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The Australian mining industry is of vital importance to the country's economy with a 10.1% share of its GDP in FY 2012-13 and potential for significant employment generation. Further, substantial deposits and geographic proximity to emerging Asian economies augur well for this mining nation. The country produces 19 minerals in significant amounts and according to Geoscience Australia 2014, the nation is the second largest producer of lead and zinc, the fourth largest producer of nickel and the fifth largest producer of copper in the world, together with hosting the world's largest resources of lead, nickel and zinc and the second largest resources of copper. In 2013, Australia's copper mine production was 966,410 tons, nickel mine production was 220,664 tons, zinc mine production was 1.6 million tons (Mt) and lead mine production was 603,340 tons.

Swine (Pig) Feed Market by Type (Starter, Grower, Sow), Additive (Antibiotics, Vitamins, Antioxidants, Amino Acids, Feed Enzymes, Feed Acidifiers) and by Geography - Global Trends & Forecasts to 2018

BMI View: We maintain a modest though positive outlook for the US metals sector over our five-year forecast period . Our constructive US macroeconomic outlook underpins our view that metal production and consumption should see modest growth . However, we anticipate total production and consumption levels will remain below pre-crisis levels through 2018. For 2014 , we expect the country's improving economic outlook, particularly in the construction , oil & gas, and automotive sectors , will drive the sector .

Mining of coal and lignite; extraction of peat market grows at CAGR of 9% over 2007-2012 to reach SR103.3 million in latter year. Due to generous oil subsidies, coal is not an important source of energy in country's energy mix. Local industry small with imports representing 86% of market value in 2012. Industry forecast to grow at CAGR of 8% over forecast period but turnover will remain low at SR10.8 million in 2018. Growing steel and aluminium industries could boost demand for imported coal over forecast period.

Agricultural Enzymes Market by Type (Carbohydrase, Lipase, Protease, Polymerase & Nuclease), by Application (Fertility, Growth, & Control Products), by Crop Type, & by Geography - Global Trends & Forecast to 2018

MarketLines' JSC ARMZ Uranium Holding (formerly JSC Atomredmetzoloto) Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Partnerships & Alliances and Investments report includes business description, detailed reports on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), divestments, capital raisings, venture capital investments, ownership and partnership transactions undertaken by JSC ARMZ Uranium Holding (formerly JSC Atomredmetzoloto) since January 2007. These reports offer a comprehensive breakdown of the organic and inorganic growth activity undertaken by an organization to sustain its competitive advantage.

Feed Fats & Proteins Market by Source (Animals, Plants & Others), by Livestock (Ruminant, Poultry, Aqua, Swine & Equine) & by Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific & ROW) - Global Trends & Forecasts to 2019

BMI View: While Namibia holds substantial diamond and uranium reserves among other minerals, the government's potential to enforce policy to extract greater revenue from the sector remains a key downside risk to investment. Overall, we forecast Namibia's mining industry value to grow on average 3.3% y-o-y from an estimated USD1.6bn in 2014 to USD1.8bn in 2018. This will represent a decline in the mining sector's contribution to GDP from 13% in 2014 to 8% in 2018.

Animal Feed Micronutrients Market by Type (Zinc, Iron, Manganese, and Copper), by Livestock (Ruminant, Poultry, Aqua, Swine, and Equine) & by Geography - Global Trends & Forecasts to 2019

Domestic demand for metal casting grows by an impressive 81% over the review period to reach SR1.1 billion in 2012. Turnover of local service providers grows in tandem with the market to reach SR1.1 billion in 2012. The casting of metals industry remained autarkic in nature, with international trade playing an insignificant role. Revenue is expected to grow by 68% over the forecast period amid rising domestic demand and expanding buying industries.

Angola's mining industry is set to reach USD7.5bn in 2018, growing at an average rate of 5.3% a year. The rate of growth will remain stable thereafter, with diamonds providing the main thrust for production growth over the medium term. New areas of mining, including iron ore, copper and phosphates, are also receiving increasing international interest from investors and are expected to provide further momentum for Angola's mining sector over the long term. That said, we do not expect the mining sector to receive much attention from the government as the country's burgeoning oil sector attracts the lion's share of investment. Therefore, problems relating to mining such as poor infrastructure and stringent bureaucracy are unlikely to be resolved in the near term.

Coal is the mainstay of the Czech Republic's mining industry and we expect this to remain the case over our forecast period to 2018. The country also hosts a uranium mine and there is long-term potential for gold mining. We expect stagnation in the Czech Republic's coal production over coming years, ending the declines seen over the past decades.

