The Australian Resource Reviews are periodic national assessments of individual mineral commodities. The reviews include evaluations of short-term and long-term trends for each mineral resource, world rankings, production data, significant exploration results and an overview of mining industry developments.

A report showing, in so far as figures are available, the salient features of the mineral industry just prior to the outbreak of the Second World War.

Until recent years the consumption of copper in Australia had not been greatly different from the domestic mine output. Production attained a high peak during the war, but there has since been a serious drop. Although this drop is temporary, it has unfortunately coincided with a period of severe dollar shortage and of rapidly expanding demand for the metal. As a consequence it has been apparent for some time that two important problems face the metal industry in this country, now and for an indefinite number of years in the future: to what extent Australian production of copper can be expected to meet local consumption, and in what manner imports of copper can be made available from soft currency areas rather than from hard currency sources. It is with the idea of clarifying the position that this note has been prepared. To place the Australian picture in proper perspective it must be viewed against the background of the world's copper position and accordingly this note has been divided into two parts: the World position, and the Australian position.

Report on mine maintenance, costs, equipment, employment, reserves, and workings.

This report summerises the kinds, sources, and handlers or processors of asbestos in Australia, 1944.

Summary report on the ore prospects of some Western Australian gold mines. The report provides details on production, ore deposits, and operations.

The relevant portions of letters from Non-Metallics Limited addressed to Mr. J.M. Newman, setting out the reasons for their Application for a Commonwealth Grant, and the details of the Company's position are reproduced here.

Shortly after I took up the appointment of Mineral Economist, the high quality of the mica from the Harts Range came to my notice. Accordingly, I paid a visit to Harts Range between the 22nd September and 4th October. In judging the possibilities of developing the mica deposits of the Harts Range, the difficulty is the almost complete lack of reliable detailed mining data in the past - production data for the later war years only are available. However, by comparing the degree of areal concentration of the pegmatites, the type of deposits and the quality and sizes of the mica so far produced with those in India, a reasonable picture can be obtained of comparative possibilities. The method of approach throughout this report, therefore, will be comparison of the Harts Range with India mica. This report gives an account of the present state of the Australian mica industry, including descriptions of current trade terms, the grading and classification of mica, and the Harts Range Mica Belt deposits. Suggestions and recommendations for the development of the industry are discussed.

At the request of the Defence Supply Planning Branch of the Department of Supply an investigation of the Australian graphite industry was undertaken early in 1950. The particular aspects to be considered in this investigation were listed by the Planning Branch as follows: the specific defence significance of graphite and an estimate of peace and probable wartime demands, the experiences during World War II where applicable, the present and future supple position, alternative methods of ensuring that demands are met in an emergency, and the method recommended to meet demands in an emergency. This report should be considered an interim report containing recommendations for early consideration by the Planning Branch.

Report on mine maintenance, costs, equipment, employment, reserves, and workings.