Updated: January 12, 2026

Mining

Montana's mining industry is vital to the state's economy. It ranked twenty-third nationally in total nonfuel mineral production value in 2019, and seventh in the production of coal in 2017. The value of nonfuel minerals in 2016 was $905 million. The state produced 42,000,000 short tons of coal in 2019. The industry employed 12,304 workers, with an average annual income of $86,030 in 2016. Montana's combined direct and indirect economic output gain from the mining industry was $2.7 billion (2016 data).

Learn More:

• The Butte boom.
• Berkeley Pit
• The early days of mining.
• Early mining techniques.
• Future of Mining

Sources:

• National Mining Association
• Montana Business Quarterly
• Bureau of Business and Economic Research, the University of Montana 2025

Updated: January 12, 2026