)

Top Operator

Underground Operator

Underground Plant Operator

Quality Control 75 1,609 1,090 2,128

Quality Control

Quality Control/Quality Assurance

Roof Bolter 168 4,321 3,073 5,569

Roof Bolter

Roof Control Operator

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
50

Table 22. Estimated Number of Service and Utility Employees at All Mines 

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

SERVICE and UTILITY 1,638 41,851 36,921 46,781

General Labor 817 21,603 17,514 25,692

Cleaners 10 212 68 356

Cleanup Man

Dry Attendant

Janitor

Steamer

Tank Car Washer

Tower Cleaner

Construction 35 1,064 394 1,734

Cement Man/Concrete Worker

Construction

Curb Cutter

Ground Control/Timberman

Packer

Screed Person

Shaft Miner/Shaft Repairer

Laborer 490 13,000 9,958 16,042

Cook

Ground Hand

Ground Man

Inside Laborer

Laborer

Miller

Outby Laborer

Outside Laborer

Plant Helper

Plant Man

Production Support

Production Worker

Quarry Worker

Root Picker

Shop Man

Stick Picker

Surface Support

Track Man

Material Handling 145 2,867 1,880 3,853

Bagger/Bagging Operations 

Worker

Crude Pile Operator

Material Handler

Mudpicker

Palletizer

Reclaim Operator

Rolling Stock Crew

Silo Operator

Stacker

Storage Operator
Table 22. Estimated Number of Service and Utility Employees at All Mines (continued)

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Storeroom

Sweeper Operator

Yard Laborer

Yard Man

Tradesman 33 1,928 0 3,966

Apprentice/Journeyman

Boiler Operator

Boilermaker

Carpenter/Plumber/Painter

Craftsman

Machinist

Trades Person

Weighman 104 2,532 1,869 3,195

Scale Clerk/Operator

Weighman

Weighmaster

Support Labor 821 20,249 17,248 23,249

Barge Operations 28 442 120 763

Barge Attendant/Boat Operator

Boat Pilot

Deck Hand

Dock Hand

Dock Worker

Conveyor Operator 56 1,557 771 2,343

Belt Cleaner/Conveyor Man

Belt Man/Conveyor Man

Distribution 35 564 106 1,021

Packaging Operations Worker

Packhouse

Examiner 34 1,006 408 1,605

Fire Boss

Mine Examiner

Underground Belt Examiner

Loading 462 11,020 9,083 12,958

Bin Attendant

Bin Puller/Truck Loader

Bulk Loader

Chute Puller

Load Haul Dump—Complete Cycle

Loader Operator

Loading

Loadman

Loadout Operator

Operator/Loader

Pit Loader Operator

Plant Loader Operator

51
Table 22. Estimated Number of Service and Utility Employees at All Mines (continued)

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Production Loader

Quarry Loader Operator

Rail Loader Operator

Shipping Loader

Stock Loader/Piler

Tipple Operator

Underground Loader

Yard Loader Operator

Pumper 10 467 0 982

Gravel Pumper

Pumper

Supplies 15 214 87 341

Parts

Parts Runner

Supply Man

Supply Hauler

Supply Man/Nipper

Utility 177 4,853 3,328 6,377

Crusher Utility

E.O. Utility

Equipment Utility

Lampman

Mill Utility

Operator Utility

Outside Utility

Pit Utility Person

Plant Utility

Production Utility

Quarry Utility

Utility Beltline

Utility Belts

Utility Bolter

Utility Lubricator

Utility Man

Utility Scaler

Wet Utility

Ventilation 4 DSU DSU DSU

Brattice Man

Ventilation Man

52

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
 

53

8.8%

9.4%

10.3%

2.5%

2.7%

2.3%

21.6%

11.7%

3.6%

17.7%

0.6%

4.5%

4.4%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Support Labor

General Labor

Support

Process

Material Preparation

Extraction Labor

Equipment Operator

Support

Specialty

Supervisory

Safety

Professional

Office Staff

Service and

Utility Production Maintenance

Administration/

Professional

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 13. Occupational Categories of Employees at All Mines. 
54
55

Employee Statistics for 

Coal Mines 
56
57

Summary of Employee Statistics for Coal Mines

The demographic and occupational characteristics of employees in the U.S. coal mining 

industry are presented in Tables 23 and 24 and Figures 14–16. The weighted estimate for gender

indicates that the workforce is composed predominately of male employees (96.2 percent). The

majority of coal mine employees are White (96.4 percent) followed by American Indian or 

Alaska Native (2.5 percent). Only 1.9 percent of these employees have an ethnicity of Hispanic 

or Latino. Seventy-seven percent are high school graduates, with another 16.8 percent having an 

education level beyond high school. A review of the weighted estimates indicates that the 

average coal mine worker is 43.8 years of age and has worked in mining for 16.0 years, with 8.2 

years at the current mine, and 7.8 years in his/her job title. The national estimate for the average 

number of hours worked per week is 47.3. The primary work location for an estimated 46.8 

percent of coal mine employees is “Underground Mine: Underground.” An additional 24.0 

percent of these employees work at a “Surface Mine: Strip, Open Pit, or Quarry,” while another 

15.3 percent are employed in the “Mill Operations, Preparation Plants, or Breakers” work 

location. 

Tables 25, 26, 28, 29, and Figure 17 present the national estimates of the number of coal 

mine workers by four major occupational categories. (No estimates were calculated for Table 

27: “Miscellaneous.”) An estimated 16,048 (23.2 percent) are employed in the 

“Administration/Professional” category; 12,000 (17.3 percent) in the “Maintenance” category; 

29,562 (42.7 percent) in the “Production” category; and 11,791 (17.0 percent) in the “Service

and Utility” category.
58
59

Table 23. Demographic Characteristics of Employees at Coal Mines

 

 

Survey

Count

National

Estimate

National 

Demographic Characteristic 95% LCL 95% UCL Percent 95% LCL 95% UCL

Gender:

Male 2,260 65,374 54,760 75,989 96.2 94.7 97.7

Female 66 2,559 1,406 3,713 3.8 2.3 5.3

Age (years) 2,255 43.8 42.5 45.1

Highest level of education:

Less than 9th grade 14 182 66 299 0.3 0.1 0.5

9th–12th grade (no diploma) 149 3,839 2,040 5,638 6.2 3.5 8.9

HS Graduate or Equivalent (GED) 1,644 47,548 38,760 56,336 76.7 72.4 80.9

Some College, Associate Degree, or 

Technical School

273 8,698 6,097 11,300 14.0 10.7 17.4

Bachelor's Degree or beyond 56 1,742 973 2,512 2.8 1.7 3.9

Ethnicity:

Hispanic or Latino 37 1,222 430 2,015 1.9 0.7 3.0

Non-Hispanic or Non-Latino 2,224 64,548 53,859 75,237 98.1 97.0 99.3

Race:

American Indian or Alaska Native 37 1,635 0 3,434 2.5 0.0 5.2

Asian 0 NA NA NA NA NA NA

Black or African American 26 774 189 1,358 1.2 0.3 2.1

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 0 NA NA NA NA NA NA

White 2,209 62,528 51,932 73,125 96.4 93.5 99.3

Abbreviation: NA, not applicable. 
60

Table 24. Occupational Characteristics of Employees at Coal Mines

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

National 

Occupational Characteristic Percent 95% LCL 95% UCL

Hours worked (per week)

Experience:

Experience in this Job Title (years)

Experience at this Mine (years)

Total Mining Experience (years)

Primary Work Location:

Underground Mine: Underground

Underground Mine: Surface Shops or 

Yards

Surface Mine: Strip, Open Pit, or Quarry

Surface Mine: Auger, Culm Bank, or 

Refuse Pile (Coal Mine Only)

Independent Shops or Yards

Mill Operations, Preparation Plants, or 

Breakers

Office

2,131

2,209

2,294

2,166

1,021

82

613

78

19

407

107

47.3

7.8

8.2

16.0

32,358

2,477

16,620

3,581

462

10,565

3,103

45.9

6.9

6.6

14.3

26,196

1,447

11,106

267

0

6,984

1,956

48.7

8.7

9.8

17.7

38,519

3,508

22,135

6,896

1,344

14,147

4,249

46.8

3.6

24.0

5.2

0.7

15.3

4.5

40.5

2.0

17.5

0.6

0.0

10.8

3.0

53.1

5.1

30.6

9.8

1.9

19.7

6.0
61

Figure 14. Education Level of Employees at Coal Mines.

2.8%

14.0%

76.7%

6.2%

0.3%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Bachelor's Degree or beyond

Some College, Associate Degree, or Technical School

HS Graduate or Equivalent (GED)

9th-12th grade (no diploma)

Less than 9th grade

National Estimate (Thousands)
62

96.4%

1.2%

2.5%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

White

Black or African American

American Indian or Alaska Native

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 15. Race of Employees at Coal Mines. 
63

4.5%

15.3%

0.7%

5.2%

24.0%

3.6%

46.8%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Office

Mill Operations, Preparation Plants, or Breakers

Independent Shops or Yards

Surface Mine: Auger, Culm Bank, or Refuse Pile (Coal Mine Only)

Surface Mine: Strip, Open Pit, or Quarry

Underground Mine: Surface Shops or Yards

Underground Mine: Underground

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 16. Primary Work Location of Employees at Coal Mines. 
64 

Table 25. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at Coal Mines

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

ADMINISTRATION/PROFESSIONAL 523 16,048 12,552 19,544

Office Staff 69 2,120 1,395 2,846

Administrative Staff 43 1,323 730 1,916

Administration

Administrative Assistant

Clerk

Coal Distribution Coordinator

Human Resources

Mine Clerk

Office Staff

Secretary

Technical Coordinator

Business 16 479 254 704

Accounting

Purchasing

Sales

Shipping

Security 2 DSU DSU DSU

Supplies 8 254 49 459

Supply Clerk

Warehouse Technician

Warehouseman

Professional 59 2,214 683 3,746

Engineer 10 303 42 564

Engineer 

(Electrical/Mining/Ventilation)

Engineer, not otherwise specified

Non-engineer 7 176 7 344

Environmental

Professional, not otherwise 

specified

Surveyor

Technician 42 1,736 178 3,293

Coal Sampler

Electronic Technician

Engineering Technician

Fuel Operator/Technician

Lab Technician

Plant Technician

Technician
Table 25. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at Coal Mines

(continued)

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Safety 12 464 143 785

Safety

Safety Supervisor

Safety Director

Supervisory 383 11,249 8,753 13,745

Executive 3 DSU DSU DSU

CEO

Mine Owner

Foreman 208 5,346 4,296 6,397

Assistant Superintendent

Belt Foreman (underground)

Electrical Foreman (underground)

Foreman

Foreman/Manager

Labor Foreman

Lead Man

Maintenance Foreman

Outby Foreman

Pit Foreman

Preparation Plant Foreman

Section Foreman

Section Foreman/Boss

Shift Foreman

Superintendent

Track Foreman

Underground Foreman

Manager 76 3,187 1,456 4,918

Assistant Manager

Assistant Mine Foreman/Assistant 

Mine Manager

Engineer/Operations Manager

Maintenance Manager

Management

Manager

Mine Foreman/Mine Manager

Office Manager

Plant Manager

Plant Superintendent

65
Table 25. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at Coal Mines

(continued)

66

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Supervisor 96 2,657 1,677 3,636

Assistant Supervisor

Auger Crew Supervisor

Belt Coordinator

Electrical Supervisor

Engineering Supervisor

Maintenance Supervisor

Mine Operator

Mine Supervisor

Pit Operator

Pit Supervisor

Plant Operator

Plant Supervisor

Prep Plant Operator

Production Supervisor

Supervisor

Warehouse Supervisor

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
67

Table 26. Estimated Number of Maintenance Employees at Coal Mines

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

MAINTENANCE

Specialty

Electrician

Electrician

Electrician Trainee

Maintenance Electrician

Master Electrician

Trainer Electrician

Welder

Welder

Welder (nonshop)

Welder/Fabricator

Welder/Mechanic

Support

Maintenance

Continuous Miner Maintenance

Dragline Oiler

Greaser/Oiler

Maintenance

Maintenance Technician

Mechanic Clerk

Pipefitter

Underground Belt Maintenance

Underground Maintenance

Mechanic

Belt Mechanic

Diesel Mechanic

Mechanic

Mechanic/Electrician

Mechanic Helper

Mechanic Trainee

Mobile Equipment Mechanic

Plant Mechanic

Prep Plant Mechanic

Shop Mechanic

Underground Belt Mechanic

Repairman

Automotive Repairman

Repairman

Underground Belt Repairman

Underground Repairman

370

118

98

20

252

51

184

17

12,000

3,719

3,137

582

8,281

1,550

6,334

397

8,929

2,569

2,073

205

5,764

763

4,071

76

15,071

4,869

4,202

959

10,798

2,337

8,597

717
68

Table 27. Number of Miscellaneous Employees at Coal Mines

Survey

Occupation by Category Count

MISCELLANEOUS 15

Trainee 14

Unknown 1 

Table 28. Estimated Number of Production Employees at Coal Mines

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

PRODUCTION

Equipment Operator

Dragline Operator

Equipment Operator

Backhoe Operator

Bulldozer Operator

Crane Operator

End Dump Driver/Operator

Equipment Operator

Front End Loader

Heavy Equipment Operator

Highlift Operator

Large Shovel/Backhoe/Load 

Operator

Machine Operator

Mobile Bridge Operator

Mobile Equipment Operator

Road Grader Operator

Rock Duster

Rotary Bucket Excavator Operator

Rotary Dump Operator

Scraper Operator

Stationary Equipment Operator

Tractor Operator/Motorman

Hoist

Hoistman

Material Mover

Dump Truck Driver

Haul Truck Operator

Hauler Operator

Off Road Truck Driver

Refuse Truck Driver/Backfill Truck 

Driver

Rock Truck Driver

Rubber Tire Operator

Scoop Car Operator

Shuttle Car Operator

1,016

626

11

276

2 

227

29,562

18,710

369

7,391

DSU

6,423

23,638

14,430

21

5,196

DSU

4,140

35,485

22,990

718

9,587

DSU

8,707
Table 28. Estimated Number of Production Employees at Coal Mines (continued)

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Truck Driver

Underground Coal Hauler

Underground Haulage Operator

Water Truck Operator

Mining Machines 97 3,906 2,484 5,328

Continuous Miner Helper

Continuous Miner Operator

Face Operator

Jacksetter

Longwall Operator

Shearer Operator

Operator/Driver 12 354 61 647

Motorman

Motorman/Locomotive Operator

Transportation

Shovel Operator 1 DSU DSU DSU

Extraction Labor 53 1,609 256 2,963

Coal Miner

Mine Spec

Miner Support

Production Miner

Material Preparation 5 116 0 302

Crusher 4 DSU DSU DSU

Crusher Attendant

Cutter 1 DSU DSU DSU

Cutting Machine Operator

Process 13 334 85 584

Conveyor Operator 5 96 0 230

Belt Vulcanizer

Separation 4 DSU DSU DSU

Flotation Plant Operator

Froth Cell Operator

Wash Process 3 DSU DSU DSU

Washer Operator

Wet Process 1 DSU DSU DSU

Wet Plant Attendant

Support 319 8,791 6,547 11,036

Drill Operator 25 616 245 986

Auger Operator

Coal Drill Operator

Highwall Drill Operator

69
Table 28. Estimated Number of Production Employees at Coal Mines (continued)

70

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Explosives 15 638 130 1,145

Blaster

Driller/Blaster

Explosives/Powder Man

Shooter

Shot Firer

Other 126 3,349 1,777 4,920

Control Man

Dispatcher

Operator, not otherwise specified

Underground Operator

Underground Plant Operator

Quality Control 1 DSU DSU DSU

Roof Bolter 152 4,169 2,927 5,411

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 

Table 29. Estimated Number of Service and Utility Employees at Coal Mines

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

SERVICE and UTILITY

General Labor

Cleaner

Cleanup Man

Janitor

Steamer

Construction

Laborer

Inside Laborer

Laborer

Outby Laborer

Outside Laborer

Production Support

Production Worker

Shopman

Surface Support

Track Man

Material Handling

Rolling Stock Crew

Yard Man

Tradesman

Apprentice/Journeyman

410

163

3 

2 

138

4 

5 

11,791

4,863

DSU

DSU

4,229

DSU

102

9,398

3,101

DSU

DSU

2,472

DSU

0 

14,184

6,625

DSU

DSU

5,985

DSU

248
Table 29. Estimated Number of Service and Utility Employees at Coal Mines (continued)

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Weighman 11 239 73 404

Weighman

Weighmaster

Support Labor 247 6,928 4,770 9,085

Barge Operations 12 180 0 383

Barge Attendant/Boat Operator

Boat Pilot

Deck Hand

Dock Hand

Conveyor Operator 45 1,254 511 1,996

Belt Cleaner/Conveyor Man

Belt Man/Conveyor Man

Examiner 34 1,006 408 1,605

Fire Boss

Mine Examiner

Underground Belt Examiner

Loading 74 1,514 988 2,040

Bin Attendant

Loader Operator

Loadout Operator

Tipple Operator

Underground Loader

Pumper 9 400 0 902

Supplies 8 151 34 267

Parts Runner

Supply Man

Utility 61 2,298 1,043 3,552

Outside Utility

Utility Belts

Utility Bolter

Utility Man

Ventilation 4 DSU DSU DSU

Brattice Man

Ventilation Man

71

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
72

10.0%

7.0%

12.7%

0.5%

0.2%

2.3%

27.0%

11.9%

5.4%

16.2%

0.7%

3.2%

3.1%

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Support Labor

General Labor

Support

Process

Material Preparation

Extraction Labor

Equipment Operator

Support

Specialty

Supervisory

Safety

Professional

Office Staff

Service and

Utility Production Maintenance

Administration/

Professional

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 17. Occupational Categories of Employees at Coal Mines. 
73

Employee Statistics for 

Metal Mines 
74
75

Summary of Employee Statistics for Metal Mines

The demographic and occupational characteristics of employees in the U.S. metal mining 

industry are presented in Tables 30 and 31 and Figures 18–20. The weighted estimate for gender 

indicates that the workforce is composed predominately of male employees (86.2 percent). The 

majority of metal mine workers are White (91.4 percent), with another 4.7 percent of the workers 

having a racial category of Black or African American. Twenty-five percent of these employees 

are Hispanic or Latino. An estimated 53.3 percent are high school graduates and 43.6 percent 

have a level of education beyond high school. A review of the weighted estimates indicates that 

the average metal miner is 41.5 years of age and has worked in mining for 10.7 years, 8.7 years 

at the current mine, and 4.7 years in his/her job title. The national estimate for the average 

number of hours worked per week is 42.7. The primary work location for an estimated 42.7 

percent of metal mine employees is a “Surface Mine: Strip, Open Pit or Quarry.” An additional 

23.9 percent of these employees work in “Mill Operations, Preparation Plants, or Breakers,” 

while another 15.8 percent are employed in the “Underground Mine: Underground” work 

location. 

Tables 32, 33, 35, 36, and Figure 21 present the national estimates of the number of 

workers by four major occupational categories. (No estimates were calculated for Table 34: 

“Miscellaneous.”) An estimated 10,652 (27.5 percent) metal mine workers are employed in the 

“Administration/Professional” category; 7,238 (18.7 percent) in the “Maintenance” category; 

17,581 (45.3 percent) in the “Production” category; and 3,339 (8.6 percent) in the “Service and 

Utility” category.
76
77

Table 30. Demographic Characteristics of Employees at Metal Mines

 

 

Survey

Count

National

Estimate

National 

Demographic Characteristic 95% LCL 95% UCL Percent 95% LCL 95% UCL

Gender:

Male 871 33,562 15,620 51,504 86.2 81.9 90.4

Female 93 5,383 1,152 9,615 13.8 9.6 18.1

Age (years) 958 41.5 39.3 43.8

Highest level of education:

Less than 9th grade 7 63 0 153 0.2 0.0 0.4

9th–12th grade (no diploma) 32 1,030 276 1,784 2.9 0.9 4.9

HS Graduate or Equivalent (GED) 496 18,934 9,552 28,317 53.3 44.0 62.6

Some College, Associate Degree, or 

Technical School

242 12,377 4,629 20,125 34.9 27.2 42.5

Bachelor's Degree or beyond 87 3,104 1,515 4,692 8.7 6.1 11.3

Ethnicity:

Hispanic or Latino 137 9,483 1,132 17,834 24.6 14.4 34.9

Non-Hispanic or Non-Latino 783 29,008 14,213 43,803 75.4 65.1 85.6

Race:

American Indian or Alaska Native 17 1,073 0 2,156 3.3 1.3 5.4

Asian 0 NA NA NA NA NA NA

Black or African American 35 1,492 0 3,059 4.7 0.6 8.7

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 3 DSU DSU DSU DSU DSU DSU

White 818 29,276 16,297 42,255 91.4 86.8 96.0

Abbreviations: DSU, data suppressed; NA, not applicable. 
78

Table 31. Occupational Characteristics of Employees at Metal Mines

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

National 

Occupational Characteristic Percent 95% LCL 95% UCL

Hours worked (per week)

Experience:

Experience in this Job Title (years)

Experience at this Mine (years)

Total Mining Experience (years)

Primary Work Location:

Underground Mine: Underground

Underground Mine: Surface Shops or 

Yards

Surface Mine: Strip, Open Pit, or Quarry

Surface Mine: Dredge

Surface Mine: Other Surface Mining 

(Metal/Nonmetal Only)

Mill Operations, Preparation Plants, or 

Breakers

Office

922

916

928

871

172

53

204

1

127

301

106

42.7

4.7

8.7

10.7

6,152

1,252

16,624

DSU

1,876

9,307

3,751

41.4

2.9

7.3

9.4

876

327

0

DSU

405

4,644

782

44.0

6.5

10.0

12.0

11,428

2,177

34,516

DSU

3,348

13,970

6,720

15.8

3.2

42.7

DSU

4.8

23.9

9.6

2.0

0.6

20.9

DSU

0.5

9.1

6.9

29.5

5.8

64.4

DSU

9.1

38.7

12.4

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
79

8.7%

34.9%

53.3%

2.9%

0.2%

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Bachelor's Degree or beyond

Some College, Associate Degree, or Technical School

HS Graduate or Equivalent (GED)

9th-12th grade (no diploma)

Less than 9th grade

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 18. Education Level of Employees at Metal Mines. 
80

91.4%

4.7%

3.3%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

White

Black or African American

American Indian or Alaska Native

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 19. Race of Employees at Metal Mines. 
81

9.6%

23.9%

4.8%

42.7%

3.2%

15.8%

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

Office

Mill Operations, Preparation Plants, or Breakers

Surface Mine: Other Surface Mining (Metal / Nonmetal Only)

Surface Mine: Strip, Open Pit, or Quarry

Underground Mine: Surface Shops or Yards

Underground Mine: Underground

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 20. Primary Work Location of Employees at Metal Mines. 
82

Table 32. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at Metal Mines

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

ADMINISTRATION/PROFESSIONAL

Office Staff

Administrative Staff

Administration

Administrative Assistant

Clerk

Human Resources

Office Staff

Receptionist

Secretary

Systems Analyst

Business

Accounting

Bookkeeper

Buyer

Cost Coordinator

Payroll

Purchasing

Shipping

Security

Guard

Supplies

Warehouse

Professional

Engineer

Engineer 

(Electrical/Mining/Ventilation)

Engineer, not otherwise specified

Environmental Engineer

Plant Engineer

Non-engineer

Environmental Specialist

Geologist

Metallurgist

Operations

Operations Specialist

Planner

Professional, not otherwise 

specified

Surveyor/Transit Man

Utility Engineer

Technician

Electrical Technician

Laboratory Technician/Refiner

308

49

24

16

5 

4 

85

12

42

31

10,652

1,889

811

804

96

DSU

3,368

496

2,027

845

5,754

725

241

0 

0 

DSU

1,260

0

342

6 

15,550

3,053

1,381

1,782

222

DSU

5,475

1,131

3,712

1,684
Table 32. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at Metal Mines

(continued)

83

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Mechanic Technician

Mill Technician

Mine Technician

Process Control 

Operator/Technician

Sampler/Lab Technician

Technician

Utility Technician

Safety 11 303 87 519

Safety

Safety Manager

Safety Supervisor

Supervisory 163 5,092 2,545 7,640

Executive 13 120 8 232

CEO

General Manager

President

Vice President

Foreman 69 2,235 941 3,530

Assistant Superintendent

Foreman

Foreman/Shift Boss

Lead Man

Maintenance Foreman

Mill Foreman

Mine Foreman

Plant Foreman

Production Foreman

Shift Foreman

Superintendent

Manager 26 410 85 735

Area Manager

Concentrator Manager

Engineering Manager

Environmental Manager

Human Resources Manager

Manager

Mill Manager

Mine Manager

Office Manager

Plant Manager

Process Manager

Production Manager

Project Manager

Storeroom Manager
Table 32. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at Metal Mines

(continued)

84

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Supervisor 55 2,327 1,020 3,634

Concentrator Supervisor

Crusher Supervisor

Gold House Supervisor

Leaching Supervisor

Maintenance Supervisor

Mechanic Supervisor

Mine Operations

Mine Operator

Mine Supervisor

Plant Operator

Process Supervisor

Shift Supervisor

Supervisor

Tailings Supervisor

Transportation Supervisor

Warehouse Supervisor

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
85

Table 33. Estimated Number of Maintenance Employees at Metal Mines

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

MAINTENANCE

Specialty

Electrician

Diagnostic Electrician

Electrician/Wireman

Welder

Maintenance Welder

Welder

Support

Maintenance

Crusher Maintenance

Greaser/Oiler

Maintenance

Maintenance Planner

Maintenance Technician

Mill Maintenance

Millwright

Skilled Maintenance

Mechanic

Automotive Mechanic

Diagnostic Mechanic

Diesel Mechanic

Equipment Mechanic

Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Maintenance Mechanic

Mechanic

Mechanic/Welder

Mechanic Helper

Mobile Equipment Mechanic

Mobile Maintenance Mechanic

Plant Mechanic

Repairman

Automotive Repairman

Crusher Repairman

Electronic/Electrical Repairman

Heavy Duty Repairman

Instrument Repairman

Plant Repairman

Repairman

Tailings Repairman

179

28

22

6 

151 

55 

84

12 

7,238

1,585

1,483

102

5,653

1,670

2,088

1,895

3,058

350

264

0 

2,515

677

1,325

0 

11,418

2,819

2,702

252

8,791

2,664

2,851

4,796
86

Table 34. Number of Miscellaneous Employees at Metal Mines

Survey

Occupation by Category Count

MISCELLANEOUS 3 

Trainee 1

Unknown 2 

Table 35. Estimated Number of Production Employees at Metal Mines

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

PRODUCTION

Equipment Operator

Equipment Operator

Bulldozer Operator

Crane Operator

Dredge Operator

Equipment Operator

Grader Operator

Heavy Equipment Operator

Mucking Machine Operator

Raise Borer Operator

Hoist

Hoist Operator

Hoistman

Skip Tender/Cager/Station 

Attendant

Material Mover

Haul Truck Operator/Driver

Truck Driver

Mining Machines

Head Operator

Shovel Operator

Extraction

Material Preparation

Additives

Additive Press Operator

Thickener Operator

Crusher

Crusher Helper

Crusher Operator/Pan Feeder 

Operator

Mill Crusher Operator

373

113

53

6 

42

4 

8 

60

35

3 

17

17,581

7,185

2,280

93

3,569

DSU

1,186

2,192

1,315

DSU

650

5,896

0 

167

4 

0 

DSU

0 

119

534

DSU

0 

29,266

14,993

4,394

182

7,682

DSU

3,088

4,265

2,096

DSU

1,340
Table 35. Estimated Number of Production Employees at Metal Mines (continued)

