Metal Ore Mining Industry Profile

Companies in this industry develop mine sites, mine and quarry metallic minerals, and prepare minerals for sale. Major companies include Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX) and Newmont Mining (both based in the US), as well as Anglo American (UK); BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto (both dually headquartered in Australia and the UK); Jiangxi Copper (China); Vale (Brazil); and Xstrata (Switzerland).

China dominates the global metal ore mining industry. The world's most highly mined metals are iron ore, bauxite, aluminum, chromium, copper, manganese, zinc, and silicon. Fueled by growing economies and higher spending among construction and manufacturing industries, China and Brazil are expected to experience strong industry growth over the next several years.

The US metal ore mining industry includes about 200 companies with combined annual revenue of about $35 billion and is expected to grow at a moderate rate over the next two years. Key growth drivers include overseas expansion and technology improvements.

The industry includes companies that mine and process gold, silver, copper, nickel, lead, zinc, iron ore, uranium, and other metals.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by industrial production and economic growth, both domestic and foreign. Individual company profitability depends on volume and operating efficiency. 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.

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