Australian Mining History and Impact

This assignment examines the history and impact of mining in Australia. It traces the evolution from early discoveries of copper and silver to the gold rush and its influence on the economy and population. The text analyzes the boom period of the 2000s, highlighting the growth and contributions to the Australian economy, followed by the decline after 2012 and its effects on employment. The assignment provides a comprehensive overview of Australia's mining sector and its role in shaping the nation.

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Mining in Australia
Mining is one of the major economic activities in Australia and contributes a large share
of the Australian economy. Since the ancient times, the mining activities in Australia were
significantly used to prevent potential bankruptcy1. This means that the mining industry in
Australia dates long ago in the times of colonies. Copper and silver mines were discovered in
1840s and became the leading exported minerals from the country. In 1841, silver became the
first economic mineral, meaning it contributed a lot to the economic activities in the country.
Later on, copper was discovered in several regions such as Kapunda in 1842, Burra in 1845 and
Copper Triangle in 1861. The discoveries of copper overshadowed the mines of silver and
copper became dominant. Later, in 1851, gold was discovered and went on to have a long lasting
impact o Australian economy2. During this time, about 40% of the world’s gold was produced in
Australia. The population and immigration increased due to the gold mining in the country in
what was termed as the ‘gold rush’34. Although much of the profits were sent to UK due to the
immigration at the end of 19th century after the gold mines were exhausted, sufficient wealth
remained which enhanced the development of the industries and infrastructure. Currently, it is
estimated that all the states and territories in Australia engage in mining activities. About 0.02%
of the Australia’s land surfaces are directly affected by the mining activities5.
1 Carl, Grant, "State-and-Transition Models for Mining Restoration in Australia". (In Suding, 2013).
2 Joseph Gambogi, "Mineral Commodity Summaries 2016" (pdf). (Reston, VA: U.S. Geological Survey, (28
January 2016). pp. 134–135.
3 Nicolas, Brasch. Go facts Australia: gold in Australia. (Glebe, NSW Blake Education Pty Ltd, 2017)
4 Dufty-Jones, Rae, and John Connell. Rural change in Australia: population, economy, environment.
(London: Routledge, 2016) http://www.tandfebooks.com/isbn/9781315607153.
5 South Australia. Mineral exploration in South Australia 2015: commodity highlights and achievements.
2016. https://sarigbasis.pir.sa.gov.au/WebtopEw/ws/samref/sarig1/image/DDD/RB201500036.pdf.

Rise and fall of mining
The mining industry in Australia has played key roles in economic contribution. In
2000s, the mining industry in Australia experienced high revival6.The prices of the key minerals
raised much boosting different activities and incomes in the economy. The labor market,
materials and investments grew and contributed a lot to the growth of the economy. It was
experienced that between 2003 and 2011, the global prices of the Australian minerals increased
by more than 300%7. During the boom, Australia established itself as a significant producer and
exporter of different minerals. In addition, the boom also has a positive impact on the technology
and exploration industries. A lot of activities on technological advancements were made to
enhance the exploration of the mining sites. The boom led to the mining industry contributing
two-thirds of economic growth in Australia.
One of the major negative impacts of the mining industry in Australia was experienced
before the 2000s boom. The mining industry was suffering from the weak global commodity
market8. The Asian financial crisis has largely affected the exportation and production in the
mining industry in Australia. Due to this, the economy in Australia was suffering and the
exploration expenditure was at its lower edge. Moreover, after the boom in 2012, the
employment sector experienced a large blow. Decrease in employment rate is one of the major
6 Afzal, Sharieff,; Ali Khan, Masood; Alfa, Balakishan. Encyclopedia of World Geography: Volume 23,
Australia and its Geography. (New Delhi: Sarup & Sons, 2007) pp. 13–14.
7 Richard H Bartlett. Native title in Australia. (Chatsworth, NSW : LexisNexis Butterworths, 2015)
8 Ciaran, O'Faircheallaigh. Mining and Development Foreign-financed Mines in Australia, Ireland, Papua
New Guinea and Zambia. (Taylor & Francis. 2017).

negative effects, having in mind that the mining industry had a significant employment of the
citizens9. After the boom, the mining industry contributed less than 8% of the country’s GDP.
References
Bartlett, Richard H. Native title in Australia. (Chatsworth, NSW : LexisNexis Butterworths,
2015)
9 Newton Katharine and Richard Joseph Hobbs, New Models for Ecosystem Dynamics and Restoration. (Peter
Society for Ecological Restoration International, 2010). p. 280.

Brasch, Nicolas. Go facts Australia: gold in Australia. (Glebe, NSW Blake Education Pty Ltd,
2017)
Dufty-Jones, Rae, and John Connell. Rural change in Australia: population, economy,
environment. (London: Routledge, 2016) http://www.tandfebooks.com/isbn/9781315607153.
Gambogi, Joseph "Mineral Commodity Summaries 2016" (pdf). (Reston, VA: U.S. Geological
Survey, (28 January 2016).
Grant, Carl "State-and-Transition Models for Mining Restoration in Australia". (In Suding,
2013). Katharine Newton and Hobbs, Richard Joseph. New Models for Ecosystem Dynamics and
Restoration. (Peter Society for Ecological Restoration International, 2010).
O'Faircheallaigh, Ciaran. Mining and Development Foreign-financed Mines in Australia,
Ireland, Papua New Guinea and Zambia. (Taylor & Francis. 2017).
Sharieff, Afzal; Masood Ali Khan; A Balakishan. Encyclopedia of World Geography: Volume
23, Australia and its Geography. (New Delhi: Sarup & Sons, 2007).
South Australia. Mineral exploration in South Australia 2015: commodity highlights and
achievements. 2016. https://sarigbasis.pir.sa.gov.au/WebtopEw/ws/samref/sarig1/image/DDD/
RB201500036.pdf.