Climate change and the minerals & petroleum industries
Bayswater Power Station, near Singleton NSW
Power pole and electricity wires
The natural mineral resources in NSW, which include coal, natural gas and metals, supply the raw materials to produce electricity and to make products for use in our everyday lives.
In NSW more than 90% of the electricity we use for our daily activities is created by the burning of coal.
Our electrical appliances and gadgets are made out of stainless steel. The wiring contained inside is made of copper. The minerals required for these and both can be mined from areas of western NSW.
More than 47 000 people are directly employed in the minerals and minerals processing industry in NSW, most in rural and regional areas.1 A further 200 000 people are employed in a large number of support service areas to the mining industry. These range from heavy engineering and equipment manufacturing to the provision of mine supplies, transport, and construction and retail services.
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1NSW Minerals Council, State of the Industry Report 2007.www.nswmin.com.au