In 1999, Australia's economic demonstrated resources (EDR) of bauxite, diamond, gold, iron ore, manganese ore, magnesite, mineral sands (ilmenite, rutile, and zircon), nickel, phosphate rock and tantalum rose, while those of copper, coal (black and brown), lead, lithium, silver, uranium and zinc fell. The reductions in EDR were due mainly to ongoing high levels of production; commodity prices were a subsidiary factor. EDR of all other commodities remained effectively unchanged. EDR of bauxite and manganese ore increased by 16% and over 22% respectively, following reviews of resources information that became available during the year. Increases in EDR of both gem/near gem and industrial diamond resulted from delineation of additional resources in Western Australia. EDR of nickel and tantalum again reached record levels. Gold increased by 14%, surpassing the previous EDR high established in 1996. Australia continues to rank highly as one of the world's leading mineral resource nations. It has the world's largest EDR of lead, mineral sands, nickel, silver, tantalum, uranium and zinc. In addition, its EDR is in the top six worldwide for bauxite, black coal, brown coal, copper, cobalt, copper, gold, iron ore, lithium, manganese ore, rare earth oxides, gem/near gem diamond and vanadium.

In 2001, Australia's economic demonstrated resources (EDR) of bauxite, copper, gold, lead, magnesite, ilmenite, zircon, nickel, phosphate, PGM, tantalum, silver, vanadium and zinc increased, while those of black coal, diamonds, iron ore, lithium, manganese ore and uranium decreased. EDR of brown coal was maintained at levels similar to those reported in 2000. The reductions in EDR were due mainly to ongoing high levels of production; with low commodity prices a subsidiary factor. EDR of gold, nickel and mineral sands reached record levels. Gold EDR rose by 4% and was over 80% of total demonstrated resources, this increase in resources continuing the established long-term growth trend for gold. In recent years that trend has continued despite falling exploration expenditure reflecting an increasing trend to concentrate exploration efforts in brownfields regions in response to the sustained period of depressed gold price. Australia, continues to rank as one of the world's leading mineral resource nations. It has the world's largest EDR of lead, mineral sands, nickel, silver, tantalum, uranium and zinc. In addition, its EDR is in the top six worldwide for bauxite, black coal, brown coal, cobalt, copper, gold, iron ore, lithium, manganese ore, rare earth oxides and gem/near gem diamond. Mineral exploration expenditure rose by 1% to $683.3 million in 2000-01, which was the first increase in annual exploration spending since 1996-97. However spending for calendar year 2001, based on the sum of ABS four-quarter figures, was down by $12 million to $664.4 million. Production of many mineral commodities again reached record levels in 2000-01, and overall mine production is projected by ABARE to rise in the five years to 2006-07 with the exception of gold which they forecast will fall by 6%. ABARE have projected a very high growth of some 60% for mine production of nickel in this period. Increases are also forecast for mine production of coal (+17%), copper (4%), lead (3%), zinc (12%), bauxite (17%) and iron ore (19%).

Australia's mineral resources have been sustained at adequate levels, relative to production, through continued exploration at known deposits and successful exploration in greenfield regions. At a number of mines, resources have increased progressively despite mining over an extended period. Increased efficiencies in mining and processing, achieved through application of new technology, have resulted in higher recoveries of minerals from many deposits.

Geoscience Australia provides information on the nation's future capacity to produce mineral resources. Australia's Identified Mineral Resources is an annual nation-wide assessment of Australia's ore reserves and mineral resources. All major and a number of minor mineral commodities mined in Australia are assessed. It includes international rankings, summaries of significant exploration results, brief reviews of mining industry developments, and an analysis of mineral exploration expenditure across the States and Northern Territory. AIMR provides governments, industry, the investment sector and general community with an informed understanding of Australia's known mineral endowment and level of exploration activity. An important objective is to monitor whether resources are being discovered and developed for production at rates sufficient to maintain Australia's position as a major supplier of mineral commodities. Australia's economic demonstrated resources (EDR) for the following 18 mineral commodities increased during 2007 - antimony, bauxite, cobalt, copper, gold, iron ore, manganese ore, ilmenite, rutile, zircon, molybdenum, nickel, rare earths, silver, tungsten, uranium, vanadium and zinc. In the same period, EDR of eight commodities - black coal, cadmium, diamonds (gem and industrial), lead, niobium, phosphate rock, platinum group metals and tantalum decreased. EDR for brown coal, lithium, magnesite, shale oil and tin remained at levels similar to those reported in 2006. Increases in EDR were due to on-going drilling and evaluation of known deposits resulting in the transfer (re-assessment) of resources from inferred or sub-economic categories into EDR and the discovery of new deposits or extensions of known deposits. Sustained increases in prices for most metal and mineral commodities over recent years has allowed companies to re-assess the economic viability of lower grade resources and deposits which previously were considered to be uneconomic. Overall this has contributed to an increase in EDR for many metal and mineral commodities.

