Another example of the mining sector’s contribution to economic growth and U.S competitiveness comes to us via our friends at The More You Dig. As the Nevada Review Journal reports, Nevada’s economy, which is slowly rebounding, is expected to add 10,000 to 15,000 workers to its payrolls this year. This news follows on the heels of $58.9 million in higher-than-expected state tax revenue pouring into state coffers.

With a gold exploration and development project in Long Canyon expected to kick off within the next two or three years, and the growth and opening of new lithium mines, a key metal in green-tech electric battery applications, the mining sector continues to hold the most promise of all economic sectors in Nevada.

According to Nevada Mining Association President Tim Crowley, the mining industry in the state employs 16,000 workers at an average annual wage of $83,000.

As American Resources principal Dan McGroarty has pointed out in a recent column:

“We could (bring) countless jobs back to the U.S. by mining our domestic metal and mineral resources. Every shovel in the ground would have a ripple effect across the economy, as the raw materials are processed and incorporated into goods that are sold around the world.”

The question is, why don’t we?