87

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Mill 15 594 162 1,025

Mill Operator (ball/pebble/rod)

Mill Production Worker

Process 54 3,088 78 6,098

Conveyor Operator 3 DSU DSU DSU

Belt Vulcanizer

Other 17 366 0 753

Process Operator

Separation 34 2,360 0 5,284

Digestion Operator

Filter Evaporation Operator

Flotation/Concentrator Operator

Grinder Operator

Leach Utility

Leaching Operations Worker

Screen Plant Operator

Tailings Operator

Support 111 3,801 503 7,099

Drill Operator 17 237 57 416

Drill Operator

Rotary Electric/Hydraulic Drill 

Operator

Electronics 1 DSU DSU DSU

Power Systems

Explosives 9 145 10 279

Blaster

Driller/Blaster

Other 75 3,212 0 6,461

Control Room

Controller

Dispatcher

Operator, not otherwise specified

Port Operator

Production Operator

Top Operator

Quality Control 4 DSU DSU DSU

Quality Control/Quality Assurance

Roof Bolter 5 42 0 104

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
88

Table 36. Estimated Number of Service and Utility Employees at Metal Mines

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

SERVICE and UTILITY 103 3,339 1,155 5,523

General Labor 61 2,474 367 4,580

Cleaners 1 DSU DSU DSU

Dry Attendant

Construction 6 537 0 1,130

Cement Man/Concrete Worker

Construction

Shaft Miner/Shaft Repairer

Laborer 30 160 14 307

Cook

Laborer

Production Worker

Material Handling 5 156 0 390

Bagger/Bagging Operations 

Worker

Material Handler

Tradesman 18 1,590 0 3,617

Apprentice/Journeyman

Boiler Operator

Boilermaker

Carpenter/Plumber/Painter

Craftsman

Trades Person

Weighman 1 DSU DSU DSU

Weighmaster

Support Labor 42 865 253 1,478

Conveyor Operator 4 DSU DSU DSU

Belt Cleaner/Conveyor Man

Distribution 9 48 0 140

Packaging Operations Worker

Loading 14 186 45 326

Chute Puller

Load Haul Dump—Complete Cycle

Loader Operator

Supplies 5 39 0 78

Parts

Supply Hauler

Supply Man/Nipper

Utility 10 380 0 890

Lampman

Utility Man

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
89

2.2%

6.4%

9.8%

8.0%

3.4%

5.6%

18.5%

14.6%

4.1%

13.1%

0.8%

8.7%

4.9%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Support Labor

General Labor

Support

Process

Material Preparation

Extraction Labor

Equipment Operator

Support

Specialty

Supervisory

Safety

Professional

Office Staff

Service and

Utility Production Maintenance

Administration/

Professional

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 21. Occupational Categories of Employees at Metal Mines. 
90
91

Employee Statistics for 

Nonmetal Mines 
92
93

Summary of Employee Statistics for Nonmetal Mines

The demographic and occupational characteristics of employees in the U.S. nonmetal 

mining industry are presented in Tables 37 and 38 and Figures 22–24. The weighted survey 

estimate for gender indicates that the workforce is composed predominately of male employees 

(89.3 percent). The majority of nonmetal mine employees are White (85.6 percent) followed by 

Black or African American (13.6 percent). Eight percent of these employees have an ethnicity of 

Hispanic or Latino. An estimated 64.2 percent are high school graduates, with another 28.1 

percent having a level of education beyond high school. A review of the weighted estimates

indicates that the average nonmetal mine worker is 42.0 years of age and has worked in mining 

for 12.0 years, with 10.3 years at the current mine, and 6.7 years in his/her job title. The national 

estimate for the average number of hours worked per week is 42.4. The primary work location 

for an estimated 37.0 percent of nonmetal mine employees is “Mill Operations, Preparation 

Plants, or Breakers.” An additional 24.4 percent of these employees work at a “Surface Mine: 

Other Surface Mining,” while another 13.0 percent are employed in the “Surface Mine: Strip, 

Open Pit, or Quarry” work location. 

Tables 39, 40, 42, 43, and Figure 25 present the national estimates of the number of 

nonmetal mine workers by four major occupational categories. (No estimates were calculated 

for Table 41: “Miscellaneous.”) An estimated 7,066 (36.7 percent) are employed in the 

“Administration/Professional” category; 2,836 (14.7 percent) in the “Maintenance” category; 

6,426 (33.3 percent) in the “Production” category; and 2,968 (15.4 percent) in the “Service and 

Utility” category.
94
95

Table 37. Demographic Characteristics of Employees at Nonmetal Mines

 

 

 

 

Survey

Count

National

Estimate

National

Demographic Characteristic 95% LCL 95% UCL Percent 95% LCL 95% UCL

Gender:

Male 1,458 17,241 12,526 21,956 89.3 86.6 91.9

Female 136 2,074 1,174 2,973 10.7 8.1 13.4

Age (years) 1,505 42.0 40.2 43.8

Highest level of education:

Less than 9th grade 21 193 80 305 1.1 0.4 1.8

9th–12th grade (no diploma) 123 1,154 720 1,589 6.6 3.6 9.6

HS Graduate or Equivalent (GED) 888 11,242 6,837 15,647 64.2 58.1 70.3

Some College, Associate Degree, or 

Technical School

286 2,956 2,371 3,540 16.9 11.6 22.1

Bachelor's Degree or beyond 120 1,958 922 2,993 11.2 7.9 14.5

Ethnicity:

Hispanic or Latino 158 1,368 854 1,883 8.3 5.7 10.9

Non-Hispanic or Non-Latino 1,384 15,171 12,851 17,491 91.7 89.1 94.3

Race:

American Indian or Alaska Native 12 87 24 150 0.5 0.1 0.8

Asian 1 DSU DSU DSU DSU DSU DSU

Black or African American 174 2,479 1,483 3,474 13.6 8.0 19.3

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 3 DSU DSU DSU DSU DSU DSU

White 1,262 15,567 10,412 20,721 85.6 79.8 91.4

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
96

Table 38. Occupational Characteristics of Employees at Nonmetal Mines

 

 

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

National 

Occupational Characteristic Percent 95% LCL 95% UCL

Hours worked (per week)

Experience:

Experience in this Job Title (years)

Experience at this Mine (years)

Total Mining Experience (years)

Primary Work Location:

Underground Mine: Underground

Underground Mine: Surface Shops, Yards

Surface Mine: Strip, Open Pit, or Quarry

Surface Mine: Dredge

Surface Mine: Other Surface Mining 

(Metal/Nonmetal Only)

Independent Shops or Yards

Mill Operations, Preparation Plants, or 

Breakers 

Office

1,489

1,570

1,581

1,507

175

31

310

7

199

16

632

213

42.4

6.7

10.3

12.0

1,971

422

2,483

49

4,673

159

7,088

2,324

41.6

5.3

8.9

10.9

1,050

94

1,515

0

0

5

4,880

1,502

43.3

8.1

11.7

13.2

2,892

751

3,450

130

9,870

313

9,296

3,146

10.3

2.2

13.0

0.3

24.4

0.8

37.0

12.1

5.5

0.5

6.9

0.0

5.2

0.0

24.0

7.2

15.0

3.9

19.0

0.7

43.6

1.7

50.0

17.0
97

11.2%

16.9%

64.2%

6.6%

1.1%

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Bachelor's Degree or beyond

Some College, Associate Degree, or Technical School

HS Graduate or Equivalent (GED)

9th-12th grade (no diploma)

Less than 9th grade

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 22. Education Level of Employees at Nonmetal Mines. 
98

85.6%

13.6%

0.5%

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

White

Black or African American

American Indian or Alaska Native

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 23. Race of Employees at Nonmetal Mines. 
99

12.1%

37.0%

0.8%

24.4%

0.3%

13.0%

2.2%

10.3%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Office

Mill Operations, Preparation Plants, or Breakers

Independent Shops or Yards

Surface Mine: Other Surface Mining (Metal / Nonmetal Only)

Surface Mine: Dredge

Surface Mine: Strip, Open Pit, or Quarry

Underground Mine: Surface Shops or Yards

Underground Mine: Underground

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 24. Primary Work Location of Employees at Nonmetal Mines. 
100

Table 39. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at Nonmetal 

Mines

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

ADMINISTRATION/PROFESSIONAL

Office Staff

Administrative Staff

Administration

Administrative Assistant

Clerk

Customer Service

Human Resources

Office Staff

Receptionist

Secretary

Business

Accounting

Bookkeeper

Buyer

Payroll

Purchasing

Sales

Shipping

Security

Guard

Supplies

Supply Clerk

Warehouse

Professional

Engineer

Director of Engineering

Engineer 

(Electrical/Mining/Ventilation)

Engineer, not otherwise specified

Environmental Engineer

Plant Engineer

Process Engineer

Project Engineer

Non-engineer

Control Person/Analyst

Environmental Specialist

Geologist

Planner

Production Scheduler

Professional, not otherwise 

specified

Reliability Engineer

Surveyor/Transit Man

499

108

46

49

1 

12

65

18

13

7,066

1,504

514

745

DSU

227

987

297

309

3,597

901

292

327

DSU

0 

618

84

61

10,536

2,107

735

1,164

DSU

463

1,355

509

557
Table 39. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at Nonmetal 

Mines (continued)

101

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Technician 34 381 182 581

Electrical Technician

Process Control 

Operator/Technician

Sampler/Lab Technician

Technician

Safety 7 147 0 314

Inspector

Safety

Supervisory 319 4,429 1,704 7,154

Executive 25 179 89 269

General Manager

Mine Owner

President

Vice President

Foreman 98 2,102 0 4,363

Foreman

Foreman/Shift Boss

Lead Man

Maintenance Foreman

Maintenance Lead Man

Mill Foreman

Mine Foreman

Pit Foreman

Plant Foreman

Production Foreman

Shift Foreman

Shop Foreman

Superintendent

Manager 72 737 467 1,006

Assistant Manager

Customer Service Manager

Environmental Manager

Financial Manager

Human Resources Manager

Lab Manager

Maintenance Manager

Manager

Mill Manager

Mine Manager

Office Manager

Plant Manager

Production Manager

Project Manager

Quality Control Manager

Quarry Manager

Raw Material Manager

Sales Manager
Table 39. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at Nonmetal 

Mines (continued)

102

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Shipping Manager

Supervisor 124 1,411 828 1,995

Assistant Mine Supervisor

Bagging/Baghouse Supervisor

Blasting Supervisor

Clay Operator

Electrical Supervisor

Lab Supervisor

Maintenance Supervisor

Mine Operations

Mine Operator

Mine Supervisor

Plant Operator

Plant Supervisor

Production Supervisor

Quality Assurance Supervisor

Quarry Supervisor

Shift Supervisor

Shipping Supervisor

Supervisor

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
103

Table 40. Estimated Number of Maintenance Employees at Nonmetal Mines

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

MAINTENANCE

Specialty

Electrician

Electrician/Wireman

Maintenance Electrician

Welder

Welder

Welder/Mechanic

Support

Maintenance

Electrical Maintenance

Greaser/Oiler

Maintenance

Maintenance Clerk

Maintenance Planner

Maintenance Technician

Mechanical Maintenance

Millwright

Plant Maintenance

Road Maintenance

Mechanic

Diesel Mechanic

Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Maintenance Mechanic

Master Mechanic

Mechanic

Mechanic Helper

Mobile Equipment Mechanic

Mobile Maintenance Mechanic

Mobile Mechanic

Plant Mechanic

Wrens Mechanic

Repairman

Automotive Repairman

Heavy Duty Repairman

Maintenance Repairman

202

30

25

5 

172 

98

70

4 

2,836

437

401

35

2,399

1,246

1,099

DSU

1,781

168

136

0 

1,531

486

554

DSU

3,890

706

667

81

3,267

2,005

1,644

DSU

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
104

Table 41. Number of Miscellaneous Employees at Nonmetal Mines

Survey

Occupation by Category Count

MISCELLANEOUS 4 

Trainee 2

Unknown 2 

Table 42. Estimated Number of Production Employees at Nonmetal Mines

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

PRODUCTION

Equipment Operator

Equipment Operator

Backhoe Operator

Bulldozer Operator

Crane Operator

Dredge Operator

Equipment Operator

Forklift Operator

Front End Loader Operator

Grader Operator

Gravity Mag Operator

Heavy Equipment Operator

Mobile Equipment Operator

Rotary Bucket Excavator Operator

Scraper Operator

Stripping Operator

Tractor Operator

Hoist

Hoist Engineer

Hoist Operator

Hoistman

Skip Tender/Cager/Station 

Attendant

Material Mover

Haul Truck Operator/Driver

Hauler/Haul Unit Operator

Off Road Truck Driver

Ore Truck Driver/Operator

Pit Truck Driver

Rock Truck Driver

Scoop Loader

Scoop Tram Operator

Truck Driver

Water Truck Operator

636

221

124

12

75

6,426

1,892

1,058

117

548

5,142

1,308

603

22

284

7,710

2,477

1,512

211

812
Table 42. Estimated Number of Production Employees at Nonmetal Mines (continued)

105

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Mining Machines 5 93 0 204

Continuous Miner Operator

Head Operator

Undercutter Operator

Operator/Driver 3 DSU DSU DSU

Dump Operator

Transportation

Shovel Operator 2 DSU DSU DSU

Extraction Labor 77 1,018 363 1,673

Mine Production

Mine Support

Miner

Material Preparation 106 918 544 1,293

Additives 10 121 0 286

Calcine Operator

Crusher 30 180 83 276

Blunging Operator

Crusher Helper

Crusher Operator/Pan Feeder 

Operator

Screenhouse Crusher

Cutter 11 45 0 124

Cutting Machine Operator

Sawyer

Mill 55 572 271 873

Dry Mill Operator

Mill Hand/Helper

Mill Operator (ball/pebble/rod)

Mill Production Worker

Roller Mill Operator

Process 61 659 370 948

Conveyor Operator 1 DSU DSU DSU

Belt Vulcanizer

Dry Processing 20 199 56 342

Dry Plant/Process Operator

Dryer Operator

Kiln Operator

Other 6 90 0 210

Fabricator

Process Attendant

Process Operator

Occupation by Category
Table 42. Estimated Number of Production Employees at Nonmetal Mines (continued)

106

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Separation 28 337 132 541

Centrifuge Utility

Extruder Operator

Filter Operator

Flotation/Concentrator Operator

Grinder Operator

Leaching Operations Worker

Mix Operator

Pan Operator

Screen Plant Labor

Screen Plant Operator

Slurry Operator

Wet Process 6 28 0 58

Wet Plant Operator

Support 171 1,938 988 2,889

Drill Operator 11 72 21 123

Electronics 2 DSU DSU DSU

Robot Operator

Explosives 8 175 0 406

Blaster

Driller/Blaster

Explosives/Powder Man

Other 129 1,412 525 2,298

Control Room

Controller

Operator, not otherwise specified

Production Operator

Rak Handler

Quality Control 15 186 51 320

Quality Control/Quality Assurance

Roof Bolter 6 61 0 124

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
107

Table 43. Estimated Number of Service and Utility Employees at Nonmetal Mines

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

SERVICE and UTILITY 254 2,968 2,236 3,699

General Labor 150 1,776 1,217 2,334

Cleaner 2 DSU DSU DSU

Janitor

Tank Car Washer

Construction 16 198 18 378

Construction

Packer

Shaft Miner/Shaft Repairer

Laborer 51 587 256 918

Laborer

Miller

Plant Helper

Plant Man

Production Worker

Quarry Worker

Material Handling 78 928 502 1,355

Bagger/Bagging Operations 

Worker

Crude Pile Operator

Material Handler

Palletizer

Reclaim Operator

Stacker

Storage Operator

Storeroom

Yard Laborer

Tradesman 2 DSU DSU DSU

Boiler Operator

Weighman 1 DSU DSU DSU

Scale Clerk/Operator

Support Labor 104 1,192 742 1,641

Barge Operations 6 46 0 111

Barge Attendant/Boat Operator

Deck Hand

Conveyor Operator 1 DSU DSU DSU

Belt Cleaner/Conveyor Man

Distribution 18 316 0 697

Packaging Operations Worker
Table 43. Estimated Number of Service and Utility Employees at Nonmetal Mines

(continued)

108

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Loading 49 561 344 779

Bulk Loader

Load Haul Dump—Complete Cycle

Loader Operator

Loading

Plant Loader Operator

Production Loader

Rail Loader Operator

Shipping Loader

Stock Loader/Piler

Tipple Operator

Utility 30 252 79 425

Operator Utility

Plant Utility

Quarry Utility

Utility Lubricator

Utility Man

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
109

6.2%

9.2%

10.0%

3.4%

4.8%

5.3%

9.8%

12.4%

2.3%

23.0%

0.8%

5.1%

7.8%

0 1 2 3 4 5

Support Labor

General Labor

Support

Process

Material Preparation

Extraction Labor

Equipment Operator

Support

Specialty

Supervisory

Safety

Professional

Office Staff

Service and

Utility Production Maintenance

Administration/

Professional

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 25. Occupational Categories of Employees at Nonmetal Mines. 
110
111

Employee Statistics for 

Stone Mines
112
113

Summary of Employee Statistics for Stone Mines

The demographic and occupational characteristics of employees in the U.S. stone mining 

industry are presented in Tables 44 and 45 and Figures 26–28. The weighted estimate for gender 

indicates that the workforce is composed predominately of male employees (93.4 percent). The 

majority of stone mine workers are White (93.8 percent), with another 4.7 percent of the workers 

having a racial category of Black or African American. Fourteen percent of these employees are 

Hispanic or Latino. An estimated 62.0 percent are high school graduates and 20.9 percent have a 

level of education beyond high school. A review of the weighted estimates indicates that the 

average stone miner is 43.8 years of age and has worked in mining for 12.5 years, 10.3 years at 

the current mine, and 7.8 years in his/her job title. The national estimate for the average number 

of hours worked per week is 45.7. The primary work location for an estimated 36.3 percent of 

stone mine employees is a “Surface Mine: Strip, Open Pit or Quarry.” An additional 33.5 

percent of these employees work in “Mill Operations, Preparation Plants, or Breakers,” while 

another 14.4 percent are employed in the “Surface Mine: Other Surface Mining” work location. 

Tables 46, 47, 49, 50, and Figure 29 present the national estimates of the number of 

workers by four major occupational categories. (No estimates were calculated for Table 48: 

“Miscellaneous.”) An estimated 19,435 (27.5 percent) stone mine workers are employed in the 

“Administration/Professional” category; 10,563 (14.9 percent) in the “Maintenance” category; 

24,955 (35.3 percent) in the “Production” category; and 15,826 (22.3 percent) in the “Service 

and Utility” category.
114
115

Table 44. Demographic Characteristics of Employees at Stone Mines

 

 

 

 

Survey

Count

National

Estimate

National 

Demographic Characteristic 95% LCL 95% UCL Percent 95% LCL 95% UCL

Gender:

Male 2,545 65,950 60,931 70,970 93.4 92.3 94.4

Female 173 4,666 3,802 5,530 6.6 5.6 7.7

Age (years) 2,629 43.8 42.9 44.7

Highest level of education:

Less than 9th grade 111 3,094 1,630 4,558 4.7 2.5 6.9

9th–12th grade (no diploma) 320 8,075 6,195 9,956 12.4 9.6 15.1

HS Graduate or Equivalent (GED) 1,607 40,481 35,504 45,457 62.0 56.9 67.1

Some College, Associate Degree, or 

Technical School

353 10,020 7,927 12,112 15.3 12.6 18.1

Bachelor's Degree or beyond 129 3,647 2,686 4,607 5.6 4.2 6.9

Ethnicity:

Hispanic or Latino 309 9,394 6,111 12,676 13.6 9.1 18.1

Non-Hispanic or Non-Latino 2,348 59,768 54,166 65,370 86.4 81.9 90.9

Race:

American Indian or Alaska Native 25 815 306 1,323 1.3 0.5 2.1

Asian 4 DSU DSU DSU DSU DSU DSU

Black or African American 104 3,040 1,551 4,529 4.7 2.5 7.0

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 6 198 0 441 0.3 0.0 0.7

White 2,362 60,494 55,116 65,872 93.8 91.5 96.0

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
116

Table 45. Occupational Characteristics of Employees at Stone Mines

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

National 

Occupational Characteristic Percent 95% LCL 95% UCL

Hours worked (per week)

Experience:

Experience in this Job Title (years)

Experience at this Mine (years)

Total Mining Experience (years)

Primary Work Location:

Underground Mine: Underground

Underground Mine: Surface Shops, Yards

Surface Mine: Strip, Open Pit, or Quarry

Surface Mine: Dredge

Surface Mine: Other Surface Mining 

(Metal/Nonmetal Only)

Independent Shops or Yards

Mill Operations, Preparation Plants, or 

Breakers 

Office

2,601

2,596

2,635

2,643

217

121

917

6

352

22

782

301

45.7

7.8

10.3

12.5

1,710

732

25,736

248

10,203

530

23,787

7,957

44.2

7.2

9.3

11.7

1,305

482

21,819

0

7,034

0

19,554

6,438

47.2

8.3

11.2

13.3

2,115

983

29,654

584

13,372

1,077

28,021

9,475

2.4

1.0

36.3

0.4

14.4

0.7

33.5

11.2

1.8

0.7

31.6

0.0

10.0

0.0

28.3

9.3

3.0

1.4

41.0

0.8

18.8

1.5

38.8

13.1
117

5.6%

15.3%

62.0%

12.4%

4.7%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

Bachelor's Degree or beyond

Some College, Associate Degree, or Technical School

HS Graduate or Equivalent (GED)

9th-12th grade (no diploma)

Less than 9th grade

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 26. Education Level of Employees at Stone Mines. 
118

93.8%

0.3%

4.7%

1.3%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

White

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Black or African American

American Indian or Alaska Native

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 27. Race of Employees at Stone Mines. 
119

 

 

11.2%

33.5%

0.7%

14.4%

0.4%

36.3%

1.0%

2.4%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Office

Mill Operations, Preparation Plants, or Breakers

Independent Shops or Yards

Surface Mine: Other Surface Mining (Metal / Nonmetal Only)

Surface Mine: Dredge

Surface Mine: Strip, Open Pit, or Quarry

Underground Mine: Surface Shops or Yards

Underground Mine: Underground

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 28. Primary Work Location of Employees at Stone Mines. 
120

Table 46. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at Stone Mines

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

ADMINISTRATION/PROFESSIONAL

Office Staff

Administrative Staff

Administration

Administrative Assistant

Clerk

Communications

Customer Service

Human Resources

Information Technology

Office Clerk

Office Staff

Plant Clerk

Secretary

Business

Accounting

Bookkeeper

Buyer

Payroll

Procurement

Purchasing

Sales

Shipping

Terminal Operator

Security

Guard

Supplies

Supply Clerk

Warehouse

Warehouse Technician

Professional

Engineer

Engineer 

(Electrical/Mining/Ventilation)

Engineer, not otherwise specified

Environmental Engineer

Plant Engineer

Process Engineer

Production Engineer

Project Engineer

Non-engineer

Chemist

Control Person/Analyst

Environmental Specialist

Physical Tester

Planner

725

117

69

38

3 

7 

92

14

16

19,435

3,155

1,748

1,131

DSU

158

3,139

566

596

16,978

2,320

1,250

609

DSU

8 

1,947

234

166

21,891

3,990

2,245

1,653

DSU

308

4,332

897

1,025
Table 46. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at Stone Mines

(continued)

121

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Professional, not otherwise 

specified

Reliability Engineer

Technician

Electrical Technician

Materials Technician

Process Control 

Operator/Technician

Production Technician

Quarry Technician

Sampler/Lab Technician

Technician

Utility Technician

Safety

Inspector

Safety

Safety Manager

Supervisory

Executive

General Manager

Mine Owner

President

Vice President

Foreman

Assistant Superintendent

Foreman

Foreman/Shift Boss

Lead Man

Maintenance Foreman

Maintenance Lead Man

Mine Foreman

Pit Foreman

Plant Foreman

Shop Foreman

Superintendent

Manager

Assistant Manager

Distribution Manager

Environmental Manager

Equipment Maintenance Manager

Equipment Manager

Facility Manager

Human Resources Manager

Maintenance Manager

Manager

Mine Manager

Office Manager

62

11

505

22

165

105

1,978

346

12,794

659

4,255

2,406

990

80

11,322

390

3,512

1,880

2,966

613

14,265

929

4,998

2,933
Table 46. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at Stone Mines

(continued)

122

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Operations Manager

Plant Manager

Production Manager

Project Manager

Purchasing Manager

Quality Control Manager

Quarry Manager

Sales Manager

Scale Office Manager

Technical Service Manager

Supervisor 213 5,473 4,284 6,662

Blasting Supervisor

Control Room Supervisor

Crusher Supervisor

Electrical Supervisor

Equipment Supervisor

Lab Supervisor

Loader Supervisor

Loadhouse Supervisor

Maintenance Supervisor

Mine Operator

Mine Supervisor

Mobile Equipment Supervisor

Plant Operator

Plant Supervisor

Process Supervisor

Production Supervisor

Quality Assurance Supervisor

Quarry Operator

Quarry Supervisor

Shift Supervisor

Shipping Supervisor

Supervisor

Transportation Supervisor

Warehouse Supervisor

Wash Plant Supervisor

Regulatory Manager

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
123

Table 47. Estimated Number of Maintenance Employees at Stone Mines

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

MAINTENANCE 384 10,563 8,999 12,127

Specialty 79 2,219 1,533 2,904

Electrician 39 1,191 709 1,674

Electrician/Wireman

Maintenance Electrician

Welder 40 1,027 572 1,483

Maintenance Welder

Repair/Welder

Welder

Welder/Mechanic

Support 305 8,344 6,908 9,780

Maintenance 132 3,604 2,585 4,624

Electrical Maintenance

Equipment Maintenance

Fixed Maintenance

Greaser/Oiler

Liquid Fuel Handler

Maintenance

Maintenance Clerk

Maintenance Coordinator

Maintenance Planner

Maintenance Technician

Mechanical Maintenance

Millwright

Mobile Maintenance

Plant Maintenance

Mechanic 149 3,721 2,632 4,811

Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Maintenance Mechanic

Master Mechanic

Mechanic

Mechanic Helper

Mobile Equipment Mechanic

Mobile Maintenance Mechanic

Mobile Mechanic

Plant Mechanic

Repairman 24 1,019 258 1,780

Automotive Repairman

Electronic/Electrical Repairman

Instrument Repairman

Mechanical Repairman

Repairman
124

Table 48. Number of Miscellaneous Employees at Stone Mines

Survey

Occupation by Category Count

MISCELLANEOUS 7 

Trainee 1

Unknown 6 

Table 49. Estimated Number of Production Employees at Stone Mines

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

PRODUCTION

Equipment Operator

Dragline Operator

Equipment Operator

Bobcat Operator

Bulldozer Operator

Crane Operator

Dredge Operator

End Dump Driver

Equipment Operator

Forklift Operator

Front End Loader Operator

Grader Operator

Heavy Equipment Operator

Highlift Operator

Machine Operator

Mobile Equipment Operator

Paver Operator

Payloader Operator

Rotary Bucket Excavator Operator

Scaler (mechanical)

