Overview
The mining industry has been key to the development of civilisation, underpinning the iron and bronze ages, the industrial revolution and the infrastructure of today’s information age. In 2001, the mining industry produced over 6 billion tons of raw product valued at several trillion dollars. Downstream beneficiation and minerals processing of these raw materials adds further value as raw materials and products are created to serve all aspects of industry and commerce worldwide.
The last decade of the twentieth century saw the creation of mega-commodity corporations that increasingly moved downstream into the beneficiation area, leaving exploration for new mineral deposits increasingly to small junior mining companies. Application of new technology has led to productivity gains across the value chain.
Apart from Antarctica (which has a treaty in place preventing short to medium term exploitation and exploration of minerals), mining takes place in all of the world’s continents. Traditional mining countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Chile dominate the global mining scene. These countries have become the traditional leaders in mining and exploration methods and technology. Exploration and development funding has changed over the past few years with emphasis shifting to areas that have been poorly explored or have had poor access for reasons of politics, infrastructure or legislation. Gold, base metal, diamonds and platinum group elements (PGE’s) are the more important commodities explored for and developed globally.
| North America:
North America is the major producer of gold and silver. Raw mineral production in 1998 was valued at approximately US$ 70 billion. The industry employs approximately 1 million people. Major companies include Barrick, Newmont and Industrias Penoles |
Europe:
Europe is not a major mining center. However, it has several established base metal mines in Scandanavia, Ireland and the Iberian Peninsula. Major companies include Boliden and Outokumpu. |
Asia:
Asia is a major producer of base metals, PGE’s, ferrous metals and coal. Most major producers are state controlled, but foreign investment is being encouraged, in particular by China, India and the CIS. |
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| South America:
South America is a major producer of base and ferrous metals, in particular copper and iron ore. Major companies include Codelco, Barrick, CVRD, Newmont and Rio Tinto. |
Africa:
Africa is a major producer of cobalt, gold, PGE’s and diamonds. Mining accounts for a substantial proportion of several countries GDP’s. Major companies include Anglo American, De Beers and BHP Billiton. |
Australasia:
Australasia is a leading producer of iron ore, gold and base metals. Major companies include BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Normandy Mining. |
The following table summarises the global mining industry by commodity:
| Antimony | |
| Production (2003): | 142 Mt |
| Major Countries: | China, Bolivia, South Africa |
| Major companies: | Metorex, Emusa |
| Key uses: | Flame retardants, semi conductors |
| Bauxite | |
| Production (2003): | 144 Mt |
| Major Countries: | Australia, Guinea, JamaicaSuriname |
| Major companies: | Alcoa, Alcan, Comalco |
| Key uses: | Aluminium production |
| Chromite | |
| Production (2003): | 14 Mt |
| Major Countries: | South Africa, Kazakhstan and Turkey |
| Major companies: | Samancor, Assmang |
| Key uses: | Stainless steel production, superalloys |
| Coal | |
| Total Production (2002): | Approx. 3837 Mt |
| Major Countries: | USA, China and India |
| Major companies: | Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, Coal India |
| Key uses: | Energy generation |
| Cobalt | |
| Production (2003): | 18, 143 t |
| Major Countries: | Zambia, DRC and Russia |
| Major companies: | Gecamines, Norilsk Nickel |
| Key uses: | Metal alloys |
| Copper | |
| Mine production (2003): | 13.63 Mt |
| World demand (2000): | 13.2 Mt |
| Major Countries: | Chile, USA and Australia |
| Major companies: | Codelco, Rio Tinto, Grupo Mexico |
| Key uses: | Electrical applications, construction |
