Pros and Cons about mining in Australia:

1. Iron ore and coal are in demand by China and India.These two huge populations need to fuel their rapidly expanding manufacturing industries and to build bridges, roads, skyscrapers and houses.

2. The boom has strengthened the Australian dollar.This indirect benefit has affected every consumer – you’re reaping the rewards whenever you purchase imported goods.

3. The mining workforce has doubled since 2004.
That means entire new communities have been established in Western Australia and Queensland.

4. Sectors like tourism are actually suffering from the boom.Manufacturing and domestic tourism have been hit by the stronger Australian dollar.

5. Tourism is forced to discount deals.
Many resorts in Queensland for example are offering bargain deals to attract travellers both from Australia and offshore.

6. Agriculture has given way to resources as our largest export industry.
Farming industries like wool and wheat are now only a small proportion of Australia’s wealth. In 1990 agriculture exports made up 16% of all exports, but that has since been surpassed by our resources industries.

7. Australia will have to skill up its workforce in future.As our wealth grows, Australia will have to find more skilled workers and build more infrastructure to support growing communities.

8. Getting a fair go.
As a nation we will need to decide how we all get a fair share of mining wealth without biting the hand that feeds us.

- http://www.colonialfirststate.com.au