Mining

Mining

Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:

Companies in this industry develop mine sites; mine and quarry coal, metal ores, and nonmetallic minerals; and prepare extracted materials. Major companies include US-based Freeport-McMoRan, Newmont Mining, and Peabody Energy, as well as Barrick Gold (Canada), BHP Billiton (Australia), Coal India, Glencore (Switzerland), Grupo Mexico, Nornickel (Russia), Rio Tinto (UK), and Vale (Brazil).

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand for coal comes mainly from generators of electricity. Metal ore demand is driven by industrial production. Nonmetallic mineral demand is driven by construction spending and agricultural spending on fertilizers. Large companies can afford to discover and develop new deposits and increase reserves. Small companies typically own just one mine, limit exploration to that one property, and operate it as efficiently as possible.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major products of mining companies typically include coal, nonmetallic minerals, and metal ores. The mining of processed bituminous coal accounts for about 20% of industry revenue, while gold ore and copper and nickel ore mining account for about 10% each. Within the coal sector, primary products are bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, and lignite. Major nonmetallic minerals are crushed and broken limestone; construction sand and gravel; crushed and broken granite; potash, soda, and borate; and phosphate rock. Crushed stone, sand, and gravel are also referred to as aggregates. Copper and nickel, gold ore, and iron ore are major metallic ore products.