To provide periodic and comprehensive statistics about mining establishments and activities. The United States Code, Title 13, authorizes this census and provides for mandatory responses.
All domestic mining establishments that are classified in SIC Division B, Mining, and have at least one employee. Establishment coverage has been the same since 1967. In 1992, mining establishments reported total shipments and receipts of more than $162 billion.
Basic data obtained include kind of business, geographic location, legal form of ownership, total revenue, annual and first quarter payroll, and number of employees for the pay period including March 12. Establishments receiving a long form provide added detail on employment, payrolls, worker hours and payroll supplements; and other data (including value of shipments, inventories, capital expenditures, and quantity and value of products, supplies and fuels). A short form requests only basic data, capital expenditures, and quantity and value of products.
Every five years since 1967, for years ending in "2" and "7." Previous censuses were conducted for years 1963, 1958, and 1954; approximately every 10 years throughout the prior century; and for the first time in 1840. Reported data are for activities taking place during the previous calendar year.
A mail-out/mail-back census of 18,000 establishments of all multi-unit firms and single establishments with payrolls above a cutoff size; plus administrative data for all 11,000 non-mail single-establishments. The mail census has 3 respondent groups and 2 forms. All establishments of multi-unit firms receive a long form. Single establishments with payrolls larger than a cutoff size that varies by industry (generally equivalent to 20 employees) receive either a long or short form; most above cutoff firms receive a long form; and some small firms (with 5 to 20 employees) in 3 industries that have a large number of small firms (the crushed stone, sand and gravel, and crude petroleum and natural gas industries) receive a short form to reduce burden.
For single-establishments below cutoff size (those not receiving a census form), basic data are obtained from Federal income tax records and additional data items are estimated using industry averages. In 1987, these indirect methods provided information for some 12,500 smaller establishments (whose combined shipments were no more than 3 percent of the Division total).
Preliminary Reports provide the earliest census results beginning about 12 months after the census year. The industry series consists of 12 reports covering the 31 mining industries. A summary report provides industry statistics at the 2-, 3-, 4-digit level for the U.S. and each state.
Final Industry Series provides reports that supersede preliminary series beginning about 20 months after the census year. Added data detail include industry products, selected supplies, minerals used, machinery installed, and fuels consumed.
Final Geographic Area Series consists of 9 reports covering the U.S., states, offshore Federal areas, the District of Columbia, and selected counties. Industry statistics for 2-, 3-, and 4-digit industry levels are provided for these areas.
Subject Reports include a General Summary (which supersedes the Preliminary Summary report issued earlier), and data on Fuels and Electric Energy Consumed, (which are on diskettes and CD-ROMs) and are available beginning about 30 months after the census year.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis uses the data in preparing and updating the input-output tables, and to benchmark GDP estimates for mining industries. The Federal Reserve Board uses the data in preparing the Index of Industrial Production.
State and local agencies use the data in economic policy making and forecasting. Private businesses and trade associations use the data for planning, market analysis, and to help make investment and production decisions.
Provides the single best source of detailed industry data and information to benchmark other statistics for the mining industry.
RELATED PROGRAMS
Standard Statistical Establishment List
EXPLORE INFORMATION CONTINUE OVERVIEW
Mining Next Program
U.S. Economy Economy Overview
revised 02/21/96
