Mining provides us with minerals, metals and other materials we use every day and the fuel used to generate electricity. These minerals have economic value and can benefit mankind.Although in Australia, less than 1% of the land is mined, depending on the size of the mine, method of mining and location, mining can have a significant impact on the environment. To minimise the effects of this impact, careful planning, management and supervision are required.

Gold is a rare precious metal. It is used in jewellery, as an international monetary standard, for decoration, in dentistry and in many electrical and mechanical components increasingly in the form of nanomaterials.

In this interactive website, elements of the economics of the Queensland mining industry are examined. By filling in their state based post code, users are able to gain an insight into company taxes and royalties paid to government, shareholder returns and the industry spend in the community specific to that area. A map identifying current land use for the state is also included.

What types of resources are developed in Western Australia? How are environmental issues managed in the Western Australian resources sector? What is the State Government doing to encourage exploration? How can I view drill core samples? Why is a transparent and efficient resources projects approvals process important? What types of careers are available in the resources sector?

For primary and secondary school visits on minerals and energy topics see CSIRO Education.

Rare earths are in increasing demand worldwide for use in many modern technological devices such as electric motors, magnets, lasers, batteries, computer and LCD television screens, iPods, mobile phones and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. They are also essential in energy efficient technologies such as low-energy light bulbs and hybrid cars and renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines. In this fact sheet information on the uses and some properties of the rare earth elements is provided. It describes where these elements are mined in Australia.

The Chamber of Mines and Energy Western Australia is acknowledged as the provider of this resource with significant contributions from Rio Tinto.Iron ore is a rock from which metallic iron can be economically extracted. Iron is the most used metal accounting for about ninety five per cent of the total metal produced worldwide. It can be alloyed with many elements to produce stronger and harder products which are used in millions of items we use every day.Find out more in this fact sheet.

Xstrata Copper is acknowledged as a significant source for this information.Magnetite (Fe3O4), like hematite (Fe2O3), is a form of iron ore. It is a highly magnetic substance used primarily in steel manufacturing and coal washing.There are more than 20 identified magnetic deposits and prospects located across South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania.Find out more about magnetite in this fact sheet.

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia is acknowledged as the provider of this resource, with significant contributions from Woodside Energy Limited.Petroleum is a general term for crude oil and natural gas. It is the primary fuel source for cars, other forms of transportation and lubricant oils. When refined it produces hundreds of petrochemicals and tens of thousands of products in use every day.In this fact sheet the formation, extraction, refining and uses of petroleum are explained. A focus on the petroleum industry in Western Australia is included.

South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy is acknowledged as the provider of this resource. This resource contains a diagram representing an underground uranium mine and an animation of mine equipment being used to drill holes. The diagram is a cross-sectional view of the mine showing drill holes and stope. Students can click the lever on a device to create an explosion in the mine causing blasted rock to fall into the mine's stope.