The bulk of it is mined in the Pilbara region, roughly 800 miles north of Perth.
This desolate expanse – home to more than 31 Aboriginal groups – is also host to a large network of mines all dedicated to digging up the riches lying underneath the arid red earth.
The dominance of the mining industry in this part of the world is clear for all to see in Perth’s elegant skyline, with the names of FTSE 100 mining titans Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton emblazoned at the top of the city’s two tallest skyscrapers.
Just down the road are the headquarters of Fortescue Metals Group, the world’s fourth largest iron ore producer behind Rio, BHP and Brazil’s Vale.
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