Australian Mining Industry: Positions and Perspectives
Australia has a world-leading mining industry as a producer for some 16 commodities including gold, bauxite, iron ore, rare earths, zinc, nickel and coal. In 2021, Australia’s mineral exports (excluding petroleum products) amounted to $200 billion which was 58% of all good’s export and 46% of all exported goods and services. In 2021, mining accounted for more than 10% of gross national product. In addition, the mining industry employed some 240 000 people, with many more employed by related industries. Australia is richly endowed with many minerals, that are regarded as critical, or strategic, minerals by many trading partners. Growing markets for these commodities, particularly for those associated with emerging technologies such as battery storage, renewable energy and electric vehicles have stimulated exploration and resource delineation in Australia in recent years.