Bauxite mining in Australia | |
---|---|
Location | |
Country | Australia |
Production | |
Commodity | Bauxite |
Production | 102 million tonnes |
Value | $3.3 billion AUD |
Year | 2018-19 [1] |
Bauxite mining in Australia is an economically significant industry both for Australia and globally. [2] The industry focuses on the mining of bauxite, the primary raw material for alumina and aluminium. [3] Australia is the world's largest bauxite producer, producing almost a third of global bauxite. [2]
Bauxite is mined in Australia using open-cut mining, which suits the relatively shallow bauxite deposits located mostly in Western Australia and Queensland. [2] [4] Mined bauxite is either exported or refined domestically into alumina. The large majority of domestic bauxite and alumina is exported to China. [5] Australia produced approximately 102 million tonnes of bauxite in the 2018-19 year from seven main bauxite mines generating about $3.3 billion AUD of revenue. [1] Sustainable bauxite mining in Australia is regulated under the Sustainable Bauxite Mining Guidelines. [6]
Bauxite is a raw material used primarily in the production of aluminium. The bauxite ore is refined into alumina before being smelted into aluminium. [3] Australia is known for its high-grade ore, especially in the Weipa and Gove deposits. [2] The quality of bauxite ore is determined by its available alumina (Al2O3) content. The presence of impurities, which make the ore more difficult to refine, are taken into consideration when grading ore quality. [7] In 2020, IBISWorld predicted that about 49% of bauxite mined in Australia would be of high quality. [1] One-quarter of the total bauxite ore mined in Australia is exported. Almost all of this goes to China. The other three-quarters is refined domestically into alumina using the Bayer process. [3] [5] In 2015, 90% of domestically refined alumina was exported. [7]
In Australia, bauxite is mined using an open-cut method. [4] This is possible because most bauxite in Australia can be found at or relatively close to the surface and is easily accessible by this method. [2] Open cut mining involves first removing the area above the bauxite ore called the overburden. Much of the topsoil is stored, conserving seeds, vegetation and soil for rehabilitation when mining operations finish. Once the overburden is cleared, excavators and front-end loaders mine the exposed bauxite ore. [8] It is then loaded into haul trucks which transport the bauxite to storage. The hauled bauxite is then crushed and ground into smaller particles which allow for easy transportation to refineries and exportation. The generally high quality and low level of impurities in Australian bauxite means it does not need heavy processing or treatment. [4]
Australia has been mining bauxite since the early 1960s and is a major economic player in worldwide bauxite mining. It is the largest producer of bauxite in the world, producing 31% of global production in 2016. Australia is also the largest exporter and second highest producer of alumina worldwide, with 17% of global production. [2] In 2018–19, Australia produced approximately 102 million tonnes of bauxite producing $3.26 billion AUD revenue and $1.2 billion AUD from bauxite ore exports. [1] China dominates Australia's bauxite ore exports taking more than 95% of total production. [2]
Global demand for alumina
Bauxite is currently the only economically viable raw material to produce alumina. [9] Therefore, any shifts in demand for alumina will also create shifts in demand for the bauxite industry in Australia. This could be increased demand for bauxite ore so countries can produce their own alumina or increased demand for alumina, which would increase domestic bauxite mining and refining. [1]
Aluminium/bauxite pricing
The raw bauxite ore does not have its own price. As a result, bauxite prices are often compared to world aluminium prices when bauxite is being sold. This means that when world aluminium prices are high, bauxite will rise in price and can be sold for more. [1]
Chinese economy
The Chinese economy plays an important role in the demand for aluminium. China is the biggest user of aluminium in the world and to maintain this has begun increasing their domestic aluminium production and importing of bauxite and alumina. [10] During periods of economic growth for China, a high demand for aluminium will lead to demand for bauxite and alumina exports from Australia. China is also the primary country for Australian bauxite exports. [1]
Exchange rates
Exported bauxite and alumina is generally traded using US dollars instead of AUD. As a result, foreign countries may have shifts in demand depending on the exchange rates. [1]
