Issue 33:4 | December 2013 | Mining: gouging the country

Mining: gouging the country

Initially defined as "Terra Nullius", Australia is now recognised as an ancient, mineral-rich continent of hotly contested territories. The spiritual and economic value of the land has led to debates about exploitation and custodianship with new relevance in relation to climate change. This issue digs deep into the seen and unseen impact of big mining and its greed for the rapid and ruthless exploitation of fossil fuels. It explores tensions between the damage of mining operations, such as the threat to ancient rock art, and the arts patronage of large mining companies enabling cultural and community development.