Foreword: Reflections on the role of mining in the history of Australia and New Zealand.

The article titled "Foreword: Reflections on the role of mining in the history of Australia and New Zealand" by Geoffrey Blainey discusses the significant impact of mining on the history and development of Australia and New Zealand. The author highlights the influence of gold rushes in attracting immigrants and rapidly increasing the population of both countries. Mining also played a role in shaping the hierarchy of Australian colonies and the population growth of New Zealand. The article acknowledges the differing perspectives on the importance of gold mining in history and mentions the influence of Australian and New Zealand geologists and engineers on other parts of the world. The author also notes the decline of economic history in universities and the rise of other fields of study, but highlights the continued relevance and success of the Journal of Australasian Mining History. [Extracted from the article]