The economic impact of mining these minerals is very positive for Australia; however, the environmental implications are also significant and must be considered. Only 0.02% of Australia’s land is devoted to mining, however, when the harmful gases that are produced through mining, extraction and refining processes of minerals are added with the environmental disturbance of real estate, farming, road construction and numerous other human activities, the effect on the environment can be very large, and hence regulations are in place to limit the mining industry.