Tower Operator

Track Hoe

Tractor Operator

Material Mover

Dump Operator

Haul Truck Operator/Driver

Hauler/Haul Unit Operator

Motorman

Off Road Truck Driver

Operator/Driver

Pit Truck Driver

Quarry Truck Driver

Rock Truck Driver

Stock Truck/Stock Pile Driver

Transportation

Truck Driver

Water Truck Operator

1,040

589

4 

297

275

24,955

14,803

DSU

8,113

6,209

21,960

12,345

DSU

6,018

4,898

27,951

17,261

DSU

10,208

7,521
Table 49. Estimated Number of Production Employees at Stone Mines (continued)

125

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Shovel Operator 3 DSU DSU DSU

Extraction Labor 22 410 0 950

Heading Prep

Miner

Material Preparation 115 2,718 1,728 3,709 

Additives 1 DSU DSU DSU

Additives Utility

Crusher 45 978 586 1,369

Breaker Operator

Crusher Operator/Pan Feeder 

Operator

Crusher Plant Operator

Hammer Mill Operator

Jaw Operator

Rock Breaker Operator

Cutter 47 1,115 215 2,015

Sawyer

Splitter

Stone Cutter

Trimmer

Mill 22 547 167 927

Limestone Prep Operator

Mill Man

Mill Operator (ball/pebble/rod)

Milling Machine Operator

Roller Operator

Process 34 1,177 588 1,767

Dry Processing 10 373 33 713

Dryer Operator

Kiln Operator

Other 9 369 50 689

Fabricator

Process Attendant

Separation 15 435 93 776

Grinder Operator

Mix Chemist

Mix Operator

Pelletizing Operations Worker

Pug Operator/Mixer Tender

Rotex Operator

Screen Plant Operator
Table 49. Estimated Number of Production Employees at Stone Mines (continued)

126

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Support 280 5,847 4,387 7,308

Drill Operator 46 730 442 1,019

Drill Helper/Chuck Tender

Drill Operator

Electronics 1 DSU DSU DSU

Console Operator

Explosives 48 561 288 834

Blaster

Driller/Blaster

Explosives/Powder Man

Shooter

Other 142 3,500 2,176 4,823

Control Room

Controller

Dispatcher

Operator, not otherwise specified

Panel Operator

Production Operator

Scaler (hand)

Quality Control 38 965 638 1,292

Quality Control/Quality Assurance

Roof Bolter 5 49 0 107

Roof Bolter

Roof Control Operator

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
127

Table 50. Estimated Number of Service and Utility Employees at Stone Mines

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

SERVICE and UTILITY

General Labor

Cleaner

Janitor

Tower Cleaner

Construction

Curb Cutter

Ground Control/Timberman

Packer

Screed Person

Laborer

Ground Man

Laborer

Miller

Plant Man

Quarry Worker

Material Handling

Bagger/Bagging Operations 

Worker

Material Handler

Palletizer

Silo Operator

Stacker

Storeroom

Yard Laborer

Tradesman

Apprentice/Journeyman

Machinist

Weighman

Scale Clerk/Operator

Weighmaster

Support Labor

Barge Operations

Barge Attendant/Boat Operator

Deck Hand

Dock Worker

Conveyor Operator

Belt Cleaner/Conveyor Man

Distribution

Packaging Operations Worker

Packhouse

565

293

3 

11

190

36

5 

48

272

6 

2 

7 

15,826

9,020

DSU

271

6,107

1,215

141

1,183

6,806

188

DSU

187

13,213

6,871

DSU

0 

4,029

518

0 

836

5,172

0

DSU

0 

18,439

11,169

DSU

547

8,184

1,911

319

1,529

8,440

407

DSU

407
Table 50. Estimated Number of Service and Utility Employees at Stone Mines (continued)

128

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Loading 202 4,840 3,396 6,284

Bin Puller/Truck Loader

Bulk Loader

Load Man

Loader Operator

Loading

Loadout Operator

Pit Loader Operator

Plant Loader Operator

Production Loader

Quarry Loader Operator

Rail Loader Operator

Stock Loader/Piler

Yard Loader Operator

Utility 55 1,561 912 2,210

Crusher Utility

E.O. Utility

Equipment Utility

Mill Utility

Pit Utility Person

Plant Utility

Production Utility

Quarry Utility

Utility Man

Utility Scaler

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
129

9.6%

12.7%

8.3%

1.7%

3.8%

0.6%

20.9%

11.8%

3.1%

18.1%

0.5%

4.4%

4.5%

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Support Labor

General Labor

Support

Process

Material Preparation

Extraction Labor

Equipment Operator

Support

Specialty

Supervisory

Safety

Professional

Office Staff

Service and

Utility Production Maintenance

Administration/

Professional

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 29. Occupational Categories of Employees at Stone Mines. 
130
131

Employee Statistics for 

Sand and Gravel Mines
132
133

Summary of Employee Statistics for Sand and Gravel Mines

The demographic and occupational characteristics of employees in the U.S. sand and 

gravel mining industry are presented in Tables 51 and 52 and Figures 30–32. The weighted 

survey estimate for gender indicates that the workforce is composed predominately of male 

employees (92.1 percent). The majority of sand and gravel mine employees are White (94.1 

percent), followed by Black or African American (4.0 percent). Almost 18 percent of these 

employees have an ethnicity of Hispanic or Latino. An estimated 59.9 percent are high school 

graduates, with another 20.7 percent having a level of education beyond high school. A review 

of the weighted estimates indicates that the average sand and gravel mine worker is 44.0 years of 

age and has worked in mining for 10.3 years, with 7.4 years at the current mine, and 7.4 years in 

his/her job title. The national estimate for the average number of hours worked per week is 46.1. 

The primary work location for an estimated 53.0 percent of sand and gravel mine employees is a 

“Surface Mine: Strip, Open Pit, or Quarry.” An additional 14.8 percent of these employees work 

at a “Surface Mine: Other Surface Mining,” while another 13.0 percent are employed in the 

“Surface Mine: Dredge” work location.

Tables 53, 54, 56, 57, and Figure 33 present the national estimates of the number of sand 

and gravel mine workers by four major occupational categories. (No estimates were calculated 

for Table 55: “Miscellaneous.”) An estimated 9,445 (29.5 percent) are employed in the 

“Administration/Professional” category; 2,640 (8.3 percent) in the “Maintenance” category;

11,971 (37.5 percent) in the “Production” category; and 7,928 (24.7 percent) in the “Service and 

Utility” category.
134
135

Table 51. Demographic Characteristics of Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines

 

 

Survey

Count

National

Estimate

National 

Demographic Characteristic 95% LCL 95% UCL Percent 95% LCL 95% UCL

Gender:

Male 1,280 29,343 24,178 34,508 92.1 90.0 94.2

Female 109 2,531 1,607 3,456 7.9 5.8 10.0

Age (years) 1,326 44.0 43.0 45.1

Highest level of education:

Less than 9th grade 69 1,464 310 2,619 4.8 1.1 8.4

9th–12th grade (no diploma) 176 4,502 3,122 5,881 14.7 10.3 19.1

HS Graduate or Equivalent (GED) 817 18,394 14,222 22,566 59.9 54.0 65.9

Some College, Associate Degree, or 

Technical School

238 5,276 3,850 6,701 17.2 14.4 19.9

Bachelor's Degree or beyond 60 1,065 656 1,475 3.5 2.3 4.6

Ethnicity:

Hispanic or Latino 286 5,154 2,850 7,458 17.5 9.3 25.6

Non-Hispanic or Non-Latino 1,027 24,345 18,596 30,093 82.5 74.4 90.7

Race:

American Indian or Alaska Native 28 441 210 673 1.6 0.7 2.5

Asian 4 DSU DSU DSU DSU DSU DSU

Black or African American 58 1,109 277 1,940 4.0 1.6 6.3

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 2 DSU DSU DSU DSU DSU DSU

White 1,066 26,151 20,354 31,948 94.1 92.1 96.1

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
136

Table 52. Occupational Characteristics of Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines

 

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

National 

Occupational Characteristic Percent 95% LCL 95% UCL

Hours worked (per week)

Experience:

Experience in this Job Title (years)

Experience at this Mine (years)

Total Mining Experience (years)

Primary Work Location:

Surface Mine: Strip, Open Pit, or Quarry

Surface Mine: Dredge

Surface Mine: Other Surface Mining 

(Metal/Nonmetal Only)

Independent Shops or Yards

Mill Operations, Preparation Plants, or 

Breakers

Office

1,220

1,350

1,335

1,352

678

171

244

7

129

162

46.1

7.4

7.4

10.3

17,029

4,190

4,740

153

2,305

3,701

43.6

6.2

6.2

9.5

12,145

2,281

2,462

27

1,078

2,470

48.5

8.6

8.7

11.2

21,913

6,100

7,018

278

3,532

4,932

53.0

13.0

14.8

0.5

7.2

11.5

42.3

7.8

7.3

0.1

3.3

8.6

63.7

18.3

22.2

0.8

11.0

14.4
137

3.5%

17.2%

59.9%

14.7%

4.8%

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Bachelor's Degree or beyond

Some College, Associate Degree, or Technical School

HS Graduate or Equivalent (GED)

9th-12th grade (no diploma)

Less than 9th grade

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 30. Education Level of Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines. 
138

94.1%

4.0%

1.6%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

White

Black or African American

American Indian or Alaska Native

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 31. Race of Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines. 
139

11.5%

7.2%

0.5%

14.8%

13.0%

53.0%

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

Office

Mill Operations, Preparation Plants, or Breakers

Independent Shops or Yards

Surface Mine: Other Surface Mining (Metal / Nonmetal Only)

Surface Mine: Dredge

Surface Mine: Strip, Open Pit, or Quarry

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 32. Primary Work Location of Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines. 
140

Table 53. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at Sand and 

Gravel Mines

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

ADMINISTRATION/PROFESSIONAL

Office Staff

Administrative Staff

Administration

Administrative Assistant

Clerk

Customer Service

Office Clerk

Office Staff

Plant Clerk

Receptionist

Secretary

Business

Accounting

Bookkeeper

Payroll

Purchasing

Sales

Security

Guard

Union Representative

Professional

Engineer

Engineer 

(Electrical/Mining/Ventilation)

Engineer, not otherwise specified

Environmental Engineer

Plant Engineer

Non-engineer

Environmental Specialist

Operating Engineer

Production Scheduler

Technician

Sampler/Lab Technician

Technician

Safety

Safety

Safety Manager

Safety Supervisor

398

65

43

17

3 

2 

33

7 

12

14

10

9,445

1,512

1,098

350

DSU

DSU

596

61

302

234

165

6,998

745

401

88

DSU

DSU

185

0

0 

74

68

11,892

2,279

1,795

612

DSU

DSU

1,007

124

671

393

262
Table 53. Estimated Number of Administration/Professional Employees at Sand and 

Gravel Mines (continued)

141

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Supervisory 290 7,172 5,188 9,156

Executive 8 348 147 550

General Manager

Mine Owner

President

Vice President

Foreman 86 1,868 1,352 2,383

Foreman

Foreman/Shift Boss

Lead Man

Maintenance Foreman

Maintenance Lead Man

Shop Foreman

Plant Foreman

Superintendent

Manager 60 1,485 848 2,121

Area Manager

Assistant Manager

Dredge Manager

Dry Plant Manager

Equipment Manager

Manager

Office Manager

Operations Manager

Plant Manager

Production Manager

Purchasing Manager

Quarry Manager

Sales Manager

Shift Manager

Shop Manager

Supervisor 136 3,471 2,234 4,708

Backhoe Supervisor

Dozer Supervisor

Lab Supervisor

Maintenance Supervisor

Mine Operator

Plant Operator

Plant Supervisor

Production Supervisor

Quarry Supervisor

Shift Supervisor

Supervisor

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
142

Table 54. Estimated Number of Maintenance Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

MAINTENANCE

Specialty

Electrician

Electrician/Wireman

Maintenance Electrician

Welder

Certified Welder

Repair/Welder

Welder

Welder/Mechanic

Support

Maintenance

Electrical Maintenance

Fixed Maintenance

Greaser/Oiler

Maintenance

Maintenance Planner

Plant Maintenance

Production/Process Maintenance

Truck Maintenance

Mechanic

Aggregate Mechanic

Equipment Mechanic

Maintenance Mechanic

Mechanic

Mechanic Helper

Mechanic/Welder

Mobile Equipment Mechanic

Mobile Maintenance Mechanic

Mobile Mechanic

Plant Mechanic

Repairman

Automotive Repairman

Heavy Duty Repairman

Plant Repairman

Repairman

Skilled Repairman

176

17

6 

11

159

56

69

34

2,640

274

78

196

2,365

803

1,125

437

2,135

88

0 

40

1,910

583

775

108

3,145

460

184

351

2,820

1,022

1,476

766
143

Table 55. Number of Miscellaneous Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines

Survey 

Occupation by Category Count

MISCELLANEOUS 6 

Trainee 1

Unknown 5 

Table 56. Estimated Number of Production Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

PRODUCTION

Equipment Operator

Dragline Operator

Equipment Operator

Backhoe Operator

Bobcat Operator

Bulldozer Operator

Dredge Operator

Equipment Operator

Front End Loader Operator

Grader Operator

Heavy Equipment Operator

Highlift Operator

Hopper Operator

Mobile Equipment Operator

Mucking Machine Operator

Rotary Bucket Excavator Operator

Stripping Operator

Tower Operator

Track Hoe

Tractor Operator

Hoist 

Hoist Engineer

Material Mover

Haul Truck Operator/Driver

Pit Truck Driver

Rock Truck Driver

Stock Truck/Stock Pile Driver

Truck Driver

Water Truck Operator

Operator

Motorman

Shovel Operator

506

311

9 

194

16

85

4 

3 

11,971

7,118

194

4,530

111

2,174

DSU

DSU

7,813

4,308

21

2,398

0 

1,024

DSU

DSU

16,130

9,927

367

6,663

368

3,323

DSU

DSU
Table 56. Estimated Number of Production Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines

(continued)

144

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Material Preparation 43 1,110 359 1,861

Crusher 26 973 225 1,722

Crusher Operator/Pan Feeder 

Operator

Crusher Plant Operator

Cutter 11 27 0 75

Splitter

Mill 6 110 0 265

Mill Operator (ball/pebble/rod)

Process 24 511 224 798

Dry Processing 12 191 37 344

Dry Plant/Process Operator

Dryer Operator

Fluid Bed Dryer Operator

Separation 2 DSU DSU DSU

Pug Operator/Mixer Tender

Slurry Operator

Wash Process 9 267 15 519

Wash Operator

Wet Process 1 DSU DSU DSU

Wet Plant Operator

Support 128 3,233 2,071 4,395

Drill Operator 2 DSU DSU DSU

Explosives 2 DSU DSU DSU

Blaster

Other 107 2,806 1,626 3,987

Dispatcher

Operator, not otherwise specified

Production Operator

Quality Control 17 393 70 716

Quality Control/Quality Assurance

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed.
145

Table 57. Estimated Number of Service and Utility Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines

Occupation by Category

Survey

Count

National

Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

SERVICE and UTILITY

General Labor

Cleaners

Cleanup Man

Laborer

Ground Hand

Ground Man

Laborer

Plant Helper

Plant Man

Root Picker

Stick Picker

Material Handling

Bagger/Bagging Operations 

Worker

Mudpicker

Reclaim Operator

Storeroom

Sweeper Operator

Tradesman

Apprentice/Journeyman

Weighman

Scale Clerk/Operator

Weighmaster

Support Labor

Barge Operations

Barge Attendant/Boat Operator

Deck Hand

Conveyor Operator

Belt Cleaner/Conveyor Man

Distribution

Packaging Operations Worker

Loading

Bulk Loader

Loader Operator

Loadout Operator

Operator/Loader

Plant Loader Operator

Rail Loader Operator

Shipping Loader

Stock Loader/Piler

Yard Loader Operator

306

150

1 

81

22

3 

43

156

4 

4 

1 

123

7,928

3,470

DSU

1,916

380

DSU

1,104

4,458

DSU

DSU

DSU

3,919

6,032

2,119

DSU

876

0 

DSU

577

3,352

DSU

DSU

DSU

2,766

9,824

4,822

DSU

2,957

772

DSU

1,631

5,563

DSU

DSU

DSU

5,072
Table 57. Estimated Number of Service and Utility Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines

(continued)

146

Survey

Count

National

Occupation by Category Estimate 95% LCL 95% UCL

Pumper 1 DSU DSU DSU

Gravel Pumper

Supplies 2 DSU DSU DSU

Parts

Utility 21 361 200 523

Equipment Utility

Pit Utility Person

Plant Utility

Utility Beltline

Utility Man

Wet Utility

Abbreviation: DSU, data suppressed. 
147

13.9%

10.8%

10.1%

1.6%

3.5%

22.3%

7.4%

0.9%

22.4%

0.5%

1.9%

4.7%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Support Labor

General Labor

Support

Process

Material Preparation

Equipment Operator

Support

Specialty

Supervisory

Safety

Professional

Office Staff

Service &

Utility Production Maintenance

Administration/

Professional

National Estimate (Thousands)

Figure 33. Occupational Categories of Employees at Sand and Gravel Mines.
148
149

Acknowledgements

The authors extend their appreciation to the reviewers for their thoughtful and insightful 

comments. We acknowledge the contributions of: Jefferey L. Burgess, M.D., M.P.H., University 

of Arizona, Jeffery H. Kravitz, Ph.D., Mine Safety and Health Administration, Elaine N. 

Rubinstein, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, John P. Sestito and William K. Sieber, National 

Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and Bruce Watzman, National Mining Association. 

Additionally, we appreciate the contributions of our numerous colleagues at the Office of 

Mine Safety and Health Research. In particular, Audrey Podlesny for preparing the maps, 

Michael J. Brnich, Jr., Albert H. Cook, Nathan T. Lowe, Mary Ellen Nelson, Robert H. Peters, 

and Charles Vaught (retired) for their invaluable advice regarding the coding of the mining 

industry job titles, Joseph Schall and Candace A. Wolf for their editorial assistance, Donna Opfer 

and Brittney Warnick for their formatting assistance, Genny Lohr for her work on 508 

Compliance, and David Beshero for the cover design. 

Finally, the authors gratefully acknowledge the survey respondents in the coal, metal, 

nonmetal, stone, and sand and gravel mining sectors. Thank you for your time and effort in 

completing this survey. 
150
151

References

American Geological Institute [1997]. Dictionary of mining, mineral, and related terms. 

Alexandria, VA: American Geological Institute.

BLS [2010]. Standard occupational classification.Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, 

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Standard Occupational Classifications [http://www.bls.gov/SOC/]. 

Cecala A and Thimons E [1992]. Tips for reducing dust from secondary sources during bagging. 

Powder and Bulk Eng. 7(5):77. 

Cochran WG [1977]. Sampling techniques, 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, pp. 127–131. 

Dictionary.com [2011]. [http://www.dictionary.reference.com]. 

DOT [2003]. Dictionary of occupational titles [http://www.occupationalinfo.org].

Infomine Inc. [2010]. Dictionary of mining and mineral terms [http://www.infomine.com/ 

dictionary/].

Merriam-Webster [2011]. [http://www.merriam-webster.com/].

MSHA [2007]. Part 50 data user’s handbook. Denver: U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety 

and Health Administration, Office of Injury and Employment Information. 

MSHA [2011]. Program information bulletin No. P11-08. U.S. Department of Labor, Mine 

Safety and Health Administration [http://www.msha.gov/regs/complian/PIB/2011/pib11-08.asp]. 

NCHS [2002]. Statistical notes number 24. Healthy people 2010 criteria for data suppression. By 

Klein RJ, Proctor SE, Boudreault MA, Turczyn KM. Hyattsville, MD: U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for

Health Statistics. DHHS Publication No. (PHS) 2002-1237 2-0424. 

NCHS [2004]. NCHS staff manual on confidentiality. U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. 

Thrush P [1968]. A dictionary of mining, mineral, and related terms. Washington, DC: U.S. 

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines.

Vaught C (Retired) [2008]. Glossary of mining terms. Private email message to Linda 

McWilliams (LMcWilliams@cdc.gov), March 28. 

Wang Z, Waldron W [2010]. Using the SAS® survey procedures for subpopulation analysis with 

jackknife repeated replication methods in SAS 9.2. In: Proceedings of the SAS Global Forum, 

pp. 1–9. 
152
153

Appendices
154
155

Appendix A. Questionnaire Booklet 
156
Form Approved

OMB NO. 0920-0754

Exp. Date 10/31/2010

National Survey of the Mining Population

Questionnaire

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Pittsburgh Research Laboratory

P.O. Box 18070

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236

Public reporting burden of this collection of information is estimated to average 120 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching 

existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. An agency may not conduct or 

sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Send comments regarding 

this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to CDC/ATSDR Reports Clearance 

Officer; 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS E-11, Atlanta, Georgia 30333; ATTN: PRA (0920-0633). 

157
Mine ID Number:

«MineIDNumber» 

Mine Name:

«MineName» 

 

Reporting Week: 

«ReportingWeek» 

158

QUESTIONNAIRE OVERVIEW

This questionnaire contains five parts:

 Mine Questions Pages 1-13

 Employee Selection Instructions Page 14

 Employee Questions Instructions Pages 15-16

 Employee Questions Pages 17-18

 Final Questions and Comments Pages 19-20

Items of Special Importance: 

1. All responses you give should be for the 

specific Mine ID and name shown in the box 

above. Some items in the questionnaire are 

for a specific one-week period called the 

REPORTING WEEK, which is your payroll 

week that includes the date shown in the box 

above.

2. You have the option of completing either this 

survey questionnaire booklet or an Internet 

web-based survey questionnaire. The 

contents of both versions of the survey 

questionnaire are the same. Instructions to 

access the web-based questionnaire

(www.miningsurvey.org) are attached to the 

cover letter included in the survey mailing.

3. If you have a question regarding your 

REPORTING WEEK, how to access the 

web-based questionnaire, or if you need 

assistance in completing any of the items, 

please call 1-888-814-4707. This is the tollfree number for Westat, the survey 

contractor.

4. Use the Comments section (Item F8 on Page 

20) to explain any responses or situations 

unique to your mine.

MINE QUESTIONS

TRAINING

The first series of questions asks about miner 

training. This includes both annual miner 

refresher training and new miner training. 

M1. In the past 12 months, did this mining 

operation use its employees to conduct. 

[Please check “Yes” or “No” for each

question a, b, and c below.]

 Yes No

a. annual miner refresher 

training?  

b. training for newly hired 

inexperienced miners?  

c. training for newly hired 

experienced miners?  

M2. In the past 12 months, did this mining 

operation use an outside trainer to 

conduct annual miner refresher 

training? 

 Yes  Go to Question M3 

 No  Go to Question M4

 (next page)

M3. [IF YES TO Question M2]: What type 

of outside trainer did you use? [Please 

check ALL that apply.]

 Contract trainer 

 State grantee

 Other (Please specify):

_____________________________

_____________________________
TRAINING (continued)

M4. In the past 12 months, did this mining 

operation use an outside trainer to 

conduct training for newly hired 

inexperienced miners? 

 Yes  Go to Question M5

 No  Go to Question M6

M5. [IF YES TO Question M4]: What type 

of outside trainer did you use? [Please 

check ALL that apply.]

 Contract trainer

 State grantee

 Other (Please specify):

_____________________________

_____________________________

M6. In the past 12 months, did this mining 

operation use an outside trainer to 

conduct training for newly hired 

experienced miners?

 Yes  Go to Question M7

 No  Go to Question M8

M7. [IF YES TO Question M6]: What type 

of outside trainer did you use? [Please 

check ALL that apply.]

 Contract trainer

 State grantee

 Other (Please specify):

_____________________________

_____________________________

M8. How frequently are periodic safety

meetings (e.g., “toolbox talks”), for 

employees engaged in mining 

operations, conducted at this mine? 

[Please check one.]

 Less than once a year

 Annually

 Less than once a month

 Once a month

 Once every 2 weeks

 Once a week

 Several times a week

 Daily

M9. When conducting employee safety 

training and retraining, which of the 

following training materials and 

methods are used as part of your 

training program? [Please check ALL 

that apply.] 

 Lectures

 Written materials

 Videos

 Self-guided interactive computer 

programs

 Demonstrations

 Hands-on training exercises

 Group exercises (role playing, 

games, problem solving, etc.)

 Classroom simulations (e.g., virtual 

reality)

 Worksite simulations

 Narrative story telling

 Other (Please specify): 

_______________________________

_______________________________

159
OTHER LANGUAGES

The next series of questions asks about the 

use of languages other than English.

M10. Approximately what percentage of 

employees currently working at the 

mine use a language other than English 

to communicate?

_________________% 

M11. Does this mining operation currently 

provide training materials, signs, or 

other written materials in a language 

other than English?

 Yes  Go to Question M12

 No  Go to Question M14

M12. [IF YES TO Question M11]: What 

language(s) is/are provided? [Please 

check ALL that apply.]

 Spanish

 Other (Please specify):

_______________________________

_______________________________

M13. Would it be helpful to have training 

materials, signs, or written materials in 

any other languages, in addition to those 

already provided by your mining 

operation? 

 Yes  Go to Question M15

 No  Go to Work Schedules

 Section (next page)

M14. Would it be helpful to have training 

materials, signs, or other written materials 

in language(s) other than English?

 Yes  Go to Question M15

 No  Go to Work Schedules

 Section (next page)

M15. [IF YES TO Question M13 or M14]:

Which languages? [Please check ALL 

that apply.]

 Spanish

 Other (Please specify):

_____________________________

_____________________________

160
WORK SCHEDULES

The next series of questions asks about how the mine schedules work for the following types 

of mine operator employees: 

 Production Workers are ‘face workers’ and others who work extracting coal/ore/stone. 

 Production Support Workers are those who aid and maintain production (e.g., by 

cleaning or moving belts, maintaining ventilation, delivering supplies, repairing 

equipment, etc. Office workers are also counted here). 

 Preparation Plant/Mill Workers are those who operate or perform support activities in 

a preparation plant or mill. 

We suggest, for this section and the next, that you first respond to all questions in Column A 

for Production Workers, and then go back to complete them in Column B for Production 

Support Workers, followed by the Column C items for Preparation Plant/Mill Workers.

A. Production 

Workers

B. Production 

Support Workers

C. Preparation Plant/ 

WORK SCHEDULES Mill Workers

 CHECK If 

this mine does 

not have any 

Production 

Workers and 

leave this 

column blank. 

