It is undeniable that minerals and energy resource development is a key contributor to the Australian economy, and in particular to the state of Western Australia. The recent 'mining boom' has been much discussed in the last 7 years or so and has brought considerable revenue to state and federal governments. As well as being of economic benefit, mining is essential to providing the raw materials upon which modern society depends.

The aim of this paper is not to balance the benefits of mining against its drawbacks; rather it is to provide information on a sector that has become an important national talking point.