Diversification has characterised the mining industry in this country and
globally in recent decades, and in Western Australia in particular. One of the most obvious aspects of diversification is technological
change which continues at a rapid and sometimes bewildering pace. A function of technological advances is the increased capacity to further
diversify the range of minerals which can be identified in economic
concentrations and profitably extracted. This broadening of the total base
of the industry has a synergistic effect on its further development by
extending its geographical spread and increasing scope for decentralised
infrastructure. Another aspect of diversification is the corporate thrust towards
establishing overseas mining bases for a variety of reasons. Off-shore
(sea bed) mining is a further manifestation of increasing diversity,
although very much in its infancy.