The Mining Boom: Challenges and Opportunities for Small Businesses in Regional South Australia (Report‪)‬

1. INTRODUCTION South Australia is currently experiencing a mining boom, due to the discovery of many large mineral deposits around the state. There are now 40 operating mines in South Australia and at least another 200 applications for major exploration projects (The Advertiser, 2008a). In response, the State Government anticipates spending approximately $20 billion on new port facilities, air strips, rail lines, and roads. The new infrastructure plans also include a desalination plant to be located near Whyalla and pipelines to provide water for the proposed $7 billion Olympic Dam expansion and to towns on Eyre Peninsula. $321 million worth of contracts have recently been given to South Australian companies, including companies in Whyalla, in relation to the Prominent Hill mine in the State's north (Whyalla News, 2008a).