australia's identified mineral resources 2005 - Geoscience Australia

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