The 1992 Census of Mineral Industries covers all establishments with one paid employee or more primarily engaged in mining as defined in the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Manual. This is the system of industrial classification developed by experts on classification in Government and private industry under the guidance of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. This classification system is used by Government agencies as well as many organizations outside the Government.

The SIC Manual defines mining in the broad sense to include the extraction of minerals occurring naturally: solids such as coal and ores, liquids such as crude petroleum, and gases such as natural gas. The term ‘‘mining’’ is used in the broad sense to include quarrying, well operation, milling (crushing, screening, washing, flotation, etc.), and other preparations needed to make minerals marketable. Exploration is included as is the development of mineral properties. Services performed on a contract, fee, or other basis in the exploration and development of mineral properties are classified separately but within this division.

Reports, from the 1992 Census of Mineral Industries, for each of the nine geographic divisions presents statistics for individual States and offshore areas for two- and three-digit industry groups by type of operation and by county. Also, data are shown for value of shipments; value added by mining; employment; payroll; hours worked; capital expenditures; cost of supplies, etc.; purchased machinery installed; and number of mining establishments, with comparative 1987 data on employment and value added by mining.