 If Box is NOT

CHECKED, 

continue with 

this column.

|__|

Scheduled days

per week

 CHECK if this 

mine does not have 

any Production 

Support Workers 

(and no office 

workers), then 

leave this column 

blank.

 If Box is NOT 

CHECKED, 

continue with this 

column.

|__|

Scheduled days

per week

 CHECK if this 

mine does not have 

any Preparation 

Plant/Mill Workers 

and leave this column 

blank. 

 If Box Is NOT 

CHECKED, continue 

with this column.

|__|

Scheduled days

per week

M16.a. On average, how 

many days per 

week are these 

workers 

scheduled to 

work?

b. On average, how 

many hours per 

day are these 

workers 

scheduled to 

work?

|__|__|

Scheduled 

hours per day

|__|__|

Scheduled 

hours per day

|__|__|

Scheduled 

hours per day

161
WORK SCHEDULES (continued)

WORK SCHEDULES

A. Production 

Workers

B. Production

Support Workers

C. Preparation Plant/ 

Mill Workers

M16.c. During the 

REPORTING 

WEEK (which 

includes the date 

shown in the box 

on Page 1), what 

was the average 

number of hours 

per week these 

workers actually

worked (including 

overtime)? 

|__|__|

Actual work

hours during 

REPORTING WEEK

|__|__|

Actual work

hours during 

REPORTING WEEK

|__|__|

Actual work

hours during 

REPORTING WEEK

d. Do work crews 

generally change 

shifts at the active 

mining site (e.g., 

the face or long 

wall - also known 

as a ‘hot seat” 

change)?

 Yes

 No 

 Yes

 No

QUESTIONS M16.d 

& e. NOT 

APPLICABLE FOR 

PREPARATION 

PLANT MILL 

WORKERS

GO TO SHIFT 

WORK SECTION 

(Next Page)

e. On average, how 

much time per 

shift do workers 

spend traveling to 

and from the 

active mining site

on-shift (while 

being paid)?

|__| |__|__|

Hours Minutes 

round trip, per shift

GO TO

COLUMN B

|__| |__|__|

Hours Minutes 

round trip, per shift

GO TO

COLUMN C

162
SHIFT WORK

For the next series of questions, assume that the: 

 Day shift begins in the morning hours (e.g., 6 a.m., 7 a.m., or 8 a.m.) 

 Afternoon shift begins in the afternoon hours (e.g., 2 p.m. or 3 p.m.)

 Night or Midnight shift begins in the late evening hours (e.g., 11 p.m. or 12 a.m.)

SHIFT WORK

A. Production 

Workers

B. Production 

Support Workers

C. Preparation Plant/ 

Mill Workers

M17. Typically how many 

shifts per day does 

the mine operate 

for these workers?

 CHECK if this 

mine does not have 

any Production 

Workers and leave 

this column blank.

 If Box is NOT 

CHECKED,

continue with this 

column.

|__|

Shifts per day

 CHECK if this 

mine does not have 

any Production 

Support Workers 

(and no office 

workers), then leave 

this column blank.

 If Box is NOT 

CHECKED, continue 

with this column.

|__|

Shifts per day

 CHECK if this 

mine does not have 

any Preparation 

Plant/Mill Workers 

and leave this 

column blank. 

 If Box Is NOT 

CHECKED, 

continue with this 

column.

|__|

Shifts per day

M18. Do they work 

rotating shifts?

 Yes  GO TO 

QUESTION M19

 No  GO TO 

QUESTION M21

(Next Page)

 Yes  GO TO 

QUESTION M19

 No  GO TO 

QUESTION M21 

(Next Page)

 Yes  GO TO 

QUESTION M19

 No  GO TO 

QUESTION M21 

(Next Page)

M19. [IF YES TO 

QUESTION M18]:

How frequently do 

these workers 

change their 

assigned shift?

 Weekly

 Twice a Month

 Monthly

 Other (specify):

_________________

_________________

 Weekly

 Twice a Month

 Monthly

 Other (specify):

_________________

_________________

 Weekly

 Twice a Month

 Monthly

 Other (specify):

_________________

_________________

163
SHIFT WORK (continued) 

SHIFT WORK

A. Production 

Workers

B. Production 

Support Workers

C. Preparation Plant/ 

Mill Workers

M20. Do they rotate 

shifts clockwise or 

counterclockwise?

Note that Clockwise is

day→afternoon→night 

Counterclockwise is 

night→afternoon→day

 Clockwise 

 Counterclockwise 

Other (specify): 

_________________

_________________

 Clockwise 

 Counterclockwise 

Other (specify): 

_________________

_________________

 Clockwise 

 Counterclockwise 

Other (specify): 

_________________

_________________

M21. Are there any 

regularly scheduled 

unique work shifts 

that do not fit into 

the previous 

descriptions (e.g., a 

shift of three 12-

hour days on 

Friday, Saturday, 

and Sunday, known 

as an “alternative 

work schedule” or 

“Weekend Warrior” 

shift)?

 Yes  GO TO 

QUESTION M22 

 No  GO TO 

COLUMN B

 Yes  GO TO 

QUESTION M22

 No  GO TO 

COLUMN C

 Yes  GO TO 

QUESTION M22

 No  GO TO 

NEXT PAGE

M22. [IF YES TO 

QUESTION M21]:

Please either: 

a. describe this 

shift. If you need 

additional space, 

use the ‘comments’ 

section (Item F8) on 

Page 20; 

or: 

b. send us an 

example of your 

mine’s shift 

schedule(s) and 

check the 

appropriate 

box(es). 

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________



Schedule enclosed

__________________ 

__________________ 

__________________ 

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________



Schedule enclosed

___________________ 

___________________ 

___________________

___________________

___________________ 

___________________ 

___________________ 

___________________

___________________

___________________



Schedule enclosed

164
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES 

The next series of questions asks about the mine’s use of independent contractor employees 

for various activities. Take special note of these two definitions:

 Independent contractor means “any person, partnership, corporation, firm, association, 

subsidiary of a corporation, or other organization that contracts to perform services or 

construction of a mine.” 

 REPORTING WEEK is your specific 7-day payroll period that includes the date shown in 

the box on Page 1. The number of independent contractors you report should be for that 

week only. 

M23. In the REPORTING WEEK, did 

this mining operation use independent 

contractor employees to do . . . 

M24. How many 

independent contractor 

employees did you use 

for this activity during the 

REPORTING WEEK?

M25. How many total 

hours did independent 

contractor employees 

work in this activity during 

the REPORTING WEEK?

a. Mine development, including 

shaft and slope sinking, or 

“driving a decline”?

 Yes 

 No

a. ________________

# of Contractor

employees

a. _________________

Contractor hours

b. Construction or reconstruction of 

mine facilities, including building

or rebuilding preparation plants 

and mining equipment, 

maintenance, and building 

additions to existing facilities?

 Yes 

 No

b. ________________

# of Contractor

employees

b. _________________

Contractor hours

165
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES (continued) 

M23. In the REPORTING WEEK, did 

this mining operation use independent 

contractor employees to do . . .

M24. How many 

independent contractor 

employees did you use 

for this activity during the 

REPORTING WEEK?

M25. How many total 

hours did independent 

contractor employees 

work in this activity during 

the REPORTING WEEK?

c. Demolition of mine facilities?

 Yes

 No 

c. ________________

# of Contractor 

employees

c. _________________

Contractor hours

d. Construction of dams?

 Yes 

 No 

d. ________________

# of Contractor 

employees

d. _________________

Contractor hours

e. Excavation or earthmoving 

activities involving mobile 

equipment?

 Yes 

 No

e. ________________

# of Contractor

employees

e. _________________

Contractor hours

f. Equipment installation, such as 

crushers and mills?

 Yes 

 No 

f. ________________

# of Contractor

employees

f. _________________

Contractor hours

166
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES (continued) 

M23. In the REPORTING WEEK, did 

this mining operation use independent 

contractor employees to do . . .

M24. How many 

independent contractor 

employees did you use 

for this activity during the 

REPORTING WEEK?

M25. How many total 

hours did independent 

contractor employees 

work in this activity during 

the REPORTING WEEK?

g. Equipment service or repair 

of equipment on mine 

property for a period 

exceeding 5 consecutive 

days at a particular mine?

 Yes 

 No 

g. ________________

# of Contractor

employees

g. _________________

Contractor hours

h. Material handling such as hauling 

of coal, ore, or refuse within mine 

property? (Only include material 

handling conducted primarily on 

mine property.)

 Yes 

 No

h. ________________

# of Contractor

employees

h. _________________

Contractor hours

i. Drilling and blasting?

 Yes 

 No

i. ________________

# of Contractor

employees

i. _________________

Contractor hours

167
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES (continued) 

M23. In the REPORTING WEEK, did 

this mining operation use independent 

contractor employees to do. . .

M24. How many 

independent contractor 

employees did you use 

for this activity during the 

REPORTING WEEK?

M25. How many total 

hours did independent 

contractor employees 

work in this activity during 

the REPORTING WEEK?

j. Production support work (belt 

moves, building stoppings, 

installing roof support, moving a 

longwall, relocating a large piece 

of mining equipment (including 

dismantling and reassembly), 

surveying, engineering work, 

etc.)?

 Yes 

 No

j. ________________

# of Contractor

employees

j. _________________

Contractor hours

k. Mineral extraction?

 Yes 

 No

k. ________________

# of Contractor

employees

k. _________________

Contractor hours

l. Any other types of work?

 Yes 

 No  GO TO NEXT 

 PAGE

l. ________________

# of Contractor

employees

l. _________________

Contractor hours

Please describe this activity:

________________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

168
SAFETY, COMMUNICATION, AND RESCUE MEASURES

M26. Which of the following types of 

communication devices and systems 

does this mine currently use? [Please 

check ALL that apply.] 

 Dedicated telephones

 Mine page phones

 Trolley phones

 Shaft or hoist phones

 Cell phones

 Voice Over Internet Protocol 

(VOIP) phones

 Handheld two-way radios

 Wireless paging devices

 Leaky feeder communications 

system (not running a PED)

 Personal emergency device (PED) 

cap lamp/pager

 Through-the-Earth (TTE) 

technology (other than a PED, 

e.g., Flexalert or TeleMag)

 Inductive coupled radios

 Ethernet

 TRACKER Tagging System

 Longwall face communication 

systems

 None of the above

 Other (Please specify): 

_______________________________

_______________________________

M27. Which of the following personal 

locators, trackers, or other devices does 

this mine currently use to make miners 

more visible and to support escape in 

limited visibility situations? [Please 

check ALL that apply.]

 Electronic or computerized tagging 

or tracking systems/devices

 Tag boards (check-in/check-out) 

 Reflective vests/clothing

 Chemical light sticks

 Lighted vests

 Laser lights/pointers

 Strobe lights

 None of the above

 Other (Please specify): 

_______________________________ 

_______________________________

M28. Which of the following methods does this 

mine use for emergency incident early 

warning systems for miners? [Please 

check ALL that apply.]

 Stench gas 

 Audible systems

 Visual systems (lights)

 Pager phones

 Telephones

 Messengers

 Electronic personal communication

systems (e.g., PED)

 None of the above

 Other (Please specify): 

_______________________________ 

_______________________________

169
SAFETY, COMMUNICATION, AND RESCUE MEASURES (continued) 

M29. Does this mine have its own mine 

rescue team? 

 Yes  [IF YES] How many 

individual members are 

assigned to the mine’s 

rescue team?

_____________________

Record total members 

above and 

Go to Question M30

 No  [IF NO] Go to NOTE box in 

next column

M30. How frequently is team training 

conducted for the members of the mine 

rescue team? [Please check one.] 

 Less than once a year

 Annually 

 Less than once a month

 Once a month

 Once every 2 weeks

 Once a week

 Some other time interval (Please 

specify): 

_______________________________

_______________________________

NOTE – The next two questions (M31 and 

M32) apply only to underground mines. 

Surface mine respondents should skip to the 

next section (Employee Selection Instructions). 

M31. Which of the following types of 

emergency equipment or emergency 

supplies does this mine currently rely on 

for miner safety? [Please check ALL 

that apply.]

 Belt-worn self-contained-selfrescuers (SCSRs)

 Cached self-contained-selfrescuers (SCSRs) 

 Filter self-rescuers (FSRs) (e.g., 

W65)

 Stationary emergency refuge 

chambers

 Mobile emergency refuge 

chambers

 Sealing materials

 Cached water/food supplies

 First aid kits

 Defibrillator

 None of the above

 Other (Please specify): 

_______________________________

_______________________________

M32. Which of the following types of 

escapeway aids does this mine use? 

[Please check ALL that apply.]

 Lifelines

 Directional lifelines 

 Signage

 Colored reflectors

 Lighting

 Strobe lights

 None of the above

 Other (Please specify): 

_______________________________

_______________________________

170
Mine ID Number:

«MineIDNumber» 

Mine Name:

«MineName» 

Reporting Week:

«ReportingWeek» 

Start With Number:

«StartWithNumber» 

Estimated Number of Employees:

Between «EstimatedEmpMin» and

«EstimatedEmpMax»

Take Every Number: 

«TakeEveryNumber»

EMPLOYEE SELECTION INSTRUCTIONS

The Employee Questions ask you to report the demographic characteristics of a sample of your 

employees. This page contains instructions for selecting the sample of employees to include in the 

Employee Questions. (Please DO NOT include independent contractor employees in this part of the 

questionnaire, and DO NOT include any mine employee who was not at work during the REPORTING 

WEEK.) 

Step 1. Print or copy a list from your files of the names and job titles of all mine employees who worked 

during the REPORTING WEEK (which includes the date shown in the box above) for the mining 

operation associated with the Mine ID and name (shown above). (Hourly and salaried 

employees can be combined, or listed separately, on the REPORTING WEEK list.) 

Step 2. Sequentially number the salaried and hourly employees on your list, starting with the first name 

on the top of the list, e.g., 1, 2, 3, ... This number will be the employee sequence number. 

[NOTE: The sequential numbering may be done by computer.]

Step 3. Record the total number of employees who worked during the REPORTING WEEK.

 ______ = TOTAL NUMBER WHO WORKED DURING REPORTING WEEK

If this total number is . . . 

... equal to 0, 

[not applicable]

Go to Page 19. 

... fewer than 30, [all are to be included] 

Please circle every one of the numbers you 

have recorded in Step 2, and Go to next 

page. 

... 30 or more, 

[select a sample]

Continue with Step 4

Step 4. Quarterly reports indicate that this mine employs the Estimated Number of Employees shown in the 

box above. Does the number of employees recorded in Step 3 fall within the range of Estimated 

Number of Employees shown in the box above?

 Yes  Continue with Step 5.

 No  If estimated number is incorrect, please call 1-888-814-4707 for assistance. 

This is the toll-free number for Westat, the survey contractor.

Step 5. In these next steps, you will circle the employee sequence numbers for employees to be selected 

for the survey. To do this, you will use the Start With Number and Take Every Number printed in

the box above.

Step 6. First, circle the employee sequence number that matches the Start With Number in the box above. 

This is the first employee selected for the survey.

Step 7. Next, start counting the employee sequence numbers, beginning with the sequence number after 

the one just circled. Count until you reach the Take Every Number listed in the box above. Circle 

that employee sequence number. This is the next selection.

Step 8. Repeat Step 7 until you come to the end of your employee list. 

EXAMPLE: If total employees = 49, Start With Number = 2, and Take Every Number = 3, then you would 

circle the following employee sequence numbers: 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 41, 44, 47.

Step 9. Refer to the detailed instructions on the next page and record the sequence numbers you 

have circled in the first column of the Employee Questions.

171
INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMPLOYEE QUESTIONS

This section provides you with an item-by-item 

explanation for the Employee Questions. Please 

read these instructions carefully before completing 

the fold-out answer form on Page 17, or Employee 

Question screens on web version. 

E1. Employee sequence number

This is the circled number from your 

employee roster list. 

 If there are fewer than 30 employees 

who worked during the REPORTING 

WEEK at your mine, all employees are 

included in the survey. Write each 

circled number on a separate line and 

provide the information corresponding to 

that employee. 

 If there are 30 or more employees who 

worked during the REPORTING WEEK 

at your mine, according to Steps 5-9 of 

the selection instructions, you have 

circled and recorded the sequence 

numbers of the employees being 

sampled. For example, if John Doe is 

fifth on your list, and he is selected to be 

included in the employee survey, then 

write “5” as the employee sequence 

number, and provide the information 

corresponding to that employee. 

E2. Employee’s regular job title

Regular job title means the title that 

specifies the employee’s current position in 

the mine structure (e.g., manager). This 

information may be in an employee’s 

personnel file or in the payroll system.

E3. Months or years of experience in this job

title

Experience in this job title means the 

number of months or years that this 

employee has had his or her current job title. 

Report months only for those employees 

with less than 1 year of experience.

 Months (MM) Column: If the employee 

has been in the current job title less than a 

year at this mine, please record the 

number of months in the month’s column. 

Round partial months up if one- half or 

more.

 Years (YY) Column: If the employee has 

been in the current job title 1 year or more, 

please record number of years in the 

year’s column. Round partial years up if 

one-half or more.

E4. Months or years of experience in this mine

Experience in this mine means the number 

of months or years that this employee has 

been working at this mine, from the time that 

the mine hired him or her. Report months 

only for those employees with less than 1 

year of experience.

 Months (MM) Column: If the employee 

has worked for the mine less than a year, 

please record the number of months in 

the month’s column. Round partial months 

up if one-half or more.

 Years (YY) Column: If the employee has 

worked for the mine 1 year or more, 

please record number of years in the 

year’s column. Round partial years up if 

one-half or more.

E5. Months or years of total mining 

experience

Total mining experience means the number of 

months or years that an employee has been 

employed in the mining industry overall. 

Please include years spent at other mining 

companies and at other ranks or job titles. 

Report months only for those employees with 

less than 1 year of experience.

 Months (MM) Column: If the employee 

has worked in the mining industry less 

than a year, please record the number of 

months in the month’s column. Round 

partial months up if one-half or more.

 Years (YY) Column: If the employee has 

worked in the mining industry 1 year or 

more, please record number of years in 

the year’s column. Round partial years up 

if one-half or more.

172
INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMPLOYEE QUESTIONS (continued)

E6. Number of hours worked during the 

REPORTING WEEK

Number of hours worked means the number 

of hours for which the employee was paid 

conducting mining business during the 

REPORTING WEEK. The REPORTING 

WEEK includes the date shown in the box at 

the top of Page 1 or Page 14. 

 Do not include vacation time, sick time, 

medical leave, or other time spent on nonwork activities.

This information may be found in the 

employee’s time reporting records.

E7. Employee’s primary work location

Primary work location means the location 

where this employee worked the most hours 

in the REPORTING WEEK.

 Check ONLY one location.

Location categories (listed on the answer 

form/screen) are adapted from MSHA's 

Quarterly Mine Employment and Coal 

Production Report (MSHA Form 7000-2) 

with the exception that the following 

operational subunits have been combined 

into one work location: Auger, Culm Bank or 

Refuse Pile. This information may be found 

in the same employee work records that are 

used as source data to compile the MSHA 

quarterly report.

E8. Gender

Please specify by checking if the employee 

is male (M) or female (F). This information 

may be found in the employee’s personnel 

file.

E9. Hispanic or Latino

Please specify ethnicity by checking whether 

or not the employee is Hispanic or Latino. 

Note that an additional question on the 

employee’s race follows in the next 

question.

This information may be found in the 

employee’s personnel file.

E10. Race

Please specify the employee’s race by 

checking one or more categories. 

E11. Year of birth

Please record the employee’s year (YY) of 

birth. Use two digits for year (e.g., 1980 is 

“80”).

This information may be found in the 

employee’s personnel file. 

E12. Highest level of education completed

Please check one category for highest level 

of education completed. This means the last 

grade that the employee completed. 

This information is most likely included in the 

employee’s personnel file.

173
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee Questions
 

E1. E2. E3. E4. E5. E6. E7. E8. E9. E10. E11. E12. Employee Sequence Number (from employee roster list)

Employee's Regular Job Title 

Months OR Years of Experience 

Number of Hours Worked during the REPORTING WEEK 

Where 

EMPLOYEE'S PRIMARY WORK LOCATION 

He/She Worked the Most Hours in the REPORTING 

(Check ONLY One) 

WEEK 

Gender 

Hispanic 

Latino 

or Race 

(Check One or More) 

Year of 

Birth 

Highest Level of 

Education Completed 

(Check ONLY One) 

In this 

Job Title 

In this 

Mine 

Total 

Mining 

IF LESS THAN A YEAR, Enter Number of Months

IF ONE YEAR OR MORE,Enter Number of YearsIF LESS THAN A YEAR,Enter Number of Months

IF ONE YEAR OR MORE, Enter Number of YearsIF LESS THAN A YEAR,Enter Number of Months

IF ONE YEAR OR MORE, Enter Number of Years

Underground Mine:

UndergroundUnderground Mine: Surface Shops, Yards, etc.Surface Mine (includingassociated shops and yards): Strip, Open Pit, or QuarrySurface Mine (includingassociated shops and yards):Auger, Culm Bank or RefusePile (Coal Mine Only)Surface Mine (includingassociated shops and yards): DredgeSurface Mine (includingassociated shops and yards):Other Surface Mining (Metal/ Nonmetal only)

Independent Shops or

YardsMill Operations, Preparation Plants, or Breakers (includeassociated shops and yards)Office (professional andclerical employees at the mineor plant working in an office)

M F Yes No 

American Indian or AlaskaNativeAsianBlack or African AmericanNative Hawaiian or Other Pacific IslanderWhite

19YY 

Less than 9th grade9th-12th grade (no diploma)HS Graduate or Equivalent(GED)Some College, AssociateDegree, or Technical SchoolBachelor's Degree or beyond 

MM YY MM YY MM YY 

MM YY MM YY MM YY 

MM YY MM YY MM YY 

MM YY MM YY MM YY 

MM YY MM YY MM YY 

MM YY MM YY MM YY 

MM YY MM YY MM YY 

MM YY MM YY MM YY 

MM YY MM YY MM YY 

MM YY MM YY MM YY 

MM YY MM YY MM YY 

MM YY MM YY MM YY 

MM YY MM YY MM YY 

MM YY MM YY MM YY 

MM YY MM YY MM YY 

174 
Employee Questions

E1. E2. E3. E4. E5. E6. E7. E8. E9. E10. E11. E12. Employee Sequence Number 

(from employee roster list)

Employee's Regular Job Title

Months OR Years of Experience 

Number of Hours Worked during the REPORTING WEEK

Where 

EMPLOYEE'S PRIMARY WORK LOCATION 

He/She Worked the Most Hours in the REPORTING 

(Check ONLY One) 

WEEK

Gender

Hispanic 

Latino

or Race

(Check One or More)

Year of 

Birth 

Highest Level of 

Education Completed 

(Check ONLY One) 

In this

Job Title 

In this

Mine 

Total

Mining 

IF LESS THAN A YEAR, Enter Number of Months

IF ONE YEAR OR MORE,Enter Number of YearsIF LESS THAN A YEAR, Enter Number of Months

IF ONE YEAR OR MORE, Enter Number of YearsIF LESS THAN A YEAR,Enter Number of Months

IF ONE YEAR OR MORE, Enter Number of Years

Underground Mine: 

UndergroundUnderground Mine: Surface Shops, Yards, etc.Surface Mine (including 

associated shops and yards): Strip, Open Pit, or QuarrySurface Mine (including associated shops and yards):Auger, Culm Bank or Refuse Pile (Coal Mine Only)Surface Mine (including associated shops and yards):DredgeSurface Mine (including associated shops and yards):Other Surface Mining (Metal/ Nonmetal only)

Independent Shops or 

YardsMill Operations, Preparation Plants, or Breakers (include associated shops and yards)Office (professional and clerical employees at the mine or plant working in an office)

M F Yes No

American Indian or Alaska NativeAsian Black or African American Native Hawaiian or OtherPacific Islander White

19YY

Less than 9th grade9th-12th grade (no diploma)HS Graduate or Equivalent (GED) Some College, Associate Degree, or Technical SchoolBachelor's Degree or beyond 

MM YY MM YY MM YY

MM YY MM YY MM YY

MM YY MM YY MM YY

MM YY MM YY MM YY

MM YY MM YY MM YY

MM YY MM YY MM YY

MM YY MM YY MM YY

MM YY MM YY MM YY

MM YY MM YY MM YY

MM YY MM YY MM YY

MM YY MM YY MM YY

MM YY MM YY MM YY

MM YY MM YY MM YY

MM YY MM YY MM YY

175
FINAL QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

176

F1. In the REPORTING WEEK, were there any events or circumstances that would make what 

you have reported unusual (e.g., severe weather conditions, trouble in production, a labor 

strike, etc.)?

 Yes  Go to Question F2

 No  Go to Question F3

F2. [IF YES TO Question F1]: Please specify the unusual events:

F3. What is today’s date? 

M M 

 

D D 

 

Y Y Y Y 

F4. Please make a copy of this completed questionnaire and your list of sampled employees 

(keep these on file for 60 days) in case we need to contact you for clarification.

F5. Please provide the company representative to be contacted regarding the completion 

of the questionnaire:

Name: ________________________________________ 

Title: ________________________________________

Telephone: ( ) ______________________

F6. Reminder: If you so indicated in question M22, please enclose an example of your 

mine schedule with your completed questionnaire.

F7. Please mail this completed questionnaire in the provided business reply envelope to the 

survey contractor: Westat, Room TC-1046F, 1650 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD 

20850-3195.

Please record any comments on the next page.
FINAL QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS (continued)

F8. Do you have any comments, or is there any other information you can provide that may 

help us understand the answers you provided? (Please include question numbers for 

comments or explanations related to specific responses.)

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your participation in this survey! 

177
Delivering on the Nation's promise:

Safety and health at work for all people

through research and prevention

If you have any questions regarding the

National Survey of the Mining Population, please contact:

Linda J. McWilliams

Project Director

NIOSH, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory

P.O. Box 18070

626 Cochrans Mill Road

Building 01

Pittsburgh, PA 15236

Telephone: (412) 386-6116

Fax: (412) 386-6780

E-mail: LMcWilliams@cdc.gov

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/statistics/survey.htm

178
179

Appendix B. Questions and Answers Brochure
180
National Survey of the
 

Mining Population
 

Questions and
 

Answers
 

Sponsored by the
 

National Institute for Occupational
 

Safety and Health (NIOSH)
 

Pittsburgh Research Laboratory
 

P.O. Box 18070
 

Pittsburgh, PA 15236
 

Do I need to report data for all 

employees of our mining operation? 

If you have less than 30 employees at this mining 

operation, we ask you to report for all of them. 

If you have 30 or more employees at this mine, we 

ask you to report data for only a sample of them. 

In order to get good data about the mining 

industry, it is very important that you sample 

accurately. Our aim is to make the sampling of 

employees as simple as possible. Step by step 

instructions are provided in the survey booklet. 

Should I include independent
 

contractors in the
 

employee questions?
 

Contractor information should only be included 

when responding to the mine questions. 

Contractors should not be counted as employees 

when completing the employee questions. Only 

data for mine operator employees should be 

included on the employee questions. 

If the mining operation is being run by your 

company under contract to the owner, report for 

your employees but exclude workers associated 

with other independent contractors. 

