This paper briefly places the contribution of mining into the context of the wider economy, and focuses on the impact of coal mining on both natural and agricultural areas of NSW.

The minerals industry is NSW’s largest export industry, accounting for export revenue of $11.1 billion in 2006-07, which is 39% of total NSW exports. The paper reviews the environmental regulatory regime that mining must operate under, and looks at the environmental impact of coal mining for both underground and open cut mines.

Image: The biggest coal mine, davipt / Flickr