Mining In Australia

Question 1

What are the opportunities?

Answer 1

Provides jobs where there are few other opportunities
Contributed $45m to S Aus Government
Aboriginal groups benefit from annual rent and improved tracks/ roads/ access

Question 2

What are the problems?

Answer 2

House price inflation
Indigenous oppose mines
Liquid waste contaminated soil
Large quantities of water - need water from Great Artesian Basin for refining process which endangers desert spring mounds
Mining is an eyesore and soil heaps spoil landscape

Question 3

How is this managed?

Answer 3

Undertake environmental assessment
Height of waste dumps limited
Relandscape when mining ceases - Tamani God mine contoured and laid with rock drains to prevent erosion
Recycle water from treatment plants and spray weeds
Control burning of vegetation and spread of native eucalypts to obscure tracks

Question 4

What is mined?

Answer 4

Uranium nickel titanium manganese opals