There are many deposits in dry areas. Towns must be built for the miners and their families. Australia produces many of the consumer goods, processed food, and household articles. They have to import most producer goods like factory machinery and construction equipment. The iron and steel industry produces enough metals to meet the needs of other industries.
Most factories specialize in assembly work and light manufacturing.
Australia's natural resources are bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, silver, uranium, and nickel. Some other of its natural resources are tungsten, mineral, sands, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, and petroleum.