The Mineral Industry of Australia in 2007
2007 Minerals Yearbook AUSTRALIA U.S. Department of the Interior December 2009 U.S. Geological Survey THE MINERAL INDUS T RY OF AUS T RALIA By Pui-Kwan Tse Australia was one of the world’s leading mineral producing Constitution belong to the States and Territories. All powers that countries and ranked among the top 10 countries in the world in relate to mineral resources and their production belong to the the production of bauxite, coal, cobalt, copper, gem and near- States and Territories. Except for the Australian Capital Territory gem diamond, gold, iron ore, lithium, manganese ore, tantalum, (that is, the capital city Canberra and its environs), all Australian and uranium. Reflecting an increase in world demand for States and Territories have identified mineral resources and mineral commodities, the Australian economy grew at a rate of established mineral industries. 3.9% during 2007. Owing to anticipated higher prices of mineral The Mineral Council of Australia (MCA) urged the Federal commodities in the world markets, the Australian economy Government to establish a nationwide project approval process continued expanding and, as a result, surplus productive that would be consistent across all jurisdictions to reduce capacity was expected in the future. Owing to an increase in regulatory burdens that were affecting the mineral sector. In domestic demand and a tightening in the labor market, the addition, 10 principal statutes govern occupational health and consumer price index increased by 4.2% in 2007. safety in Australia, and, according to the MCA, this multilayer Australia’s total mineral exploration spending, excluding regulatory regime imposes a significant administrative burden petroleum, was $1,751.9 million (A$2,061.1 million) in 2007.
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