Being a mineral rich country, Australia is among the top mining destinations around the world. From gold mines to coal mines, the link below locates all the current mines in Australia.
Gold Mines and Deposits in Australia
Major Australian Gold Mines
Major Australian Gold Deposits
Copper Mines and Deposits in Australia
Iron Mines and Deposits in Australia
Uranium Mines and Deposits in Australia
Coal Mines and Deposits in Australia
Petrol Deposits in Australia
Coal
Coal is an organic sedimentary, combustible rock which has a composition of mainly carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. As a fossil fuel far more abundant than oil or gas, coal has several uses but some main ones include not only electricity generation through combustion, but also an essential fuel for steel and cement production as well as other industrial activities. Coal is expected to last for another 109 years worldwide.
Being the 5th largest producer of coal, Australia benefits greatly from coal exporting and selling for industrial purposes. Coal mining also generates direct employment for over 54 000 Australians, not to mention, related employment for over 145 000 people. This employment boost also positively affects the Australian economy, making coal mining a definite economic benefit to Australia.
As coal combustion negatively impacts the environment due to the high carbon content present in coal, industrial scientists are constantly on the hunt for alternatives. Being a fossil fuel, coal is a nonrenewable resource. Alternatives for energy such as electricity created by coal are:
• solar power — the use of energy being produced by the sun
• hydroelectricity — power generation using the energy created by flowing water
• wind power — power generation using the energy created by air flow (wind)
These are just a few examples of renewable energy sources that could replace nonrenewable energy sources such as coal without causing environmental damage.
Being the 5th largest producer of coal, Australia benefits greatly from coal exporting and selling for industrial purposes. Coal mining also generates direct employment for over 54 000 Australians, not to mention, related employment for over 145 000 people. This employment boost also positively affects the Australian economy, making coal mining a definite economic benefit to Australia.
As coal combustion negatively impacts the environment due to the high carbon content present in coal, industrial scientists are constantly on the hunt for alternatives. Being a fossil fuel, coal is a nonrenewable resource. Alternatives for energy such as electricity created by coal are:
• solar power — the use of energy being produced by the sun
• hydroelectricity — power generation using the energy created by flowing water
• wind power — power generation using the energy created by air flow (wind)
These are just a few examples of renewable energy sources that could replace nonrenewable energy sources such as coal without causing environmental damage.