The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has released two new publications that highlight the ongoing contribution the industry makes to the economy and the community.

 

The first publication Mine rehabilitation in the Australian minerals industry showcases the commitment by the industry to mine site rehabilitation so that previously mined land again becomes available for future economic activity, conservation or community use.

 

The publication demonstrates that the industry does not consider mine rehabilitation as something that begins towards the end of the project, but rather a process that begins right from the beginning of the mine project planning.

 

The publication features eight case studies which show the success of Australian mining companies in rehabilitating mined land for agricultural use or sustainable ecosystems.

 

The case studies include Coal and Allied’s rehabilitation of alluvial lands in the Hunter Valley, the Commodore coal mine rehabilitation program and BHP’s rehabilitation project in the Pilbara.

 

The second publication The Whole Story…in numbers is a handy source of information about Australia’s mining industry and the contribution the sector makes to the economy, taxes, jobs, health and safety and innovation.

 

The figures demonstrate that while the heady days of the mining boom have come to a close, the result is a much expanded industry.

For example:

• Mining’s importance to the Australian economy has increased from 6.9% of GDP to more than 9% of GDP over the past ten years

• Mining employment is more than double what is was before the boom

• Mining remains Australia’s largest export industry with 5 out of 10 of Australia’s biggest exports being mining outputs.