China construction fuels Aussie iron ore boom.

Iron Ore is  Australias most valuable exports at present. There are mountains of iron ore a lot of it in north west Australia.   

The  mining companies use up to date technology and mining industry is very efficient. Iron ore sells for between $120 - 170 per ton. China is building world's tallest building in 7 months. Watch this videos The next the world's next tallest building in Changsha City Hunan Province, China. 

Burj Khalifa UAE.

Large quantities of iron ore are being exported to China. Modern skyscrapers use large quantities of steel, For example the Broad group is proposing to build a skyscraper in China which will be 220 stories high and use about 200,000 tonnes of steel. The Broad group recently built a 30 story hotel in just 15 days using prefabricated components and are estimating the 220 story project can be built in 90-200 days. This project will house around 30,000 people. So each resident will require about 7 tons of steel. To make 7 tons of steel requires about 15 ton of iron ore at a cost of around $1800 -$2500.
                                                                    

The Aussie iron ore mining boom seems set to continue for quite some time yet as China vast rural population continures to move to the cities. The urban population of China is now around 600,000,000 and is now around 50% of the total population. The urban population is growing at about 15,000,000 per year. A rough estimate would hence be 100,000,000 tons of steel required to build high rise accomodation for 15,000,000 people The iron ore required will cost around $30,000,000,000 each year.                    

Australias iron ore export to the world are currently worth about $60,000,000,000 per year.

For more information read the 2012 trade figures

Diamond and Gemstones in Australia.

                                                            Diamonds mines desert in Australia

Australia has a wealth of mineral resource including gemstones. From the famous Argyle Diamond mines in the North Western Australia. Where mining is carried out on an industrial scale. Opal at Cooper-Peddy in South Australia and NSW. Rubie's at Ruby vale in Queensland and Emeralds, Sapphires etc, etc. And a variety of lesser known stones e.g gemstones of all types are there for the digging for the dedicated fossickers and prospector each state has its own regulations regarding fossicking clubs exist for gem enthusiastic in many locations and equipment for polishing stones is readily available.  

                                            
Gemstones are often located in some of the more remote and in hospitable places on the continent in Cooper Pedy the climate is so to extreme that mines often prefer to live in underground homes.
So serious enthusiast will need for invest in a reliable 4 wheel drive vehicle and comfortable camping equipment e. g. caravan. Many grey nomads spend a few months on the gem fields every year to supplement their retirement incomes with the occasional find.
                                                 

Cooper Pedy the Opal mine.

Overseas visitors can find a wide selection of fine gemstones and opals in particular make a fine souvenir of a visit to Australia.

Western Australia.

Diamonds mines in Western Australia.