Introduction
Themining industryis a key driver of the world’s economy, with the market expected to reach a value of nearly $1.86 trillion by 2022. Our modern-day life depends on mined materials in a myriad of ways, from the cars we drive (lead, zinc), to the houses we live in (steel, copper, aluminium), to the roads we drive on (limestone, bitumen, gravel), to the phones we use (rare earth elements, silicon). As the world embraces carbon neutral and green initiatives, the minerals required to support this shift to renewables are in higher demand than ever. Australia is a key player on the global stage of mineral exploration, producing 19 useful minerals in significant amounts from over 350 operating mines across the country. Want to learn more about this dynamic global industry, and Australia’s place in it? We’ve sourced 10 facts about mining, from Australia and around the world.