The modern mining industry, as a separate industry, has quite recently increased its influence on the global economy. At the moment, it takes 5th place in the ranking of the largest production areas, followed by the computer, pharmaceutical, oil and gas and banking sectors. The mining industry of Russia is one of the largest and has a significant impact on the development of this area as a whole.
This industry includes many small industries that produce minerals (clay, mica, asbestos, graphite, potash field potash, limestone, diamonds, coal, uranium ore, iron ore, precious and base metals, as well as various mineral materials for construction). The production of gas and oil in most cases also applies to the mining industry. Development is carried out both underground (mines) and open (quarries) methods.
Over the past 6 years, the mining industry has risen from 24th place to 5th among the leading industries in the world. Large companies have significantly established themselves in a leading position in the global economy (Rio Tinto, Vale).
To date, no country in the world has the full volume of all types of rocks and minerals. Only 10 of them, which are leaders in the amount of mineral imports, are able to produce about 35 types of mineral products. Among them are Canada, South Africa, India, Brazil, Australia, the USA, China and Russia. However, China remains a leader in the consumption of products in this industry.
In the countries of the "periphery" mining accounts for about 2.5% of the total production, for more developed countries this figure ranges from 12 to 16 percent. Of the European countries, only in Denmark, Holland, Norway and Bulgaria is this industry well developed.
Chile, Russia, Australia, South Africa and Canada make up the top five world leaders in the mining industry. Moreover, the role of this industry in the economy of these countries has increased significantly in recent years and amounts to about 15%.
Iron ore, copper, coal - minerals, due to which developed countries receive the greatest income, they account for about 65%.
In 2011, the global mining industry increased its production by 6%.
The current state of affairs in the global mining industry can be called the advent of the so-called “new era”. But, unfortunately, there are some nuances: the cost increases due to the lack of qualified workers, it is necessary to develop deposits with fairly small and low-quality reserves, the design of field development is becoming more expensive, since production sites have a more complex structure and are further and further from large cities .
As a result, it is safe to say that the mining industry in the world is very dependent on the actions of developing countries (mainly China as the main consumer of the products of this industry). Significant growth in demand distinguished Brazil, Indonesia, India. We also recall that the United States has achieved a recovery of its own economy and is still one of the largest consumers. All the above data give hope for the stability of the global economy in the field of mining, but there are always risks. At the moment, the purchase of existing assets should prefer the construction of their own. However, for a more efficient and simple improvement of the mining company, it is better to consider the possibility of improving proven facilities instead of building completely new ones.