Mining & Resources

Australia exports a wide range of mineral and energy resources

– not only “traditional” resources like iron ore, gold or coal, but also critical minerals like lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earths with high importance for the German industry. While the number of operating mines in Germany is decreasing, Germany remains a world-class exporter of mining equipment, technology and services (METS) with a growing number of companies exporting their innovative products and solutions to Australia. On the other hand, Australia is increasingly drawing interest from the German manufacturing industry as a reliable source of critical minerals.

As the first point of contact in Australia we support German companies, organisations and institutions as well as their Australian counterparts to build successful relationships and foster bilateral collaboration and trade between both countries with a focus on mining & resources. Majority of our projects are supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) as part of our Competence Centre for Mining & Resources (CCMR).

Mining in Australia

Almost all types of mineral resources can be found in Australia. The regional distribution of these resources aligns with major geological structures. Below are detailed descriptions of the most significant deposits of some important raw materials:

Iron ore

Australia is the world's largest producer of iron ore. The iron-bearing minerals are primarily found in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The ore is extracted from large mines in this area, transported to the coast via railway lines, and primarily exported to Asia.

Gold

The precious metal is extracted from numerous mines across Australia. Mining occurs in both open-pit and underground operations, with a variety of extraction methods used.

Aluminium

Australia is the world's largest producer of bauxite and the second-largest producer of alumina. The aluminium-bearing mineral bauxite is primarily mined in Western Australia and Queensland, where it is partially processed into alumina. Additionally, there are four metal smelters in Australia where further processing into aluminium occurs.

Copper

Copper is mined in nearly every Australian state, with the largest copper mine being BHP's Olympic Dam in South Australia.

Critical raw materials (nickel, lithium, etc.)

Australia is a major supplier of battery raw materials, including nickel and lithium, with most of the mines located in Western Australia. However, due to a sharp decline in the prices of battery raw materials, many mine operators in Australia have reduced or halted production.

Top market opportunities

German mining suppliers and service providers enjoy an excellent reputation in the Australian mining industry, which is based on innovative products, high quality and excellent expertise. A number of significant trends can be identified in the current market environment:

Sustainable mining

Stricter environmental regulations, along with efforts by the mining industry to reduce emissions and minimize negative environmental impacts, present excellent opportunities for German companies. These opportunities are particularly evident in areas such as energy efficiency, renewable energy solutions for powering mines, and mine rehabilitation.
Productivity through quality

Innovative technologies, especially in the field of automation, are being utilized to enhance operational efficiency and improve occupational safety. While Australia's mining operations already hold a leading position, there are still numerous opportunities for growth and advancement in the future.
Further processing

Australia's mining industry is often criticized for its "dig and ship" mentality, where minerals are extracted and exported to other countries for further processing. However, in the area of critical raw materials, Australia is increasingly focusing on supporting domestic processing. As a result, German manufacturers of mineral processing and engineering equipment are in high demand.

Services

In close cooperation with our Corporate Services Team and a network of professional services providers we offer customised services for German companies planning to enter the Australian mining market.

Market Research

Before entering the Australian mining market, access to customised market information is essential for successfully implementing a business strategy. With in-depth knowledge and understanding of how Australia’s mining market works, we can help you gather the information you need to make fact-based business decisions:

Market overviews
Project overviews
Commodity information
Technology trends
Infrastructure developments
Political news
Information on associations
Information on project funding

Business Partner Search

Our wide network in the Australian mining industry as well as in Germany enables us to facilitate mining-related connections between Australia and Germany. We assist you with custom-tailored service packages to meet the individual needs of your company: