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Tasmania Case Study

Introduction

Gold and silver are extremely important and valuable metals. Because they are excellent electrical conductors (silver is the best conductor of all the metals) they are both used extensively in electronic circuits. These metals are also attractive in appearance and are therefore the most popular metals in jewellery. Gold and silver are also used to make some coins and medallions, and most of the world's governments store supplies of these metals as a form of wealth. Gold and silver have fascinated humans for thousands of years. You can read more about the fascinating histories, properties and uses of these metals by visiting the Rock Files. Australia is a major producer of gold, and the Henty Mine in western Tasmania contributes significantly.

A gold bar produced at Henty Mine.

The Henty Mine is situated very close to a World Heritage listed wilderness area in western Tasmania. This means that careful environmental management of the mine is particularly important. In fact the environmental management techniques used at Henty have won several prestigious environmental awards. Many of the techniques pioneered at Henty have been adopted elsewhere in Australia and overseas. Read on to find out how the Henty operation ensures that its impacts on Tasmania's unique environment are minimised.

Rainforest near the Henty Mine site.