Statistics from the NSW Department of Resources and Energy have confirmed these figures to be untrue, with coal exploration covering just 2.9% of NSW and actual mining operations taking up just 0.1% NSW land, CEO Stephen Galilee said.

“This type of misinformation is the reason the NSW Minerals Council has launched the ‘land use facts’ information campaign, including TV commercials on water and land use,” he said.

“The campaign is part of our ongoing effort to improve community understanding of mining and respond to misleading claims constantly made by activists and extremists, who are using fear rather than facts to further their anti-mining agenda.”

Galilee said mining’s total land use stacked up well against other land uses, including agriculture.

“Mining’s 0.1% compares with 76% for agriculture, 7.6% for conservation and national parks and 1.8 % for homes and urban development. And the land used for mining must be rehabilitated,” he said.

“Despite this relatively small land use, modern mining delivers around 25% of NSW exports by value, around 85% of the State’s electricity needs, and directly employs over 80,000 people across the State in mining and minerals processing.

“Essential services and infrastructure are funded by around $1.5 billion a year in royalty payments to the NSW Government.”

NSW mining companies spent over $9.3 billion with local businesses across the state and on wages in the last financial year.

“This spending helps support tens of thousands of other jobs across the economy, underpinning the economic strength of many regional communities,” Galilee said.

“NSW needs its modern mining industry. Let’s keep mining strong.”