As the world's most indispensable supplier of iron ore, powering over half the planet's steel, Australia's mining industry is a colossal engine of national wealth and global trade that produced a staggering $340 billion in value last year alone.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022-23, Australia produced 918 million tonnes of iron ore, accounting for 53% of global production
- Western Australia's iron ore production reached 876 million tonnes in 2022-23, representing 95% of Australia's total
- Australia exported 898 million tonnes of iron ore in 2022-23, valued at A$136 billion
- In 2022-23, mining contributed A$455 billion to Australia's GDP, or 10.3% of total GDP
- The mining sector generated A$347 billion in export revenue in 2022-23
- Royalties from mining totalled A$16.5 billion for state governments in 2022-23
- The industry employed 278,000 direct workers in 2023
- Fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers comprised 40% of mining workforce in 2022
- Average mining salary was A$152,000 in 2023, 80% above national average
- Australia exported A$347 billion in minerals and energy in 2022-23
- Iron ore was 40% of total exports, A$138 billion to China mainly
- Coal exports went to 45 countries, top Japan and India, A$65B
- Mining fatal injuries dropped to 18 in 2022
- Lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) was 2.8 per million hours in 2022
- 95% of mines had zero fatalities in 2023
Australia's mining industry dominates global resources, delivering immense economic prosperity.
Economic Impact
- In 2022-23, mining contributed A$455 billion to Australia's GDP, or 10.3% of total GDP
- The mining sector generated A$347 billion in export revenue in 2022-23
- Royalties from mining totalled A$16.5 billion for state governments in 2022-23
- Iron ore exports contributed A$138 billion to the economy in 2022-23
- Coal exports were valued at A$65 billion in 2022-23
- LNG exports reached A$70 billion in 2022-23
- Gold exports generated A$28 billion in revenue in 2022-23
- Mining investment was A$58 billion in 2022-23
- The sector paid A$50 billion in company taxes in FY2023
- Mining supported 1.1 million indirect jobs in 2022
- Regional mining economies grew GDP by 15% above national average in 2022
- BHP's economic contribution was A$20 billion to Australia in FY2023
- Rio Tinto contributed A$18.5 billion in taxes and payments in 2023
- Mining royalties in Western Australia alone were A$11.8 billion in 2022-23
- Queensland mining royalties totalled A$3.9 billion in 2022-23
- Mining added A$150 billion to national wealth via superannuation in 2022
- The value of mining production rose 8% to A$340 billion in 2022-23
- Critical minerals exports grew 20% to A$15 billion in 2022-23
- Mining GDP contribution A$455B, 10.3% total 2022-23
- Export revenue A$347B minerals/energy 2022-23
- Royalties A$16.5B states 2022-23
- Iron ore export value A$136B 2022-23
- Coal export value A$65B 2022-23
- LNG export value A$70B 2022-23
- Gold export value A$28B 2022-23
- Mining capex A$58B 2022-23
- Company taxes A$50B FY2023
- Indirect jobs 1.1M supported 2022
- Regional GDP growth 15% above nat avg 2022
- BHP contribution A$20B taxes/royalties FY2023
- Rio Tinto A$18.5B payments 2023
- WA royalties A$11.8B 2022-23
- QLD royalties A$3.9B 2022-23
- Superannuation boost A$150B 2022
- Production value A$340B up 8% 2022-23
- Critical minerals exports A$15B +20% 2022-23
Economic Impact Interpretation
While Australia's economy is theoretically sophisticated, it is still largely propped up by digging up rocks and setting them on fire to the tune of nearly half a trillion dollars, funding everything from government coffers to your nan's superannuation.