| Diamonds | |
| Production (2003): | 138.0 Mct |
| Value US$ (2000): | $ 7.8 billion |
| Major Countries: | Botswana, Russia, Australia |
| Major companies: | Debswana, Rio Tinto, Alrosa |
| Key uses: | Jewellery, abrasives |
| Gold | |
| Mine Production (2003): | 2 593 t |
| Total Demand (2003): | 3 321 t |
| Major Countries: | South Africa, USA, Australia |
| Major companies: | AngloGold, Barrick, Newmont |
| Key uses: | Jewellery, Investments |
| Iron ore | |
| Production (2003): | 1,098.8 Mt |
| Iron ore Exports (2000): | 488 Mt |
| Major countries: | Australia, Brazil, China |
| Major companies: | CVRD, BHP Billiton |
| Key uses: | Steel industry |
| Lead | |
| Mine Production (2003): | 2.84 Mt |
| Metal Consumption (2000): | 6.51Mt |
| Major Countries: | Australia, China and USA |
| Major companies: | BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Pasminco |
| Key uses: | Motor vehicle batteries, chemical |
| Manganese | |
| Mine production (2003): | 8.0Mt |
| Major Countries: | South Africa, Gabon, Brazil |
| Major companies: | Samancor, Assmang, Comilog |
| Key uses: | Ferroalloys |
| Molybdenum | |
| Production (2003): | 127 000 t |
| Major Countries: | USA, China and Chile |
| Major companies: | Phelps Dodge, Codelco |
| Key uses: | FerroAlloys |
| Nickel | |
| Production (2003): | 1,400 Mt |
| Demand (2000): | 1.2 Mt |
| Major Countries: | Russia, Canada, Australia |
| Major companies: | WMC, Norilsk Nickel, Inco |
| Key uses: | Stainless steel, batteries, fuel cells |
| Palladium | |
| Total Supply (2003): | 171 000 kg |
| Total Demand (2000): | 8.9 Moz |
| Major Countries: | South Africa and Russia |
| Major companies: | Anglo Platinum, Norilsk Nickel |
| Key uses: | Motor vehicle catalysts, electronic |
| Phosphates | |
| Production (2003): | 138 Mt |
| Demand (1998): | 147 Mt |
| Major Countries: | USA, Morocco, China |
| Major companies: | Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, OCP |
| Key uses: | Fertiliser applications |
| Platinum | |
| Total Supply (2003): | 187 000 kg |
| Total Demand (2003): | 2.83 Moz |
| Major Countries: | South Africa and Russia |
| Major companies: | Anglo Platinum, Norilsk Nickel |
| Key uses: | Motor vehicle catalysts, jewellery |
| Silver | |
| Mine Production (2003): | 580,2 Moz |
| Total Demand (2002): | 838,2 Moz |
| Major Countries: | Mexico, Peru, Australia |
| Major companies: | Industrias Penoles, BHP Billiton |
| Key uses: | Electronics, photographic, jewellery |
| Tantalum | |
| Production (2003): | 1.23 Mt |
| Major countries: | Australia, Canada |
| Major companies: | Sons of Gwalia, Gippsland Ltd |
| Key uses: | Electronic components; alloys |
| Tin | |
| Production (2002): | 142 100 t (Primary and Secondary sources) |
| Major Countries: | China, Peru and Indonesia |
| Major companies: | PT Timah Tbk , Minsur |
| Key uses: | Packaging, alloys |
| Titanium | |
| Production (2003): | 4 700 Mt (Ilmenite, Leucoxene and Rutile) |
| Major Countries: | Australia, South Africa, Canada |
| Major companies: | BHP Billiton, Anglo American, Westralian Sands |
| Key uses: | Pigments and alloys |
| Tungsten | |
| Production (2003): | 46 200 t (concentrate) |
| Major Countries: | China and Russia |
| Major companies: | Mainly state owned |
| Key uses: | FerroAlloys, filaments |
| Uranium | |
| Production (2003): | 35 844 t |
| Major Countries: | Canada, Niger and Australia |
| Major companies: | Cogema, Cameco |
| Key uses: | Power generation, medical |
| Vanadium | |
| Mine Production (2003): | 60 Mt (Vanadium pentoxide) |
| Major Countries: | South Africa, Australia |
| Major companies: | Highveld Steel, Xstrata, Precious Metals Australia (PMA) |
| Key uses: | FerroAlloys |
| Zinc | |
| Mine Production (2003): | 9.86 Mt |
| Metal Consumption (2000): | 8.8 Mt |
| Major Countries: | Australia, Canada and China |
| Major companies: | BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Pasminco |
| Key uses: | Galvanising, alloys |
| Zirconium | |
| Supply (2003): | 890 Mt |
| Major Countries: | South Africa, Australia |
| Major companies: | BHP Billiton, Anglo American, Westralian Sands |
| Key uses: | Foundry applications, alloys |