Australia—Rising investment and exploration supports mining services

Mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sectors generated $114 billion in revenue in 2020, according to the latest available Austmine National Survey, of which two-thirds of companies exported $17 billion of goods and services (5% of all exports in 2020). Strong resources and energy exports and a steady increase in mining investment suggest METS sectors have grown considerably in subsequent years. Indeed, Australia’s mining industry invested $11.5 billion in the March quarter of 2024, up 6% from a year earlier and nearly 60% higher than the March quarter of 2019 (Chart). Current estimates suggest the mining industry invested $53 billion during FY2024.

Further, rising exploration expenditure indicates an increase in broader capital expenditure from resources and energy firms in the coming years. Spending on exploration and other mining support services averaged $486 million per quarter in the year to March 2024, 25% more than the average quarterly spend in the prior five years. In particular, growth in exploration expenditure since 2020 suggests interest is rising in precious and industrial metals (such as copper and iron ore) and critical minerals amid the ongoing shift toward net zero global emissions. Indeed, the June 2024 Resources and Energy Quarterly report shows exports of clean energy metals and minerals are projected to remain over $50 billion per annum over the next two years. Meanwhile, there are expectations for enhanced exploration activity over the next few years for traditional energy commodities including coal, gas and (especially) uranium that are currently experiencing relatively strong prices. To execute these plans, services—ranging from provision of labour, explosives and transport to draining and pumping services, drilling and blasting services, railways, piping and electrical cabling—are all poised to benefit.