Iron ore makes up a large part of the mining industry in Australia. Currently, iron ore mining is Australia’s largest source of export revenue at a whopping $63 billion in 2017 alone. Western Australia is the country’s biggest producer of iron ore, with the industry generating over $5 billion in royalties for their state government (depending on the market prices). Key iron ore producing companies like BHP, Rio Tinto and Fortescue are responsible for about $3 billion in taxes to the Federal government every year, too.
Over the last decade in Australia, iron ore export volumes have increased to record levels of more than 200%. We’re seeing upwards of 828 million tonnes shipped every year, despite the fact that the price of iron ore has moderated some of the growth in export revenue.
Have a read through our comprehensive guide to iron ore mining in Australia below and learn the key facts about an important industry!
What is iron ore?
Iron ores are minerals and rocks from which metallic iron can be extracted economically. Typically speaking, the ores are rich in iron oxides. Their colour can widely vary from rusty red to dark grey, deep purple and even bright yellow. Iron is usually found in the form of limonite, hematite, goethite or siderite.
Ores that contain very high quantities of magnetite or hematite (>60% iron) are referred to as ‘natural ore’ or ‘direct shipping ore’. These special rocks and minerals can be directly fed into blast furnaces. Approximately 96% of Australia’s iron ore exports are high-grade hematite, the majority of which has been mined in the Hamersley province of Western Australia (WA).
What is iron ore used for?
The main purpose of iron ore is for the production of iron, which is then used to make steel. Steel is a critical component in many manufacturing industries and is found in everything from cars to ships, bicycles, locomotives, furniture, tools, and thousands of other items.
How much iron is left in Australia?
Australia currently has the world’s largest estimated reserves of iron ore at more than 52 billion tonnes. There’s an approximated 170 billion tonnes left in the earth, positioning Australia with a third of the world’s supply.
How is iron ore mined in Australia?
All Australian iron ore mines are 'open cut' mines, meaning the iron-ore bearing rock is first blasted and then dug up from open mine pits. Once the ore has been extracted from the ground, it is hauled from the working faces to crushing and screening plants by trucks that can carry loads that weigh more than 300 tonnes.
List of Australia’s iron ore mines.
Australia is home to a number of iron ore mines. Here’s a full list of our iron ore sources!
Western Australia
- Balmoral South mine
- Area C mine
- Brockman 4 mine
- Brockman mine
- Bungaroo South mine
- Channar mine
- Christmas Creek mine
- Cloud Break mine
- Cockatoo Island
- Eastern Ridge mine (formally Orebody 23/25)
- Goldsworthy (closed - see Yarrie below)
- Hope Downs mine
- Iron Valley mine
- Jimblebar mine
- Karara mine
- Marandoo mine
- Mesa A mine
- Mesa J mine (mined as part of Mesa A)
- Mining Area C (MAC) mine
- Mt. Jackson
- Mt Tom Price mine
- Mt. Whaleback mine
- Nammuldi mine
- Orebody 18 mine (now part of Jimblebar operations)
- Pannawonica
- Paraburdoo mine
- Pardoo mine
- Roy Hill
- Shay Gap, Western Australia (closed)
- Solomon mine
- South Flank mine
- West Angelas mine
- Wilgie Mia
- Wodgina mine
- Yandicoogina mine (Rio Tinto)
- Yandi mine (BHP)
- Yarrie mine (formally Goldsworthy - end of life - not producing)
South Australia
- Whyalla port and Whyalla Steelworks
- Iron Duke
- Iron Knob, South Australia
- Iron Prince
- Iron Monarch
- Iron Baron.
- Ships in the BHP fleet are also called Iron This and Iron That.
- Peculiar Knob - mothballed by Arrium in 2015[1]
- Cairn Hill mine
Northern Territory
- Frances Creek
- Union Reef - rail to Darwin
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