Mining operations can be seen at the Rio Tinto alumina refinery and bauxite mine in Gove, also known as Nhulunbuy, located 650 kilometers (404 miles)east of Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory July 16, 2013. The frontrunner to become Australia’s next prime minister, Tony Abbott, holds ambitious plans to develop the country's sparse and inhospitable north by 2030 to attract a new wave of mining investment and boost agricultural exports to Asia. Picture taken July 16, 2013. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS POLITICS) 

A tailings dam can be seen at the Rio Tinto Alcan alumina and bauxite mining operation in Gove, also known as Nhulunbuy, located 650km (404 miles) east of Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory July 16, 2013. The frontrunner to become Australia’s next prime minister, Tony Abbott, holds ambitious plans to develop the country's sparse and inhospitable north by 2030 to attract a new wave of mining investment and boost agricultural exports to Asia. Picture taken July 16, 2013. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS POLITICS) 

A small lake is seen amongst sand dunes in the Tanami Desert located in Australia's Northern Territory July 15, 2013. The frontrunner to become Australia’s next prime minister, Tony Abbott, holds ambitious plans to develop the country's sparse and inhospitable north by 2030 to attract a new wave of mining investment and boost agricultural exports to Asia. Picture taken July 15, 2013. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS POLITICS) 

Shadows of clouds can be seen along the coastline of the Gulf of Carpentaria in Australia's Northern Territory July 21, 2013. The frontrunner to become Australia’s next prime minister, Tony Abbott, holds ambitious plans to develop the country's sparse and inhospitable north by 2030 to attract a new wave of mining investment and boost agricultural exports to Asia. Picture taken July 21, 2013. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS POLITICS) 

Roads intersect in the Tanami Desert in Australia's Northern Territory July 15, 2013. The frontrunner to become Australia’s next prime minister, Tony Abbott, holds ambitious plans to develop the country's sparse and inhospitable north by 2030 to attract a new wave of mining investment and boost agricultural exports to Asia. Picture taken July 15, 2013. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS POLITICS) 

Creeks and small rivers can be seen in the Tanami Desert, located in Australia's Northern Territory July 15, 2013. Over half of Australia lies above the Tropic of Capricorn, but it is home to only five percent of the population. It is a frontier land with little infrastructure, populated by cattle barons, crocodile hunters and aboriginal tribes. Geologists say the Northern Territory, which is the size of South Africa, has abundant diamond, gold and uranium reserves. However, a fifth of the Northern Territory is owned or controlled by aboriginal groups and many Aborigines have joined environmentalists to discourage mining. Picture taken July 15, 2013. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT)

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A small river flows amid sand dunes in the Tanami Desert, located in Australia's Northern Territory July 15, 2013. Over half of Australia lies above the Tropic of Capricorn, but it is home to only five percent of the population. It is a frontier land with little infrastructure, populated by cattle barons, crocodile hunters and aboriginal tribes. Geologists say the Northern Territory, which is the size of South Africa, has abundant diamond, gold and uranium reserves. However, a fifth of the Northern Territory is owned or controlled by aboriginal groups and many Aborigines have joined environmentalists to discourage mining. Picture taken July 15, 2013. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT)

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A Boeing 767 plane casts a shadow above a bay near Arnhem Land, east of the city of Darwin, in Australia's Northern Territory July 15, 2013. Over half of Australia lies above the Tropic of Capricorn, but it is home to only five percent of the population. It is a frontier land with little infrastructure, populated by cattle barons, crocodile hunters and aboriginal tribes. Geologists say the Northern Territory, which is the size of South Africa, has abundant diamond, gold and uranium reserves. However, a fifth of the Northern Territory is owned or controlled by aboriginal groups and many Aborigines have joined environmentalists to discourage mining. Picture taken July 15, 2013. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: TRANSPORT ENVIRONMENT)

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A dirt road and river intersect in the Tanami Desert, located in Australia's Northern Territory July 15, 2013. Over half of Australia lies above the Tropic of Capricorn, but it is home to only five percent of the population. It is a frontier land with little infrastructure, populated by cattle barons, crocodile hunters and aboriginal tribes. Geologists say the Northern Territory, which is the size of South Africa, has abundant diamond, gold and uranium reserves. However, a fifth of the Northern Territory is owned or controlled by aboriginal groups and many Aborigines have joined environmentalists to discourage mining. Picture taken July 15, 2013. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT)

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A beach can be seen along the coastline of Arnhem Land, east of Darwin, in Australia's Northern Territory July 15, 2013. Over half of Australia lies above the Tropic of Capricorn, but it is home to only five percent of the population. It is a frontier land with little infrastructure, populated by cattle barons, crocodile hunters and aboriginal tribes. Geologists say the Northern Territory, which is the size of South Africa, has abundant diamond, gold and uranium reserves. However, a fifth of the Northern Territory is owned or controlled by aboriginal groups and many Aborigines have joined environmentalists to discourage mining. Picture taken July 15, 2013. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT)

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Tracks can be seen leading to a well located in the Tanami Desert in Australia's Northern Territory July 15, 2013. Over half of Australia lies above the Tropic of Capricorn, but it is home to only five percent of the population. It is a frontier land with little infrastructure, populated by cattle barons, crocodile hunters and aboriginal tribes. Geologists say the Northern Territory, which is the size of South Africa, has abundant diamond, gold and uranium reserves. However, a fifth of the Northern Territory is owned or controlled by aboriginal groups and many Aborigines have joined environmentalists to discourage mining. Picture taken July 15, 2013. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT)

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A river snakes through Arnhem Land, east of Darwin, in Australia's Northern Territory July 15, 2013. Over half of Australia lies above the Tropic of Capricorn, but it is home to only five percent of the population. It is a frontier land with little infrastructure, populated by cattle barons, crocodile hunters and aboriginal tribes. Geologists say the Northern Territory, which is the size of South Africa, has abundant diamond, gold and uranium reserves. However, a fifth of the Northern Territory is owned or controlled by aboriginal groups and many Aborigines have joined environmentalists to discourage mining. Picture taken July 15, 2013. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT)

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