Strengthening the U.S. Economy

The strength and future health of the U.S. economy depends on mining, which provides the building blocks for the everyday American experience.

If you have turned on a light, entered a building, driven on a road, made a phone call, used a computer, or visited a doctor, then mining is part of your life.

Mining provides essential power and materials for nearly every industry and consumer product, and supplies low-cost, reliable fuel for homes and businesses across the country.

Mining supports nearly two million high-paying jobs and contributes to economic activity in every state.

Member Feature Story

Processing Plants for the Future

Lithium minerals require both extraction and processing for electric vehicle and battery manufacturers. As such, it’s important to bring more processing facilities to the U.S. to secure domestic supply chains. Piedmont Lithium is working on this, and has received all the material permits to construct... Read More

Strengthening the U.S. Economy

Meaningful Careers in Mining

Today’s miners use a wide range of innovations and modern technologies – including remote-operated machinery and artificial intelligence - to provide the materials and resources required for nearly every industry. From electric vehicles to smart phones and energy production, we need mining to maintain... Read More

Investment in Copper

Copper demand is expected to jump rapidly, an expected 26 percent by 2035, as it’s used extensively in new technologies and energy innovations through motors, batteries and wiring. That means we must invest in an increased supply of copper to match demand, and copper is a readily available domestic natural... Read More

Jobs That Change Lives

In any industry, it’s not just about having a job; it’s about having a job that helps us be fully understood and grow as persons. The mining industry is an exceptional place to find career opportunities that raise people up to their highest abilities. Take Kinross Nevada’s ‘Mining Vegas for Talent’ initiative.... Read More

New Mines for Indiana

The reopening of mines paves the way for increased production and new employment, particularly in small communities. This is why we celebrate Hallador Energy’s restarting of the Freelandville surface mine and beginning new work on the Prosperity mine, both in Indiana. Reclamation efforts are beginning... Read More

Cobalt Mining in Idaho

The economy relies on secure supply chains for the materials needed for manufacturing, national defense and more, and those supply chains are most reliable when we can source from here in the U.S. Cobalt is no exception. Fortunately, Jervois Global has begun commissioning its Idaho Cobalt Operations... Read More

Mine Expansion in Indiana and Illinois

Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. recently announced plans to expand production at its Gibson South Mine in Indiana and a development unit at the Hamilton mine in Illinois. The expansions will make way for additional coal production, which  are sorely needed given rising demand. The Gibson South Mine... Read More

New Mine and New Jobs

Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass mine in Nevada recently received approval for its state permits, bringing it one step closer to operations. U.S. mines are subject to numerous state and federal permits, and the permitting process can take a decade, or longer. Permitting delays are an enormous problem,... Read More

Heritage Fund at Nevada Gold Mines

In December 2020 Nevada Gold Mines (NGM) launched the Heritage Fund, a new charitable workplace giving program. Along with the launch the company provided an initial $25 gift to each of its 7,000 employees to donate to a non-profit of their choosing. Within its first year, over $780,000 was donated to... Read More

Recognition of Philanthropic Businesses

One testament to a strong business is its willingness to give back to the community. Improving the social and economic wellbeing of communities is a core part of smart business practices, and Nevada Gold Mines (NGM) has been recognized by two of Nevada’s leading business publications for its philanthropic... Read More

Metallurgical Coal Project Back on Track

The COVID-19 pandemic set back plans for many of us across the globe, so it’s exciting to hear about projects getting back on track. CONSOL Energy Inc. recently did just that, announcing the recommencement of its Itmann Metallurgical Coal Project and progress on construction of an onsite coal preparation... Read More

Coal Supports Economic Recovery

With electricity demand rebounding from pandemic lows, coal use is also on the rise. As countries reopen, more electricity will be needed, and coal is the reliable source to power the reviving economy. Coal’s reliability and affordability are a critical part of a varied fuel supply that can support a... Read More

New Met Coal Mines

Metallurgical coal, the coal used in steelmaking, is vital to industry, particularly as infrastructure projects begin in earnest. Fortunately, new mines are opening in the U.S. Ramaco Resources plans to open two new metallurgical coal mines which, at full production, are expected to add almost one million... Read More

Freeport McMoRan, Copper Wires the World

Copper is more important to our lives than ever before. This versatile metal is the basis for wiring that powers all our electronics, an essential for the work-from-home situation many of us have found ourselves in. Demand for copper is closely linked with the growth in heavy machinery; consumer products... Read More

J.R. Simplot, Expanding Operations

Even during an international pandemic, mines in the U.S. are expanding. Take J.R. Simplot. In July, the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management approved the project to expand the Smoky Canyon open-pit phosphate mine in southeastern Idaho. This mine supplies ore to a processing facility... Read More

Hallador Energy Company: Keeping America’s Power Affordable

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased American voter concerns about the security of our domestic supply chain, and about voters’ own household bills, according to polling conducted by Morning Consult for the National Mining Association. “Whether providing the raw materials for essential manufacturing,... Read More

Newmont Corporation: $20 Million in Economic Support

The U.S. economy has been one of the victims of this crisis, making financial support from corporations more essential than ever. Many companies are showing up big, including Newmont Corporation, which has established a $20 million fund to help communities, governments and employees combat the COVID-19... Read More

