Austria is a country in the European Union next to Germany, with 9.02 million people and an area of more than 83,000 km2. The Austrian economy did not perform well in 2023, and the GDP reduced by 0.7% compared to 2021. However, the mining industry is one of the highest revenue-generating sectors in Austria, and mineral exports generate almost 25% of Austria's total revenue.
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An Overview of Mining in Austria
Austria contributes to the European economy by producing around 80 million tons of mineral raw materials annually through surface and underground mines. Tungsten, manganese, and magnesite are among the top mining products of Austria, along with some construction minerals. Around 910 tons of tungsten and more than 771,000 tons of manganese have been mined in Austria.
The 2022 financial year ended with around 6.7 million tons of limestone production from 59 operational mines in Austria. Among the major companies responsible for limestone extraction, Josef Christandl Gesellschaft mbH, Erdbau und Schotterwerk Ges.mbH, Peter Keckeis Ges.mbH, and Franz Stöckl Limited Liability Company are some famous names.
In 2022, 41 operational mines were operated using drilling and blasting to extract over 4 million tons of dolomite. The total production of quartz and quartzite in Austria was about 735,909 tons in 2022.
In Austria, property owned by landowners accounts for around 2/3rd of domestic mining production, representing the largest share in the mining sector. After the privately owned land, mineral land in the state of Austria is responsible for the second-highest mineral mining products. Austria is self-sufficient and does not depend on importing any mineral aggregates, notably construction raw materials such as sand and gravel. However, Austria heavily relies on imports to meet its needs for metals and fossil fuels.
Over 1,000 mines in Austria produce the majority of construction minerals, mostly in the form of quarries. Gypsum is among the minerals freely available for mining by the government. However, it is not abundant; certain regions, most famously Salzburg and Tyrol, have the majority of mines operating for gypsum extraction.
Table 1: An Overview of Minerals and Raw Material Production in Austria
|
Mineral
|
Volume (metric tons)
|
Total world production in %
|
Ranking of Austria
|
|
Iron
|
1.059,550
|
0.06
|
28.
|
|
Tungsten
|
919
|
1.04
|
6.
|
|
Feldspar
|
35,000
|
0.10
|
32.
|
|
Graphite
|
100
|
0.01
|
17.
|
|
Gypsum
|
900,374
|
0.52
|
27.
|
|
Kaolin
|
13,500
|
0.03
|
43.
|
|
Magnesite
|
844,226
|
3.01
|
6.
|
|
Salt
|
1,117,586
|
0.41
|
32.
|
|
Sulfur
|
4,755
|
0.01
|
53.
|
|
Talc
|
157,493
|
2.05
|
14.
|
|
Natural Gas
|
654
|
0.02
|
67.
|
|
Petroleum
|
571,428
|
0.01
|
75.
|
|
Oil shales
|
100
|
0.00
|
6.
|
Data Source: World-Mining-Data 2023. Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management. Available at: https://www.advantageaustria.org/ie/zentral/branchen/bergbau/zahlen-und-fakten/Zahlen_und_Fakten.en.html
An Overview of the Extraction of Steel and Non-Ferrous Metals
The mining of iron ore dropped slightly in 2022. Iron mica production was a major boost at the start of 2022; however, the production reduced significantly as time passed.
The experts observed a decline in the demand for talc and leukophyllite mining. Russian and Belarussian deliveries were stopped owing to the sanctions against these countries. However, encouraging results were seen for underground scheelite mining, as production and extraction increased to 575,000 tons for the first time in Austria's history.
Austria's non-ferrous metal mining industry maintained a high international production level for non-ferrous metals in the financial year 2022-2023. Secondary production of aluminum and copper in Austria primarily relied on recycled material. In 2022, the Austrian non-ferrous metal industry experienced employment growth, with the number of employees increasing by over 2% to surpass 7,000 individuals. The total production sold saw a significant rise of almost 22%, reaching over €7.1 billion compared to the previous year.
Petroleum Minerals in Austria
The Austrian government owns crude oil and natural gas. Local production from mines and underground drilling can meet about 9% of the national oil demand. Crude oil production in Austria is about 600,000 tons.
Natural gas is found in porous rock formations and is a state-owned mineral in Austria. The country's annual production is approximately 750 million cubic meters, enabling it to meet around 8% of its national natural gas demand through domestic sources.
