This is by way of employment – which brings prosperity to the local community, - the provision and use of services by way of food, retail, hospitality, transport and housing. .
The skill base of the workforce is lifted by way of work based training and education for mine employees. The feel good factor of this has a positive effect on the vibe of the community. The wider effect of mining generates employment on a national scale through the supply of core industrial material to industry (i.e quarry mining for road chip) logistics and transport support to export markets, which all feeds other industry. 'The volume of New Zealand mining operations is heavily dominated by minerals used predominately for roading and construction purposes' (http://ips.ac.nz ) On an environmental front, the land mass required for mining is much less than that of other industries, for instance the Dairy Sector. -The export value from mining is much greater. (http://scoop.co.nz ).
There are many different types of mining – coal, quarrying, iron sand, metal, oil and gas, they all use different methods and skills for extraction and each has their own micro industry. Green mining is not an oxymoron. The Government has made it clear that any area of land offering viable mining prospects will only be mined in an environmentally responsible way and environmental, community and cultural impact are all considered in any mining application. For all of these reasons mining is beneficial to the community. Technologies are gradually incorporated into mines throughout New Zealand to reduce negative environmental effects of mining. Mining has evolved into an industry whose positives in the world far outweigh the negatives. With continued technological advancements and responsible monitoring of mining facilities and operations there is limited concern over pollution or environmental harm. Though it has had many negative impacts on the environment mining is a vital industry completely necessary to our economy and lives.