Committed To Responsible,
Sustainable Mining
Environment
Nevada’s modern mining industry is committed to sustainability, producing over twenty essential minerals while protecting the state’s land, air, water, and wildlife. Before operations begin, mines must go through rigorous phases of study and permitting, focused on mitigating and eliminating potential environmental concerns. Mines are required to meet strict environmental standards implemented by a number of state and federal regulatory agencies. Operators employ teams of professionals that are consistently monitoring area conditions, ensuring that standards are not only met, but frequently succeeded.
Laws and regulations put into place by agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection set high expectations for Nevada mining companies. Mines must comply with policies like the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts, in addition to several other laws.
In short, if a mine cannot meet Nevada’s world class standards, they will not be allowed to operate.
Reclamation
Before ground is broken on a mine, mining companies must ensure sufficient funding is available to complete reclamation of the site. Bonds and other financial guarantees are held by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, the Division of Minerals, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service. Comprehensive reclamation plans and assurance amounts are prepared following state and federal regulatory guidelines. All plans must be approved by the agencies before mining can begin.
Today, the State of Nevada and federal agencies currently hold more than $3.3 billion in mining reclamation guarantees.
Workplace Safety
Nevada mining is proud of its “safety first” culture, prioritizing people over production. Safety oriented professionals are employed on sites, focused on educating, mitigating risk, and committed to seeing every miner go home to their family at the end of their shift.
Safety is highly regulated at both the state and federal levels, and organizations like the Mining Safety & Health Administration inspect and conduct investigations directly on site to ensure laws are complied with. Meanwhile, every miner is trained in safety procedures before beginning work, using a new piece of equipment, or implementing a new procedure.
The Nevada Mining Association recognizes the individuals and operations across the state who exemplify the industry’s commitment to workplace safety through its annual Safety Awards.
Employment
Few, if any, industries that offer the fulfilling careers found in Nevada mining. In addition to paying the state’s highest average salary at over $93,000, miners have access to benefits including health care, retirement, sick leave, and paid time off.
Gone are the days of the grizzled prospector with shovel and pickaxe in hand. Today’s mining features a highly skilled and highly trained workforce, with career pathways available for recent high school graduates and those with advanced degrees. Roughly 15,000 Nevadans are directly employed by the mining industry, with another 26,000 working throughout the supply chain. While most of Nevada’s major mines are located in rural northern Nevada, both direct and supply chain careers are available throughout all 17 counties in the state.
Taxes & Education
Nevada mine operators pay all federal corporate income taxes, county taxes, and state taxes. Additionally, the industry pays two industry specific taxes, the Net Proceeds on Minerals Tax, and the Mining Education Tax (MET). When MET was passed during the 2021 Nevada Legislative Session, it created an unprecedented relationship between the state’s education system and mining industry. One, it established a new tax earmarked specifically for Nevada’s K-12 students, the first such tax in Nevada history. Two, the Net Proceeds Tax, traditionally divided between the state general fund and the county a mineral is produced in, was tweaked to convert the state portion entirely to education as well. Combined, a total of $300 million per biennium is now specifically committed to Nevada’s most precious resource, its children.
The Nevada Mining Association supports a broad-based tax structure, apportioned according to the taxpayer’s ability to pay, that ensures a sustainable, consistent tax base to provide for necessary services to Nevada’s growing population.
Community Engagement
A good industry is committed to providing high quality careers, generating tax revenue, and engaging in community partnerships that improve the lives of local citizens. Nevada mine operators are proud to do all three. In addition to paying county, state, and federal taxes, companies contribute millions of dollars to nonprofits, scholarships, and local causes while also volunteering their services for a number of community causes.
During the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nevada mine operators stepped up to support communities throughout the Silver State. The industry implemented protocols to keep employees safe on the job, while also securing PPE for first responders and making the largest financial contribution to Nevada’s COVID-19 Task Force. Mine operators also created new programs like the I-80 fund, providing small businesses in rural Nevada with low interest loans to keep their doors open and staff employed.
America’s Green Energy Hub
Just as mining is a strong part of Nevada’s past and present, it promises to be a vital part of its future as well. By producing the raw materials needed to help the United States develop energy independence, the state is poised to become America’s green energy hub.
Minerals like lithium, copper, silver, and gold are produced in Nevada and will be instrumental in meeting the national and global demand to produce electric vehicles, solar panels, and other methods of renewable energy sources.
The development of a green energy supply chain also means more career opportunities for Nevadans, increased economic activity, and increased national security.