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World Mining
- 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. |
 |
| 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.
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The following table summarises the global mining
industry by commodity:
|
Antimony |
| Production (2007):
|
135 Mt |
| Major Countries: |
China,
Bolivia,
South Africa |
| Major companies: |
Metorex, Emusa |
| Key uses: |
Flame retardants, semi
conductors |
|
Bauxite |
| Production
(2007): |
190 Mt |
| Major Countries: |
Australia,
China,
Brazil,
Jamaica |
| Major companies: |
CBG, Rio Tinto
Alcan |
| Key uses: |
Aluminium production |
|
Chromite |
| Production
(2007): |
5.85 Mt |
| Major Countries: |
South Africa,
Kazakhstan and
Turkey |
| Major companies: |
Samancor, Assmang |
| Key uses: |
Stainless steel production,
superalloys |
|
Coal |
| Total Production (2007):
|
Approx. 5370 Mt |
| Major Countries: |
USA,
China and
India |
| Major companies: |
China Coal Energy Company,
BHP Billiton, Anglo Coal,
Coal India |
| Key uses: |
Energy generation |
|
Cobalt |
| Production (2007):
|
62 300 t |
| Major Countries: |
Zambia,
DRC and
Russia |
| Major companies: |
Gecamines, Norilsk
Nickel |
| Key uses: |
Metal alloys |
|
Copper |
| Mine production (2007):
|
15.5 Mt |
| World demand (2007):
|
18.12 Mt |
| Major Countries: |
Chile,
Australiaand
Canada |
| Major companies: |
Codelco, Rio Tinto,
Grupo Mexico, Xstrata
and BHP Billiton |
| Key uses: |
Electrical applications,
construction |
|
Diamonds |
| Production (2007):
|
168.0 Mct |
| Value US$ (2007):
|
$ 13 billion |
| Major Countries: |
Botswana,
Russia,
Australia |
| Major companies: |
De
Beers, Rio Tinto, Alrosa |
| Key uses: |
Jewellery, abrasives |
|
Gold |
| Mine Production (2007):
|
2 476 t |
| Total Demand (2007): |
3 518 t |
| Major Countries: |
China,
South Africa,
Australia |
| Major companies: |
AngloGold, Barrick,
Newmont |
| Key uses: |
Jewellery, Investments |
|
Iron
ore |
| Production (2007):
|
1,600 Mt |
| Major countries: |
Australia,
Brazil,
China |
| Major companies: |
Vale
(formerly CVRD), BHP Billiton,
Rio Tinto |
| Key uses: |
Steel industry |
|
Lead |
| Mine Production (2007):
|
3.55 Mt |
| Major Countries: |
Australia,
China and
USA |
| Major companies: |
BHP
Billiton, Rio Tinto, Pasminco, Xstrata |
| Key uses: |
Motor vehicle batteries,
chemical |
|
Manganese |
| Mine production (2007):
|
11.6 Mt |
| Major Countries: |
South Africa,
Australia, Gabon,
|
| Major companies: |
Samancor, Assmang,
Comilog |
| Key uses: |
Ferroalloys |
|
Molybdenum |
| Production (2007):
|
187 000 t |
| Major Countries: |
USA,
China and
Chile |
| Major companies: |
Freeport McMoRan, Codelco |
| Key uses: |
FerroAlloys |
|
Nickel |
| Production (2007):
|
1,660 Mt |
| Major Countries: |
Russia,
Canada,
South Africa |
| Major companies: |
BHP
Billiton, Norilsk Nickel,
Vale |
| Key uses: |
Stainless steel, batteries,
fuel cells |
|
Palladium |
| Total Supply (2007):
|
232 000 kg |
| Major Countries: |
South Africa and
Russia |
| Major companies: |
Anglo Platinum, Norilsk
Nickel,Impala Platinum |
| Key uses: |
Motor vehicle catalysts,
electronic |
|
Phosphates |
| Production (2007):
|
147 Mt |
| Major Countries: |
USA,
Morocco,
China |
| Major companies: |
Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan,
OCP |
| Key uses: |
Fertiliser applications |
|
Platinum |
| Mine Production (2007):
|
6.66 Moz |
| Total Demand (2007):
|
7.03 Moz |
| Major Countries: |
South Africa and
Russia |
| Major companies: |
Anglo Platinum, Norilsk
Nickel, Impala Platinum and Lonmin |
| Key uses: |
Motor vehicle catalysts,
jewellery |
|
Silver |
| Mine Production (2007):
|
20 500 oz |
| Major Countries: |
Mexico,
Peru,
Australia, China |
| Major companies: |
Industrias Penoles, BHP
Billiton |
| Key uses: |
Electronics, photographic,
jewellery |
|
Tantalum |
| Production (2007):
|
4.5 Mt |
| Major countries: |
Brazil,
Canada, Australia |
| Major companies: |
Gippsland
Ltd, Talison Minerals, Paranapanema Group |
| Key uses: |
Electronic components;
alloys |
|
Tin |
| Production (2007):
|
300 000 t (Primary and
Secondary sources) |
| Major Countries: |
China,
Indonesia, Brazil |
| Major companies: |
PT
Timah Tbk , Yunnan Tin, Minsur |
| Key uses: |
Packaging, alloys |
|
Titanium |
| Production (2007):
|
11 700 Mt (Ilmenite and
Rutile) |
| Major Countries: |
Australia,
South Africa,
Canada |
| Major companies: |
BHP
Billiton, Anglo American, Iluka Resources |
| Key uses: |
Pigments and alloys |
|
Tungsten |
| Production (2007):
|
89 600 t (concentrate) |
| Major Countries: |
China and
Russia |
| Major companies: |
Mainly state owned |
| Key uses: |
FerroAlloys, filaments |
|
Uranium |
| Production
(2007): |
41 279 tU |
| Major Countries: |
Canada,
Australia, Kazakhstan |
| Major companies: |
Areva Resources, Cameco |
| Key uses: |
Power generation,
medical |
|
Vanadium |
| Mine Production (2006):
|
62.4 Mt (Vanadium
pentoxide) |
| Major Countries: |
South Africa,
Russia, China |
| Major companies: |
Highveld Steel and Vanadium, Xstrata,
|
| Key uses: |
FerroAlloys |
|
Zinc |
| Mine Production (2007):
|
10.944 Mt |
| Metal Consumption (2000):
|
8.8 Mt |
| Major Countries: |
Australia,
China and
Peru |
| Major companies: |
Glencore, Teck Cominco,
Xstrata |
| Key uses: |
Galvanising, alloys |
|
Zirconium |
| Supply (2007): |
1 240 Mt |
| Major Countries: |
South Africa,
Australia, China |
| Major companies: |
BHP
Billiton, Anglo American, Iluka Resources |
| Key uses: |
Foundry applications,
alloys |
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