Weipa bauxite mine is located on the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland and currently owned by Rio Tinto. In 2018, the mine produced 30.4 million tonnes of bauxite with an alumina percentage of approximately 50.6% Al2O3. [2] [1] The Weipa mine began operations in 1963. [11] Bauxite mining at Weipa wasn't considered until the late 1950s when Harry Evans, a geologist, discovered the large-scale Weipa bauxite deposits. [12] The deposit was originally part of Aboriginal reserves but was leased to Comalco (now known as Rio Tinto) to mine after the “Commonwealth Aluminium Corporation Pty. Limited Agreement Act 1957” [13] removed Indigenous ownership of the area surrounding the deposits. [14] Since then, Rio Tinto has joined three agreements with local Indigenous groups to benefit Indigenous communities surrounding the Weipa mine. These agreements are the ELY Bauxite Mining Project Agreement (EBMPA) made in 1997, [15] the Western Cape Communities Co-Existence Agreement (WCCCA) made in 2001, [16] and the Western Cape Regional Partnership Heads of Agreement made in 2008. [17]
Weipa mine is currently made up of three separate bauxite mines at the East Weipa, Andoom and Amrun deposits. The East Weipa mine is where bauxite mining in Weipa began and has been operating continuously since 1963. [11] [18] Deposits at the East Weipa mine are beginning to run out which has led to the development of the Amrun mine in 2018. Rio Tinto has two refineries, the Alumina Limited refinery and the Yarwun alumina refinery, where bauxite mined at Weipa is refined. Otherwise, the raw bauxite ore is exported. [1]
Gove mine is located on the Gove Peninsula in the Northern Territory and is currently owned by Rio Tinto. In 2018, the mine produced 12.5 million tonnes of bauxite with an alumina percentage of approximately 49.2% Al2O3. [2] [1] Bauxite was discovered on Arnhem Land reserves in the Gove Peninsula by the Northern Territory Coastal Patrol Service in 1952. [19] [20] The discovery in Gove was mainly driven by the demand for domestic bauxite sources by the government in response to World War II. This was because, up till then aluminium supply in Australia had largely depended on foreign bauxite mining and smelting.
Unlike in Queensland and Western Australia, the Commonwealth government determined policy surrounding bauxite mining and so had power over the Gove bauxite deposit. [21] However, the deposits were unaccessible for mining as they were on Aboriginal reserves. In 1953, the government persuaded the Northern territory Legislative Council to allow mining on Aboriginal reserves by amending the "Aboriginals Ordinance and Mining Ordinance". [22] These amendments eventually led to the Yirrkala bark petitions [23] in 1963, which fought for the recognition of the Yolngu people as the rightful owners of Arnhem land. [20] Despite this, the Commonwealth government continued trying to lease the Gove bauxite deposits. Commonwealth policy for Gove was centred on two objectives: the industrial development of bauxite refineries in the remote areas of northern Australia, and significant Australian equity in the enterprise. With these objectives in mind, the Commonwealth Government judged companies seeking the bauxite deposits until 1968 when they signed an agreement with Nabalco. [24] [25] In response to the land lease, the Yolngu people challenged Nabalco in what would be the first Aboriginal land rights case: Milirrpum v Nabalco . The case was judged by Justice Blackburn who ruled against the Yolngu people. [26]
Bauxite mining in Gove started in that same year in 1971. [27]
In 2001, the Gove mine was purchased by Alcan, who in 2002 renamed Nabalco to Alcan Gove. [28] Rio Tinto then bought Alcan in 2007 for $38.1 billion and was renamed Rio Tinto Alcan. [29] Since, Rio Tinto has formed the Gove Traditional Owners Agreement under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 , the first negotiated agreement over the Gove mine. [30] Bauxite mined from Gove was refined at Rio Tinto's Gove refinery until 2014, when costs led to the refinery closing. [31] While this has had an impact on employment in the local town of Nhulunbuy, [32] bauxite production has been largely unaffected due to proximity and high export demand from China. [1] Rio Tinto is predicting that their Gove mining operations will finish in 2030. [27]
Huntley Mine is located in the Darling Ranges area near Dwellingup in Western Australia and is currently owned by Alcoa of Australia Limited. [33] Huntly mine produces approximately 25 million tonnes of bauxite per year with an alumina percentage of approximately 32.7%. [1] Despite the relatively low grade ore, bauxite mined at Huntly is low in silica, an impurity, which allows for cheaper production of refining. [34] [35] Bauxite mined at Huntly mine is transported to either the Pinjarra Alumina Refinery by an overland conveying system or the Kwinana Alumina refinery by conveyor and rail. [33]