The mineral industry is an integral part of the Australian economy, generating $29,785 million in export revenue in the 1993-94 financial year. This was over 60% of all commodity exports for the year. Such an important contribution was possible because of the large and diverse resources that sustain the industry. Economic demonstrated resources (EDR) of several commodities, including gold, ilmenite, manganese, magnesite, zinc, tin and silver, rose substantially in 1994. EDR for cadmium, diamond and vanadium fell significantly, and for other commodities remained steady or showed minor variation over the year. Exploration expenditure continued to be dominated by the search for gold. Figures published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that in 1993-94, $793 million was spent on mineral exploration of which 57% was on gold. Expenditure on diamond exploration rose by 54% to $58 million. Successful exploration programs have maintained Australia's position as one of the world's premier resource nations despite continued high rates of production. Australia is one of the world's top six countries for resources of commodities as diverse as bauxite, bismuth, gold, mineral sands, lithium, iron ore, lead, silver, manganese, zinc, tantalum and uranium.

In 1996, Australia's Economic Demonstrated Resources (EDR) of cobalt, gold, nickel, phosphate rock and tantalum increased substantially, while EDR of bauxite, lead, lithium, platinum group metals (PGM), silver and zinc rose slightly. There was a significant reduction in EDR of gem and near gem diamond and industrial diamond due to ongoing high levels of production. Magnesite and tin EDR were also significantly reduced as a result of depletion due to production and reassessment of deposits. EDR of all other commodities remained unchanged or had minor reductions. Australia continues to rank highly as one of the world's leading mineral resource nations. It has the world's largest EDR of bauxite, lead, mineral sands (ilmenite, rutile and zircon), silver, tantalum, uranium and zinc. In addition, its EDR is in the top six worldwide for black coal, brown coal, cobalt, copper, gold, iron ore, lithium, manganese ore, nickel, rare earth oxides, gem and near gem diamond and industrial diamond. Mineral exploration expenditure rose by 7.5% in 1995-96 to $960.2 million from $893.3 million in the previous year. Increases were recorded in all states and the Northern Territory. Gold was again the main target, accounting for 57% of the total expenditure. In 1995-96 mineral resources exports increased to a new record of $34.7 billion (thousand million), a rise of 12.7% over the previous fiscal year. These export earnings comprised 60% of Australia's commodity exports, 45% of merchandise exports and 35% of the country's total exports of goods and services. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) forecast export earnings to set a further record in 1996-97, rising by nearly 4% to over $36 billion.

In 1997, Australia's Economic Demonstrated Resources (EDR) of bauxite, black coal, cobalt, magnesite, mineral sands, nickel, tantalum and vanadium rose. Reduced EDR were recorded for antimony, cadmium, copper, gold, industrial and gem and near gem diamond, iron ore, lead, lithium, manganese ore, platinum group metals, silver, tin, uranium and zinc. The falls in EDR were due mainly to ongoing high levels of production. EDR of all other mineral commodities remained unchanged. Among the major commodities, EDR of nickel, ilmenite, rutile and zircon reached record levels in 1997. Bauxite continued the slow growth started in 1993 and although black coal EDR rose it remained in the range that has existed since 1987. Gold EDR fell in 1997, breaking the long term growth trend that started in 1982. EDR of iron ore has fallen since 1994 and in 1997 was at its lowest level since 1990. Lead and zinc EDR both continued on a downward trend reaching the lowest levels since 1992. Following a small fall in 1996 copper EDR fell again in 1997. Mineral exploration expenditure rose by 20% from $960.2 million in the previous year to $1148.5 million in 1996-97. Increases were recorded in all States except Queensland where a reduction of 11% occurred. A fall of 5% was recorded for expenditure in the Northern Territory. Gold was again the main target, and increased its share of total expenditure from 57% to 63%. Of the total expenditure about 73% was spent in greenfields leases. Despite the continued growth, in constant dollar terms, expenditure in 1996-97 was still below the peak of 1987-88. In 1996-97 mineral resources exports increased to $36 495 million, a rise of 5% over the previous fiscal year. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) forecast export earnings to rise to $44 530 million in 2002-03. The so called Asian financial crisis may impact adversely on Australia's ability to achieve the projected level of exports.

Australian mineral exploration spending in 2007-081 rose by 41% to a record $2461.4 million2 of which 44% was spent on the search for new deposits3. Spending rose in all States and the Northern Territory; Western Australia dominated with 51% of Australian mineral exploration spending. Base metals were the dominant target with 32% of exploration spending while gold was the major commodity sought with 24% of total spending. Exploration results were announced for a wide range of commodities from across the country with significant increases in resources at the Prominent Hill copper-gold project in South Australia, Cadia gold-copper project in New South Wales, Cloncurry copper and gold project in Queensland and the Solomon iron ore project in Western Australia. High-grade nickel intersections were reported from the Spotted Quoll and Lounge Lizard deposits in Western Australia.

Australia's Identified Mineral Resources is an annual nation-wide assessment of Australia's ore reserves and mineral resources.

This is a promotional flyer for the Austrlian Mines Atlas that is handed out at conferences and other events. The flyer explains what is available through the Australian Mines Atlas website.