Description of Industries and Summary of Findings

INDUSTRY 1474, POTASH, SODA, AND BORATE MINERALS

This industry is made up of establishments primarily engaged in mining,
milling, or otherwise preparing natural potassium, sodium, or boron
compounds (other than common salt). Products of the industry include potash
salts, sodium borates, sodium carbonates, sodium sulfates, and colemanite,
a calcium borate. Dry-lake brine operations are included in this industry,
as well as establishments engaged in producing the specified minerals from
underground and open pit mines.

In the 1992 Census of Mineral Industries, Industry 1474, Potash, Soda, and
Borate Minerals, had employment of 5.5 thousand. The employment figure was
20 percent below the 6.9 thousand reported in 1987. The total value of
shipments and receipts for the industry was $1.5 billion in 1992. The value
added by mining was $1.2 billion in 1992. Value added per employee was
$210.0 thousand in 1992; it was $132.6 thousand in 1987.

The total cost of supplies used by establishments classified in this
industry amounted to $424.9 million, while the cost of selected supplies,
minerals received for preparation, and purchased machinery installed
amounted to $218.4 million and is shown in file NC92F7. The total cost of
fuels used in this industry amounted to $106.1 million in 1992. Data on
specific fuels used also appear in file NC92F7.

Single-establishment companies in this industry with up to 20 employees
were excluded from the mail portion of the census. The data for these
establishments (and a small number of larger establishments whose reports
were not received at the time the data were tabulated) were imputed as
described above. These establishments accounted for less than 1 percent of
the total value of shipments and receipts.


INDUSTRY 1475, PHOSPHATE ROCK

This industry is made up of establishments primarily engaged in mining,
milling, drying, calcining, sintering, otherwise preparing phosphate rock,
including apatite. Establishments primarily engaged in the production of
phosphoric acid, superphosphates, or other manufactured phosphate compounds
or chemicals are classified in Major Group 28, Chemicals and Allied
Products.

In the 1992 Census of Mineral Industries, Industry 1475, Phosphate Rock,
had employment of 5.4 thousand. The employment figure was 2 percent above
the 5.3 thousand reported in 1987. The total value of shipments and
receipts for the industry was $1.2 billion in 1992. The value added by
mining was $ 690.0 million in 1992. Value added per employee was $127.8
thousand in 1992; it was $112.3 thousand in 1987.

The total cost of supplies used by establishments classified in this
industry amounted to $633.9 million, while the cost of selected supplies,
minerals received for preparation, and purchased machinery installed
amounted to $353.9 million and is shown in file NC92F7. The total cost of
fuels used in this industry amounted to $19.4 million in 1992. Data on
specific fuels used also appear in file NC92F7.

Single-establishment companies in this industry with up to 20 employees
were excluded from the mail portion of the census. The data for these
establishments (and a small number of larger establishments whose reports
were not received at the time the data were tabulated) were imputed as
described above. These establishments accounted for less than 1 percent of
the total value of shipments and receipts.


INDUSTRY 1479, CHEMICAL AND FERTILIZER MINERAL MINING, N.E.C.

This industry is made up of establishments primarily engaged in mining,
milling, or otherwise preparing chemical or fertilizer mineral raw
materials, not elsewhere classified. Establishments primarily engaged in
milling, grinding, or otherwise preparing barite not in conjunction with
mining or quarry operations are classified in Manufacturing, industry 3295;
similar establishments preparing other minerals of this industry are
included here. Establishments primarily engaged in producing salt by
evaporation of sea water or brine are classified in Manufacturing, industry
2899.

In the 1992 Census of Mineral Industries, Industry 1479, Chemical and
Fertilizer Mineral Mining, N.E.C., had employment of 4.1 thousand. The
employment figure was 2 percent below the 4.2 thousand reported in 1987.
The total value of shipments and receipts for the industry was $422.8
million in 1992. The value added by mining was $277.0 million in 1992.
Value added per employee was $67.6 thousand in 1992; it was $116.4 thousand
in 1987.

The total cost of supplies used by establishments classified in this
industry amounted to $255.8 million, while the cost of selected supplies,
minerals received for preparation, and purchased machinery installed
amounted to $169.0 million and is shown in file NC92F7. The total cost of
fuels used in this industry amounted to $48.6 million in 1992. Data on
specific fuels used also appear in file NC92F7.

Single-establishment companies in this industry with up to 20 employees
were excluded from the mail portion of the census. The data for these
establishments (and a small number of larger establishments whose reports
were not received at the time the data were tabulated) were imputed as
described above. These establishments accounted for 2 percent of the total
value of shipments and receipts.