Australia: To boom or not to boom? Mineral Resources In The Asian Century

On the environmental front, ore grades and quality are gradually declining, meaning more mining to produce the same amount of metal. As open cuts get bigger, there is more and more mine waste.........
The real barriers to ongoing mining are mainly social and environmental. On the social front, community opposition to projects and commodities is growing and placing substantial pressure on the ability of the mining industry to develop new projects.
http://theconversation.edu.au/to-boom-or-not-to-boom-mineral-resources-in-the-asian-century-6707