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.
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: