masterfoods said some pertinent things - as a non-holder can I...

masterfoods said some pertinent things - as a non-holder can I just add a few general points.
Landowners do not own the minerals.
Get used to it.
Laws provide for explorers to have access and explore for minerals under Licences issued by the State (Crown) with arduous conditions and large cash bonds - landowners/occupiers have compensation agreements with explorers to cover any loss.
Get used to that.
Minerals are worth ~$20Bn PA to NSW.
Mostly coal.
Mines occupy a miniscule area of the State.
Agriculture I think generates about half that and occupys most of the land in the State.
If we want to start talking a couple of centuries of land clearing and change to the environment of NSW - then I do not think miners would be responsible for 1%.
IMHO the main stream media over The last 30 years has seen the rise of a global green movement and IMHO the main stream media plus industry / Govt / science - have been far too weak in their examination of green claims. Time and again poorly based green claims get big coverage - while rebuttals, if made, get tiny coverage.
In that same timespan the mining industry has got an increasingly negative press. Now a basic anti-mining sentiment is just "knee-jerk normal" in a huge class of urban people, taken for granted.
I see the public funded SBS is promoting their "Dirty Business" show for Jan 2013. No prizes for guessing which vital national industry that refers to.
Mining needs to speak up in the interests of the Nation, speak out for scientific realities, rebutt green BS wherever it appears.
I better stop or the guys in white coats might call for me.