The value of Australia's mining exports hit a record high last year as both prices and production soared, driven by the iron ore industry.

The Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE) says the value of resources and energy exports reached $190 billion in 2011, a 15 per cent rise on the previous year's result.

The value of iron ore exports jumped by 20 per cent to more than $59 billion, while thermal coal rose by 18 per cent to $15.6 billion and liquefied natural gas exports increased by 16 per cent to $11 billion.

But iron and steel export earnings fell 22 per cent to $1.1 billion, and manganese ore and concentrate dropped 9 per cent to $1.4 billion.

The bureau's Alan Copeland says a recent dip in prices for some commodities, including iron ore, has done little to dent earnings.

"We did see a little bit of weakness towards the end of 2011, but we have seen prices increase in the early part of this year," Mr Copeland said.

"But overall, in 2011 commodity prices were higher than in the previous year, and that was the case for iron, coal, gold and oil."

BREE says half of Australia's energy and mineral commodities saw increased production last year, notably: mined nickel, which rose 26 per cent; iron ore, which rose 13 per cent; and refined copper, up 12 per cent.

And Mr Copeland says several major projects are in development that will boost exports further.

"Looking forward we expect to see increases in bulk commodities - that's iron ore and coal - and that's consistent with the large amount of investment that's being undertaken to increase capacity in those industries," he said.

"Over the medium term we expect to see a substantial increase in liquefied natural gas, and again that's consistent with a number of projects that are under construction around the country."