Australia’s Natural Resources Natural Resources are elements of the physical environment that can be used to satisfy human needs and wants.

Mineral and Energy Resources Australia is richly endowed with a variety of both mineral and energy resources. The discovery of Gold in the 1850s brought prosperity and an influx of immigrants to Australia. More recent mineral discoveries have enhanced Australia’s reputation as a major world exporter of mineral and energy products.

Mineral Resources Energy Resources Bauxite Black coal Mineral sands Brown coal Copper Oil Diamonds Natural gas Gold Uranium Iron Lead Manganese Nickel Opal Silver Tin Zinc

Soil Soil is an important natural resource as it is essential to Australia’s agricultural output. Australia’s best soils are found on river floodplains and on the slopes and plains west of the Great Divide, where grasslands and woodlands once existed. Today, these black and red-brown soils have been put to agricultural use. Unfortunately, Australia lacks a high quantity of good quality soil which can be used for resource.

Forests Australia’s forest resources are mostly concentrated along the east coast of the continent, the south-west tip of Western Australia and the west coast of Tasmania. Of more concern is the rate of land clearing which is reducing Australia’s forest resources. Sustainable forest management needs to be introduced in the future, such as timber plantations for this resource to survive.

Fishing Grounds Despite our extensive coastline, Australia’s fish resources are not large by world standards. Australia’s fishing grounds need to be managed sustainably. Fish Farming or aquaculture is of a growing importance for these types of resources to survive into the future.