Mineral Sand Mining in Australia - Market Research Report (2013-2028)
Melbourne, Australia
Last Updated: October 2023
ANZSIC B0805Revenue
$4.0bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$X.Xbn
Employees
3,215
Businesses
147
Wages
$XXX.Xm
Mineral Sand Mining in Australia industry analysis
Australia is a major mineral sands mining country due to its large natural reserves and extensive mining sites. Most of the Mineral Sand Mining industry's products proceed to downstream smelting and refining companies for processing prior to being exported or are used by domestic manufacturers. Titanium dioxide products are mainly sold to pigment manufacturers, while zircon is primarily sold to refractory brick producers for use in metal smelting operations. Consequently, industry demand largely depends on these downstream manufacturing markets. Industry production volumes have increased over the past few years, as mining firms have increased output to benefit from higher prices.
Trends and Insights
- Australia's large mineral sand reserves and extensive mining sites drive industry output and revenue. Australia is a global leader in multiple industry products.
- The largest market for the industry is domestic titanium dioxide producers. This market comprises nearly three-quarters of industry revenue and mainly operates in the Gold and Other Non-Ferrous Metal Processing industry.
- Western Australia has nearly one-third of industry enterprises. The state contributes over half the total ilmenite production in Australia and produces large volumes of leucoxene and zircon.
- Two main players, Iluka and Tronox, dominate the industry. These two mineral sand miners occupy over half the industry’s market share.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $4.0bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
The industry remained resilient during uncertain circumstances
- Revenue declined in 2019-20, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted local mining volumes, global supply chains and key manufacturing industries in China and other countries.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Growing mineral sand output is set to propel the industry as demand and prices rise
- Mineral sand output is set to rise over the coming years, reflecting greater production at new and existing operations after several years of production growth.
Biggest companies in the Mineral Sand Mining in Australia
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
Iluka Resources | 1,132.4 | |
Tronox | 1,072.5 | |
Iwatani Australia Pty Ltd | 138.5 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Rutile concentrate, Ilmenite concentrate and Zircon concentrate. Rutile concentrate is the largest segment of the Mineral Sand Mining in Australia.
Trends and Insights
Growing international demand has supported revenue from zircon concentrate
- The industry's largest product segment is zircon concentrate. Zircon is resistant to abrasions and high temperatures, and is used to manufacture opaque glazes for ceramic tiles and sanitary wares, to protect the interior of furnaces in foundry refractories, and for metal castings.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- There are no industries to display.
Complementors
- Gravel and Sand Quarrying in Australia
- Mineral Exploration in Australia
- Gold and Other Non-Ferrous Metal Processing in Australia
- Lithium and Other Non-Metallic Mineral Mining in Australia
International industries
- Mineral & Phosphate Mining in the US
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Industry firms primarily engage in mining titanium dioxide mineral sands, such as rutile, ilmenite and leucoxene, for titanium dioxide pigment production. Industry firms also mine for zircon sand to produce synthetic rutile.
What's included in this industry?
Ilmenite sand miningLeucoxene sand miningMonazite sand miningRutile sand miningSynthetic rutile productionZircon sand miningCompanies
Iluka ResourcesTronoxIwatani Australia Pty LtdPurchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
CONCENTRATESYNTHETIC RUTILEBENEFICIATIONTITANIUM DIOXIDE PIGMENTTITANIUM FEEDSTOCKIndustry Code
ANZSIC 0805 - Mineral Sand Mining in Australia
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Australia's large mineral sand reserves and extensive mining sites drive industry output and revenue. Australia is a global leader in multiple industry products.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
The largest market for the industry is domestic titanium dioxide producers. This market comprises nearly three-quarters of industry revenue and mainly operates in the Gold an...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Western Australia has nearly one-third of industry enterprises. The state contributes over half the total ilmenite production in Australia and produces large volumes of leuco...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Two main players, Iluka and Tronox, dominate the industry. These two mineral sand miners occupy over half the industry’s market share.
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Two major players, Iluka and Tronox, dominate the industry. These two players are international firms with strong, established domestic presences.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of Iluka Resources's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Tronox's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Iwatani Australia Pty Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Iluka Resources, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Tronox, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Iwatani Australia Pty Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The industry currently receives no public assistance. The industry does receive private assistance, notably from the Minerals Council of Australia and the Zircon Industry Ass...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profit margins are set to expand due to rising demand. Wages have fallen slightly as a share of revenue despite high average wages in the industry.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Australia include:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Mineral Sand Mining industry in Australia in 2024?
The market size of the Mineral Sand Mining industry in Australia is $4.0bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Mineral Sand Mining in Australia industry in 2023?
There are 147 businesses in the Mineral Sand Mining industry in Australia, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.9 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Mineral Sand Mining industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Mineral Sand Mining industry in Australia has been growing at a CAGR of 0.4 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Mineral Sand Mining industry in Australia over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Mineral Sand Mining industry in Australia is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Mineral Sand Mining market in Australia?
The biggest companies operating in the Mineral Sand Mining market in Australia are Iluka Resources, Tronox and Iwatani Australia Pty Ltd
What does the Mineral Sand Mining in Australia include?
Ilmenite sand mining and Leucoxene sand mining are part of the Mineral Sand Mining industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Mineral Sand Mining in Australia?
The company holding the most market share in Australia is Iluka Resources.
How competitive is the Mineral Sand Mining industry in Australia?
The level of competition is low and steady in the Mineral Sand Mining industry in Australia.
