The value of exports of non-ferrous metals climbed by $508 million to $1.551 billion in the year to May, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.

That was 43.2 per cent of the $3.59 billion total value of merchandise exports sent overseas.

Metallic ores and metal scraps contributed another $491 million.

Total export value was up by 32.9 per cent.

                       - SEAN FORD