Review Lecture The Snowy Mountains hydroelectric and irrigation scheme (Australia)

Abstract

Introduction: Importance to Australia of the full development of its meagre water resources Nature has provided Australia with an abundance of mineral and other resources. It was the discovery of gold in the middle of the 19th century which proved to be one of the major factors in the country’s early economic development and population growth. More recently mining of iron ore, nickel, lead-zinc, copper, manganese, uranium and other minerals has provided even greater stimulus to the growth of its economic strength. During the last two decades, particularly, explorations have revealed further deposits of rich iron ore and bauxite in vast quantities. During the 1960s hundreds of kilometres of railways have been constructed, some at world record breaking speeds, to bring iron ore from the recently discovered deposits in virtually uninhabited areas to newly constructed ports on the western coast of the continent for export, mainly to Japan which has established itself as a major market for Australian minerals. Ten years ago Australia’s iron ore reserves were estimated at 368 million tons. Today they are believed to be over 20000 million tons. Bauxite reserves are estimated at 3750 million tons.