Energy Minerals

Energy Minerals

Australia produces 19 useful minerals in significant amounts, from over 350 operating mines. From these minerals, useful materials such as metals can be extracted.

Australia is one of the world's leading producers of bauxite (aluminium ore), iron ore, lithium, gold, lead, diamond, rare earth elements, uranium, and zinc.

Australia also has large mineral sand deposits of ilmenite, zircon and rutile. In addition, Australia produces large quantities of black coal, manganese, antimony, nickel, silver, cobalt, copper and tin.

Australia has abundant reserves of critical minerals such as lithium, silicon and rare earths, which are key components of low-emissions technologies such as batteries, solar panels and electric vehicles which will help Australia and the world to lower emissions.

Australia already produces almost half of the world’s lithium, is the second-largest producer of cobalt and the fourth-largest producer of rare earths.
However, demand for low-emissions technologies is projected to skyrocket over the next three decades, which is expected to lead to more demand for lithium, cobalt, graphite and rare earth elements, among others.