Australia has a vast and diverse mining sector with hundreds of mine sites spread across the country.
Below is a list of significant mine sites, grouped by major resource categories (iron ore, coal, gold, copper, and others) and organised by state.
1. Iron Ore Mines
Western Australia (Pilbara Region)
- Mount Whaleback (BHP)
- Jimblebar (BHP)
- Yandi (BHP)
- Area C (BHP)
- Roy Hill (Hancock Prospecting)
- Cloudbreak (Fortescue Metals Group)
- Christmas Creek (Fortescue Metals Group)
- Solomon Hub (Fortescue Metals Group)
- Brockman 4 (Rio Tinto)
- Tom Price (Rio Tinto)
- Yandicoogina (Rio Tinto)
- Gudai-Darri (formerly Koodaideri) (Rio Tinto)
- Hope Downs (Rio Tinto and Hancock Prospecting)
- Mesa A/B/C (Rio Tinto)
- West Angelas (Rio Tinto)
South Australia
- Iron Knob (SIMEC Mining)
- Whyalla Steelworks (GFG Alliance)
2. Coal Mines
Queensland (Bowen Basin)
- Caval Ridge (BHP Mitsubishi Alliance – BMA)
- Goonyella Riverside (BMA)
- Peak Downs (BMA)
- Blackwater (BMA)
- Daunia (BMA)
- Saraji (BMA)
- Moranbah North (Anglo American)
- Grosvenor (Anglo American)
- Coppabella (Peabody Energy)
- North Goonyella (Peabody Energy)
- Jellinbah (Jellinbah Group)
- Lake Vermont (Jellinbah Group)
- Middlemount (Middlemount Coal)
- Hail Creek (Glencore)
- Oaky Creek (Glencore)
- Curragh (Coronado Global Resources)
- Dawson (Anglo American)
New South Wales (Hunter Valley)
- Mount Arthur (BHP)
- Hunter Valley Operations (Glencore)
- Bengalla (New Hope Group)
- Ravensworth (Glencore)
- Mount Owen (Glencore)
- Warkworth (Yancoal)
- Maules Creek (Whitehaven Coal)
- Narrabri (Whitehaven Coal)Wilpinjong (Peabody Energy)
3. Gold Mines
Western Australia
- Kalgoorlie Super Pit (Northern Star Resources)
- Tropicana (AngloGold Ashanti & Regis Resources)
- Boddington (Newmont Corporation)
- Telfer (Newcrest Mining)
- Gruyere (Gold Fields & Gold Road Resources)
- Carosue Dam (Northern Star Resources)
- Thunderbox (Northern Star Resources)
- Jundee (Northern Star Resources)
- Agnew (Gold Fields)
- St Ives (Gold Fields)
Northern Territory
- Tanami (Newmont Corporation)
Queensland
- Mt Rawdon (Evolution Mining)
- Cracow (Aeris Resources)
- Ravenswood (EMR Capital)
- Charters Towers (Citigold Corporation)
4. Copper Mines
South Australia
- Olympic Dam (BHP)
- Carrapateena (OZ Minerals)
- Prominent Hill (OZ Minerals)
Queensland
- Ernest Henry (Evolution Mining)
- Mount Isa Mines (Glencore)
- Copper Mountain (Eva Project) (Copper Mountain Mining)
Western Australia
- Nifty Copper (Cyprium Metals)
- DeGrussa (Sandfire Resources)
5. Other Notable Mines (Nickel, Lithium, Uranium, etc.)
Nickel
- Nickel West (BHP, Western Australia)
- Nova-Bollinger (IGO Limited, Western Australia)
- Ravensthorpe (First Quantum Minerals, Western Australia)
- Cosmos Nickel (IGO Limited, Western Australia)
Lithium
- Greenbushes (Tianqi Lithium, WA)
- Pilgangoora (Pilbara Minerals, WA)
- Mt Cattlin (Allkem, WA)
- Wodgina (Mineral Resources, WA)
Uranium
- Ranger Mine (Energy Resources of Australia, Northern Territory) [Now closed for mining]
- Olympic Dam (BHP, South Australia)
- Honeymoon (Boss Energy, South Australia)
6. Other Commodity Mines (Zinc, Lead, Silver, Manganese, etc.)
Zinc, Lead, Silver
- Cannington (South32, Queensland)
- Century Mine (New Century Resources, Queensland)
- McArthur River (Glencore, Northern Territory)
Manganese
- Woodie Woodie (Consolidated Minerals, Western Australia)
- GEMCO (South32, Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory)
7. LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) Projects
Western Australia
- Gorgon Project (Chevron)
- North West Shelf (Woodside Petroleum)
- Wheatstone Project (Chevron)
- Pluto LNG (Woodside Petroleum)
Northern Territory
- Ichthys LNG (INPEX)
This list highlights many of the key mining operations across Australia, but there are hundreds of additional smaller or emerging projects not mentioned.
The major companies involved are BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue Metals Group, Newcrest Mining, and Glencore, among others.
For job opportunities, it’s often worth exploring contractors such as Thiess, Downer Group, Macmahon Holdings, and NRW Holdings, who frequently provide services to these sites.
Link to view – minesatlas Portal | gov.au
To find a map of Australia with points of interest highlighting major mine sites, consider these resources:
- Geoscience Australia: This government agency provides interactive maps and detailed information on mining locations. Their “Australian Mines Atlas” is particularly useful, offering comprehensive data on active mining operations.
- Department of Industry, Science and Resources: They offer maps showing the distribution of key mining sites across Australia, covering minerals like iron ore, coal, and gold.
- Australian Mines Atlas Online (by the Minerals Council of Australia): Offers an online map tool that shows the locations of significant mine sites and mineral deposits. This tool also provides layers with specific information about each site.
- Commercial Mapping Platforms: Tools like Google Earth or Mapbox sometimes offer overlays from industry sources that highlight mining sites, especially in mineral-rich states like Western Australia and Queensland.
- Mining Company Websites: Many large mining companies, such as BHP, Rio Tinto, and Fortescue Metals, provide interactive maps on their websites showing their operations across Australia.
These resources should help you get a clear view of where Australia’s major mining sites are located.
Link to map: Australian Mines Atlas
Disclaimer: The list of mine sites in the Australian Mining Industry provided here is intended for general informational purposes only. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, mine locations, operations, and ownership may change over time.
It is highly recommended that you conduct your own research and consult with relevant industry sources or authorities to obtain the most up-to-date and accurate information specific to your needs and individual circumstances.