How long will the survey take? 

Although this varies by mining operation, on 

average it will take 120 minutes to complete the 

survey. This includes obtaining information from 

personnel records, and should take less time for 

smaller mines. 

For further information on the purpose of 

this survey, please contact: 

Linda McWilliams
 

Project Director
 

NIOSH, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory

P.O. Box 18070
 

626 Cochrans Mill Road
 

Building 01

Pittsburgh, PA 15236
 

(412) 386-6116

E-mail: LMcWilliams@cdc.gov
 

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/statistics/survey.htm 

For further information on how to fill out 

the questionnaire, please contact: 

Westat
 

Attn: National Mining Survey

1650 Research Boulevard
 

Room TC-1046F
 

Rockville, MD 20850
 

(888) 814-4707
 

181
Why is this survey being done? 

The mission of the National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is 

working to improve the safety and health of 

American workers. As part of this effort, 

NIOSH/Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL) is 

collecting demographic and other data on the mining 

industry. 

Since 1986, there has been little research on the 

demographics of the mining labor force, such as 

age, gender, job title, languages used, educational 

attainment, race, ethnicity, and years of mining 

experience. These data are needed to understand 

the risk of work-related injuries, disease, and 

fatalities and to customize safety and health 

interventions for specific groups of the mining 

industry. These data can also be used to learn 

more about the underlying causes of work-related 

incidents and to identify ways to reduce their 

occurrence. 

NIOSH/PRL is sponsoring this survey of mining 

operations and their employees to fill this data gap. 

Our main objectives are to: 

 collect basic information about mining 

operations; 

 establish the demographic and occupational 

characteristics of mine operator employees for 

each mining commodity (i.e., coal, metal, 

nonmetal, stone, and sand and gravel); and 

 estimate the number of independent 

contractor employees used by mining 

operations and their occupational 

characteristics. 

What will the mining industry and 

my mine get out of this survey? 

The ultimate goal of the survey is to minimize and 

prevent work-related injuries and diseases that 

harm miners and reduce productivity. NIOSH will 

use the information you provide to clarify safety 

and health issues and calculate injury rates for 

various occupations. For example, we now know 

how many electricians are reported as injured in 

mine accidents, but we don’t know how many total 

electricians work in the mining industry, in order 

to calculate their injury rates. Once the survey is 

completed, such rates will be available, and 

NIOSH will send you a copy of the final report. 

What data will be collected? 

There are two sets of data being collected: 

 The mine questions include items about the 

mining operation, its use of independent 

contractors, safety, and communication 

measures. 

 The employee questions include 

demographic and occupational questions 

about individual mine employees. 

It is important that you complete both parts of the 

survey. You have the option of completing either 

the survey questionnaire booklet or an Internet 

survey questionnaire. Both versions ask the same 

questions. Instructions to access the Internet 

questionnaire are attached to the cover letter 

included in this mailing. 

Am I required to participate? 

Your participation is voluntary and you may refuse 

to answer any question for any reason. However, 

the participation of each selected mining operation 

is vital to the success of the survey. 

Why was my mining operation 

chosen? 

Your mining operation was randomly selected 

from a list of all mining operations nationwide. 

The sample must represent the diversity of mining 

operations across the Nation. The information you 

provide is essential to obtain an accurate picture of 

the mining industry. 

Who will see my responses? 

Only NIOSH researchers, and researchers from 

Westat, NIOSH’s data collection contractor, will 

see your responses. Both organizations are 

firmly committed to protecting the survey data 

and will not release this information unless 

compelled by law. The answers from all 

participating mines will be published only as 

summarized data so that no single company or 

individual employee can be identified. 

Is it appropriate for me to release 

information about employees 

who work here? 

You will not be reporting the names or other 

identifying information of individual employees. 

The data you provide cannot be linked to any of 

your individual employees. 

182
183

Appendix C. MSHA Form 7000-2: Quarterly Mine Employment and 

Coal Production Report
184
Quarterly Mine Employment 

and Coal Production Report 

(SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON REVERSE SIDE OF COPY 2) 

DOL - MSHA - PEIR - OIEI P.O. Box 25367 Denver, Colorado 80225 - 0367

For Quarter Year 

1. Persons Working, Employee-Hours, and Coal Production 

(1) Operation Sub Unit Code(s) 

prevlously reported: 

Code (2)Average number 

of persons working 

during quarter 

(3) Total employee 

hours worked 

during the quarter 

(4) Production of clean coal 

during quarter, (short 

tons) 

Underground Mine Underground 01 

Surface Shops, Yards, etc. 02 

Surface Mine 

Strip, Open Pit, or Quarry 03 

Auger (Coal Mine Only) (including 

associated shops and yards) 

04 

Culm Bank or Refuse

Pile (Coal Mine Only) 05 

Dredge 06 

Other Surface Mining (Metal/Nonmetal Only) 12 

Independent Shops or Yards 17 Mill Operations, Preparation Plants, or Breakers (include associated shops and yards) 

30 

Office (professional and clerical employees at the mine or plant working in an office) 99 

2. Other Reportable Data 

How many MSHA reportable injuries or illnesses did you have this quarter? 

Person to be contacted regarding this report: 

Name 

Tel. No. ( ) 

area code 

-

Title 

MSHA Form 7000-2, July 97, (revised) OMB Number 1219-000 7 ; Approval Expires Apri 30, 20 11 

Check here if this report is being submi

If any information below is incorrect, pl

County: Operation Name: Operating Company Name and Mailing 

County 

MSHA ID Number 

Operation Na

Operating Company Name an

Copy 1 - Return to MS
 

 

 

 

 

 

 Quarterly Mine Employment 

 and Coal Production Report 

U.S. Department of Labor

Mine Safety and Health Administration 

 

OBM Control Number 1219-0007; Approval Expires April 30, 2011

 This report is required by law (30 U.S.C. subsection 813; 30 C.F.R. Part 50). Failure to report may result in the issuance of a 

citation or order under 30 U.S.C. subsection 814 to an operator of a coal or other mine, the assessment of a civil penalty 

against an operator of a coal or other mine under 30 U.S.C. subsection 820(a), and the institution of a civil action under 30 U.S. 

C. subsection 818. An individual who knowingly makes a false statement in any report shall, upon conviction, be punished by a 

fine of not more than $10,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both, under 30 U.S.C. subsection 820(f). 

Whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States knowingly and willfully falsifies, 

conceals or covers up by any trick scheme, or device, a material fact, or makes or uses any false writing or document knowing 

the same to contain any false, fictitous or fraudulent statement or entry, shall be fined under 18 U. S. C. or imprisioned not 

more than five years, or both, under 18 U. S. C. subsection 1001. 

 

 

 

 Important: (INSTRUCTIONS) 

This form must be completed and mailed or faxed within 15 days after the end of each calendar quarter.

 1. Fill out this form as completely as possible and return Copy 1 of this report to:

 MSHA

 PEIR - Office of Injury and Employment Information OR You may FAX Copy 1 to Fax # 1- 888 - 231 - 5515

 P.O. BOX 25367


 Denver, CO 80225-0367 


2. If it is necessary to make any address changes, indicate correct information on this form.

 3. When pre-addressed, this form is only for the operation with I. D. number as shown. Do not use for any other 

operation.

 4. Sand and Gravel operators report employment data under code 03 or 06 as appropriate, except for data on office 

 workers which should be reported under code 99.

 5. All mine operators and independent contractors reporting as required by 30 C.F.R. Part 50, should show persons 

 working and employee hours worked; those producing coal should also show production date.

 6. Independent Contractors should complete quarterly only one form for activities at all coal locations, and one 

 form for activities at metal and nonmetal locations. 

The public reporting burden for this collection of Information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing 

 instructions, searching existing date sources, gathering and maintaining the date needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of Information. 

 Send comments regarding this estimated response time or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this 

 burden, to Mine Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209-3939.

 Persons are not required to respond to this collection of information unless this form displays a currently valid OMB control number.

 MSHA Form 7000-2, July 97 (revised) 

 

 

 

 

 

186
187

Appendix D. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) for Active Mines 

in 2007
188
189

Coal Mining Sector 

Anthracite Coal

Bituminous Coal 

Metal Mining Sector

Alumina (Mill)

Aluminum Ore

Beryl

Chromite

Copper Ore 

Gold (Lode & Placer)

Iron Ore 

Lead and/or Zinc Ore 

Manganese

Metal Ores, NEC

Molybdenum 

Platinum Group 

Rare Earths

Silver Ores

Titanium

Uranium 

Uranium – Vanadium Ores

Vanadium 

Zircon

Nonmetal Mining Sector

Aplite

Barite

Boron Materials

Brucite

Chemical and Fertilizer, NEC 

Clay (Common) 

Clay (Fire)

Clay, Ceramic and Refractory, NEC

Feldspar

Fluorspar 

Gemstones

Gilsonite

Gypsum 

Kyanite

Nonmetal Mining Sector (Cont.)

Leonardite

Magnesite

Mica

Nonmetallic Minerals, NEC

Oil Sand

Oil Shale

Perlite

Phosphate Rock 

Pigment Mineral

Potash

Potash, Soda, & Borate Minerals, NEC 

Pumice

Salt (Evaporated)

Salt (Rock)

Shale (Common) 

Sodium Compounds 

Talc, Soapstone, & Pyrophyllite 

Trona 

Vermiculite

Stone Mining Sector

Cement

Granite (Crushed & Broken) 

Granite (Dimension)

Lime

Limestone (Crushed & Broken) 

Limestone (Dimension)

Marble (Crushed & Broken)

Marble (Dimension) 

Sandstone (Crushed & Broken) 

Sandstone (Dimension) 

Slate (Crushed & Broken)

Slate (Dimension)

Stone, Crushed & Broken, NEC 

Stone, Dimension, NEC 

Traprock (Crushed & Broken)

Traprock (Dimension)

Sand and Gravel Mining Sector

Sand & Gravel

Abbreviation: NEC, not elsewhere classified
190
191

Appendix E. Stratification and Sample Size Guidelines
192
193

Stratification

The cum f rule is often suggested for use in forming strata for surveys of businesses, 

which typically have a large number of small businesses with very few employees and a small 

number of large businesses with quite substantial payrolls [Cochran 1977]. Using this approach, 

strata that have approximately equal sizes in terms of the square root of the size measure are 

established. The cum f

 

rule was used in determining the initial size-based strata for each 

mining sector with an assumption of about 4–5 strata per sector for underground mines and for 

surface mines. Except for sand and gravel mines, the large mines account for 25 percent or more 

of total employment. These initial stratum definitions for each commodity varied somewhat 

across mining sectors but were similar.

The next step in stratum formation was to recognize that data from the five mining 

sectors would be combined to study mining as a whole. Using common definitions for strata 

across the five sectors facilitated these combined analyses. The initial stratum definitions were 

compared to determine a common stratification approach. The stratum definitions that met the 

needs for all five commodities were formed by the cross of underground versus surface mines 

with these size groupings of employees: 1–9, 10–25, 26–50, 51–75, 76–100, 101–250, and 251 

and up. 

Sample Size

To determine the stratum sample sizes, the precision of percentage estimates under 

various sample sizes was considered. Table E-1 presents the half-length of confidence intervals 

around an estimated percentage Pˆ under various sample size and design effects and assuming 

large population sizes. For this table, the confidence interval was approximated for design 

purposes as: 

Pˆ ± z1-α Var(Pˆ) (1) 

Here z1-α is the value of the critical point x at which the normal cumulative distribution 

function equals 1-α, and Var(Pˆ) is the variance of Pˆ . The half-length HL is:

HL = z1-α Var(Pˆ) (2) 

That is, Pˆ can be expected to fall within the range [P−HL, P+HL] with 95 percent 

confidence for the indicated sample sizes. 

To determine these half-lengths of confidence intervals, there is a need to estimate the 

variance of the estimated percentage Pˆ . Ignoring finite population correction factors, Table E-1 

models the variance for an estimated percentage Pˆ as:
194

DEFF

n

) P - ( P = )P( Var 100 ˆ (3) 

where n is the sample size, P is the percentage being estimated, and DEFF is the design effect. 

The design effect for a survey estimate is defined to be the ratio of the statistic under the actual 

design divided by the variance that would have been achieved from a simple random sample of 

the same size. The design effect represents the cumulative effect of design components such as 

stratification, unequal weighting, and clustering, and varies with each design. The design effects 

for this survey were estimated to be about 1.00 for mine-level and employee-level estimates 

within strata. Crosscutting estimates were likely to have larger design effects, particularly for 

employee-level estimates. The design effect differs from 1.00 for the crosscutting estimates due 

to the variation in sampling rates used across strata. Fortunately, these crosscutting estimates 

often have large sampler sizes due to combining samples across strata.

Sample sizes were set with the guideline that the precision for stratum estimates was 

constrained as that shown for sample sizes of 100 in Table E-1. Some mine strata have very 

small population sizes and some mining sectors are small overall. In such situations, the variance 

as given in equation (3) is reduced by the factor(N − n)/(N −1) , where n is the sample size and 

N is the population size. Rather than create versions of Table E-1 for all possible population 

sizes, finite-population-corrected (fpc) sample sizes were developed. An actual sample size of n

for a population of size N is equivalent to the precision achieved with a sample size of n(N −1) n′ = N − n

from a population so large that fpc effects are ignorable. Initial sample sizes were set for each 

stratum so that the finite-population-corrected sample size was about 100 and then inflated to 

account for a projected 80 percent response rate. These initial sample sizes were then adjusted to 

prevent excessive variations in the sampling rates across strata for mines and for employees.

Besides the number of mines selected, the employee sample size is affected by the 

eligibility and response rates for mines and the average number of employees sampled per mine. 

The average number of employees sampled per mine would be about 20 except for the smallest 

stratum where approximately 5 employees would tend to be sampled. It was assumed that 80 

percent of all eligible mines would respond, providing both mine-level and employee-level data. 

For sample design purposes, the assumption was made that a variable percentage of mines would 

be eligible for the survey, depending upon employment size. An eligibility rate of 85 percent was 

assumed for mines with 1–9 employees. These mines are most likely to shut down operations or 

go out of business. An eligibility rate of 90 percent was assumed for mines with 10–50 

employees, and 95 percent for mines with 51–100 employees. For very large mines with 

employment of more than 100, an eligibility rate of 99 percent was assumed, as they should be 

most stable in terms of their operations.

In designing the commodity samples, an effort was made to minimize the design effects 

for mine-level and employee-level analyses. In particular, the goal was to achieve design effects 

of 1.0 for within-stratum estimates and design effects of 2.0 or less for crosscutting estimates. 

Following standard practice, the design effect DEFF was modeled as the product of the design 

effect associated with unequal weighting Dw and the design effect for clustering Dc, that is 
195

DEFF = Dw *Dc . A simple random sample has both design effect components equal to one—

therefore DEFF=1.

Both mine-level and employee-level estimates could potentially be subject to an unequal 

weighting effect greater than one, particularly for crosscutting estimates that combine data from 

multiple strata. The design effect for unequal weighting can be estimated as:

2

1

1

2





 





=

∑

∑

=

=

n

i

i

n

i

i

w

W

Wn

D (4) 

where n is the total sample size and Wi is the weight for the i

th observation. When the weights 

(the inverse of the selection probabilities) are equal for all selections, Dw = 1. For mines, Dw = 1 

within all strata for the proposed designs and was often only slightly greater than one across 

strata. For employees, Dw = 1 except for the two largest strata that collapsed employee size 

categories. These strata tended to have all mines selected with certainty, so the only way to 

reduce Dw was to increase the number of employees sampled per mine from 25 to 50. Adjusting 

the sample size for the very large mines could even out the employee-level weights within these 

strata and across strata. However, the increase in employee sample size also increased the burden 

for the mine respondent and increased the design effect for clustering. 

The design effect associated with clustering measures the loss of precision of a clustered 

sample as compared with a simple random sample. Clustered samples tend to have less precision 

than simple random samples of the same size, because units within the same cluster usually are 

more homogeneous than units from different clusters. The design effect for clustering can be 

estimated as:

 D b −+= )1(1 c ρ (5) 

where ρ is the intracluster correlation coefficient and b is the cluster size. Because stratified 

simple random sampling would be used to select mines, the mines would not be clustered (b = 1) 

and mine-level estimates would not be subject to a clustering effect (Dc = 1). However, multiple 

employees would be selected from each mine, so employee-level estimates would be subject to a 

design effect due to clustering. For the purpose of modeling the clustering design effect, it was 

assumed that variable values for ρ be based upon the size of the mine. Employees within small 

mines with 1 to 50 employees were expected to be more homogeneous, so a value of ρ = 5 

percent was assumed. Medium size mines were assumed to be less homogeneous, so a value of 

ρ = 3 percent was assumed. Large mines with more than 100 employees were expected to be 

quite diverse, so a value of ρ = 1 percent was assumed. A value of ρ = 3 percent was assumed for 

estimates compiled across strata.
196

Table E-1. Half-Length of 95% Confidence Intervals in Percentage Points for Various 

Percentages Being Estimated for Domains of Various Sizes with Various Design Effects

 

 

 

 

