The impact of the mining industry on the environment has been a public concern, with growing appreciation of the natural environment and increasing awareness of the possible harmful effects that the industry's activities can cause. The industry and government have responded with a number of initiatives and regulations to protect and manage the environmental effects of mining activities.

Hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) is a mining process used to extract gas from rock. Shale is one type of gas bearing rock – others include coal seams and certain sandstones (‘tight rock’). The fracking process involves drilling a well deep into the rock, then fracking fluid (made up of water, sand and toxic chemicals) is pumped into the well at extremely high pressure. The high pressure of the fluid causes the rock to fracture, then the fluid is withdrawn, the sand holds the fractures open and allows the gas to flow out.

Briefing paper on the threat of fracking and onshore unconventional gas in WA by the CCWA.

Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, is a process that uses fluids and other materials that are pumped under high pressure into gas-bearing rock formations in order to open fractures (cracks) to create a path for the gas to flow.

Just what is the deal with coal seam gas? Is it safe and it is all it's cracked up to be?

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a technique in which a fluid is injected at high pressure into an underground rock formation in order to open fissures, or cracks, and allow trapped gas or crude oil to flow through a pipe to a wellhead at the surface. In the United States this technique has made a vast amount of natural gas available to energy companies. At the same time, however, the practice has raised concerns over its environmental consequences.