PROFITABILITY AND EARNINGS
At the total mining level, indicators of profitability showed similarly strong increases (in percentage terms) to the increase in IVA. This reflects the extent to which prices received rose by more than expenses. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased in 2006-07 by 26%, or $10.3b, the largest increases in dollar terms having occurred in Metal ore mining (up $8.6b, or 70%).
In terms of operating profit before tax (OPBT), the mining industry improved its returns by 32% (or $10.2b) during 2006-07, earning $42.2b. Total trading profit for the mining industry in 2006-07 was $68.6b, an increase of $12.6b (22%) over the previous year.