Release of Australia’s Identified Mineral Resources (AIMR) 2025 report

Australia leads the way in resources exploration and production

As home to some of the largest Mineral Resources of many of the world’s critical minerals, Australia is well-placed to support global demand, according to Geoscience Australia’s recent publication Australia’s Identified Mineral Resources (AIMR) 2025.

Drawing on almost 50 years of data to 31 December 2024, AIMR identifies important trends in Ore Reserves, Mineral Resources and mine production, and indicates future supply capacity.

Released by the Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia, the Hon. Madeleine King MP, this annual stocktake provides an evidence-based assessment of Australia’s Mineral Resources, helping to support long-term planning, investment, and policy decisions.

Minister King said the latest data highlights Australia’s world-class geological endowment and the strength of the nation’s resources sector.

“Australia’s diverse geology and abundant mineral resources – including critical minerals – continue to underpin our economic and national security while supporting secure global supply chains with our strategic partners,” Minister King said.

“Critical minerals such as lithium and rare earth elements are vital to batteries, high-performance permanent magnets, wind turbines and electric vehicles. AIMR 2025 shows we are well‑placed to support demand as we transition to net zero.”

In the 2024 calendar year, Australia invested $3.95 billion on resource exploration, including $668 million on mineral exploration for ‘other metals’, a category which includes many critical minerals. Despite softer commodity prices and geopolitical volatility, Australia strengthened its long-term resource base, expanded critical mineral estimates, and maintained top global rankings across many commodities.

Australia maintained its number one world ranking for Economic Demonstrated Resources (EDR) of gold, iron ore, lead, rutile, uranium, vanadium, zinc and zircon, and became number one for ilmenite. In 2024, Australia was a trusted top five global supplier of 14 mineral commodities, namely bauxite, black coal, cobalt, gold, ilmenite, iron ore, lead, lithium, manganese ore, rare earths, rutile, uranium, zinc and zircon.

Thirteen resources on the nation’s critical minerals and strategic materials lists reported significant increases in their resource estimates, further improving Australia’s potential to supply our global strategic partners. This included two of the first minerals announced in the Australian Government’s Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve: antimony and rare earth elements, as well as fluorine, graphite and high-purity alumina.

By global standards, Australia’s long-term supply outlook is strong with most Australian commodities holding a potential resource life of well beyond 50 years.

Recognising the vast potential and strategic importance of these resources, the Australian Government has invested in Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity, a 35-year initiative led by Geoscience Australia. The initiative is central to accelerate critical mineral and strategic material discovery and development, improve precompetitive geoscience data, strengthen our economic security and create high-value jobs.

The AIMR digital publication is available at: https://www.ga.gov.au/aimr