Mining Jobs Drive Southeast Missouri’s Economy
St. Louis (PRWEB) January 30, 2015 -- Jobs and the economy are two major issues facing Missouri residents, according to new research from The Doe Run Company (Doe Run). The two 2014 studies, conducted in southeastern Missouri communities, identified residents’ top concerns, and explored the economic impact of Doe Run as one of the region’s top employers.
The first study identified residents’ issues of concern and measured Doe Run’s responsiveness. Among the key findings, nearly 60 percent of respondents reported the most important concerns facing their communities relate to quality jobs, unemployment and the cost of living.
“Doe Run’s exploration, mining, research and technical development operations take place in Iron, Reynolds and Washington counties,” said Aaron Miller, vice president of operations and chief operating officer at Doe Run. “So we regularly survey those communities to determine what is important to them. This most recent study showed that our communities are still very interested in jobs and the economy. We also completed an economic impact study in 2014 to measure how Doe Run is contributing to those important issues.”
Doe Run employs nearly 1,400 people in Missouri, the majority of whom work in Iron and Reynolds counties, two counties with unemployment rates above the state average. Total compensation for employees in Doe Run’s Metals Division and Southeast Missouri Mining and Milling Division (SEMO) average $75,934 (excluding benefits) and are higher than Missouri’s average wages of $49,215 by 54 percent.
In addition, in 2013, Doe Run had an annual expenditure (capital, operation and labor costs) of $455 million. Nearly half ($205 million) was spent on Missouri suppliers. Company spending generated:
• $1.1 billion in economic activity in Missouri
• $315.7 million in household earnings
• 4,709 direct and indirect jobs within the state
• approximately $12.6 million in direct and indirect Missouri income taxes
• $7 million per year (on average) to local tax jurisdictions and approximately $6.3 million in sales and utility taxes
In fact, Missouri mining operations, including Doe Run, directly and indirectly support more than 33,380 jobs, accounting for 1 percent of Missouri’s total employment, according to the National Mining Association’s 2014 study. The study reported that Missouri ranks 13th out of the 50 states for jobs contributed by metal mining. Mining jobs in Missouri pay an average salary of $74,975, approximately 34 percent more than the state average income for all industries.
In addition to supporting current jobs, the mining industry also looks to prepare Missouri students to enter the workforce.
“Missouri’s lead mining industry fueled the growth of many towns in the area,” said Steve Batts, general manager, SEMO Division. “To ensure Missouri’s mining industry thrives well into the future, Doe Run supports local students, schools and universities to develop the next generation of employees.”
For example, Doe Run’s contributions to educate and develop Missouri’s future workforce, include more than $10,000 in annual scholarships for area students studying chemistry, engineering, mining and geology.
“Doe Run is a real asset to our state, contributing both to our economy and our communities,” said Sen. Gary Romine. “Their efforts to train the state’s future workforce ensure that our children can get a good paying job right here at home. Their efforts are a prime example of why southeast Missouri is such a wonderful place to live and raise a family.”
In addition to understanding the importance of jobs and education to the region, Doe Run’s research also gauged its neighbors’ opinions about the company, its operations and its contributions to the community. Responses showed marked improvement in Doe Run management’s involvement in the community, the company’s sharing of information and the ease by which community members can share feedback with the company. If you have any additional feedback for Doe Run, please contact communityinfo(at)doerun(dot)com.
About The Doe Run Company
Based in St. Louis, The Doe Run Company is a privately held natural resources company and a global provider of lead, copper and zinc concentrates. Dedicated to environmentally responsible mineral and metal production, Doe Run operates one of the world’s largest, single-site lead recycling centers, located in Boss, Missouri. The Doe Run Company and its subsidiaries deliver products and services necessary to provide power, protection and convenience. Doe Run has operations in Missouri, Washington and Arizona. For more information, visit http://www.doerun.com and http://sustainability.doerun.com.
About the surveys
St. Louis-based The Survey Institute conducted Doe Run’s community research survey in the main regions where Doe Run operates and its employees live, including Herculaneum, Viburnum, Boss, Glover, and the area known as the Old Lead Belt (including Park Hills and Desloge in St. Francois County). Studies of Doe Run’s Economic Impacts on the State of Missouri are conducted by Development Strategies.
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Maggie Donnelly (Brandt), Standing Partnership, +1 (314) 287-6356, [email protected]
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