The 2009 edition of the Minerals Yearbook, Volume 3, presents an exhaustive review of the international mineral and material industries, specifically focusing on the regions of Africa and the Middle East. This annual publication meticulously compiles statistical data on a vast array of materials and minerals, alongside detailed analyses of prevailing economic and technical trends and developments within these critical areas. It serves as a comprehensive resource, offering insights into mineral production, trade dynamics, and the significant governmental and industrial advancements that shaped the sector during the year.
Across the African continent in 2009, mineral production evinced a complex landscape, often impacted by global economic shifts. Africa contributed approximately 28% to the world's manganese ore output, with South Africa, Gabon, and Ghana leading the production, though the continent experienced an average decrease of 33% from the prior year. Diamond mining in Africa accounted for 49% of the global output, a notable decline from 55% in 2008, as world diamond production decreased overall by about 29%. Major contributors included Congo (Kinshasa), Botswana, Angola, and South Africa. Bauxite production from Africa represented 8% of the world's total, with Guinea responsible for 91% of the continent's output, yet this saw a 16% reduction, partly owing to diminished international demand for aluminum.
The continent also remained a significant source for other vital minerals. About 38% of the world's chromium ore was mined in Africa, primarily from South Africa, which accounted for over 96% of the continent's chromite output, despite a 30% decrease in gross weight compared to 2008. Cobalt production, with Congo (Kinshasa) contributing approximately 88% of Africa's total, represented 51% of the world's cobalt ore, though it experienced a 17% decline in contained metal. Gold production saw South Africa leading African output at 43%, followed by Ghana, Mali, Tanzania, and Guinea. Uranium, too, was a key commodity, with Niger, Namibia, and South Africa being prominent African producers, collectively contributing 15.9% to the world's total. South Africa, particularly, stood out with immense reserves of platinum-group metals, manganese, chromium, and gold, and was a top global producer for several commodities, though its mining sector faced considerable strain in 2009, with commodity prices losing about 40% of their value.
Turning to the Middle East, the region's mineral industries in 2009 were characterized by their substantial role in global energy and industrial material markets. The Middle East supplied 12% of the world's chromite production, 7% of primary aluminum, and 3% of crude steel. Aluminum production, especially in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, supported significant economic diversification efforts within these nations. Turkey emerged as the region's leading crude steel producer and the 10th globally, although overall crude steel production in the Middle East decreased during the year.
Mineral fuels, particularly crude oil and natural gas, remained the bedrock of many Middle Eastern economies. The region contributed 29% to the world's crude oil production, a slight decrease from 31.3% in 2008, while natural gas production saw an increase of 6.5%, accounting for 13.6% of the global total. Saudi Arabia, holding approximately 20% of the world's proven crude oil reserves, stood as a paramount producer of petroleum. Despite an 18% decrease in crude oil exports in 2009, the country saw a 13% rise in refined petroleum product exports, underscoring the critical role of hydrocarbons in its national economy.
The volume further dissects these regional trends through individual country chapters, each providing an in-depth look at the mining, refining, processing, and utilization of minerals. These country-specific reports detail government policies and programs impacting the mineral industry, address environmental considerations, present comprehensive trade and production data, outline industry structures and ownership, chronicle commodity sector developments, and assess critical infrastructure, culminating in an outlook for each nation's mineral future. Such granular analysis ensures a thorough understanding of how each country's mineral industry integrates within, and contributes to, the broader global mineral economy.
