SUPPLIERS NEWS ROUNDUP — US coal miners reap benefits

Miners in North Dakota are the best-paid in the U.S. coal industry, according to a study by a Spokane, Wash.-based engineering firm.

Western Mine Engineering found that miners at the state’s four largest mines earn more than US$20 per hour — about US$6 more than the national average and twice that of their eastern counterparts.

The conclusions are based on a survey of 69 surface and underground coal mines in the U.S. over a 6-month period in late 1998 and early 1999.

Wages across the U.S. vary between US$5.75 and US$24.93 for surface mine labourers and between US$9.50 and US$21.80 for underground workers, whereas equipment operators earn between US$8.25 and US$24.93 on the surface and between US$13 and US$22.65 underground.

High wages at North Dakota mines, only two of which are unionized, are attributable to competition with similar operations in Wyoming.