Mining is Australia's largest export earner.
Our iron and steel industry is based in NSW because of our high quality coal resources as is our aluminium industry which is reliant on coal resources for competitive electricity prices. Without coal, every NSW user would pay much more for electricity. Products derived from metallic minerals have a vast range of everyday uses. Modern life would not be possible without the range of minerals we produce in Australia. For example, computers, cars, household appliances, buildings, trains and aircraft all require a variety of mineral products in their manufacture.