BARRIERS TO GROWTHAlthough it may surprise many, economic mineral

resources can often be underestimated (oil being theexception peak oil is a real and urgent problem). Evenallowing for strong growth in demand, I would certainlyremain condent that there are sufficient deposits knownglobally for most mineral and metal resources to meetgrowing demands for several decades. Perhaps by thelatter decades of this century we might start to approachlimits, but we are already encountering other problems.

The real barriers to ongoingmining are mainly socialand environmental. On the social front, communityopposition to projects and commodities is growing andplacing substantial pressure on the ability of the miningindustry to develop new projects.

Clive Palmer's China First coal project in centralQueensland threatens to mine most of the BimbleboxNature Refuge an areawhich is supposed to be protectedby a perpetual conservation agreement between thelandholder and government.

On the environmental front, ore grades and qualityare gradually declining, meaningmore mining to producethe same amount ofmetal. As open cuts get bigger, thereis more and more mine waste.

At some modern mines in Australia, extremelypollutedwater flows freely to adjacent streams. l-lanrahan'sCreek in the Northern Territory is biologically dead dueto severe acid mine drainage from the defunct Redbankcopper mine.

There are many other legacy mine sites across the

28 I Australia's Engagement with Asia

nation, even large ones at .\~lourit Morgan, Mount Lyellor Rum Jungle. And the legacies are grouirig check outthe Hunter Valley coal province or Kaigoorlies famousSuper Pit in Google Earth.

The success of different rninirig sectors in reducingtheir greenhouse gas emissions footprint has been variedtoo aluminium and steel have reduced their carbonintensity significantly thanks to energy efficiency andnew technology. But many sectors have increased theircarbon intensity.

On the environmental front, ore grades andquality are gradually declining, meaning moremining to produce the same amount ofmetal.

The transition away from fossil fuels to meet theclimate change challenge will remain a key global test ofminings environmental performance.

DODGING THE BUSTOverall, Australia remains in a strong position to

continue to mine almost anything virtually anywhere tomeet growing Asian demand the mineral resources arecertainly known. The trickwill be managing increasinglycomplex social issues and environmental impacts,especially the move away from fossil fuels and uranium.

The boom may continue for some time, but we needto be mindful ofthe inevitable environmental and socialbust. Our vision should not involve selling dirt and buyingdiamonds, then wondering why we are still in debt as anation.

DrGavin Mudd is a Senior LectureratMonash University.

2012 Gavin Mudd. Posted 27 April 2012.The Conversation | http2//theconversation.edu.au

Issues in Society | Volume 350