The Huntly mine is situated in the Jarrah forest. In 1961, Alcoa obtained a mineral lease ML1sa, which provided them access to bauxite ores in certain areas of the Jarrah forest. [36] Huntly Mine was not established until 1976 and was the second mine in the Darling Ranges, following the Jarrahdale mine started in 1963. [37] Following restoration efforts at Jarrahdale prompted by the government, restoration efforts for both Huntly and Willowdale Mines were implemented and refined over time. This is largely due to public pressure and restoration technology advancements which have led to tighter legislation. [36] Mining operations at Huntly are currently monitored by the Mining and Management Program Liaison Group (MMPLG), a group of government representatives who approve mining plans. [38]
Willowdale Mine is located in the Darling Ranges area near Waroona in Western Australia and is currently owned by Alcoa of Australia Limited. Willowdale mine started in 1984 [39] and produces approximately 10 million tonnes of bauxite per year with an alumina percentage of approximately 32.7%. [1] This low grade ore is similar to Huntly mine bauxite in that it is low in silica which allows for cheaper processing costs. [40] Bauxite mined at Willowdale is transported to the Wagerup Alumina refinery. Just like Huntly mine, Willowdale mine is on the Jarrah forest and also operates under the ML1sa mineral lease and is monitored by the MMPLG. [36]
Boddington Mine is located near Boddington in Western Australia and is currently owned by South32. Boddington mine produces approximately 16.7 million tonnes of bauxite per year with an alumina percentage of approximately 28%. [1] Bauxite mined at Boddington is delivered by a 51 km overland conveyor belt to the Worsley refinery, where it is processed into alumina before being delivered 55 km by rail to Bunbury port. Ships then export the Boddington alumina to be smelted into aluminium. [41] The Boddington deposit area was obtained by South32 through a mining lease granted under the Alumina Refinery (Worsley) Agreement Act 1973. Operation of Boddington Bauxite mine did not start until 1984. [42]
Bald Hill Mine is located in Campbell Town in Tasmania and is currently owned by Australian Bauxite Limited. Bald Hill mine began mining in 2014 and is currently the only bauxite mine in Tasmania. [1]
Bauxite Hills Mine is located north of Weipa in North Queensland and is currently owned by Metro Mining Limited. Bauxite Hills mine began mining in 2018. [1]
As well as producing the most bauxite globally, Australia also contains 22% of global bauxite deposits and is second only to Guinea. [2] The majority of bauxite is found in the deposits in far north Queensland and the south west of Western Australia.
The deposits around Australia are: [2]
New South Wales
Queensland
Western Australia
Tasmania
Northern Territory
Bauxite mining in Australia is performed under the Sustainable Bauxite Mining Guidelines, an industry self-regulation initiative. The guidelines were developed in 2018 by a collaboration between the Australian Aluminium Council, International Aluminium Institute and the Brazilian Aluminium Association. These peak bodies represent bauxite mining organisations in Australia and globally. The guidelines are adopted voluntarily, with the aim of promoting sustainable and high-quality mining practices and minimising the social and environmental impacts arising from bauxite mining operations and post-closure. [6]
The economy of Guinea is dependent largely on agriculture and other rural activities. Guinea is richly endowed with good minerals, possessing an estimated quarter of the world's proven reserves of bauxite, more than 1.8 billion tonnes of high-grade iron ore, significant diamond and gold deposits, and undetermined quantities of uranium. In 2021, Guinea was the world's biggest exporter of Aluminium Ore 2021 trade surplus was $4.3B.
Rio Tinto Alcan is a Canada-based mining company. Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, it is a subsidiary of global mining conglomerate Rio Tinto. It was created on 15 November 2007 as the result of the merger between Rio Tinto's Canadian subsidiary and Canadian company Alcan.
Alcoa Corporation is a Pittsburgh-based industrial corporation. It is the world's eighth-largest producer of aluminum. Alcoa conducts operations in 10 countries. Alcoa is a major producer of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum, and alumina combined, through its active and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry: technology, mining, refining, smelting, fabricating, and recycling.
