For years, mining has been a big boon for Western Australia; together with the petroleum industry, the sector accounted for 92% of the state’s income from total merchandise exports in 2015/16. We take a look at the projects and policies fuelling the state’s mining sector.

We also explore the most innovative renewable energy projects at mines around Australia, profile the five key goals outlined in the country’s National Resources Statement, the first long-term plan and reform agenda released by the government in more than two decades, and speak to a team at the University of New South Wales that's working on developing mining techniques for the moon.

Finally, we list the mining work areas that are expected to be most affected by the industry’s ongoing digital transformation, and examine the debate over Australian resources and mining environmental sustainability through quotes from both sides of the argument.

Join the conversation on Twitter: @MINE_Magazine.

Molly Lempriere, editor