Importantly, it needs to be understood that exploration can be undertaken with minimal or zero impact on the land. Measuring magnetic and gravity fields by aircraft, Satellite imagery focussing on types of rock and the relative abundance of minerals and elements, Analysis of deep seated structures using enhanced satellite imagery, and, Ground surveys involving the measurement of the electrical properties of rocks. The blanket exclusion means that the community will never know what resources are available and they will never be in a position to choose between mining the resource and preserving an intact eco-system. Exploration itself does not threaten the environment, particularly if careful conditions are applied and any extraction should only proceed if it can be demonstrated that it can occur with minimal effect under strict and enforceable guidelines. Extraction of the resource must be followed by a sustainable and acceptable post mining use, including a return to the pre-existing ecosystem or any other publicly agreed use.
Sustainable development requires that physical resources be available in sufficient quantities.
In the case of minerals, depleted reserves can only be replaced by further discoveries and this requires exploration to continue over larger land areas. The rate at which access for exploration is being denied in Australia is therefore a matter for concern having regard to the welfare of future generations.