Rio Tinto Group is a British-Australian multinational company that is the world's second largest metals and mining corporation. It was founded in 1873 when a group of investors purchased a mine complex on the Rio Tinto, in Huelva, Spain, from the Spanish government. It has grown through a long series of mergers and acquisitions. Although primarily focused on extraction of minerals, it also has significant operations in refining, particularly the refining of bauxite and iron ore. It has joint head offices in London, England and Melbourne, Australia.
Rio Tinto Aluminium is now known as Rio Tinto Alcan after Rio's takeover of Alcan. It was the world's eighth largest aluminium company. It mines and manufactures bauxite, alumina and primary aluminium.
Nhulunbuy is a town and locality in the Northern Territory of Australia. Founded on the Gove Peninsula in north-east Arnhem Land when a bauxite mine and deep water port were established in the late 1960s, the town’s economy largely revolved around its alumina refinery until it closed in May 2014.
Worsley is a town in Western Australia located in the South West region near the town of Collie. The town is within the Shire of Collie.
Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals is a joint venture between Alumina Limited and Alcoa and is abbreviated to AWAC. AWAC's business is the mining of bauxite, the extraction of alumina and the smelting of aluminium. It has about 25% of the global alumina market. Alcoa acts as the day-to-day manager.
Aluminum Corporation of China Limited, is a multinational aluminium company headquartered in Beijing, People's Republic of China. It is a public company, listed in Hong Kong and in New York. In 2021, it was the world's largest aluminum producer, ahead of China Hongqiao Group, Rusal and Shandong Xinfa.
Mining in Western Australia, together with the petroleum industry in the state, accounted for 94% of the State's and 46% of Australia's income from total merchandise exports in 2019–20. The state of Western Australia hosted 123 predominantly higher-value and export-oriented mining projects and hundreds of smaller quarries and mines. The principal projects produced more than 99 per cent of the industry's total sales value.
Aluminium in Africa originates from bauxite, and within Africa is primarily found in Guinea, Mozambique and Ghana. Guinea is by far the biggest producer in Africa, and is a world leader in bauxite production.
Alusuisse was a Swiss industrial group founded as Aluminium Industrie Aktien in 1898, Zurich, Switzerland. The organisation was named Schweizerische Aluminium AG from 1963, Alusuisse-Lonza Holding AG from 1990, and Algroup from 1998.
Henry James Evans was the leading exploration geologist and discoverer of the immense bauxite deposits near Weipa, on the west coast of Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland, Australia.
South32 is a mining and metals company headquartered in Perth, Western Australia. It was spun out of BHP Billiton on 18 May 2015. It is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange with secondary listings on the Johannesburg and London Stock Exchanges.
The mining industry of Guinea was developed during colonial rule. The minerals extracted consisted of iron, gold, diamond, and bauxite. Guinea ranks first in the world in bauxite reserves and 6th in the extraction of high-grade bauxite, the aluminium ore. The mining industry and exports of mining products accounted for 17% of Guinea's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2010. Mining accounts for over 50% of its exports. The country accounts for 94% of Africa's mining production of bauxite. The large mineral reserve, which has mostly remained untapped, is of immense interest for international firms.
Worsley Alumina comprises a bauxite mine located near the town of Boddington and an Alumina refinery located near Worsley. Ore is mined then transported 50 km (31 mi) to the refinery via an overland conveyor system. Alumina is then transported 55 km (34 mi) to the port of Bunbury for shipping.
The Weipa bauxite mine is a bauxite mine at Weipa on the western Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, Australia. A geologist named Harry Evans discovered the vast bauxite resource in 1955. Operations commenced in 1963.
Mount Saddleback is the highest peak in the Darling Range of Western Australia. It is found at the easternmost part of the Darling Range about 20 km (12 mi) south of Boddington and 40 km (25 mi) west of Williams.
Compagnie des bauxites de Guinée (CBG) is a Guinean mining company. Since 1963 it has extracted bauxite from the notable mine in Sangarédi, in Boké Region in Guinea. It is 49% owned by the Guinean State, with the remainder owned by the Boké Investment Company, a 100%-owned subsidiary of Halco Mining, a consortium opened in 1962 by Harvey Aluminum Company to run mining operations in Guinea. Halco's stock is owned by Alcoa (45%), Rio Tinto Alcan (45%) and Dadco Investments (10%).
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