The South Australian Resources Sector.
Providing critical resources for today and the future.
Providing critical resources for today and the future.
The South Australian resources sector underpins life as we know it, supplying us with critical minerals, metals, and energy sources to build our homes, charge our smart-phones, power our electric cars, run our businesses, and provide life-saving healthcare.
Our state’s resources are allowing us to push the boundaries of science, automation, and robotics, supplying valuable materials, such as copper and silver, used in everything from washing machines and Smart TVs to low-orbit nanosatellites and the latest space technology.
South Australian resources also enable basic infrastructure and building supplies including iron ore for bridges and railways, cement for roads and buildings, copper for electrical wiring, and mineral sands like zircon which is used in the production of ceramic tiles and digital printing.
The resources sector is enabling the transition to Net Zero and is taking active steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It provides the resources the world needs to decarbonise, producing metals and minerals that are vital for electrification and renewable energy technologies including solar panels, wind turbines and batteries.
Contributing over $10.7 billion to the South Australian economy, the sector supports 42,000 full-time jobs and paves the way for essential community infrastructure including schools, hospitals, and roads.
Our state’s resources are allowing us to push the boundaries of science, automation, and robotics, supplying valuable materials, such as copper and silver, used in everything from washing machines and Smart TVs to low-orbit nanosatellites and the latest space technology.
South Australian resources also enable basic infrastructure and building supplies including iron ore for bridges and railways, cement for roads and buildings, copper for electrical wiring, and mineral sands like zircon which is used in the production of ceramic tiles and digital printing.
The resources sector is enabling the transition to Net Zero and is taking active steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It provides the resources the world needs to decarbonise, producing metals and minerals that are vital for electrification and renewable energy technologies including solar panels, wind turbines and batteries.
Contributing over $10.7 billion to the South Australian economy, the sector supports 42,000 full-time jobs and paves the way for essential community infrastructure including schools, hospitals, and roads.
Resourceful Resources.
South Australia is blessed with a number of valuable mineral and petroleum deposits including copper, gold, silver, uranium, iron ore, oil and gas.
Every resource that is produced in South Australia, enriches lives and communities around the world.
Click below to learn more about South Australia’s resource sector and commodities.
South Australia is blessed with a number of valuable mineral and petroleum deposits including copper, gold, silver, uranium, iron ore, oil and gas.
Every resource that is produced in South Australia, enriches lives and communities around the world.
Click below to learn more about South Australia’s resource sector and commodities.
Copper
Copper is essential to life and modern society. 
Iron Ore (Magnetite)
A newly defined resource that is changing the face of mining. 
Mineral Sands
The little known resource that is used in everything from toothpaste to the International Space Station. 
Lead
One of the oldest metals known to humans, lead is finding new uses in the modern world. |
Silver
Silver has long been valued as a precious metal and is a key ingredient for the world’s most efficient solar panels. 
Uranium
The only zero-emissions energy source that will power our next generation submarines. 
Graphite
A critical mineral that is in high demand for powering electric vehicles and renewable energy. 
Limestone
Used as mortar since the ancient Greek and Roman civilisations, it is one of the most useful and versatile of all industrial minerals. 
Natural Hydrogen
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Gold
The creator of civilisations throughout history and with a value that continues to grow. 
Kaolin
An important raw material with numerous uses and applications 
Gypsum
An important and versatile mineral that is used to heal bones, fertilise farms, and help set cement. 
Oil & Gas
Whether for cooking, heating baths, or keeping businesses running, the oil and gas industry is what helps keep our country going. |
Essential Resources for a Net Zero Future.
The South Australian resources sector is committed to not only reducing its own carbon emissions but is enabling the community to do the same.
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SA resources vital for green energy shift.
South Australian copper is making the transition to low emissions transport and renewable energy possible. Copper is an essential component of electric vehicles, electric motors, batteries, inverters, wiring and charging stations, and is also used for wind turbines and solar panels, supporting the world's green energy transformation. South Australia contains 69% of Australia's copper resources and is home to the largest copper mine in the country – BHP’s Olympic Dam – which is also the fourth largest copper deposit globally. Other South Australian copper miners include Hillgrove Resources which is in the process of fast tracking the development of its Kanmantoo Copper Mine in the Adelaide Hills and Rex Minerals, currently developing its Hillside Project on the Yorke Peninsula. Learn more about South Australia's copper resource here. |
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A new era for Green Steel.
SACOME member company GFG Alliance is taking the next step in their decarbonisation journey with the purchase of a state-of-the-art electric arc furnace. The new furnace will deliver a 90% reduction in direct carbon dioxide emissions from steelmaking expected by 2025 and will lift steelmaking capacity at Whyalla from 1 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to over 1.5mtpa. LIBERTY Steel, part of GFG Alliance, has also engaged global equipment suppliers for the installation of a 1.8mtpa Direct Reduction Plan in Whyalla to process local magnetite ore to produce low carbon iron. The DRP will initially use a mix of natural gas and green hydrogen as the reducing agent, before fully transitioning to green hydrogen as it becomes available at scale. A great step forward in the path to Net Zero and a new era for clean and green steelmaking, right here in South Australia. |
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Olympic Dam goes renewable.
“The world needs South Australia’s high-quality copper to build renewable technologies and infrastructure, and BHP is focused on producing that copper more sustainably,” says BHP Olympic Dam Asset President, Jennifer Purdie. BHP has signed a renewable Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Neoen, which is expected to meet half of Olympic Dam’s electricity needs from FY2026, based on current forecast demand, and allow Olympic Dam to record a Net Zero emission position for the contracted volume of supply. The PPA is expected to supply 70 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Olympic Dam and will support Neoen to construct the 203MW Goyder South Stage 1b Wind Farm. The wind farm is to form part of the larger Goyder Renewables Zone in South Australia, and will introduce new renewable generation into the South Australian electricity grid. Neoen is constructing a large-scale battery energy storage system in Blyth to support the PPA, which will also assist in improving the stability of the State's electricity grid. Construction and operation of the wind and battery project is expected to create approximately 250 construction jobs and 15 permanent jobs in South Australia. |
Everything comes from somewhere. If it didn't grow, it was mined.
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Australia’s Mining industry produces the minerals essential for our everyday lives. Mobile phones, solar panels, modern medicine and electric vehicles are all minerals intensive. Increasing demand for raw materials will not only require more mining but also safe, more productive and sustainable mining.
Following the success of the Minerals Council of Australia’s (MCA) 2019 publication, 30 Things, a guide to the minerals and metals essential for modern life, The Futurist Edition takes a peek into the future and the raw materials critical to the technologies at our fingertips, and on the cusps of our imaginations. From quantum computing to smart housing, space exploration to cloud robotics, and even flying taxis – the research, materials and mechanics of emerging technologies would not be possible without Australia’s high quality minerals and the world-class workforce that mines them. |
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