DEFF P 50 75 100 150 200 250 350 400 500

1.00 10 8 7 6 5 4 4 3 3 3

1.00 20 11 9 8 6 6 5 4 4 4

1.00 25 12 10 8 7 6 5 5 4 4

1.00 30 13 10 9 7 6 6 5 4 4

1.00 40 14 11 10 8 7 6 5 5 4

1.00 50 14 11 10 8 7 6 5 5 4

1.25 10 9 8 7 5 5 4 4 3 3

1.25 20 12 10 9 7 6 6 5 4 4

1.25 25 13 11 9 8 7 6 5 5 4

1.25 30 14 12 10 8 7 6 5 5 4

1.25 40 15 12 11 9 8 7 6 5 5

1.25 50 15 13 11 9 8 7 6 5 5

1.50 10 10 8 7 6 5 5 4 4 3

1.50 20 14 11 10 8 7 6 5 5 4

1.50 25 15 12 10 8 7 7 6 5 5

1.50 30 16 13 11 9 8 7 6 6 5

1.50 40 17 14 12 10 8 7 6 6 5

1.50 50 17 14 12 10 8 8 6 6 5

2.00 10 12 10 8 7 6 5 4 4 4

2.00 20 16 13 11 9 8 7 6 6 5

2.00 25 17 14 12 10 8 8 6 6 5

2.00 30 18 15 13 10 9 8 7 6 6

2.00 40 19 16 14 11 10 9 7 7 6

2.00 50 20 16 14 11 10 9 7 7 6

3.00 10 12 10 8 7 6 5 4 4 4

3.00 20 16 13 11 9 8 7 6 6 5

3.00 25 17 14 12 10 8 8 6 6 5

3.00 30 18 15 13 10 9 8 7 6 6

3.00 40 19 16 14 11 10 9 7 7 6

3.00 50 20 16 14 11 10 9 7 7 6
197

Appendix F. Sample Size Allocation Using MSHA Data from the 

Second Quarter of 2002
198
199

Table F-1. Sample Allocation for Underground Coal Mines

Stratum

Number 

of 

Mines

Percentage

of Total 

Mines

Percentage

of Total 

Employees

Responding 

Eligible 

Mines

Number of 

Employees

Sample 

Mines

Eligibility 

Rate

Response 

Rate

1–9 102 19% 461 1% 56 85% 80% 38

10–25 149 27% 2,589 7% 68 90% 80% 49

26–50 146 26% 5,206 15% 67 90% 80% 48

51–75 49 9% 3,098 9% 35 95% 80% 27

76–100 22 4% 1,917 5% 22 95% 80% 17

101–250 49 9% 8,301 24% 49 99% 80% 39

251+ 34 6% 13,477 38% 34 99% 80% 27

Total 551 100% 35,049 100% 331 244

Stratum

Employees 

Sampled 

Per Mine

Total 

Sample 

Employees

Nonresponse 

Adjusted 

Mine Weight

Average 

Employee 

Weight

Mine 

DEFF

Employee 

Dw

Employee 

ρ

Employee 

Dc

Employee 

DEFF

1–9 5 172 2.3 2.3 1.0 1.0 5% 1.2 1.2

10–25 17 851 2.7 2.7 1.0 1.0 5% 1.8 1.8

26–50 18 860 2.7 5.4 1.0 1.0 5% 1.8 1.8

51–75 21 561 1.8 5.3 1.0 1.0 3% 1.6 1.6

76–100 22 364 1.3 5.0 1.0 1.0 3% 1.6 1.6

101–250 23 908 1.3 9.1 1.0 1.0 1% 1.2 1.3

251+ 24 651 1.3 20.5 1.0 1.1 1% 1.2 1.3

Total 4,366 1.1 1.6 3% 1.5 2.5
200

Table F-2. Sample Allocation for Surface Coal Mines

Stratum

Number 

of 

Mines

Percentage

of Total 

Mines

Percentage

of Total 

Employees

Responding 

Eligible 

Mines

Number of 

Employees

Sample 

Mines

Eligibility 

Rate

Response 

Rate

1–9 518 46% 2,193 6% 101 85% 80% 69

10–25 252 23% 4,166 12% 84 90% 80% 60

26–50 188 17% 6,860 19% 75 90% 80% 54

51–75 58 5% 3,500 10% 36 95% 80% 27

76–100 24 2% 2,068 6% 20 95% 80% 15

101–250 52 5% 8,114 23% 52 99% 80% 41

251+ 23 2% 8,823 25% 23 99% 80% 18

Total 1,115 100% 35,724 100% 391 285

Stratum

Employees 

Sampled 

Per Mine

Total 

Sample 

Employees

Nonresponse 

Adjusted 

Mine Weight

Average 

Employee 

Weight

Mine 

DEFF

Employee 

Dw

Employee 

ρ

Employee 

Dc

Employee 

DEFF

1–9 4 291 6.4 6.4 1.0 1.0 5% 1.2 1.2

10–25 17 1,000 3.8 3.8 1.0 1.0 5% 1.8 1.8

26–50 18 985 3.1 6.3 1.0 1.0 5% 1.9 1.9

51–-75 20 550 2.0 6.0 1.0 1.0 3% 1.6 1.6

76–100 22 327 1.5 6.0 1.0 1.0 3% 1.6 1.6

101–250 23 935 1.3 8.6 1.0 1.1 1% 1.2 1.3

251+ 25 461 1.3 19.0 1.0 1.1 1% 1.2 1.4

Total 4,549 1.3 1.4 5% 1.7 2.4
201

Table F-3. Sample Allocation for Underground Metal Mines

Stratum

Number 

of 

Mines

Percentage

of Total 

Mines

Percentage

of Total 

Employees

Responding 

Eligible 

Mines

Number of 

Employees

Sample 

Mines

Eligibility 

Rate

Response 

Rate

1–9 18 35% 92 2% 18 85% 80% 12

10–25 7 14% 123 2% 7 90% 80% 5

26–50 4 8% 171 3% 4 90% 80% 3

51–75 2 4% 125 2% 2 95% 80% 2

76–100 3 6% 264 5% 3 95% 80% 2

101–250 12 24% 1,844 36% 12 99% 80% 10

251+ 5 10% 2,476 49% 5 99% 80% 4

Total 51 100% 5,095 100% 51 37

Stratum

Employees 

Sampled 

Per Mine

Total 

Sample 

Employees

Nonresponse 

Adjusted 

Mine Weight

Average 

Employee 

Weight

Mine 

DEFF

Employee 

Dw

Employee 

ρ

Employee 

Dc

Employee 

DEFF

1–9 5 63 1.3 1.3 1.0 1.0 5% 1.2 1.2

10–25 18 89 1.3 1.3 1.0 1.0 5% 1.8 1.8

26–50 21 62 1.3 2.5 1.0 1.0 5% 2.0 2.0

51–75 21 32 1.3 3.8 1.0 1.0 3% 1.6 1.6

76–100 22 50 1.3 5.0 1.0 1.0 3% 1.6 1.6

101–250 23 222 1.3 8.2 1.0 1.1 1% 1.2 1.3

251+ 24 96 1.3 25.4 1.0 1.4 1% 1.2 1.7

Total 613 1.0 2.5 3% 1.5 3.7
202

Table F-4. Sample Allocation for Surface Metal Mines

Number 

of 

Stratum Mines

1–9 54

Percentage

of Total 

Mines

Percentage

of Total 

Employees

Responding 

Eligible 

Mines

Number of 

Employees

Sample 

Mines

Eligibility 

Rate

Response 

Rate

34% 235 1% 54 85% 80% 37

10–25 27 17% 438 2% 27 90% 80% 19

26–50 10 6% 356 2% 10 90% 80% 7

51–75 9 6% 591 3% 9 95% 80% 7

76–100 12 7% 1,094 5% 12 95% 80% 9

101–250 19 12% 2,959 13% 19 99% 80% 15

251+

Total

30

161

19%

100%

17,703

23,376

76%

100%

30 99%

161

80% 24

118

Stratum

Employees 

Sampled 

Per Mine

Total 

Sample 

Employees

Nonresponse 

Adjusted 

Mine Weight

Average 

Employee 

Weight

Mine 

DEFF

Employee 

Dw

Employee 

ρ

Employee 

Dc

Employee 

DEFF

1–9 4 160 1.3 1.3 1.0 1.0 5% 1.2 1.2

10–25 16 315 1.3 1.3 1.0 1.0 5% 1.8 1.8

26–50 18 128 1.3 2.5 1.0 1.0 5% 1.8 1.8

51–75 22 150 1.3 3.8 1.0 1.0 3% 1.6 1.6

76–100 23 208 1.3 5.0 1.0 1.0 3% 1.7 1.7

101–250 23 344 1.3 8.5 1.0 1.1 1% 1.2 1.3

251+ 24 581 1.3 30.2 1.0 1.4 1% 1.2 1.7

Total 1,886 1.0 2.7 3% 1.4 3.9
203

Table F-5. Sample Allocation for Underground Nonmetal Mines

Stratum

Number 

of 

Mines

Percentage

of Total 

Mines

Percentage

of Total 

Employees

Responding 

Eligible 

Mines

Number of 

Employees

Sample 

Mines

Eligibility 

Rate

Response 

Rate

1–9 12 29% 50 1% 12 85% 80% 8

10–25 2 5% 38 1% 2 90% 80% 1

26–50 8 20% 290 6% 8 90% 80% 6

51–75 4 10% 232 5% 4 95% 80% 3

76–100 1 2% 80 2% 1 95% 80% 1

101–250 9 22% 1,634 34% 9 99% 80% 7

251+ 5 12% 2,431 51% 5 99% 80% 4

Total 41 100% 4,755 100% 41 30

Stratum

Employees 

Sampled 

Per Mine

Total 

Sample 

Employees

Nonresponse 

Adjusted 

Mine Weight

Average 

Employee 

Weight

Mine 

DEFF

Employee 

Dw

Employee 

ρ

Employee 

Dc

Employee 

DEFF

1–9 4 34 1.25 1.3 1.0 1.00 5% 1.2 1.2

10–25 19 27 1.25 1.3 1.0 1.00 5% 1.9 1.9

26–50 18 104 1.25 2.5 1.0 1.00 5% 1.9 1.9

51–75 19 59 1.25 3.8 1.0 1.00 3% 1.6 1.6

76–100 20 15 1.25 5.0 1.0 1.00 3% 1.6 1.6

101–250 24 169 1.25 9.6 1.0 1.03 1% 1.2 1.3

251+ 24 96 1.25 25.1 1.0 1.26 1% 1.2 1.5

Total 504 1.0 2.18 3% 1.1 2.4
204

Table F-6. Sample Allocation for Surface Nonmetal Mines

Stratum

Number 

of 

Mines

Percentage

of Total 

Mines

Percentage

of Total 

Employees

Responding 

Eligible 

Mines

Number of 

Employees

Sample 

Mines

Eligibility 

Rate

Response 

Rate

1–9 347 53% 1,454 8% 92 85% 80% 63

10–25 136 21% 2,094 12% 65 90% 80% 47

26–50 73 11% 2,768 15% 46 90% 80% 33

51–75 45 7% 2,799 16% 34 95% 80% 26

76–100 14 2% 1,191 7% 14 99% 80% 11

101–250 25 4% 3,790 21% 25 99% 80% 20

251+ 10 2% 3,785 21% 10 99% 80% 8

Total 650 100% 17,881 100% 286 207

Employees 

Sampled 

Per Mine

Total 

Sample 

Employees

Nonresponse 

Adjusted 

Mine Weight

Average 

Employee 

Weight

Mine 

DEFF

Employee 

Dw

Employee 

ρ

Employee 

Dc

Employee 

Stratum DEFF

1–9 4 262 4.71 4.7 1.0 1.00 5% 1.2 1.2

10–25 15 721 2.62 2.6 1.0 1.00 5% 1.7 1.7

26–50 19 628 1.98 4.0 1.0 1.00 5% 1.9 1.9

51–75 21 536 1.65 5.0 1.0 1.00 3% 1.6 1.6

76–100 21 236 1.25 5.0 1.0 1.00 3% 1.6 1.6

101–250 23 450 1.25 8.3 1.0 1.04 1% 1.2 1.3

251+ 24 191 1.25 19.6 1.0 1.15 1% 1.2 1.4

Total 3,023 1.2 1.65 3% 1.0 1.6
205

Table F-7. Sample Allocation for Underground Stone Mines

Stratum

Number 

of 

Mines

Percentage

of Total 

Mines

Percentage

of Total 

Employees

Responding 

Eligible 

Mines

Number of 

Employees

Sample 

Mines

Eligibility 

Rate

Response 

Rate

1–9 20 18% 102 3% 20 85% 80% 14

10–25 48 43% 766 22% 35 90% 80% 25

26–50 28 25% 955 27% 23 90% 80% 17

51–75 10 9% 610 17% 10 95% 80% 8

76–100 1 1% 91 3% 1 95% 80% 1

101–250 3 3% 377 11% 3 99% 80% 2

251+ 1 1% 637 18% 1 99% 80% 1

Total 111 100% 3,538 100% 93 67

Stratum

Employees 

Sampled 

Per Mine

Total 

Sample 

Employees

Nonresponse 

Adjusted 

Mine Weight

Average 

Employee 

Weight

Mine 

DEFF

Employee 

Dw

Employee 

ρ

Employee 

Dc

Employee 

DEFF

1–9 5 69 1.3 1.3 1.0 1.000 5% 1.2 1.2

10–25 16 402 1.7 1.7 1.0 1.000 5% 1.7 1.7

26–50 17 282 1.5 3.0 1.0 1.000 5% 1.8 1.8

51–75 20 155 1.3 3.8 1.0 1.000 3% 1.6 1.6

76–100 23 17 1.3 5.0 1.0 1.000 3% 1.7 1.7

101–250 22 53 1.3 7.1 1.0 1.007 1% 1.2 1.2

251+ 25 19 1.3 32.5 1.0 1.000 1% 1.2 1.2

Total 998 1.0 2.710 3% 1.0 2.6
206

Table F-8. Sample Allocation for Surface Stone Mines

Stratum

Number 

of 

Mines

Percentage

of Total 

Mines

Percentage

of Total 

Employees

Responding 

Eligible 

Mines

Number of 

Employees

Sample 

Mines

Eligibility 

Rate

Response 

Rate

1–9 1,698 46% 8,067 11% 116 85% 80% 79

10–25 1,304 35% 20,497 28% 114 90% 80% 82

26–50 402 11% 13,862 19% 95 90% 80% 68

51–75 104 3% 6,356 9% 51 95% 80% 39

76–100 54 1% 4,704 6% 35 95% 80% 27

101–250 124 3% 17,528 24% 62 99% 80% 49

251+ 6 0% 1,796 2% 6 99% 80% 5

Total 3,692 100% 72,810 100% 479 349

Stratum

Employees 

Sampled 

Per Mine

Total 

Sample 

Employees

Nonresponse 

Adjusted 

Mine Weight

Average 

Employee 

Weight

Mine 

DEFF

Employee 

Dw

Employee 

ρ

Employee 

Dc

Employee 

DEFF

1–9 5 375 18.3 18.3 1.0 1.000 5% 1.2 1.2

10–25 16 1,290 14.3 14.3 1.0 1.000 5% 1.7 1.7

26–50 17 1,179 5.3 10.6 1.0 1.000 5% 1.8 1.8

51–75 20 790 2.5 7.6 1.0 1.000 3% 1.6 1.6

76–100 22 579 1.9 7.7 1.0 1.000 3% 1.6 1.6

101–250 23 1,126 2.5 15.4 1.0 1.046 1% 1.2 1.3

251+ 24 114 1.3 15.7 1.0 1.028 1% 1.2 1.3

Total 5,453 1.5 1.092 3% 1.0 1.1
207

Table F-9. Sample Allocation for Sand and Gravel Mines

Stratum

Number 

of 

Mines

Percentage

of Total 

Mines

Responding 

Eligible 

Mines

Number of 

Employees

Percentage

of Total 

Employees

Sample 

Mines

Eligibility 

Rate

Response 

Rate

1–3 2,589 42.6% 5,504 13.3% 119 85% 80% 81

4–6 1,572 25.9% 7,570 18.4% 80 85% 80% 54

7–9 748 12.3% 5,872 14.2% 37 85% 80% 25

10–25 963 15.9% 13,995 33.9% 110 90% 80% 79

26–50 168 2.8% 5,743 13.9% 70 95% 80% 53

51–75 27 0.4% 1,607 3.9% 16 95% 80% 12

76–100 3 0.0% 264 0.6% 3 99% 80% 2

101–250 4 0.1% 683 1.7% 4 99% 80% 3

251+ 0 0.0% 0 0.0% --- --- --- ---

Total 6,074 100.0% 41,238 100% 439 311

Stratum

Employees 

Sampled 

Per Mine

Total 

Sample 

Employees

Nonresponse 

Adjusted 

Mine Weight

Average 

Employee 

Weight

Mine 

DEFF

Employee 

Dw

Employee 

ρ

Employee 

Dc

Employee 

DEFF

1–3 2 172 27 27 1.00 1.00 5% 1.1 1.06

4–6 5 262 25 25 1.00 1.00 5% 1.2 1.19

7–9 8 198 25 25 1.00 1.00 5% 1.3 1.34

10–25 15 1,151 11 11 1.00 1.00 5% 1.7 1.68

26–50 17 909 3 6 1.00 1.00 5% 1.8 1.80

51–75 20 241 2 6 1.00 1.00 3% 1.6 1.57

76–100 22 52 1 5 1.00 1.00 3% 1.6 1.63

101–250 24 75 1 9 1.00 1.01 1% 1.2 1.24

251+ --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Total 3,060 1.35 1.37 5% 1.0 1.30
208
209

Appendix G. Critical Items from the Questionnaire
210
211

National Survey of the Mining Population.

Final List of Critical Items

October 31, 2008 

Question Number Variable Name

M1a EMP_TRAIN_REF

M1b EMP_TRAIN_INEXP

M1c EMP_TRAIN_EXP

M10 LANG_NON_ENG

M11 MATS_NON_ENG

M14 ADD_MATS_NON_ENG

M16aa PROD_WORKERS

SCH_DAYS_PROD

M16ab SCH_HOURS_PROD

M16ac ACT_HOURS_PROD

M16ad CH_SHIFTS_PROD

M16ae TRAV_HOURS_PROD 

TRAV_MINUTES_PROD

M16ba PROD_SUP_WORKERS 

SCH_DAYS_PROD_SUP

M16bb SCH_HOURS_PROD_SUP

M16bc ACT_HOURS_PROD_SUP

M16bd CH_SHIFTS_PROD_SUP

M16be TRAV_HOURS_PROD_SUP

TRAV_MINUTES_PROD_SUP

M16ca PREP_WORKERS

SCH_DAYS_PREP

M16cb SCH_HOURS_PREP

M16cc ACT_HOURS_PREP

M17a PROD_WORKERS

SHIFTS_DAY_PROD
212

Question Number Variable Name

M17b PROD_SUP_WORKERS 

SHIFTS_DAY_PROD_SUP

M17c PREP_WORKERS

SHIFTS_DAY_PREP

M23a USE_CONT_DEVELOP

M23b USE_CONT_CONST

M23c USE_CONT_DEMO

M23d USE_CONT_DAMS

M23e USE_CONT_EXCAV

M23f USE_CONT_EQUIP

M23g USE_CONT_EQUIP_SRV

M23h USE_CONT_MATERIAL

M23i USE_CONT_DRILL

M23j USE_CONT_PROD

M23k USE_CONT_MINERAL

M23l USE_CONT_OTHER

M24a NUM_CONT_DEVELOP

M24b NUM_CONT_CONST

M24c NUM_CONT_DEMO

M24d NUM_CONT_DAMS

M24e NUM_CONT_EXCAV

M24f NUM_CONT_EQUIP

M24g NUM_CONT_EQUIP_SRV

M24h NUM_CONT_MATERIAL

M24i NUM_CONT_DRILL

M24j NUM_CONT_PROD

M24k NUM_CONT_MINERAL

M24l NUM_CONT_OTHER

Step3 TOTAL_NUMBER
213

Question Number Variable Name

E2 JOB_TITLE

E3,

E4, or 

E5

TITLE_EXP_MNTHS

TITLE_EXP_YRS

THIS_MINE_MNTHS

THIS_MINE_YRS

TOTAL_MINE_MNTHS

TOTAL_MINE_YRS

E7 WORK_LOCATE

E8 GENDER

E9 or LATINO

E10

RACE_INDIAN

RACE_ASIAN

RACE_BLACK RACE_HAWAIIAN 

RACE_WHITE
214
215

Appendix H. Job Titles as Submitted by Survey Respondents 
216
217

2nd Floor Operator (Froth Cells) 

3rd Stationary Equipment Floor SEO 

Operator

777 Operator 

7820 Operator 

ABMO Operator

AC Mill/Screen 3 Operator

Accountant 

Accountant 3 Mine Ops 

Accountant Operations Technician

Accounting AP-AR

Accounting Assistant 

Accounting Associate

Accounting Associate, Senior 

Accounting Clerk

Accounting Clerk & HR 

Accounting Coordinator 

Accounting Manager 

Accounting Specialist

Acting CCD Manager

Additive Press Operator

Additives Utilityman

Administration

Administration Accounting 

Administration Assistant

Administration Technician

Administrative

Administrative Assistant

Administrative Assistant I

Administrative Assistant Coordinator 

Administrative Clerk

Administrative Coordinator 

Administrative Lead Man

Administrative Manager

Administrative Office Plant 3

Administrative Office Plant 4

Administrative Secretary

Administrative Services Manager

Administrative Specialist

Administrative Superintendent 

Administrative Support 

Administrative Technician

Administrator

Administrator III

Advanced Operator

Aggregate Area Manager

Aggregate Plant Laborer 

Aggregate Plant Mechanic

Aggregate Welder

A-Helper

Airplane Pilot

A/P Clerk

Apprentice 

A/R/Dispatch

Area Leader

Area Manager

Area Production Manager 

Assay Lab Technician V

Assayer

Assistant Accounts Payable 

Assistant Aggregate Mechanic

Assistant Asphalt Plant Operator

Assistant Belt Coordinator 

Assistant Filter Evaporation Operator

Assistant Foreman

Assistant Manager

Assistant Mechanic

Assistant Mine Foreman

Assistant Mine Supervisor 

Assistant Office Manager

Assistant Operation Manager

Assistant Plant Manager

Assistant Plant Operator

Assistant Preventative Maintenance 

Engineer 

Assistant Shift Manager

Assistant Superintendent 

Assistant Supervisor 

Auger Crew Operator 

Auger Crew Supervisor 

Auger Operator

Auto Bagger 
218

Automation Engineer 

Automation Process Engineer 

Automotive Mechanic/Standard

Automotive Repairman

Automotive Serviceman—Hostler

Backhoe Operator

Bag Crew

Bag Handler

Bagged Car Loader

Bagger

Bagger 50-lb

Bagger/Labor 

Bagger/Operator

Bagger/Sealer

Bagging and Quality Control 

Bagging/Loading 

Bagging Facility Foreman

Bagging Laborer

Bagging Operator

Bagging Operator Supervisor 

Bagging Supervisor 

Baghouse Supervisor 

Ball Mill Operator

Barge Controller 

Barge Loader

Barge Tender

Batch Plant Operator

Bathhouse/Yard

Belo Man

Belt Attendant

Belt Cleaner

Belt Crew

Belt Crew Foreman

Belt Examiner

Belt Foreman

Belt Maintenance

Belt Man

Belt Mechanic

Belt Operator

Belt Patrolman

Belt Piler

Belt Press Operator

Belt Repairman

Belt Tender

Belt Walker Examiner

Belt Worker

Belts

Belts Electrician

Belts General Labor

Beneficiator

Benefits Administrator

Big Bagger Lead Operator

Bin Puller

Bin Tender 

Bin Truck Driver 

Blade Operator

Blaster

Blaster Helper

Blaster/Primary Operator

Blasting

Blasting Assistant

Blasting Supervisor 

Block Press Operator

Block Sawyer

Blunging Operator

Blunging Operator 1 

Blunging Operator 4 

Boat Operator 

Boat Pilot

Bob Cat Operator 

Bobcat

Bobcat Operator

Bobcat & Stone Cutter 

Boiler/Coating Operator

Boiler Operator

Boiler Plant Operator

Boilermaker

Boilermaker/Welder

Bolter

Bolter Operator

Bookkeeper 

Bookkeeper/Accounts Manager

Boss

Bratticeman

Breaker Operator

Bridge Operator
219

Buggy Runner 

Buggy/Shuttle Car

Bulk Loader

Bull Cook 

Bulldozer Operator 

Burner 

Burner Operator 

Business Manager

Buyer

Buyer/Coordinator II

Buying Associate

Calcine Big Bagger Lead Operator

Calcine Operator

Calcine Operator 1

Calciner

Car Operator

Carpenter

Carpenter/Painter

Cat Operator

Cedar Rapids Operator 

Cement Regional Sales Manager

Central Control Operator 

CEO

CEO/President

Certified Welder

Chief Chemist

Chief Clerk

Chief Electrician

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Mechanic

Chief Mechanic/Electrician

Chief Metallurgist

Chief Mine Engineer

Chute Puller 

CKD Dust Truck Operator 

Classification/Operator Sandgrinder 

Clay Operator 

Cleanup Man

Clerk

Clerk II

Clerk Scale

Clerk/Scale I

Clerk Scale III

CM Operator

CM Unit Operator IV 

CMMS Planner

Coal Cleaner

Coal Distribution Coordinator 

Coal Handling Manager

Coal Hauler

Coal Hauler Operator

Coal Miner

Coal Sampler

Coal Testing

Coal Unloader 

Communications Supervisor 

Concentrator Supervisor 

Concrete Man

Console Operator 

Construction Crew 

Construction Equipment Operator 

Continuous Miner 

Continuous Miner Operator 

Control Analyst 

Control Person 

Control Room 

Control Room Electrician

Control Room Operator 

Control Room Supervisor 

Controller 

Conveyor Man 

Conveyor Operator

Conveyor Technician

Cook 

Co-op Student 

Coordinator 

Coordinator Financial Reporting and 

Controls 

Cost Coordinator 

Cowles Operator

Craftsman A

Craftsman C

Crane Operator

Crane Operator/Truck Driver

Crew Foreman

Crew Leader—Surface
220

Crude Clay Controller 

Crude Lab Technician

Crude Ore Loader

Crude Pile Operator

Crude Prep

Crush & Convey Mechanic 

Crush Operator 

Crusher 

Crusher Attendant 

Crusher Foreman

Crusher Foreperson

Crusher Helper 

Crusher Helper III

Crusher Laborer

Crusher/Loader Operator 

Crusher Maintenance

Crusher Man

Crusher Operator 

Crusher Operator Technician V 

Crusher Plant 

Crusher Plant Operator 

Crusher Repairman

Crusher Rock Loader 

Crusher Supervisor 

Crusher Technician

Crusher—Telsmith Operator

Crusher Utility Person

Crusher Worker 

Crushing Foreman 

Crushing Leader

Crushing Plant Loader 

Crushing Plant Operator

Crushing Supervisor 

CS

Ctrl/Electrical Systems Integrator

Curb Cutter 

Curb Shed Foreman/Curb Cutter 

Curtain Man

Customer Loader

Customer Loader Operator

Customer Service

Customer Service Manager

Customer Service Representative

Customer Service—SF

Cutstone A 

Cutstone B 

Cutter Operator

D-10 Dozer 

Data Processor

Deck Hand

Degritter Operator

Delivery Driver

Demurrage Clerk

Department Helper

Diagnostic Mechanic

Diamond Drill Lead Man

Diamond Sawyer 

Diesel Mechanic

Digestion Operator 

Director Environmental Services

Director of Coal Sales

Director of Engineering

Director of Scheduling & Logistics

Dispatcher

Dispatcher II

Dispatcher Assistant

Dispatcher/Weighman

Distribution Coordinator 

Distribution Manager 

Dock Hand

Dock Man

Dock Worker 

Dozer

Dozer Driver

Dozer, Excavator, Operator 

Dozer/Hilift Operator

Dozer Man/Haul Truck Driver

Dozer Operator

Dozer Operator 1

Draftsman

Dragline

Dragline Assistant

Dragline Oiler

Dragline Operator 

Dragline Technician

Dredge & Dozer
221

Dredge Manager

Dredge Operator

Dredge/Plant Operator 

Dredger

Drill/Blast Supervisor 

Drill Mucker

Drill Operator

Drill Rig Operator

Driller

Driller III

Driller Blaster

Driller/Miscellaneous

Drilling

Drilling/Blaster Leader

Driver

Driver/Equipment Operator 

Driver Haul Truck

Driver Haul Truck I 

Driver Haul Truck II

Driver Off Road Truck

Driver/Operator 

Driver/Shop Work 

Driver Stockpile Truck

Dry Attendant 

Dry Plant Lead Man

Dry Plant Manager

Dry Plant Operator

Dry Plant Sacker Operator

Dry Plant Worker 

Dry Process

Dry Section Operator

Dryer

Dryer/Loader Operator

Dryer Operator

Drymill Operator

Dump Truck Driver 

Dump Truck Operator 

Earth Strip

EHS Coordinator 

EHS Coordinator Customer Service 

EHS Manager

EHS Technician

E/I Technician IV

Electrical Apprentice

Electrical Control Technician

Electrical Coordinator

Electrical Department Coordinator

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Foreman

Electrical/Instrumentation Apprentice 

Electrical/Instrumentation Coordinator 

Electrical Maintenance

Electrical Maintenance Level C

Electrical Resource

Electrical Supervisor

Electrical Technician

Electrical Technician I

Electrician

Electrician I

Electrician II

Electrician III

Electrician IV

Electrician A

Electrician H

Electrician/Maintenance

Electrician/Maintenance Supervisor

Electrician/Mechanic

Electrician Mine

Electrician STD

Electrician Technician

Electrician Trainee

Electro-Instrumentist 

Electronic Repairman

Electronic Technician

Electronic Technician—Standard

Electrowinner

Emergency Response Coordinator 

End Dump 

End Dump Driver 

End Dump Operator 

End Loader Operator 

Engineer 

Engineer II

Engineer Analyst Senior 

Engineer/Operations Manager 
222

Engineer Plant Operator 

Engineering Intern

Engineering Manager 

Engineering Supervisor 

Engineering Technician

Entry Bagger

Entry Level Miner 

Environmental Engineer 

Environmental Engineer I 

Environmental, Health & Safety 

Coordinator 

Environmental Health & Safety Manager 

& RSO

Environmental Manager

Environmental Officer 

Environmental Specialist

Environmental Staff 

Environmental Technician 

E.O. Utility

Equipment Maintenance Manager

Equipment Management 

Equipment Manager 

Equipment Mechanic 

Equipment Mechanic/Fueler

Equipment Oiler

Equipment Operator 

Equipment Operator I—SF

Equipment Operator II—SF

Equipment Operator III 

Equipment Operator III—SF

Equipment Operator IV 

Equipment Operator V 

Equipment Operator VI 

Equipment Operator/Laborer

Equipment Operator/Manager

Equipment Operator—Material Supplier

Equipment Operator/Mechanic

Equipment Operator (mobile) 

Equipment Operator/Supervisor 

Equipment Operator—Surface

Equipment/Plant Operator

Equipment Relief

Equipment/Shift Manager

Equipment Trainer 

Equipment Training Supervisor 

ER Plant

Euclid

Euclid Operator 

Evening Dozer/Loader Operator

Evening Driller

Evening Loader Operator

EW Operator

Examiner

Excavator

Excavator Operator

Executive Assistant

Executive Assistant to President

Exploration Driller

Explosives Loader

Explosives Specialist

Explosives Technician

Extruder Operator 

Fabricator

Face Boss

Face Driller

Face Loader

Face Loader Operator

Face Man

Face Operative

Facility Manager

Facility Operator

Facility Service Maintenance I

FEL wa 800 

Field Electrical Repairman

Field Loader

Field Mechanic

Field Supervisor 

Filter Operator

Fine Grind—Surface Plant Manager

Finish End Plant Trainee 

Finish Grinder Operator 

Fire Boss

Fire Boss/Belt Man

Fire Boss Pumper 

Fire Equipment SV 

First Line Supervisor 
223

Fixed Equipment Maintenance 

Fixed Main Supervisor 

Fixed Maintenance I

Flagman

Floating Utility

Flock

Flotation Operator

Flotation Plant Operator

Fluid Bed Dryer Operator 

Foreman

Foreman 1st Shift 

Foreman 2nd Shift 

Foreman/Dredge Operator 

Foreman Maintenance

Foreman/Manager/Staff

Foreman/Miner 

Foreman Operator

Foreman/Operator

Foreman—Quarry

Foreman Scoop & Buggy Man 

Foreman Trainee

Fork Truck Operator 

Forklift

Forklift Operator 

Forklift Operator & Utility

Front End Loader Operator

Froth Cell Operator 

Fuel Electrician

Fuel & Lube Truck Operator 

Fuel Mechanic

Fuel Mechanic Helper

Fuel Oiler

Fuel Operator 

Fuel Technician

Fuel Truck

Fueler

Gantry Crane Operator

Garage/Machine Shop Maintenance 

Group 

Gate Keeper

General Foreman

General Inside

General Inside Laborer

General Inside/Roof Bolter 

General Labor & Equipment Operator 

General Labor/Shop Work 

General Laborer

General Maintenance

General Manager

General Mine Foreman

General Mine Manager

General Miner Support 

General Operation Manager

General Outside

General Outside Laborer

General Plant Helper

General Repairer

General Superintendent 

General Supervisor 

General Underground 

General Underground Laborer 

General Utility

Geo Technician II

Geologist 

Geologist II

Geophysicist

Gold House Supervisor 

Gradall Operator

Grader Operator

Granule Superintendent 

Gravel Pumper

Gravity Mag Operator 

Greaser

Greaser & Fueler

Greaser/Oiler

Grinder Operator

Grinding 

Grinding Float

Ground Control Technician

Ground Hand 

Ground Man 

Grounds Keeper 

Group Leader

Group Leader Ground Packaging 

Group Leader Milling 

Grouter 
224

Guard, Security II

Gyp Mine Manager 

Hammer Operator

Haul Truck

Haul Truck Driver 

Haul Truck Driver I 

Haul Truck Driver II

Haul Truck Driver—Off Road

Haul Truck Driver—On Road

Haul Truck/Loader

Haul Truck Operator

Haul Unit Driver

Haul Unit Operator 

Haul Unit Operator/Stock

Haulage

Haulage Driver

Haulage Operator

Hauler

Hauler Operator

Hauling 

HDR

Head Blaster

Head Operator

Heading Prep

Health & Safety Manager

Health & Safety Officer

Health & Safety Technician

Heap Leach Operator

Heavy Duty Mechanic

Heavy Duty Mechanic Welder

Heavy Duty Repair

Heavy Duty Repair Trainee

Heavy Equipment Electrician

Heavy Equipment Mechanic 

Heavy Equipment Mechanical Electrician

Heavy Equipment Operator 

Heavy Equipment Operator B 

Heavy Equipment Operator (Dozer) 

Heavy Equipment Operator—Front End 

Loader

Heavy Equipment Operator—Haul Truck

Heavy Equipment Operator—Lead

Heavy Equipment Operator—Scrapers

Heavy Equipment Operator—Water 

Truck

Heavy Equipment Repair MT III

Heavy Equipment Repairman

Heavy Mechanic

Heavy Media Plant Operator

Helper

Helper/Laborer

High Lift Loader Operator

High Lift Operator

High Scaler

Highwall Drill Operator

HMS Operator

Hoe Operator 

Hoist Engineer 

Hoist Operator 

Hoisting Engineer

Hoistman

Hopper Operator 

Hot Plant Operator/Loader Operator

HR Generalist II

HR Manager

Human Resources 

Human Resources/Accounts Receivable

Human Resources Area Manager

Human Resources Assistant 

Human Resources Intern 

Human Resources Manager 

Human Resources Specialist

Hydraulic Scaler

Hydromet Helper

I & C Technician

Idle Work 

Industrial Diagnostic Electrician

Industrial Electrician

Industrial Maintenances Technician IA

Industrial Maintenances Technician II

Industrial Plant Bagging

Information Technology Coordinator 

Inglett Bagger

Inglett Operator

Inspector

Instrument Electrician
225

Instrument Repair 

Instrument Repairer 

Instrumentation Supervisor 

Intern

Intern Student 

IT Support 

IT Technician

Janitor 

Janitor/Utility

Jaw Operator

Jet Mill Operator

Jig Plant Operator

Journeyman 

Journeyman Electrician

Jumbo Driller

Junior Geologist 

Kiln Assistant

Kiln Burner 

Kiln Feed Operator

Kiln Laborer

Kiln Operator 

Lab

Lab Analyst

Lab Assistant

Lab Chemist

Lab Clerk

Lab Electrician

Lab Manager

Lab Operator

Lab Person 

Lab Supervisor 

Lab Systems Technician

Lab Technician

Lab Technician I

Lab Technician II

Lab Technician III

Lab Tester

Lab Worker

Labor Foreman

Labor Pool 

Laboratory Technician

Laborer

Laborer II—SF

Laborer Equipment Operator 

Laborer/Ground Person 

Laborer Helper

Laborer/Maintenance

Laborer/Plant Operator 

Laborer Roof Slate

Laborer—Pit 2

Laborer/Site Manager

Laborer (Summer)

Laborer—Utility

Lamp Man

Land Manager 

Large Shovel/Backhoe/Load Operator II

Large Truck Driver

Leach Pad Operator I

Leach/Roast Operations Helper 

Leach Utilityman

Lead Bagger

Lead Electrician

Lead Equipment Mechanic

Lead Laborer

Lead Man

Lead Man—Mill

Lead Man—Mine 

Lead Man—Quarry

Lead Man Roller Mill Plant Operator

Lead Man—SF

Lead Man Wet Process

Lead Mechanic

Lead Miner

Lead Operator Mill 

Lead Operator Quarry

Lead Payloader 

Lead Person

Lead Person II

Lead Plant Operator

Lead Primary Mobile

Lead Process Operator

Lead Warehouse 

Ledge Foreman

Ledge Worker

Leech Pad Operator

Level A Certified Blaster
226

Level A Chief Op or PSO

Level A Millwright 1C

Level B Millwright 2C

Level B Miner

Level C Mine Helper plus Truck 

Level C Supply Specialist

Level D Entry

LHD Operator

Lift Driver Lead

Light Vehicle Mechanic II

Limestone Prep Operator

Line 2 Loadout Operator 

Line Leader

Liquid Fuel Handler 

Load Explosives

Load Out Operator 

Loader 

Loader Crusher Operator II

Loader/Excavator Operator

Loader/Ground Bagger 

Loader Man/Driller

Loader Mine

Loader/Miner

Loader Operator

Loader Operator—Feeds Crusher

Loader Operator—Loads Trucks 

Loader Operator Supervisor

Loader Operator—Truck Driver

Loader (Portable)

Loader - Setter

Loader/Stock Truck

Loader, Stockpile 

Loader (Yard)

Loadhouse Supervisor 

Loading Equipment Operator 

Loading Hauler Trucks 

Loading Rock in Process 

Loading Trucks 

Loading & Warehouse 

Loadman

Loadout 

Loadout Operator

Locomotive Engineer

Longwall Area Manager

Longwall Foreman

Longwall Mechanic Operator Helper

Longwall Production Operator 

Longwall Propman 

Longwall Shearer Operator

Longwall Support 

Longwall Trainee

Lube Bay Oiler

Lube Maintenance

Lube Man

Lube Specialist

Lube Technician

Lube Truck

Luber 

Luber—Fixed Equipment 

Lubrication Maintenance

Lubrication Repairman

Lubricator 

LWDF Attendant

M.E.O. 

