8401.0 - Mining, Electricity and Gas Operations, Australia, Preliminary, 1995-96  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 03/02/1997   
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All

MEDIA RELEASE

February 3, 1997
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
9/97
Mining industry - continued growth in 1995-96

Turnover by mining establishments increased by 6 per cent to $30,732 million during the 1995-96 financial year, according to preliminary results from the Census of Mining Operations, released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

All industries with the exception of oil and gas recorded increases in turnover. Turnover in the mineral sands industry rose 20 per cent to $758 million with the gold mining industry up 14 per cent to $4,756 million. The coal industry reported an increase in turnover of $647 million (7 per cent) to $9,989 million. Turnover in the oil and gas extraction industry decreased 2 per cent to $7,512 million, due mainly to a decline in reported production from Victorian fields.

Western Australia maintained its position as the largest contributor to national turnover in the Mining industry, accounting for $12,636 million (41 per cent). Queensland contributed $7,227 million to national turnover (24 per cent).

Net capital expenditure increased 6 per cent to $4,986 million in 1995-96. Copper ore mining increased by 182 per cent to $184 million. Increases in net capital expenditure were also recorded in the oil and gas industry, up 23 per cent to $1,509 million, and in the coal mining industry, up 9 per cent to $1,122 million.

Employment by mining establishments rose by 2 per cent from 55,300 persons at the end of June 1995 to 56,400 persons at the end of June 1996. The gold ore mining industry also reported an increase in employment, up 6 per cent to 8,700 persons with the copper ore mining industry rising 20 per cent to 2,700 persons. Decreases were reported for coal mining (1 per cent to 25,100 persons) and oil and gas extraction (2 per cent to 4,200 persons) at the end of June 1996.

Mining Industry Australia (Preliminary) (cat. no. 8401.0) is available from ABS bookshops. Final details will be published in Australian Mining Industry, 1995-96 (cat. no. 8414.0) later this year.