Mining across our region has not surprisingly drawn the ire of graziers, producers and environmentalists, who cite contamination of water supplies among many negative impacts when mining companies make multimillion-dollar investments around prime land.

But a landmark report has shone a light on just how much the mining industry injects into our local economy.

In the last financial year, it put $310m into the New England economy.

It is difficult to find any other industry that generates so much money for one region. 

In the Gunnedah local government area, mining now accounts for more than half of the gross regional production, rising from 32.1 per cent to 52.6 per cent.

It also employs almost 500 people.

While no mines are located within the Tamworth LGA, mining companies spent almost $38m in the region.

Mining comes at a cost, but it has no doubt been a huge boost for our local economy.

It is the ultimate catch-22, and it’s likely to stay that way with mining activity on the up.

In 12 months, the industry’s contribution to the regional economy rocketed from 4.3 per cent to 7.1 per cent.

The industry has created some 1070 jobs for the region.

The $310m injection comes from 23 mining companies during the 2015/16 financial year – up by $89m on the previous year.

The statistics come from the latest expenditure survey by the NSW Minerals Council, which revealed the industry’s contribution to each local government area (LGA).

Mining does not just create jobs.

It also has spin-offs for the property market, hospitality and retail sectors.

If more people move to an area, housing demand drives up, as do house and rental prices. 

NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said the survey figures demonstrated the importance of the mining industry to local communities across the New England region.

It does show the positive side of mining. 

But the mining industry is a double-edged sword. 

We are living in an agricultural hub – the foodbowl of Australia – so when that is under threat, we have every right to fight for it.