production Just under two-thirds of Australia’s major minerals and energy commodities recorded production increases in 2006-07. Substantial increases in production of minerals and energy commodities occurred for refined nickel class 2 (50 per cent), manganese (24 per cent), refinery LPG (23 per cent), crude oil and condensate (19 per cent) and refined zinc (11 per cent). Production of mineral sands commodities increased significantly — leucoxene (95 per cent), rutile (54 per cent), zircon (25 per cent) and ilmenite (12 per cent) — mainly as a result of the commissioning of a number of new mines. Smaller increases were recorded for iron ore and concentrate, black coal, brown coal and alumina. Significant production decreases occurred for refined tin (56 per cent), silver mine (25 per cent), lead bullion (19 per cent), refined lead (18 per cent), intermediate nickel (18 per cent) and lead mine (16 per cent). Lead production was affected by scheduled maintenance, a mine placed on care and maintenance and other issues. Smaller production decreases occurred for refined silver, refined gold and uranium. exports Australia’s export earnings from mineral resources rose to a record $106.5 billion in 2006-07, an increase of more than $15 billion or 17 per cent from earnings in 2005-06. This strong performance reflects higher export prices for almost two-thirds of all minerals and energy commodities exported, along with increased export volumes for nearly three-quarters of the commodities. The commodities that recorded the largest increases in export earnings in 2006-07 were: nickel, up $5004 million (145 per cent) to $8461 million; refined gold, up $3232 million (46 per cent) to $10 321 million; iron ore and pellets, up $2648 million (21 per cent) to $15 502 million; zinc, up $1746 million (69 per cent) to $4286 million; and crude oil, up $1675 million (25 per cent) to $8313 million. Other commodities that recorded significant increases in export earnings in 2006-07 were: alumina, up $962 million (18 per cent) to $6224 million; copper, up $890 million (16 per cent) to $6543 million; aluminium, up $863 million (18 per cent) to $5651 million and LNG, up $806 million (18 per cent) to $5222 million; Other commodities that recorded increases during the year were: lead, rutile and uranium oxide. The commodities that recorded significant decreases in export earnings in 2006-07 were: coking coal, down $1916 million (11 per cent) to $15 087 million and steaming coal, down $445 million (6 per cent) to $6761 million. The index of export prices of Australian minerals resources (export unit returns) rose a further 9.4 per cent in 2006-07 compared with 2005-06, as higher metal prices more than offset lower prices for energy minerals Prices for metals and related minerals prices rose by 24.4 per cent, while prices for energy minerals declined by 8.7 per cent. Revised forecasts of minerals production, exports and prices for 2007-08, and analysis of key factors affecting the outlook for minerals and energy markets and Australian industries, will be available in the next issue of Australian Commodities, to be released electronically on 24 September 2007.