NM Mining on Upswing as Recession Wanes

Albuquerque Journal |Kevin Robinson - Avila

New Mexico mining is on the upswing, after plummeting in value during the recession.

Mining statewide reached $2.21 billion in 2011, the latest year that state Mining and Minerals Division statistics are available.

That’s still below the industry’s record of $2.36 billion in value in 2008, before the economy collapsed. But it’s a substantial rebound from 2009 and 2010, when mining revenue fell to just $1.76 billion and $1.78 billion, respectively.

Mining employment is also up significantly, with 6,661 jobs in 2011. That’s below the pre-recession count of 7,200 employees in 2008, but it’s up from 5,160 in 2009 and 5,658 in 2010.

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