The first gas discoveries in Austria date back to 1844 in the geological setting of the Vienna Basin, close to the Vienna Eastern Railway Station.
Since 1890, gas extraction has also occurred in the North Alpine Foreland Basin near Wels in Upper Austria. The significant Voitsdorf field, discovered in 1963, marked the beginning of commercial gas supply to large industrial businesses in the region.
The consumption of mineral oil in Austria, including all oil products such as heating gas oil, lubricants, and bitumen, accounted for a total volume of about 9.73 million tons. The statistics from the federal ministry highlighted that gasoline and diesel utilization in Austria was about 7.63 million tons, which was about 4 % greater in 2021.
Major Players Extracting the Crude Oil and Natural Gas in Austria
Austrian OMV Exploration & Production GmbH is among the three largest Austrian oil producers. However, the company suffered a 6.6% decrease in crude oil extracted in 2022.
RAG AG Austria GmbH is another large contributor to Austrian crude oil production, whose profits shrunk by 6.7% compared to the previous year. ADX VIE GmbH had the most significant reduction, about 20% in crude oil production.
When natural gas extraction and production are considered, OMV Austria Exploration & Production GmbH recorded a 4.4% reduction in natural gas extraction in 2022. RAG Austria AG targeted the Upper Austrian region to perform drilling operations. However, in 2022, company statistics revealed a massive 33.7% reduction in natural gas extraction.
Role of Austrian Government Policies in Promoting Safety in Mining Operations
The permits and regulations for mining activities in Austria are based on the Mineral Raw Materials Act, or MinroG. The higher authority of companies that have obtained the permit for mining operations must develop and periodically revise an emergency plan customized for each mining sector to address accidents, hazardous incidents, and foreseeable natural or industrial disasters. They must also take appropriate measures as needed.
Collaboration with fire departments and disaster relief services is allowed. Companies must also create and maintain a mining map for each mining operation under the oversight of a designated mine supervisor. These safety policies have decreased the number of accidents in Austria's mines.
Austria is making planned efforts to ensure digitalization in the mining operations. A major example is the Interactive Raw Material Information System (IRIS Online), which is updated regularly as an online repository of the world’s leading raw materials.
Furthermore, the government has proposed a project titled “Masterplan Raw Materials 2030,” in which planned steps are being taken in an organized manner to solve the challenges associated with Austria's mining industry and ensure that Austria’s supply chain of raw materials remains smooth. These steps will lead to a significant improvement in Austria’s mining industry's exports.
References and Further Reading
Advantage Austria, (2023). Overview of Mining Industry in Austria. [Online] Available at: https://www.advantageaustria.org/lt/zentral/branchen/bergbau/overview/Ueberblick.en.html
BBC, (2023). Austria Country Profile. [Online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17405422
Drought, A., (2023). European Lithium nearly doubles footprint at Wolfsberg Lithium Project in Austria. [Online] Available at: https://mining.com.au/european-lithium-nearly-doubles-footprint-at-wolfsberg-lithium-project-in-austria/
European Union, (2023). Austria. [Online] Available at: https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/country-profiles/austria_en
Federal Ministry Republic of Austria, (2023). Mining in Austria. [Online] Available at: https://www.bmf.gv.at/en/topics/mining/mining-in-austria.html
Federal Ministry Republic of Austria, (2024). Metals. [Online] Available at: https://www.bmf.gv.at/en/topics/mining/mining-in-austria/metals.html
Federal Ministry Republic of Austria, (2024). Mining Safety. [Online] Available at: https://www.bmf.gv.at/en/topics/mining/mining-safety.html
Finance Ministry of Austria, (2024). Aggregates (Construction Raw Materials). [Online] Available at: https://www.bmf.gv.at/en/topics/mining/mining-in-austria/aggregates.html
Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism, Austria, (2018). Mining Hazard Management. [Online] Available at: https://www.bmf.gv.at/dam/jcr:ae4bc283-d058-4f42-acec-0e10f5f43246/BMNT_Krisensvorsorgemgmt2018_181128_Barrierefrei_final.pdf
Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism, Austria, (2022). Austrian Mining Yearbook. [Online] Available at: https://www.bmf.gv.at/dam/jcr:ae4bc283-d058-4f42-acec-0e10f5f43246/BMNT_Krisensvorsorgemgmt2018_181128_Barrierefrei_final.pdf
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