Mineral Resources Minister Paul Holloway said employment in the sector was expected to grow by almost 20 per cent this year and the outlook for the future remained strong.

"Employment demand will be highest in the key skills provided by engineers, geologists, electricians, boilermakers, fitters and truck drivers," Mr Holloway said.

The minister said a recent survey of 65 companies showed they expected jobs growth of 19.5 per cent, taking total employment in the mining industry to 12,200.

He said figures also showed annual employment growth in the sector of 13 per cent since 1997 with its share of total state employment up from 0.5 per cent to 1.4 per cent.

"Recently, there have been some claims that employment in our state's mining industry is at its lowest in four years," Mr Holloway said.

"But I can assure that South Australian public that the strong jobs growth in this state's mining sector is expected to continue this year and into the future."