australia's identified mineral resources 2005 - Geoscience Australia
australia's identified mineral resources 2005 - Geoscience Australia
australia's identified mineral resources 2005 - Geoscience Australia
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AUSTRALIA’S IDENTIFIED MINERAL RESOURCES <strong>2005</strong><br />
<strong>Australia</strong> accounted for 4% of world production in 2003. USGS data show that China (33%) and<br />
Turkey (17%) were the world’s largest producers, followed by North Korea and Russia (both 9%),<br />
and Austria (6%).<br />
Industry Developments<br />
After initial investigations of the feasibility of establishing a magnesium smelter project in<br />
Queensland, Magnesium International decided on a site in Egypt.<br />
Manganese Ore<br />
Manganese is the twelfth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust and in nature occurs most<br />
commonly as the <strong>mineral</strong>s pyrolusite (MnO 2 ) and rhodochrosite (MnCO 3 ). It is the fourth most used<br />
metal after iron, aluminium and copper. Over 90% of the world’s production of manganese is utilised<br />
in the desulphurisation and strengthening of steel. Manganese is also used in the manufacture of dry<br />
batteries, as a colorant, and as an ingredient in plant fertilisers and animal feed.<br />
In <strong>Australia</strong> there are two operating manganese mines, Groote Eylandt (NT) and Woodie Woodie<br />
(WA). A third is under construction at Bootu Creek (NT). Manganese ore is processed in plants at<br />
Bell Bay (Tas) and Newcastle (NSW).<br />
Resources<br />
In 2004 <strong>Australia</strong>’s EDR of manganese ore increased by 7.6% to 133 Mt mainly due to the addition<br />
of Bootu Creek <strong>resources</strong> and an increase in <strong>resources</strong> at Woodie Woodie. Paramarginal<br />
demonstrated <strong>resources</strong> increased 22% to 28 Mt through the addition of Bootu Creek low grade<br />
<strong>resources</strong>. Subeconomic demonstrated <strong>resources</strong> remained unchanged at 167 Mt. Inferred <strong>resources</strong><br />
decreased by 32% to 135 Mt, mainly as result of a revised orebody model and volume conversion<br />
factor (ore specific gravity) applying at Groote Eylandt.<br />
Accessible EDR<br />
All manganese ore EDR (133 Mt) is accessible. The resource life is about 20 years on current rates<br />
of production of beneficiated manganese ore.<br />
JORC Reserves<br />
Manganese ore JORC reserves are 95 Mt (71% of accessible EDR). All JORC ore reserves are in the<br />
Groote Eylandt deposit, where resource life based on these reserves is about 14 years at the current<br />
rate of production of beneficiated manganese ore.<br />
Exploration Expenditure<br />
Data relating to exploration expenditure for manganese are not published by ABS on either a state<br />
or national basis. Consolidated Minerals budget $6 million per annum on manganese exploration.<br />
46<br />
Production<br />
In 2004 production of manganese ore at Groote Eylandt totalled 2.73 Mt and at Woodie Woodie<br />
0.65 Mt. ABARE report that <strong>Australia</strong> produced 3.38 Mt of beneficiated manganese ore (2.5 Mt 2003).<br />
Exports for 2004 totalled 2.82 Mt (2.1 Mt 2003) valued at $402 million ($312 million 2003).<br />
World Ranking<br />
<strong>Australia</strong> has 11% of the world’s EDR of manganese ore and is ranked fourth behind Ukraine (35%),<br />
India (21%) and China (17%). In terms of contained manganese, <strong>Australia</strong> has 15% of the world’s<br />
EDR and is ranked third behind Ukraine (33%) and India (21%). USGS shows India’s EDR increased<br />
significantly from 15 to 93 Mt of contained manganese metal.<br />
<strong>Australia</strong> produces 13% of the world’s manganese ore and is ranked third behind China (16%) and<br />
South Africa (16%).