Machine Loader Operator

Machine Operator

Machinist

Main/Truck Driver 

Maintenance

Maintenance V

Maintenance A Electrician

Maintenance A/Utility Leader

Maintenance B

Maintenance Chief

Maintenance Clerk

Maintenance Coordinator 

Maintenance Craft

Maintenance Crew

Maintenance Electrician

Maintenance Electrician II

Maintenance Engineer

Maintenance/Equipment 

Maintenance Fixed I

Maintenance Fixed II

Maintenance Fixed III

Maintenance Foreman
227

Maintenance/General Supervisor 

Maintenance Group

Maintenance Group Lead Man

Maintenance Helper

Maintenance Inspector

Maintenance Inst.

Maintenance Journey 

Maintenance Lead Man

Maintenance Lead Person

Maintenance Leader

Maintenance Level C

Maintenance/Loader Operator

Maintenance Lube

Maintenance/Machine Shop Supervisor 

Maintenance Man

Maintenance Man Level A-1 

Maintenance Man Machine Lube

Maintenance Manager

Maintenance Mechanic

Maintenance Mechanic I

Maintenance Mechanic II

Maintenance Mechanic lll

Maintenance Mechanic—Standard

Maintenance Mechanic Supervisor

Maintenance Mobile I

Maintenance Mobile II

Maintenance Mobile III

Maintenance/Off-road Truck Driver 

Maintenance Operator

Maintenance Planner

Maintenance Planner II

Maintenance Planner/Mechanic

Maintenance/Plant Operator 

Maintenance/Plant Supervisor 

Maintenance Repairman

Maintenance Superintendent 

Maintenance Supervisor 

Maintenance System Site Administrator

Maintenance Systems Administration

Maintenance Team Leader

Maintenance Team Member

Maintenance Technician

Maintenance Technician I

Maintenance Technician II

Maintenance Technician Senior

Maintenance Trainee

Maintenance Welder

Maintenance Worker

Maintenances Facilities Technician 1A

Maintenances Facilities Technician B

Maintenances Supervisor 

Makedown Technician 

Management

Manager

Manager Assistant Plant 2

Manager/Global Screening

Manager—New Polymer Composites 

Manager of Administration

Manager of Concentrator

Manager of Engineering

Manager of Financial Reporting

Manager/Owner/Equipment Operator 

Manager Plant 3

Manager Trainee

Manager Transmission/Sales

Manager/Vice President

Managerial

Manager's Assistant

Manufacturing Supervisor 

Mark Up/Layout 

Marketing Services Director

Mass Excavator 5130 cat

Master Electrician

Master Heavy Equipment Operator

Master Mechanic

Master Mill Technician

Master Process Operator

Material Handler 

Material Handler II

Material Operator

Material Sampler

Material Unloader

Materials Coordinator 

Materials Operator

Materials Planner

Materials & Planning Manager
228 

Materials Technician

MBC Operator

Mechanic

Mechanic I

Mechanic II

Mechanic V 

Mechanic A

Mechanic B

Mechanic B—Group Leader

Mechanic/Chief

Mechanic Clerk

Mechanic D

Mechanic Electrician

Mechanic/Electrician

Mechanic/Electrician II

Mechanic/Fabricator

Mechanic G

Mechanic Helper

Mechanic Lead Person

Mechanic Level IV

Mechanic Level V

Mechanic/Maintenance

Mechanic Mobile

Mechanic/Operator

Mechanic—Plant

Mechanic Specialist

Mechanic Technician II

Mechanic Technician III

Mechanic Technician IV

Mechanic Trainee

Mechanic—Truck Driver 

Mechanic—Underground 

Mechanic Utility

Mechanic/Welder

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer/EMR

Mechanical Maintenance

Mechanical Maintenance A

Mechanical Repairman

Mechanical Scaler Operator

Mechanical Technician

Mechanics Helper

Mechanics Helper—Lead

Mechanics Welder

Messenger

Met Lab Technician VII

Metallurgist

Metallurgist II

Mill

Mill Crusher Operator 

Mill E&I Technician

Mill Foreman

Mill Hand

Mill Helper

Mill Kiln Operator

Mill Lead Man

Mill Lead Technician IV

Mill Maintenance

Mill Maintenance Technician

Mill Manager

Mill Mechanic

Mill Mechanic Foreman

Mill Mechanic Technician II

Mill Operations

Mill Operator

Mill Operator/Lead Man

Mill/Packaging Operator 1

Mill/Packaging Operator 2

Mill/Packaging Operator 3

Mill Production

Mill Production Laborer 

Mill Production Worker 

Mill Superintendent 

Mill Technician

Mill Technician II

Mill Technician IV

Mill Utility

Mill/Warehouse Operator

Miller

Millerman 1

Millerman 1—Lead Man

Milling Lead Man

Milling Machine Operator

Millman

Millman's Helper

Millwright
229

Millwright I

Millwright IV

Millwright STD

Millwright STR

Mine A

Mine Apprentice 

Mine Clerk

Mine Driller

Mine Electrician

Mine Engineer 

Mine Equipment Operator 

Mine Examiner

Mine Foreman

Mine Foreman—Miner Operator

Mine Foreman/Superintendent 

Mine General Foreman

Mine Haul Truck Driver 

Mine—Haul Truck Driver 

Mine Hauler

Mine Labor

Mine Lead

Mine Lead Man

Mine Lead Technician IV

Mine Leader

Mine Loader

Mine Loader Operator

Mine Maintenance

Mine Maintenance Clerk

Mine Maintenance Foreman

Mine Maintenance Mechanic

Mine Maintenance MT 3

Mine Maintenance Production Supervisor 

Mine Maintenance Specialist

Mine/Maintenance Superintendent 

Mine Maintenance Technician II

Mine Maintenance Technician V

Mine Manager

Mine Mechanic

Mine Mechanic I

Mine Mechanic II

Mine Mechanic III

Mine Mechanic A

Mine Oiler/Fueler I

Mine Operations 

Mine Operations I 

Mine Operations—Equipment Operator 

Mine Operations Technician I 

Mine Operations Technician IV 

Mine Operations Technician V 

Mine Operator

Mine Operator C

Mine Production 

Mine Production—Hoist operator 

Mine Production Operator 

Mine Production Superintendent 

Mine Production Supervisor 

Mine & Quarry Maintenance

Mine & Quarry Manager

Mine Relief Utility

Mine Shift Supervisor 

Mine Spec I

Mine Spec II

Mine Spec III

Mine Superintendent 

Mine Supervisor 

Mine Supplier 

Mine Support 

Mine Surveyor 

Mine Technician III

Mine Technician IV

Mine Truck Driver

Mine—Truck Driver

Mine Utility

Mine Utility B

Mine Worker 

Miner

Miner 1

Miner 1st Class

Miner 2

Miner 3

Miner 4

Miner 5

Miner Helper

Miner Lead Man

Miner Operator

Miner Section Operator
230

Mines

Mining 

Mining Engineer 

Mining Lead Man

Mining Supervisor 

Miscellaneous Operator

Mix Chemist

Mix Control Chemist 

Mix Control Fill-in

Mix Man

Mixer

Mixer Operator

Mobile Bridge Operator

Mobile Equipment 

Mobile Equipment Maintenance 

Mobile Equipment Mechanic 

Mobile Equipment Mechanic STD 

Mobile Equipment Operator 

Mobile Maintenance

Mobile Maintenance Foreman

Mobile Maintenance Mechanic

Mobile Mechanic

Mobile Repair

Mobile Utility Operator

Motor Grader 873 JD 

Motor Grader Operator 

Motor Grader Operator—Lead

Motorman 

Mucker

Mud Picker 

Multi Craft Maintenance

Nashtec Operator

Net Work Coordinator 

Night Foreman/Evening Dozer

Night Lead Man

Night Mechanic 

Night Supervisor 

Night Watchman

Nipper 

Off Road Truck Driver

Off Road Truck Operator 

Off Sider

Office Administration

Office Administrator

Office Assistant

Office Attendant 

Office Clerk

Office Coordinator 

Office Manager

Office Manager Loader Operator/Scale

Office Salesman

Office Scale

Office/Scale

Office Staff

Office Staff 1

Office Staff 2

Office Staff 3

Oil Helper

Oil Pit Technician

Oiler

Oiler/Maintenance

Oiler/Repairman

On Road Truck Driver/Loader Operator

Op. Tech. Pel 

Open Pit 1 

Operating Engineer

Operations 

Operations Administrator

Operations Associate

Operations Engineer 

Operations Engineer/Labor Engineer

Operations Maintenance Technician

Operations Manager

Operations Specialist

Operations Superintendent 

Operations Supervisor 

Operations Support Clerk 

Operations Support Coordinator 

Operations Technician Filter Attendant 

Operations Technician Material Handler

Operations Technician Prim. Cr. Attd 

Operations Technician/Shovel Operator 

Operator

Operator I

Operator II

Operator III
231

Operator III Utility

Operator IV

Operator V

Operator A

Operator A Prime Leader

Operator Apprentice

Operator B

Operator B—Heavy Equipment Operator 

Operator C

Operator CM

Operator/CM

Operator D 6

Operator D Utility Equipment Operator

Operator/Dozer

Operator/Driver

Operator Equipment I 

Operator Equipment II 

Operator Equipment III 

Operator Equipment IV 

Operator Equipment V 

Operator (Extra)

Operator Foreman

Operator/Ground Person 

Operator In Charge 

Operator K

Operator Loader

Operator/Loader

Operator Maintenance

Operator/Maintenance

Operator/Maintenance Laborer

Operator Maintenance Man

Operator/Mechanic

Operator—Mobile 

Operator Plant 2 

Operator Plant 4

Operator/Repairman

Operator—Scoop 

Operator/Shovel 

Operator/Supervisor 

Operator Supervisor 

Operator Technician II

Operator Trainee

Operator/Truck Driver 

Operator—Underground 

Order Processor

Ore Technician

Ore Truck

Ore Truck 77D 

OTR Truck Driver

Outby

Outby Electrician

Outby Foreman

Outby General Laborer

Outby Labor

Outby Support 

Outby Support UG 

Outside 

Outside Clerk

Outside Communication

Outside Man

Outside Utility/Clerk

Outside Worker 

Outside Yard Man

Over the Road Truck Driver 

Overburden Driller 

Owner

Owner/Manager

Owner/Miner

Owner Operator

Owner/Operator

Owner/Partner

Owner/Sales/Shipping 

PA

Pack & Ship Lead Man

Packaging

Packaging/Blending 

Packaging Operator

Packaging Supervisor 

Packaging Team Member

Packer

Packer Crewman

Packer/Forklift

Packer/Loader

Packer Man

Packer Operator

Packer—Pit 2
232

Packer—SS

Packhouse 

Packhouse Utility 

Packing Operator

Packing/Shipping Foreman

Palleter

Palletizer/Meo

Pan Operator

Panel Operator

Part Time Laborer

Part Time Shop

Part Time Yard Worker

Parts

Parts Clerk

Parts Coordinator 

Parts Runner 

Parts Runner/Accounts Payable 

Paver Operator

Payables Clerk

Payloader

Payroll

Payroll Assistant

Payroll Clerk

Payroll/Personnel 

Pebble Mill Operator

Pellet Plant Technician

Permit Coordinator 

Physical Tester

Picker/Laborer 

Pinner Operator

Pipe Fitter

Pit and Plant Truck Driver 

Pit Foreman

Pit Hauler

Pit Laborer 

Pit Lead Man

Pit Loader

Pit Loader Operator

Pit Operator

Pit Superintendent 

Pit Supervisor 

Pit Truck Driver 

Pit Truck Operator 

Planner

Planner I

Planner II

Plant

Plant 1 Operator 

Plant 2 Operator 

Plant 3 Operator 

Plant Accountant 

Plant Administrator

Plant Attendant 

Plant Clerk

Plant Controller

Plant Controlman

Plant Electrician

Plant Engineer 

Plant Engineer/HSE

Plant/Equipment Operator 

Plant Foreman

Plant Foreman/Loader Man

Plant Foreperson 

Plant Generalist

Plant Ground Man 

Plant Helper

Plant Laborer

Plant Lead

Plant Leader

Plant Loader

Plant Loader Operator 

Plant Maintenance

Plant Maintenance Group

Plant Maintenance Superintendent 

Plant Man

Plant Manager

Plant Manager Intern

Plant Manufacturing Supervisor 

Plant Mechanic

Plant Mobile Equipment Operator 

Plant Office Administration

Plant Office Administrator

Plant Oiler

Plant Operations 

Plant Operator

Plant Operator I
233

Plant Operator I—SF

Plant Operator II—SF

Plant Operator 2A 

Plant Operator IV

Plant Operator (Apprentice)

Plant Operator (Beginning Operator) 

Plant Operator—Foreman

Plant Operator/Truck Driver

Plant Person

Plant/Pit Foreman

Plant/Pit Truck Driver 

Plant Production Worker 

Plant Quality & Shipping

Plant Repair

Plant Repair Foreman

Plant Repair/Welder

Plant Repairman

Plant Repairman I

Plant Repairman II

Plant Sampler

Plant Superintendent 

Plant Supervisor 

Plant Supervisor II 

Plant Supervisor Manager 

Plant Technician

Plant Technician—Crew Leader

Plant Trainee

Plant Utility

Plant Utility Operator

Plant Wash Operator

Plant Welder

Plant Working Foreman

Plants Manager

Poly Packer Crewman

Polygloss Bagger Technician 

Port Operator B

Portable Plant Operator

Powder Loader

Powder Man

Powder Person 

Power Screen Operator

Power Systems Operator B

Prep Plant Mechanic

Prep Plant Operator

Prep Plant Technician

President

President/COO

President/Developer/Operator

President/Owner

President/Owner/Retired

Pricing Coordinator 

Primary Control Operator

Primary Crusher

Primary Crusher Operator

Primary Mobile Operator

Primary Operator

Primary Operator (Jaw)

Process Assistant

Process Attendant

Process Control Operator 

Process Control Superintendent 

Process Control Supervisor 

Process Control Technician

Process Engineer

Process/Equipment Operator 

Process Foreman

Process Lab Technician

Process Laborer

Process Maintenance Mechanic

Process Maintenance Technician IV

Process Maintenance Technician VI

Process Maintenance Utility

Process Manager

Process Operations Technician III

Process Operator

Process Operator II

Process Production Engineer III

Process Supervisor 

Process Technician

Processing Assistant 1

Processing Plant

Processing Team Member

Processor

Procurement Manager

Procurement Specialist

Product Loading
234

Production 

Production 1st shift 

Production 2nd shift 

Production 3rd shift 

Production Assistant 

Production Coordinator 

Production Driller 

Production Employee 

Production Engineer 

Production Expeditor 

Production Foreman 

Production Generalist 

Production Inspector

Production Journeyman 

Production Lead Man 

Production Lead Operator 

Production Leader

Production Loader

Production Loader Operator 

Production Maintenance 

Production/Maintenance Manager

Production/Maintenance Supervisor

Production Manager 

Production Mechanic 

Production Miner 

Production Operator 

Production Operator I 

Production Operator II 

Production Operator Level I 

Production Operator Level II

Production Operator Level III

Production Operator Screening Plant 

Production Quality Control Manager 

Production Resource Manager 

Production & Sales Service Lab 

Technician

Production Scheduler 

Production Scheduler/Safety Manager

Production Shift Foreman 

Production Superintendent 

Production Supervisor 

Production Support 

Production Technician 

Production Technician II

Production Technician lV 

Production Technician V 

Production Truck 

Production Truck Driver 

Production Utility Man

Production Worker 

Professional 

Project Engineer

Project Manager

Prospecting 

Pug Mill Operator

Pug Operator 

Pump Man 

Pump Operator 

Pumper 

Purchase Agent

Purchaser

Purchasing 

Purchasing Agent

Purchasing Clerk 

Purchasing Coordinator 

Purchasing Equipment Manager 

Purchasing Manager 

Purchasing/Shop 

Q-line II

Quality Analyst

Quality and Safety Manager

Quality Assistant

Quality Assurance 

Quality Assurance Coordinator 

Quality Assurance Lab Technician Level 

II

Quality Assurance Lab Technician Level 

III

Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance & Mine Supervisor 

Quality Assurance/Quality Control 

Laboratory Technician

Quality Assurance Supervisor 

Quality Assurance Technician

Quality Control 

Quality Control III Lab Technician 
235

Quality Control/HS&E

Quality Control Lab 

Quality Control Lead Technician

Quality Control Man 

Quality Control Manager 

Quality Control Physical Tester

Quality Control & Sales Coordinator 

Quality Control Supervisor 

Quality Control Technician 

Quality Control Technician II

Quality Loader Operator

Quality Manager

Quality Supervisor 

Quality Technician

Quarry Coordinator 

Quarry Crusher Operator

Quarry Driller/Blaster

Quarry Equipment Operator 

Quarry Extra

Quarry Foreman

Quarry Laborer

Quarry Loader Operator

Quarry Manager

Quarry Mechanic

Quarry Night Foreman

Quarry Operator

Quarry Saw Operator

Quarry Superintendent 

Quarry Supervisor 

Quarry Technician

Quarry Truck Driver 

Quarry Utility

Quarry Worker 

Quarryman

Quarryman A

Quarryman B

R&D Supervisor 

Rail Lead Man

Rail Loader

Rail Loader Operator

Rail Loadout

Rail Loadout Operator 

Rail Operator

Rail Road

Rail Runner 

Rail Runner Operator 

Rail Supervisor 

Raisebore Operator

Rak Handler

Ram Car Operator

Raw Material Manager

Raymond Mill Operator

Receiving Clerk

Receiving Supervisor 

Receptionist

Receptionist/Shipping Coordinator 

Reclaim Operator

Reclamation Labor

Refuse Site Operator

Refuse Truck Operator

Regional Human Resources Manager—

U.S. 