Employment Data
- The industry employed 278,000 direct workers in 2023
- Fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers comprised 40% of mining workforce in 2022
- Average mining salary was A$152,000 in 2023, 80% above national average
- Women made up 25% of mining workforce in 2023, up from 15% in 2015
- Indigenous employment in mining reached 5% of workforce in 2022
- Western Australia hosted 60% of mining jobs, or 167,000 in 2023
- Queensland mining employed 52,000 workers in 2023
- 65% of mining roles required vocational qualifications in 2022
- Apprenticeships in mining totalled 12,000 in 2023
- Labour turnover in mining was 12% in 2022, below national 15%
- FIFO operations supported 80,000 jobs in regional areas in 2023
- Engineers comprised 8% of mining workforce, or 22,000 in 2023
- Heavy vehicle drivers made up 15% of roles, 42,000 in 2022
- Diversity programs trained 5,000 women in 2023
- Youth employment under 25 was 10% in mining, 28,000 in 2023
- Safety training hours totalled 2.5 million in 2022
- Contractors filled 50% of mining jobs in 2023
- Direct employment 278k in mining 2023
- FIFO 40% workforce 2022
- Avg salary A$152k, 80% above avg 2023
- Women 25% workforce 2023
- Indigenous 5% workforce 2022
- WA 167k jobs 60% national 2023
- QLD 52k mining jobs 2023
- Vocational quals 65% roles 2022
- Apprentices 12k in mining 2023
- Turnover 12% vs nat 15% 2022
- FIFO jobs 80k regional 2023
- Engineers 22k, 8% workforce 2023
- Drivers 42k, 15% roles 2022
- Women training 5k via programs 2023
- Under-25s 28k, 10% 2023
- Safety training 2.5M hours 2022
- Contractors 50% jobs 2023
Employment Data Interpretation
Australia's mining industry is a high-paying, fly-in fly-out powerhouse that's stubbornly clinging to its hard hats and heavy vehicles while slowly, and with considerable training, making room for more women, youth, and Indigenous workers, proving you can be traditional and transformative at the same time, just as long as the pay is good.
Export and Trade
- Australia exported A$347 billion in minerals and energy in 2022-23
- Iron ore was 40% of total exports, A$138 billion to China mainly
- Coal exports went to 45 countries, top Japan and India, A$65B
- LNG shipped 81 million tonnes, A$70B to Asia
- Gold exports to UK and Switzerland totalled A$28B in 2022-23
- Aluminium exports were A$12B, mainly to Asia
- Copper concentrate exports grew 15% to A$10B in 2023
- Nickel exports valued A$5B, key to EV batteries
- Lithium exports hit A$12B, 50% global supply
- Rare earths exports A$1.2B, growing to China
- 90% of iron ore exports from Pilbara ports in 2023
- Gladstone port handled 120Mt coal exports in 2023
- Trade surplus from mining was A$120B in 2022-23
- FTA with China boosted iron ore trade by 10% in 2023
- India became top coal buyer, 25% share in 2023
- Critical minerals in 60+ FTAs, exports up 25%
- Port Hedland exported 550Mt iron ore in 2023
- Hay Point coal terminal 50Mt exports annually
- Minerals/energy exports A$347B 2022-23
- Iron ore 40% exports A$138B mainly China
- Coal to 45 countries A$65B Japan/India top
- LNG 81Mt A$70B Asia 2022-23
- Gold A$28B to UK/Switzerland 2022-23
- Alumina exports A$12B Asia 2023
- Copper conc +15% A$10B 2023
- Nickel A$5B EV key 2023
- Lithium A$12B 50% global 2023
- REE A$1.2B to China growth 2023
- Pilbara ports 90% iron ore exports 2023
- Gladstone 120Mt coal 2023
- Mining trade surplus A$120B 2022-23
- China FTA +10% iron ore 2023
- India 25% coal share 2023
- 60+ FTAs critical minerals +25% exports
- Port Hedland 550Mt iron ore 2023
- Hay Point 50Mt coal annual
Export and Trade Interpretation
While China hungrily devours our iron ore, Japan and India scarf down our coal, Asia thirstily gulps our gas, and the world powers its green dreams with our lithium and nickel, Australia has, with a heavy shrug and a bulging wallet, become the indispensable quarry for the global economy.
