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Abstract
Mining of energy resources and minerals is clearly the
running down of a large but finite, and non-renewable,
resource. It is important also to recognise the nonrenewable
aspects of food production: in particular, net
consumption of nutrients and soil as well as the direct
and embodied (manufactured capital, for example) energy
sources required to convert the soil and water into food
(and fibre). The notion that land is being consumed by
mining and not by food and fibre production is inaccurate
and largely unhelpful if one is to take a whole system view
of resource utilisation. Further, the apparent moral high
ground of resource utilisation for food as opposed to
mining is also questionable. The relative importance of food over shelter
and warmth is not clear even at the inner levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of
needs. This paper gives an overview of demand for energy and minerals,
and of potential to supply, to give context for the Australian situation. Some
data are presented to examine the hypothesis that Australia’s contribution
to global development is jeopardised by resource utilisation for supplying
energy and minerals as opposed to food (and fibre). The paper concludes
by proposing that the current battle between mining and agriculture in
Australia includes a significant emotional component. This is based on the
romantic vision of ploughed and green fields tenderly stewarded by salt-ofthe-
earth folk, in contrast to images of earth rent asunder by the ravages of
mining under the assault of savages.