Arctic Sea Ice and Australian Mining Capital

My son had to look up the arctic for a school project and we found this short narrative on Sea Ice and species diversity. I was struck by the parallels with Australian mining and our steadily reducing supply of available Capital.

Sea Ice: Formed from sea water that freezes. Sea ice supports the species within the Arctic ecosystem.

Capital: Formed from debt and cash that freezes. Capital supports the species within the Australian mining ecosystem.

Grade 3 version

Arctic species have developed special adaptations to survive in their harsh environment.

The arctic food web is made up of fewer species and is more fragile than those in other regions of the world.

A smaller food web makes it more sensitive to disruptions—the decline or extinction of a single species will impact the ecosystem as a whole, because each species depends on another for survival.

Interconnectedness of these species supports the biodiversity of this region.

Non-living elements of the Arctic environment, such as Sea Ice, are also necessary.

At the top of the food chain, the polar bear requires Sea Ice to hunt its primary food source, the ringed seal, which—along with the walrus—uses the Sea Ice for its birthing grounds.

The arctic fox trails closely behind polar bears to scavenge the remains of seals, and gulls fly in to compete for what might be left in this dynamic food web.

Without Sea Ice, none of these species would survive.

Australian Mining version

Australian miners have developed special adaptations to survive in their harsh environment.

The Australian mining industry is made up of fewer species and is more fragile than those in other regions of the world.

A smaller industry makes it more sensitive to disruptions—the decline or extinction of a single species will impact the ecosystem as a whole, because each species depends on another for survival.

Interconnectedness of these species supports work and jobs in this region.

Non-living elements of the Australian mining environment, such as Capital, are also necessary.

At the top of the food chain, the Tier 1 requires Capital to hunt its primary food source, the bulk commodity, which—along with the Explorer—needs Capital to properly define its birthing grounds.

The Construction contractor trails closely behind Tier 1s to scavenge the remains of Project budgets, and Consultants fly in to compete for what might be left in this dynamic food web.

Without Capital, none of these species would survive.

The original can be found at https://www.polarbearsinternational.org/ if you’d like to find out more about the arctic and this fragile ecosystem. I learned a lot from doing this project with my son. Oh and baby polar bears are cute.

Rob Foster is the Managing Director of the Karbine group of companies. Karbine develops and delivers innovative solutions for miners and owner operates precious metal mines. @KarbineM