Give Thanks to Miners

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s remember to give thanks to America’s miners. These men and women put in the hard work to extract minerals and metals that help our nation grow and prosper. Their work fuels the innovation required to meet the needs of our manufacturing and technology sectors.

Also, the mining industry supports 1.3 million direct and indirect U.S. jobs – and mining exploration and projects create thousands of employment opportunities in downstream industries. In fact, one job in metals mining generates 2.9 additional jobs and one in nonmetals mining creates an additional 1.8.

In addition to creating and supporting jobs, miners make sure the communities in which they live and operate in are respected and sustained. Last week, for example, two National Mining Association (NMA) members received Reclamation and Sustainable Mineral Development Awards from the U.S. Department of the Interior. These awards recognized the work miners put in to making sure land is mined in a responsible, environmentally-conscious manner.

Community engagement is another area where miners’ innovation is on display. Nevada Mining Association (NVMA) President Dana Bennett, Ph.D., expressed that the mining industry has created a “positive change throughout the state by supporting these various organizations dedicated to charitable giving, education, the arts and much more.” Minerals mining has also allowed for technological advancement that has saved and changed lives across the globe. Copper, silver and titanium, for example, have all become integral to modern medical equipment and products.

In sum, it is because of miners that we have the goods and services that strengthen and boost our economy, create jobs and enable innovation. CEO of Newmont Mining Corporation Gary Goldberg once explained, “mining unlocks the value of natural resources to make people’s lives better—those who live near mines, and those whose standards of living are improved by our products,” and we would like to give our thanks to the miners who make it all possible.