Regulatory Manager

Reliability Engineer

Repair Lead Man

Repair Worker

Repairman

Repairman A

Representative Trade Relations

Research Scientist

Road Grader Operator 

Road Maintenance 

Robot Operator 

Rock Breaker 

Rock Breaker Operator 

Rock Crusher Superintendent 

Rock Duster 

Rock Haul Driver 

Rock Plant Operator 

Rock Truck 

Rock Truck/Dozer Operator

Rock Truck Driver 

Rock Truck Operator 

Roller Mill Operator

Roller Mill Plant Operator Fine Grind 

Roller Operator
236

Rolling Stock Crew 2 

Rolling Stock Crew 4 

ROM Operator

Roof Bolter 

Roof Bolter Operator 

Roof Bolter—Scaler

Roof Control 

Roof Control Operator 

Roof Drill

Roof Person 

Roofing Slate Splitter

Roofing Slate Trimmer

Roofing Slate Trimming Machine 

Operator

Root Picker 

Rotary Drill Operator

Rotary Dump Operator 

Rotex Operator

Roustabout 

Roving Clerk 

RP Operator

Rubber Tire Operator

Sacker

Sacking

Safety

Safety Advisor

Safety Clerk

Safety Coordinator 

Safety Director

Safety Engineer

Safety & Health

Safety & Health Professional

Safety/HR Manager

Safety & Inventory Coordinator 

Safety Manager

Safety Officer

Safety Representative

Safety/Security Director

Safety Specialist

Safety Supervisor

Safety Technician

Sales

Sales Administration Manager

Sales Coordinator 

Sales Loader

Sales Manager

Sales & Marketing

Sales Person

Sales Representative

Sales Representative l

Sales/Safety Director

Sales & Technical Manager

Sales/Traffic

Salesman

Salesman Manager

Sample Prep

Sampler

Sampler—Lab

Sampler Technician

SAMS Technician

Sand Plant Lead Man

Sand Plant Operator 

Saw

Saw & Equipment Repair 

Saw Operator

Saw & Stone Cutter

Saw Table Laborer

Sawyer

Scale

Scale Attendant

Scale Clerk

Scale House 

Scale House Clerk

Scale House Master

Scale House Operator

Scale Man

Scale Master

Scale Office

Scale/Office

Scale Office Dispatcher

Scale Office Manager

Scale Operator

Scale Operator/Office

Scale Operator/Parts

Scale Person

Scale/Sales Office
237

Scaler

Scaler Operator

Scales/Weights

Scheduler

Scoop 

Scoop Loader

Scoop Man 

Scoop Operator 

Scoop Tractor Operator 

Scraper Operator

Screed Person

Screen & Mill Operator

Screen Operator

Screen Plant Labor

Screen Plant Operator

Screenhouse/Crusher

Seasonal Production 

Secondary Foreman

Secondary Plant Operator

Secretary

Secretary—Treasurer

Section Boss 

Section Electrician

Section Foreman

Section Trainee

Section Trainee IV

Sectional Dock Manager

Security

Security Chief/Safety Trainer

Security Guard

Security Guard/General Laborer

Security Officer

Security Supervisor 

Security Watch

Senior Accountant 

Senior Accountant II 

Senior Accounting Assistant 

Senior Accounting Clerk 

Senior Administrative Clerk

Senior Controller 

Senior Designer

Senior Drafter

Senior Engineer 

Senior Geologist 

Senior Human Resources Manager 

Senior Human Resources Representative 

Senior Lab Technician

Senior Lead Plant Operator

Senior Maintenance Mechanic

Senior Maintenance Planner

Senior Maintenance Planner I

Senior Mill Operator

Senior Mine Engineer 

Senior Mine Geologist 

Senior Mining Engineer 

Senior Operator

Senior Operator Maintenance

Senior Planning Clerk 

Senior Plant Office Administrator

Senior Plant Operator 

Senior Process Control Engineer 

Senior Process Control Specialist 

Senior Process Controller 

Senior Process Operator 

Senior Quality Control Technician 

Senior Research Technician

Senior Stores Specialist

Senior Vibration Technician 

Senior Welder

Service Foreman

Service Man

Service Mechanic

Service Technician

Service Truck Driver

Setup Foreman

Shaft Crew

Shaft Repair

Shearer Operator

Shedder 

Shift Foreman

Shift Foreman Mill

Shift Laborer

Shift Maintenance

Shift Manager

Shift Mine Manager

Shift Repairman
238

Shift Supervisor 

Shift Tire Attendant

Shift Utility

Shift Welder Repair A

Shiftbreaker—Lewis

Shiftbreaker—Pit 2

Shifter

Shipping 

Shipping Assistant 

Shipping Clerk 

Shipping Coordinator 

Shipping Foreman 

Shipping Lead Man 

Shipping Loader

Shipping Loader Operator

Shipping Manager 

Shipping Operator 

Shipping & Receiving 

Shipping & Receiving Clerk 

Shipping Scales Lead person 

Shipping Specialist 

Shipping Supervisor 

Shipping Team Member 

Shipping Technician 

Shooter 

Shop 

Shop/Drag Line

Shop Foreman

Shop Manager 

Shop Mechanic 

Shop Person 

Shop/Plant

Shop Serviceman

Shop Supervisor 

Shot Crew 

Shot Firer 

Shovel Dragline Operator 

Shovel Loader Operator

Shovel/Loader Operator 

Shovel OB pc1800 

Shovel Operator 

Shovel Pit Loader Operator

Shuttle Car

Shuttle Car Driver

Shuttle Car Operator

Shuttle Car Operator 21 

Silo Operator 

Site Mechanic/Welder I

Site Superintendent 

Skid Steer Operator

Skilled Instrument Electrician 1C

Skilled Laborer 

Skilled Maintenance Mechanic

Skilled Maintenance Worker

Skilled Repairman

Skip Loader

Skip Tender 

Slate Carrier

Slate Splitter

Slate Trimmer

Sloop Operator 

Slurry Operator

Slurry Operator 1& 2

Slurry Track Technician

Small Bagger Lead Operator

Special Loader

Splitter

Stacker

Stacker Operator

Staff Accounting Specialist

Staff Chemical Engineer

Station Operator 

Stationary Equipment Operator 

Steamer

Stick Picker

Stock Loader

Stock Out Truck Driver 

Stock Pile Driver

Stock Pile Hauler

Stock Pile Loader

Stock Pile Operator

Stock Pile Truck

Stock Pile Truck Driver 

Stock Piler

Stock Truck 

Stock Truck Driver 
239

Stock Truck/Plant Operator

Stockroom Attendant 

Stone Cutter 

Stone Cutter, Driver—MAC

Stone Packaging Operator 

Stone Splitter

Stone Stacker

Storage Operator

Storeroom 

Storeroom Attendant 

Storeroom Clerk

Storeroom Floorman 

Storeroom Manager 

Storeroom Supervisor 

Stove Plant Operator 

Stripping Dredge Operator 

Stripping Operator 

Sublevel Miner 

Summer Grounds Keeper 

Super Sack Operator 

Superintendent 

Superintendent/Secretary

Superintendent Maintenance 

Supervisor 

Supervisor 2nd Shift 

Supervisor & Backhoe Operator 

Supervisor Concentrator 

Supervisor Crush/Convey 

Supervisor/Dozer Operator

Supervisor Leach Pad 

Supervisor Mechanics 

Supervisor Mine 

Supervisor—Mine 

Supervisor Mobile Equipment Quarry 

Supervisor —Moly Processing 

Supervisor/Operator

Supervisor Plant 1 

Supervisor Plant 2 

Supervisor/Plant Operator

Supervisor Quality Assurance 

Supervisor—Shovel/Drill Maintenance

Supervisor—Tailings

Supervisor Trainee

Supply Clerk 

Supply Hauler

Supply Man 

Supply/Track Man

Support Foreman 

Support Opr. 5 

Surface

Surface Coordinator 

Surface Electrician

Surface Foreman

Surface General Laborer

Surface Laborer

Surface Maintenance

Surface Maintenance Manager

Surface Maintenance Mechanic

Surface Manager

Surface Mechanic A

Surface Mechanic C

Surface Mine Supervisor

Surface Operations Manager

Surface Operations Technician IV

Surface Operator B

Surface Operator C

Surface Outside

Surface Plant Operator

Surface Production

Surface Production Operator 

Surface Production Supervisor 

Surface Shift Foreman

Surface Supervisor 

Surface Support 

Surface Utility

Surface Utility Man

Surveyor 

Sweeper Operator

Swingman

SX Helper

SX Operator

System Administrator

Systems Analyst

Tailings Dam Operator

Tailings Foreman

Tailings Pond Operator 
240

Tailings Repairman

Tandem Tractor

Tank Car Washer

Tank Car Washout Technician

Tank House Harvestor 

Team Leader

Teamster

Tech II

Tech III

Technical Coordinator 

Technical Services Manager

Technical Specialist I

Technician

Technician Quality Control 

Technician Quality Control II 

Technician Quality Control IV 

Technician Quality Control V 

Technician Senior

Technologist—Analytical Lab

Temporary Section Foreman 

Temporary Worker 

Terminal Operator

Thickener Operator

Third Shift Foreman 

Tipple Foreman

Tipple Helper

Tipple Hilift Operator

Tipple Operator 

Tire Man

Tire Technician

Top Lab Analyst 

Top Operator 

Tower Cleaner

Tower Operator

Tower Ranger

Track

Track Bolter

Track Driller

Track Foreman

Track Hoe

Track Hoe Operator

Track Man

Track Operator

Tractor Operator

Tractor Operator Loader

Tractor Trailer Driver

Tractor Worker

Trades Person I

Trades Person II

Traffic Coordinator 

Traffic Representative

Train Engineer

Train Operator

Trainee

Trainer/Assessor

Trainer Electrician

Transportation 

Coordinator/Administrative Assistant

Transportation Supervisor 

Treasurer

Truck Bin Attendant 

Truck Driver 

Truck Driver I

Truck Driver II

Truck Driver 50T 

Truck Driver/Blaster Helper

Truck Driver Heavy

Truck Driver/Mechanic

Truck Dump Operator 

Truck Lead Man

Truck Loader

Truck Maintenance

Truck Operator 

TSP General Laborer

TSP Mobile Equipment Operator 

TSP Pumper

TSP Worker 

Undercutter Operator 

Underground Belt Man 

Underground Blaster

Underground CM Maintenance 

Operations 

Underground CM Production 

Underground CM Set-up 

Underground Construction 

Underground Construction I 
241

Underground Construction Crew 

Underground Electrician

Underground Equipment Operator 

Underground Foreman

Underground Laborer

Underground Lead Man 

Underground Loader Operator

Underground Manager 

Underground Mechanic 

Underground Miner 

Underground Miner 2/1 

Underground Miner 3/1 

Underground Miner 3/2 

Underground Miner 3/3 

Underground Operator 

Underground Operator I 

Underground Plant Operator 

Underground Roof Bolter Operator 

Underground Scaler 

Underground Shift Foreman 

Underground Superintendent 

Underground Supervisor 

Underground Truck Driver 

Underground Utilityman 

Unit Helper

Universal Operator 

Utility

Utility/Beltline

Utility/Belts

Utility/Bolter

Utility Centrifuge Technician

Utility Engineer Technician

Utility Equipment Operator

Utility Field

Utility Laborer

Utility Lubricator

Utility Man

Utility Man/Surface

Utility Operator

Utility Operator C

Utility Person

Utility Person Field

Utility Person Laborer 

Utility Person Pit

Utility Person Plant

Utility Person/Warehouse 

Utility Scaler

Utility Technician

Utility Technician Equipment Cleaner

Ventilation

Vertical Driller

Vice President

Vice President Cement Operations

Vice President & General Manager

Vice President/Manager of Aggregate 

Division

Vice President of Finance/CAO

Vice President/Office Manager

Vice President Sales

Vice President Sales & Marketing

Vice President/Secretary

Vice President Technology

Warehouse 

Warehouse 1

Warehouse Coordinator 

Warehouse Man

Warehouse Meo

Warehouse Operator 

Warehouse Person

Warehouse Supervisor 

Warehouse Supervisor/Purchasing Agent

Warehouse Team Leader

Warehouse Technician

Warehouse Worker 

Warehouser

Wash Operator

Wash Plant

Wash Plant Operator

Wash Plant Super 

Watchman

Water/Sweeper Truck Operator

Water Truck

Water Truck Driver

Water Truck/Fueler

Water Truck Operator

Water Wagon Operator
242

W'Coat Packer

Weigh Man

Weigh Scale Operator

Weighmaster

Weighmaster/Dispatch

Weld Shop Maintenance Manager

Welder

Welder I

Welder/Fabricator

Welder/Laborer 

Welder/Maintenance

Welder/Mechanic

Welder Mill Maintenance

Welder/Pipe Fitter

Welder/Plant Maintenance I 

Welder/Plant Maintenance III

Welder/Plant Operator

Welder Repair A

Welder/Repairman

Welder—Standard

Wet Grind Operator 

Wet Plant

Wet Plant Attendant

Wet Plant Operator

Wet Process Operator

Wet Utility

Worker 

Working Foreman 

Working Foreman Loading 

Working Foreman Quarry 

Wrens Maintenance II

Wrens Maintenance IV

Wrens Maintenance V

Yard

Yard Foreman

Yard Laborer

Yard Loader

Yard Loader Operator

Yard Loaderman (Front End Loaders) 

Yard Production Laborer 

Yard Truck Driver
243

Appendix I. Glossary

Unless otherwise noted, the source of the definitions in this Glossary is the Dictionary of Mining, 

Mineral, and Related Terms [American Geological Institute 1997]. 
244
245

Auger. A rotary drilling device used to drill shot holes or geophone holes in which the cuttings 

are removed by the device itself without the use of fluids. 

Backhoe. A versatile rig used for trenching.

Bagger/bagging operations worker. A worker who typically works at a two or four station 

filling machine, placing empty bags (generally 50 or 100 lb capacity) on each of the machine's 

fill nozzles. When each bag is filled, either the filling machine mechanically ejects the bag onto 

a conveyor, or the operator manually removes the bag and places it on a conveyor or on a pallet 

for shipping [Cecala and Thimons 1992]. 

Belt vulcanizer. Equipment that consists essentially of two heavy metal plattens that are placed 

one on each side of the previously prepared joint and clamped firmly together. Each platten is 

heated, and this combined application of heat and pressure over a period completes the joint. 

Beltman/conveyor man. A worker who sets up and tends chain, belt, or shaker (reciprocating) 

conveyors to transport coal or metal ore about a tipple at the surface from working the working 

face in a mine.

Bin puller. A worker who transfers material from a storage bin or chute into mobile equipment 

for transportation. 

Blunging. The process of amalgamating, blending, or beating up or mixing in water.

Bob cat. A miniature front-end loader. 

Brattice. A wall or petition in underground mines to control proper circulation of air through 

work places and passageways. Can be made of wood, canvas, or other materials.

Breakers. A machine used for the primary reduction of coal, ore, or rock [Thrush 1968]. 

Bull dozer. A tractor on the front end of which is mounted a vertically curved steel blade held at 

a fixed distance by arms secured on a pivot or shaft near the horizontal center of the tractor. The 

blade can be lowered or tilted vertically by cables or hydraulic rams. It is a highly versatile piece 

of earth excavating and moving equipment especially useful in land clearing and leveling work, 

in stripping topsoil, in road and ramp building, and in floor or bench cleanup and gathering 

operations. Also called dozer.

Calcine. By heating, to expel volatile matter as carbon dioxide, water, or sulfur, with or without 

oxidation; to roast; to burn. 

Cleanup man. A worker who collects all the valuable product of a given period of operation in 

a stamp mill, or in a hydraulic or placer mine. Collects and loads spillage resulting from normal 

operations. 

Coal sampler. A worker who cuts a representative part of an ore (or coal) deposit, which should 

truly represent its average value, and who collects and prepares samples of coal for analysis.

Continuous miner. A mining machine designed to remove coal from the face and to load that 

coal into cars or conveyors without the use of cutting machines, drills, or explosives. 

Controller. Any mechanical or electrical device that is part of or added to a machine or device 

for automatic regulation or control. 
246

Crude pile. A substance in its natural unprocessed, unrefined state. Crude ore or crude oil, for 

example. In a natural state; not cooked or prepared by fire or heat; not altered or prepared for 

use by any process. 

Crusher operator/ pan feeder operator. In the mineral and nonmineral industry, including 

coal, quarry products, mineral and nonmineral ores, a worker who operates a machine that 

crushes rock or other material and regulates the flow of such material into and from the crusher 

to the next point of processing or use. 

Culm. In anthracite terminology, the waste accumulation of coal, bone, and rock from old dry 

breakers. In bituminous coal preparation, culm corresponds to slurry or slime, depending upon 

the size distribution of the suspended solids. 

Culm bank. The deposit on the surface of culm usually kept separate from deposits of larger 

pieces of slate and rock.

Curb. A timber frame, circular or square, wedged in a shaft to make a foundation for walling or 

tubbing, or to support, with or without other timbering, the walls of the shaft; the heavy frame or 

sill at the top of a shaft. 

Cutting machine. A power-driven machine used to undercut or shear. 

Dragline. A type of excavating equipment that casts a rope-hung bucket a considerable distance, 

collects the dug material by pulling the bucket toward itself on the ground with a second rope, 

then elevates the bucket, and dumps the material on a spoil bank, in a hopper, or on a pile. 

Digestion operator. A worker who tends the battery of digester vessels that dissolve bauxite in 

plant liquor by: turning valves on pumps to transfer liquid and bauxite slurry through heaters into 

digester vessels, turning valves to inject milk of lime into vessels, adjusting pumps and valves to 

circulate cleaning solution through process lines, and collecting samples of slurry and alumina 

solution for laboratory analysis [DOT 2003]. 

Dredge. A large floating machine used in underwater excavation for developing and 

maintaining water depths in canals, rivers, and harbors; raising the level of lowland areas and 

improving drainage; constructing dams and dikes; removing overburden from submerged ore 

bodies prior to open pit mining; or recovering subaqueous deposits having commercial value. 

Dry plant/dry process. A method of treating ores by heat as in smelting; used in opposition to 

the wet process. 

End dump. Process in which earth is pushed over the edge of a deep fill and allowed to roll 

down the slope [Infomine Inc. 2010]. 

Face. The exposed surface of a coal or ore deposit in the working place where mining is 

proceeding.

Fire boss. A person designated to examine the mine for gas and other dangers usually before but 

also during the shift. Also known as a mine examiner. 

Floatation/concentrator. A plant where ore is separated into values (concentrates) and rejects 

(tails) or an appliance in such a plant, e.g., flotation cell, jig, electromagnet, shaking table. 

Front end loader. A tractor loader with a digging bucket mounted and operated at the front end 

of the tractor that both digs and dumps in front. 
247

Froth cell. The process for cleaning fine coal, copper, lead, zinc, phosphate, kaolin, etc. with the 

aid of a reagent; the coal or minerals become attached to air bubbles in a liquid medium and float 

as a froth.

Geologist. One who studies planet Earth, the materials of which it is made, the processes that 

act on these materials, the products formed, and the history of the planet and its life forms since 

its origin.

Grader. A self-propelled or towed machine provided with a row of removing or digging teeth 

and (behind) a blade to spread and level the material.

Ground control/timberman. A worker who installs timbers in a mine to support the roof and 

walls of haulage ways, passageways, and the shaft. 

Hammer mill. A pulverizing unit consisting of a rotor, fitted with movable hammers that is 

revolved rapidly in a vertical plane within a closely fitting steel casing. The hammers hit falling 

rock, which is fractured on impact, or by collision with other rocks or with the casing. When 

sufficiently reduced in size, the pulverized rock escapes through grids in the casing. 

Haulage. The drawing or conveying, in cars or otherwise, or movement of workers, supplies, 

ore, and waste both underground and on the surface. Generally refers to track mining as opposed 

to conveyor mining, although belt conveyor systems are sometimes referred to as belt haulage; 

the system of hauling coal or minerals out of a mine. 

Head area. The top portion of a seam in the coal face.

Highwall. The unexcavated face of exposed overburden and coal or ore in an opencast mine or 

the face or bank on the uphill side of a contour strip mine excavation. 

Hoist operator. In mining, a person who operates steam or electric hoisting machinery used to 

lower cages (elevators) and skips (large, metal, boxlike containers) into a mine and to raise them 

to the surface from different levels. The worker may be designated according to the type of 

power used, as an electric-hoist person or steam-hoist person. 

Hopper. A storage bin or a funnel that is loaded from the top and discharges through a door or 

chute in the bottom. 

Inby. Toward the working face, or interior, of the mine; away from the shaft or entrance; 

opposite of outby. 

Inspector. One who checks the mine to determine the health and safety conditions. This person 

makes examinations of and reports on mines and surface plants relative to compliance with 

mining laws, rules and regulations, safety methods, etc. State inspectors have authority to 

enforce State laws regulating the working of the mines. Federal inspectors have authority to 

enforce Federal laws in coal mines.

Jack setter. Miner who assists in the operation of an auger-type underground mining machine; 

duties include seeing that the roof of the mine at or near the machine is in a safe condition. 

Jaw operator. One who operates a machine for reducing the size of materials by impact or 

crushing between a fixed plate and an oscillating plate, or between two oscillating plates, 

reducing large rocks, or ores to sizes capable of being handled by any of the secondary crushers.

Kiln. A large furnace used for baking, drying, or burning firebrick or refractories, or for 

calcining ores or other substances.
248

Lab technician. One who conducts chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in 

making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for research 

and development of new products or processes, quality control, maintenance of environmental 

standards, and other work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical application of 

chemistry and related sciences [BLS 2010]. 

Lampman. In mining, one who cleans, tests, and repairs lamps used underground by miners. 

Leaching operator. In ore dressing, smelting, and refining, one who dissolves valuable metal 

out of ore or slime, using chemical solutions. 

Longwall. A long face of coal. A method of working coal seams. The workings advance (or 

retreat) in a continuous line, which may be several hundred yards in length. The space from 

which the coal has been removed (the gob, goaf, or waste) which is either allowed to collapse 

(caving) or is completely or partially filled or stowed with stone and debris. 

Metallurgist. One who is skilled in, or who practices, the science and art of separating metals 

and metallic minerals from their ores by mechanical and chemical processes; one involved in the 

preparation of metalliferous materials from raw ore.

Mill (rod/ball/pebble). A mineral treatment plant in which crushing, wet grinding, and further 

treatment of ore is conducted. The plant separates components, such as ball mill, hammer mill, 

and rod mill that grinds material, with or without liquid, using a rotating cylinder or conical mill, 

and using balls, rods, or pebbles as grinding material. 

Millwright. One who installs, dismantles, or moves machinery and heavy equipment according 

to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings [BLS 2010]. 

Mine examiner. A person designated to examine the mine for gas and other dangers usually 

before but also during the shift. Also known as a fire boss. 

Mobile bridge. A continuous haulage system commonly consisting of an alternating series of 

piggyback mobile bridge carriers (MBCs) and chain bridge conveyors. They are either 

physically attached to the continuous miner or detached and independently trammed behind the 

miner [MSHA 2011].

Mucker. In mining and quarrying, a laborer who shovels ore or rock into mine cars or onto a 

conveyor from which mine cars are loaded and at some point are removed from the working face 

or surfaces of natural stone deposits; or one who works in a stope shoveling ore into chutes from 

which it is loaded into cars on haulage level below. 

Open pit. A mining operation designed to extract minerals that lie near the surface. Waste, or 

overburden, is first removed, and the mineral is broken and loaded, as in a stone quarry. 

Outby. Nearer to the shaft, and therefore away from the face, toward the pit bottom or surface; 

toward the mine entrance. The opposite of inby. 

Overburden. Material of any nature, consolidated or unconsolidated, that overlies a deposit of 

useful materials, ores, or coal, and especially those deposits that are mined from the surface by 

open cuts. 

Palletizer. One who secures battens (grooved strips of wood) around bundles of packaged metal 

extrusions to form protective shipping pallets, using strapping tool [DOT 2003]. 

Payloader. Equipment used for excavating. 
249

Pelletizing operations worker. An operator of an apparatus in which finely divided material is 

formed into small spherical pellets by the use of pressure, centrifugal force, or additives. 

Pit. A mine, quarry, or excavation worked by the open-cut method. 

Preparation plant. Any facility where coal, or other mixed material, is prepared for market; 

through common usage, it has come to mean a rather elaborate collection of facilities where 

mixed material is separated from its impurities, washed and sized, and loaded for shipment. 

Pug operator/mixer tender. One who mixes ground preheated magnesia and carbon with hot 

asphalt in a pug mill to form a viscous mixture suitable for processing into pellets. 

Pumper. In bituminous coal mining, a person who works a hand pump to force water, 

accumulated underground in low places, into a drainage ditch flowing to a natural outlet or 

pumping station. 

Quarry. An open or surface mineral working, usually used for the extraction of building stone, 

such as slate, limestone, etc. It is distinguished from a mine because a quarry usually is open at 

the top and front, and, in ordinary use of the term, by the character of the material extracted.

Raise borer. A machine used to produce a circular excavation either between two existing 

levels in an underground mine or between the surface and an existing level in a mine. In raise 

boring, a pilot hole is drilled down to the lower level; the drill bit is removed and replaced by a 

reamer head having a diameter with the same dimension as the desired excavation. This head 

then is rotated and pulled back up towards the machine. 

Reclaim. The process of digging from stockpiles; also, the reprocessing of previously rejected 

material.

Refuse (pile). Waste material in the raw coal that has been removed in a cleaning or preparation 

plant; also called tailings.

Rock breaker. A kind of hammer which is used to crush (break) rocks; it is a static piece of 

equipment; to be operated, it must be attached to another implement [Infomine Inc. 2010]. 

Rock duster. In bituminous coal mining, a laborer who sprinkles rock dust by hand or with a 

machine throughout mine workings as a precaution against explosions. 

Rolling mill. A rolling mill or establishment for rolling metal into forms.

Roof bolter. In bituminous coal mining, one who reinforces roofs of mine haulage ways, side 

drifts, and working places with metal or timber to prevent rock and slate falls. 

Rotary excavator. Earth-moving machine with a vertical wheel that carries digging buckets 

peripherally. These loosen soil and deliver to a short conveyor loader, the assembly being 

mounted on crawler track. Capacity up to 5,000 st/h (4,500 t/h). Also called bucket wheel 

excavator.

Rotary dump car. A standard small car in which the car body is mounted on a turntable in the 

car frame. The car body may be swung by hand to dump over either side or either end. 

Rubber-tired haulage. The underground use of tractors and dump truck haulage, of the battery 

or diesel type, and battery-driven shuttle cars. 

Safety director. One who promotes worksite or product safety by applying knowledge of 

industrial processes, mechanics, chemistry, psychology, and industrial health and safety laws

[BLS 2010]. 
250

Sawyer. In stonework industry, a general term applied to workers engaged in cutting stone with 

power-driven saws.

Scaler (hand or mechanical). A laborer who knocks the roasted lead ore off grates with a bar 

as it is dumped from conveyors into cars below, prior to melting, to separate and recover the 

lead. Lead ore is loaded on grates attached to a conveyor and carried through a furnace in which 

the sulfur is driven off by roasting. 

Scoop car. Diesel or battery-powered equipment with a scoop attachment for cleaning up loose 

material, for loading mine cars or trucks, and hauling supplies. 

Scraper. a. A rod for cleaning out a shothole prior to charging with explosives. b. A 

mechanical contrivance used at collieries to scrape the culm or slack along a trough to the place 

of deposit. c. A machine used in mines for loading cars and transporting ore or waste for short 

distances. There are two basic types of scraper: (1) the hoe or open type, which is particularly 

suitable for moving coarse, lumpy ore; and (2) the box or closed type, which is particularly 

suited for handling fine material, especially on a loading slide. d. A digging, hauling, and 

grading machine having a cutting edge, a carrying bowl, a movable front wall (apron), and a 

dumping or ejecting mechanism. Also called carrying scraper or pan. e. An apparatus used to 

take up coal from the floor of a mine, after it has been shot and deposit it either in cars or in a 

conveyor [Infomine Inc. 2010].

Screed. a. A strip of plaster or wood applied to a surface to be plastered to serve as a guide for 

making a true surface. b. A wooden strip serving as a guide for making a true level surface on a 

concrete pavement. c. A board or metal strip dragged across a freshly poured concrete slab to 

give it its proper level [Dictionary.com 2011]. 

Screening machine. An apparatus having a shaking, oscillatory, or rotary motion, used for 

screening or sifting coal, stamped ores, and the like.

Shaft. An excavation of limited area compared with its depth; made for finding or mining ore or 

coal, raising water, ore, rock, or coal, hoisting and lowering workers and material, or ventilating 

underground workings. The term is often specifically applied to an approximate vertical shaft, as 

distinguished from an incline or inclined shaft. A shaft is provided with a hoisting engine at the 

top for handling workers, rock, and supplies; or it may be used only in connection with pumping 

or ventilating operations. 

Shaft mine. A mine in which the coal seam is reached by a vertical shaft which may vary in 

depth from less than 100 ft (30 m) to several thousand feet. 

Shearer operator. In bituminous coal mining, one who operates a type of coal-cutting machine 

that shears (cuts) out a channel down the sides of the working face of coal (as distinguished from 

undercutting) prior to blasting the coal down. 

Shooter. One who sets off blasts in a mine or quarry. 

Shuttle car operator. One who operates a vehicle on rubber tires or continuous treads to 

transfer raw materials, such as coal and ore, from loading machines in trackless areas of a mine 

to the main transportation system.

Skip tender/cager/station attendant. One who directs station operations and movement of 

cages used to raise and lower workers, mine cars, and supplies between various levels and 

surface; one who works at the top of a shaft or at an intermediate level inside a mine.
251

Slurry operator. In ore dressing, smelting, and refining, a laborer who sprays the inner surfaces 

of furnace walls and roofs with a slurry of silica, water, and fireclay to protect brick, using a 

compressed-air gun.

Splitter. One who separates blocks of rough dimension stone from quarry mass using 

jackhammer and wedges [BLS 2010]. 

Stope. An excavation from which ore has been removed in a series of steps. A variation of 

steps. This term is usually applied to highly inclined or vertical veins. 

Strip. In mining, to remove the earth, rock, and other material from the mineral to be mined, 

usually by power shovels. Generally practiced only where the mineral lies close to the Earth's 

surface.

Surface shops. Mining operations do much of their repair work in-house. This work is carried 

out in shops located on the surface [Vaught 2008]. 

Surveyor/transit man. One who applies special knowledge and techniques gained through 

experience or training to make surface and underground surveys at a mine, locating 

himself/herself on the Earth's surface by taking instrument shots of the sun or stars and making 

necessary calculations, surveying and calculating the volume of material in dumps, carrying 

survey lines underground by shaft plumbing (cord or wire with attached bob is suspended from 

the shaft surface) and instrument shots taken on the bob at a shaft station, controlling by 

underground surveys and calculations, the driving and connection of underground passages on 

and between various levels, computing the volume of coal in portions of the mine from survey 

notes, and drafting maps of the mine workings. 

Tailings. a. The gangue and other refuse material resulting from the washing, concentration, or 

treatment of ground ore. b. Those portions of washed ore or coal that are regarded as too poor to 

be treated further. c. Applied to sectional residue, e.g., table tailings, which is the residue from 

shaking screens and tables. d. The reject from froth flotation cells. 

Tailings machine. A machine for sifting the tailings and collecting the gold from the detritus 

after it has passed through the washer. 

Thickener. The concentration of the solids in a suspension with a view to recovering one 

fraction with a higher concentration of solids than in the original suspension. 

Tipple. Originally the place where the mine cars were tipped and emptied of their coal, and still 

used in that sense, but more generally applied to the surface structures of a mine, including the 

preparation plant and loading tracks. 

Top operator. A worker who is employed at surface jobs around the mine plant. 

Tower crane. A swing-jib (crane with one horizontal boom on which there is a counterweight) 

or other type of crane mounted on top of a tower, the base of which may sometimes move on 

rails. These cranes are especially effective in congested sites. 

Tram. a. A trip of coal cars or a single tramcar. b. Generally, to move a self-propelled piece of 

equipment other than a locomotive. c. A boxlike wagon of steel, running on a tramway or 

railway in a mine, for conveying coal or ore. 

Trimmer. An apparatus for trimming a pile of coal into a regular form (such as a cone or 

prism). 
252

Undercutter. In salt mining, an electrically driven machine somewhat like a gigantic chain saw. 

It has a long, thin horizontal bar, about which revolves an endless chain with cutting bits. The 

most common type is an adaptation of the shortwall coal cutter, a drag-type machine with 

continuous pick-filled chains to cut at the floor or bottom of the seam. It can make a rapid, 

continuous cut across the entire width of the face. 

Underground mine. A mine that accesses a coal seam or other mineral through a shaft instead 

of removing the overburden to expose the seam [Vaught 2008]. 

Utility man. A worker expected to serve in any capacity when called on [Dictionary.com 2011]. 

Ventilation. Mine workings are usually subdivided to form a number of separate ventilating 

districts. Each district is given a specified supply of fresh air and is free from contamination by 

the air of other districts. Accordingly, the main intake air is split into the different districts of the 

mine. Later, the return air from the districts reunites to restore the single main return air current 

at or near the upcast shaft.

Wash plant. The place at which ore, coal, or crushed stone is freed from impurities or dust by 

washing. 

Washery. A place at which ore, coal, or crushed stone is freed from impurities or dust by 

washing. Also called wet separation plant, washing plant, dense-medium washer, or efficiency 

of separation [Infomine Inc. 2010]. 

Weighman. One who weighs, measures, and checks materials, supplies, and equipment for the 

purpose of keeping relevant records [BLS 2010]. 

Wet plant operator. A person who works as a member of a crew performing any one or a 

combination of duties concerned with extracting cadmium, lead sulfate, and zinc oxide from dust 

recovered in Cottrell precipitators.

Yard. An area on the surface where mines store many of their supplies, such as bundles of roof 

bolts. These supplies are then sent underground or to the surface area of mining when needed 

[Vaught 2008]. 
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