Shortlisted for The Walkley Award for Nonfiction and The State Library of NSW/Ashurst Business Literature Award.
Mine-Field revealed in gritty detail what’s involved when the mining juggernaut rolls over small rural communities with mega projects that have untold consequences for their land, water and wellbeing. The books called for much stronger and independent approval processes and effective monitoring of the hundreds of conditions that government attach to their approvals. Mine-Field called for a gas reservation policy, which the Federal government has committed to introducing next year.
‘It is not a case of governments and companies putting royalties and profits before people; instead it is as though people don’t matter at all …’
In Mine-Field, Paul Cleary counts the true cost of Australia’s mineral addiction.
Whether it be coal-seam gas, LNG or coal mega-mines, a resources rush is happening in just about every productive corner of our country. Yet at the same time oversight and regulation have been hollowed out. High-risk projects are being approved without proper assessment of the long-term consequences. Water resources, farmland and national parks are under threat, and people, communities and industries are being steamrolled.
A ground-breaking piece of reporting by the author of Too Much Luck, Mine-Field plots the dubious networks created and greased by mining companies to get their projects through, and exposes regulatory gaps that must be addressed to prevent enormous and irreversible harm to our society and environment.
Praise for Mine-Field
‘This important book is compelling in its storytelling and chilling in its facts. It storms into the mining debate with a clarion call for more effective regulation. If you read it, you can’t help joining the chorus.’ —Geoff Cousins
‘Mine-Field provides a warts-and-all, no-holds-barred view of Australia’s mining industry. It is a must-read for anyone making an informed judgement on where our nation is going.’ —Tony Windsor
‘Cleary’s sharp and timely reportage should provoke – if not lead – an urgent, informed discussion about the mining industry’s role in our society.’ —Australian Book Review
‘Provocative, polemic and highly readable … a compelling book and I recommend people to read it.’ —Australian Journal of Politics and History
‘Paul Cleary’s take-no-prisoners survey of the resources boom is essential reading.’ —Sydney Morning Herald
‘Compelling, in-the-field reportage … an effective call-to-arms expose.’ —Courier Mail
‘Cleary writes well and argues cogently.’ —Australian
Interviews
- Interview with The Inc Blot