Australian Minerals Industry
The Australian minerals industry involves the exploration and mining of minerals (including coal) and the associated minerals processing industry. It is one of Australia’s most important industries and provides direct and indirect benefits to all Australians.
Today, the industry is operating within an unprecedented global demand for minerals. This super cycle of demand is being driven by the rapidly developing economies of China and India and is forecast to last well into the future.
The Australian minerals sector ranks among the top five producers of most of the world’s key minerals commodities.
It is:
- The world’s leading producer of bauxite, alumina, ilmenite, rutile, zircon, synthetic rutile and tantalum
- The second largest producer of gold, iron ore, lead, uranium, diamonds (by weight) and zinc
- The third largest producer of silver and nickel
- The fourth largest producer of black coal and manganese, and
- The fifth largest producer of aluminium, copper and brown coal
Currently, the Australian minerals industry (not including oil and gas) directly employs over 130,000 people. All up including those indirectly employed, this figure stands at some 320,000 Australians, many of whom are in sparsely populated, remote and regional Australia.
The minerals industry workforce is now Australia’s fastest growing industry workforce.
The industry is committed to its number one goal of zero fatalities and injuries and has gone from having one of the worst industrial safety records of any sector to one of the best.
These days, the success of any minerals operation in contributing to Australia’s wealth and prosperity is measured by its economic efficiency, its effective environmental management and its responsible social development.
The industry considers its future to be inseparable from the global pursuit of sustainable development.
Australian Minerals Industry Fast Facts:
- Current value of exports generated by the minerals industry: $91.3 billion
- Provides 66% of Australia’s current commodity trade
- Is responsible for 8% of Australia’s GDP
- Directly employs over 130,000 people
- Is the largest employer of environmental professionals in Australia
- Currently spends over $184m pa on rehabilitating disturbed land
Downloads and links:
- Australian Minerals Industry factsheet
- Map of Australian Mines and Mineral Deposits
- Create your own interactive map of Australian mine sites
- Visit the MCA Education Website
More information on current industry policy, health and safety, statistical data, environmental and educational information, is available at the Minerals Council of Australia’s website at www.minerals.org.au
