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Show "M" needed for successful mining --a mineral deposit, either in being or in prospect! Mining is no newcomer to Australia. Australia's wealth in gold was discovered in the mid-1800's. Fortunately, many of its richest mineral lands were closer to the southeast coast where the population is centered. These early discoveries yielded much of the world's precious metals, and also molded much of Australia's history. The isolation of new mining fields required the carving out of lines of transportation which exist today. Cobb and Co.'s mail coaches started on the gold fields and the early grid of inland railways was shaped much by mining fields. Gold finders created or spurred nearly every major port on the continent, and virtually every port was enriched by the flow of metals. Mining regions influenced racial policies, unionism, religious life, and politics. Half of Australia's prime ministers were either the sons of men who were attracted to Australia through gold or were themselves once residents or representatives of the mining fields. Out of the ground came wealth that created new industries. Silver, lead and copper companies have founded Australia's heavy chemical industry and one of the world's great iron and steel complexes. Wealth from Australian rocks created financial dynasties in London and Melbourne, and a fortune from Queensland gold was indispensable in finding Britain's rich oil fields in the Middle East. Needless to say, in discussing mineral developments, we are not focusing on a new industry in that continent. In discussing "mining down under" with you today, I do not intend to -4- |