Nevada Gold Mines Provides Covid-19 Support for Local Communities

ELKO, Nevada – Nevada Gold Mines (NGM) is working with the state of Nevada and its stakeholders to identify immediate needs and provide financial and logistical support to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on its local communities. Executive Managing Director Greg Walker said NGM, the largest... Read More

Rio Tinto Investing $1.5B Into Utah, Extending Thousands of Jobs

Due to the intense exploration, lengthy mining and careful remediation processes that occur throughout the life of a mining project, mines provide the local communities that surround them with an important economic boost for decades, and even generations. One such community in the Salt Lake City area... Read More

American Voters Want to Prioritize Pro-Mining Policies

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the president prepares to deliver his third State of the Union address, U.S. voters want to see government action on a number of issues key to the mining industry – from reducing the nation’s alarming mineral import reliance by encouraging domestic mining to leading in developing... Read More

Freeport-McMoRan Partners with Western New Mexico University

This past fall, Freeport-McMoRan teamed up with Western New Mexico University (WNMU) to prepare welders for employment at their Chino and Tyrone mines in Grant County, New Mexico. Freeport-McMoRan’s New Mexico operations donated $10,000 to the WNMU’s Department of Community and Workforce Development... Read More

Coeur’s Rochester Expansion to Extend Mine Life

American mines not only produce materials essential to lives but they also provide community-supporting jobs. Mine expansions, along with the opening of new mines, are gamechangers for mining communities. Coeur Mining’s proposed expansion of its Rochester open pit silver and gold mine fits into that... Read More

NOVAGOLD Plays an Active Role in Alaska’s Growth and Economy

In Alaska, gold mining has brought substantial economic growth, providing jobs for thousands of Alaskans and hundreds of millions of dollars in personal income throughout the state. The numbers tell an impressive story. In 2017, the mining industry provided 4,500 direct mining jobs in Alaska and another... Read More

Kinross Gold Fort Knox Expansion to Extend Mine Life to 2030

Kinross Gold Corp. announced in June that it will proceed with the initial Gilmore expansion project at its Fort Knox gold mine in Fairbanks, Alaska. The initial phase of a potential multi-phase layback of the existing pit is expected to add roughly 1.5 million ounces of gold production from Fort Knox... Read More

Alliance Coal: Fuel for the American Economy

America’s coal industry is doing its part to increase U.S. competitiveness abroad while producing jobs and economic benefits at home. Coal is essential to the U.S. economy, providing electricity to households, businesses, manufacturing facilities, transportation and communications systems, and services... Read More

Peabody: Creating High-Wage Jobs and Investing in Tribal Communities

Peabody, a leading global coal company serving power and steel customers in more than 25 countries on six continents, operates the Kayenta Mine in northeast Arizona. The mine is located on reservation lands and operates through lease agreements with the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe to supply coal to... Read More

Kinross Gold: Investing in Future Job Seekers

Kinross Gold’s Round Mountain recently entered into a three-year commitment with Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Nevada, to donate $150,000 for the launch of a JAG program at Round Mountain High School. JAG is a multi-year program beginning in high school that provides tactical skills and career... Read More

Hecla: Reinvigorating Local Economies Through Education and Training

Hecla Mining Company is hard at work training the next generation of job seekers in Alaska. The company, which owns and operates Greens Creek mine in southeast part of the state, has partnered with the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) to embark on an educational program that trains local high school... Read More

Cloud Peak Energy: Utilizing American Coal to Advance Economic Growth

Cloud Peak Energy Inc. is one of the largest U.S. coal producers and the only pure-play Powder River Basin (PRB) coal company. The company owns and operates three surface coal mines in the PRB: the Antelope and Cordero Rojo mines in Wyoming, and the Spring Creek Mine is in Montana. In 2016 alone, Cloud... Read More

OceanaGold Corporation: Bringing Jobs and Revenue to South Carolina

OceanaGold Corporation’s Haile Gold Mine recently celebrated its inaugural gold pour in Lancaster, S.C. More than 440 ounces of gold were produced by the new Haile Gold Mine, marking the first gold production from the site in 25 years and nearly 190 years from when gold was first produced there. The... Read More

Kinross Gold: Bringing Economic Growth to Alaska for 20 Years

Kinross Gold’s Fort Knox mine recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and became the largest gold producer in the history of Alaska. To mark the occasion, the site donated $600,000 to fund an engineering scholarship at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. Including this donation, Fort Knox has contributed... Read More

Arch Resources Takes a Hands-on Approach to Supporting the Local Economy

For decades, coal miners have played an important role in the American economy, providing affordable, reliable energy as well as an essential component of steel production. At Arch Resources, the contributions the company makes to the economy go beyond national contributions. The company also focuses... Read More

Cloud Peak Fueling Hometown Economies

Supporting nearly 1.7 million direct and indirect American jobs, and providing the materials that feed our supply chain, mining companies are the foundation of the U.S. economy. Cloud Peak Energy is one such company, providing significant contributions to U.S., state and local economies. Its most direct... Read More