Although gold prices in Australian dollar terms were slightly better in 1998 than in 1997, they remained low. Despite this situation there was considerable activity in the industry during the year with mining commencing at several new operations. The gold mining industry employed 7,681 people at the end of June 1998, making it the second largest employer in the mining sector behind the coal industry. Iron ore Resources of iron ore occur in all Australian States and the Northern Territory. In 1998 virtually all of Australia's EDR were in Western Australia.
Small tonnages occur in South Australia, Tasmania, and New South Wales.
Minor production of iron ore for non-steel industry use occurred in New South Wales and Queensland. The depressed state of the Asian steel sector hindered development within the Australian iron ore industry during 1998. Iron ore mining employed 5,073 people at the end of June 1998. Manganese ore Australia's resources of manganese ore are the basis of a major mineral export industry as well as a significant domestic ferromanganese, silicomanganese and manganese dioxide processing industry. With the closure of the mining and processing operations at Woodie Woodie in the east Pilbara district in October 1997, Australia's only operating manganese mine is on Groote Eylandt.