Health, Safety, and Environment
- Mining fatal injuries dropped to 18 in 2022
- Lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) was 2.8 per million hours in 2022
- 95% of mines had zero fatalities in 2023
- Rehabilitation of 50,000 hectares of mine sites in 2022-23
- Water usage in mining totalled 1,200 gigalitres in 2022
- 80% of energy from renewables targeted by 2030, 25% achieved in 2023
- Greenhouse gas emissions from mining were 80Mt CO2-e in 2022
- Biodiversity offsets protected 100,000 ha in 2023
- Dust emissions reduced 30% via new tech in 2022
- Tailings dam audits completed 100% compliance in 2023
- Mental health programs reached 100,000 workers in 2023
- Noise exposure incidents fell 20% to 1,200 in 2022
- Recycling of mine waste hit 40% rate in 2023
- Closure plans approved for 50 mines in 2022-23
- Acid mine drainage treated at 95% of sites in 2023
- Safety tech investments A$2B in 2023
- Community engagement funds A$500M annually
- Rehabilitation success rate 85% on closed sites
- Fatigue management reduced incidents 25% in FIFO
- Carbon capture pilots stored 1Mt CO2 in 2023
- Fatalities 18 in mining 2022
- LTIFR 2.8 per MH 2022
- 95% mines zero fatalities 2023
- 50,000ha rehabilitated 2022-23
- Water use 1,200GL mining 2022
- Renewables 25% energy 2030 target progress 2023
- Scope 1/2 emissions 80MtCO2e 2022
- Biodiversity offsets 100,000ha 2023
- Dust reduction 30% new tech 2022
- Tailings 100% audit compliance 2023
Health, Safety, and Environment Interpretation
While the industry still mourns eighteen lost lives in 2022, the collective push—from slashing emissions and dust with new tech, to healing landscapes and minds—shows a sector painfully aware that its true measure isn't just what it extracts, but what it protects and leaves behind.
Production Statistics
- In 2022-23, Australia produced 918 million tonnes of iron ore, accounting for 53% of global production
- Western Australia's iron ore production reached 876 million tonnes in 2022-23, representing 95% of Australia's total
- Australia exported 898 million tonnes of iron ore in 2022-23, valued at A$136 billion
- Gold production in Australia totalled 314 tonnes in 2022, with Western Australia producing 62% of the national total
- BHP's Western Australia Iron Ore operations produced 260 million tonnes of iron ore in FY2023
- Rio Tinto's Pilbara iron ore production was 331.8 million tonnes in 2023
- Australia produced 28.6 million tonnes of bauxite in 2022-23, mainly from Queensland and Northern Territory
- Lithium production in Australia surged to 86,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate in 2022-23
- Coal production in Australia was 433 million tonnes in 2022-23, with black coal at 80%
- Copper production totalled 813,000 tonnes in 2022, led by New South Wales and Queensland
- Nickel concentrate production reached 154,000 tonnes in 2022-23
- Zinc production was 1.2 million tonnes of concentrate in 2022
- Lead production stood at 566,000 tonnes in 2022, primarily from Western Australia
- Rare earth oxide production was 18,000 tonnes in 2022-23
- Manganese ore production totalled 9.2 million tonnes in 2022
- Uranium production was 6,269 tonnes of U3O8 in 2022
- Diamond production reached 12.5 million carats in 2022, mainly from Argyle mine closure impact
- Ilmenite production was 1.1 million tonnes in 2022-23
- Antimony production totalled 4,500 tonnes in 2022
- Silver production was 1,300 tonnes in 2022
- Australia produced 918 million tonnes of iron ore in 2022-23, 53% global share
- WA iron ore output 876Mt, 95% national total 2022-23
- Gold output 314t, WA 62% share in 2022
- Bauxite 28.6Mt from QLD/NT 2022-23
- Lithium concentrate 86kt, record high 2022-23
- Black coal 346Mt, total coal 433Mt 2022-23
- Copper 813kt, NSW/QLD lead 2022
- Rio Tinto Pilbara 331.8Mt iron ore FY2023
- Nickel 154kt concentrate WA dominant 2022-23
- Zinc 1.2Mt concentrate 2022
- Lead 566kt mainly WA 2022
- REE oxides 18kt 2022-23
- Manganese ore 9.2Mt 2022
- Uranium 6,269t U3O8 2022
- Diamonds 12.5M carats post-Argyle 2022
- Ilmenite 1.1Mt 2022-23
- Antimony 4.5kt 2022
- Silver 1.3kt 2022
Production Statistics Interpretation
Australia's mining industry, which seems to have won the geological lottery and is cashing the cheque with both fists, is essentially an iron ore empire run by Western Australia that also manages to be a global gold, lithium, and coal powerhouse on the side.
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