Since the gold rushes of the mid-19th century, Australia has been a major power among the world’s mining nations.

Its ancient land mass is an abundant source of mineral wealth and the remote, harsh environment has fuelled the development of cutting-edge technology to cope with the toughest conditions.

Australian miners and their equipment, technology and services have made Australia the world's largest exporter of alumina, black coal, iron ore, bauxite, lead and mineral sands.

Australia is the second largest exporter of uranium and the third largest exporter of aluminium and gold.

Economic contribution
Coal mining, oil and gas extraction, metal ore mining, other mining and services to mining are the industry’s major activities and in 2005-06, revenue was worth $94.4 billion.

The estimated 2,440 enterprises operating in the industry employ about 97,000 people and in 2005-06 paid around $8.5 billion in wages.

Metal ore mining accounts for about 36 per cent of industry output and key commodities include iron ore, bauxite, nickel, zinc and copper.

Oil and gas, which is the most capital-intensive sector of the industry, represents about 31 per cent of output, thanks to surging fuel prices.

Coal mining is the third-largest segment, accounting for about 25 per cent of industry revenue, while non-metallic mineral commodities represent three per cent of industry revenue and services to mining five per cent.

The industry is expected to generate revenue of about $106.6 billion in 2006-07 and to contribute about $52 billion to the gross domestic product of Australia.

(Source: IbisWorld)

Export markets
In 2005-06, the mining industry generated $66.1 billion in exports (Source: IbisWorld)

Australia's largest single industry export was black coal (which accounted for around 32 per cent of industry exports) followed by oil and gas (23 per cent).

Metal ores and minerals (including alumina, iron ore, lead, zinc, copper, gold and aluminium) accounted for most of the remaining mining exports (45 per cent).

Japan is the most important market for energy exports (oil, gas, uranium and coal) absorbing about 40 per cent, while Korea is the next largest market at just over 11 per cent. (Source: Minerals Council of Australia).

China and the European Union are also important markets, accounting for about five per cent and 10 per cent respectively of Australia's energy exports.

China is the most important market for mineral exports, accounting for 21 per cent, while Japan accounts for 17 per cent. The European Union accounts for 11 per cent of mineral exports, while India and South Korea absorb eight per cent each. (Source: Minerals Council of Australia).

Mining equipment, services and technologies
Australian companies are at the forefront in developing innovative mining equipment, services and technologies.

Born out of the tough working conditions in which they are bred, mining equipment and technologies are designed to not only cope with the harshest environments, but also to be cost efficient and adhere to best environmental practises.

Expertise gained in the domestic area has led to Australian mining companies supplying technology, equipment and expertise to clients across the globe.

Mining equipment developed and supplied by Australia includes:

• Exploration equipment
• Underground and above ground mining equipment and vehicles
• Drills and drilling equipment
• Beneficiation equipment
• Strata reinforcement systems
• Pumps, valves, pipes and fittings
• Office and living accommodation
• Safety equipment

Australian-developed mining technology includes:

• Remote control systems
• Protection systems
• Extraction and process technologies
• Environmental studies
• Mine operation and management
• Mining and processing software
• Exploration technologies

Australia exports mining equipment and services to over 50 countries including Chile, Peru, Argentina and Brazil, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, China, India, North America and Europe.

Exploration
Australian companies have developed some of the world’s most innovative technologies in their quest to improve mineral exploration productivity.

Their exploration techniques have had to become very finely tuned in order to meet the demand for sourcing metals and minerals in increasingly remote and inhospitable environments.

As a consequence, the sophisticated and cost-effective exploration systems which have been developed in Australia are being sought by mining companies across the world.

Australian-designed remote sensing technology, advanced exploration equipment and resource estimation software are currently being used in countries such as Chile, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, India and Pakistan.

Australia’s expertise in exploration includes:

• Satellite and airborne geophysics
• Geophysical and geochemical analysis
• Exploration and mining software
• Data acquisition and validation
• Analytical data quality assessment
• Statistical analysis
• 3D modelling and interpretation
• Exploration database systems and services
• Geostatistical analysis and resource estimation
• Grade control analysis

(Source: Austmine)

Major players
The leading competitors in Australia’s mining industry and their market share are detailed below:

(Source: IbisWorld)

For more information please visit:
www.austmine.com.au - Austmine
www.iird.vic.gov.au - The Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development