Though Argentina possesses significant natural resources and has a relatively underdeveloped mining sector, we expect modest industry growth of just 0.5% on average per annum through 2018. A combination of weakening metals prices and a difficult operating environment will lead to low production growth in the country and likely lead to subdued mining exploration and development. We point out though that recent indicators suggest the central government is seeking to increase foreign investment into the country, providing potential upside to the mining sector in the coming quarters.

The global power transformers market is expected to reach USD 18.55 billion by 2020, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. Growing energy demand, on a global level, is expected to be the key driving force for the power transformers market over the next six years. Favorable regulatory scenario for the development of low noise and environmentally friendly transformers is also expected to drive the market over the forecast period.

The global market for lysine is expected to reach USD 6.96 billion by 2020, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. Positive outlook on animal feed demand to cater to growing meat consumption, especially in emerging markets of Latin America and Asia Pacific is expected to be a key market driver. Limited availability of major feedstock is expected to hamper the market growth over the forecast period.

The global market for medical imaging systems is expected to reach USD 37.83 billion by 2020, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing geriatric population base augmenting the susceptibility of patients towards chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, orthopedic and respiratory diseases coupled with increasing patient awareness levels is expected to drive market growth over the next six years. Some of the other drivers for this market include growing demand for refurbished and retrofitted devices, introduction of digital and portable X-ray systems and increasing adoption rates of PACS in healthcare establishments as a cost effective and technologically advanced alternative.

We forecast limited growth opportunities in Slovakia's mining sector as weakness in gold prices prevents the take-off of the gold sector. Coal will remain the mainstay of the country's mining industry over our forecast period to 2018. Even so, growth in coal output will be subdued.

We forecast Mexico's mining sector will see steady growth through 2018 as mining companies continue to invest in both base and precious metals mining projects. We forecast the value of Mexico's mining sector to grow to USD16.9bn by 2018, representing average annual growth of 2.7%. The sector will benefit from a stable business environment, though mining royalties pose a downside risk.

MarketLines' Hochschild Mining plc Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Partnerships & Alliances and Investments report includes business description, detailed reports on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), divestments, capital raisings, venture capital investments, ownership and partnership transactions undertaken by Hochschild Mining plc since January 2007. These reports offer a comprehensive breakdown of the organic and inorganic growth activity undertaken by an organization to sustain its competitive advantage.

MarketLines' Wuhan Iron and Steel (Group) Corporation Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Partnerships & Alliances and Investments report includes business description, detailed reports on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), divestments, capital raisings, venture capital investments, ownership and partnership transactions undertaken by Wuhan Iron and Steel (Group) Corporation since January 2007. These reports offer a comprehensive breakdown of the organic and inorganic growth activity undertaken by an organization to sustain its competitive advantage.

The cooling of the Chinese economy will remove the shine off mining investment in South East Asia. Frontier regions will be the first places where miners pull back their investment as brownfield projects take precedence. Nonetheless, it is certainly not all gloomy in the mining sector. Resilient demand from the power sector will continue to support growth in coal production, while the positive development of the nuclear sector in South Korea fuels uranium mining production.

Basic chemicals' sales up 61% from 2007; households account for only 2% of domestic demand, but raise their spending faster. 87% of all basic chemicals sold in 2012 come from abroad; India and Iran strengthen their positions in Saudi market. Organic compounds generate almost 94% of total local earnings; dyes and pigments category's turnover up by 115% from 2007. Over 97% of total local production exported in 2012; China remains major destination for Saudi chemicals. 12% CAGR expected over 2013-2018; dyes and pigments and organic chemicals' producers expected to raise their revenue at fastest pace.

Domestic demand grows by 28% over the review period despite a 41% slump in 2009 taking the market to SR46.7 billion in 2012. Imported production accounts for 73% of the total category in 2012 while penetration decreases greatly. The turnover of local producers grows by 72% from 2007, greatly outperforming the category. Exports decrease in importance as a source of revenue, generating 40% of turnover. Production revenue is expected to grow by 66% over the forecast period amid continuous demand from the construction industry.

Saudi cement, stone and ceramic products market sees 55% growth over review period to reach SR25.6 billion in 2012. Import penetration decreases to 17% of total market in 2012. Turnover of local producers slightly outperforms market, equalling SR24.3 billion in 2012. Exports decline in importance for local producers, generating 10% of turnover in 2012. Industry production revenue expected to increase by 45% over forecast period amid rising demand from construction industry.

Quarrying of stone, sand and clay market grows at CAGR of 6% over 2007-2012 to reach SR3.7 billion in latter year. Market dominated by local producers with imports accounting for just 18% of market value in 2012. Quarrying of stone, sand and clay industry in Saudi Arabia has potential to expand due to discoveries of large new deposits of minerals. Industry fragmented with four largest companies generating approximately 12% of total production. Industry forecast to grow at CAGR of 6% over forecast period, driven by booming construction industry and growing global demand for fertilisers.