The purpose of this paper is to consider a feature of the mining boom which has been barely considered in the Australian policy debate to date, namely, how fast should the mining construction boom be allowed to develop?

Australia is experiencing its largest mining boom for more than a century and a half. This paper explores, from a national perspective, important economic differences that arise when a mining boom, such as the current one, is generated by sustained export price increases (trading gains) rather than export volume increases. Since 2003 the terms of...

More than 60% of minerals operations in Australia have neighbouring Indigenous communities. The MCA’s vision is a thriving minerals industry working in partnership with Indigenous communities for the present and future development of mineral resources and the establishment of vibrant, diversified and sustainable regional economies and Indigenous communities.

Negative stereotypes about the extractive industries constitute a cultural risk for operations, damage good-doers, and discourage other companies from imitating them. This paper discusses the concept of a cultural license to operate, which addresses these cultural risks.

Australia should look towards more than fuel, resources and agriculture in its economic relationship with China, writes Jieh-Yung Lo.