ABC News reported that a leading economic forecaster is predicting Australia will experience another mining boom within 3 years.

BIS Shrapnel said that strong demand for commodities from China and India will see another mining boom from 2011. The company's Mr Adrian Hart is predicting a 30 per cent jump in mining production.

He said that "From three years from now we'll be in the middle of another up swing in mining investment and that'll have several years to run based on iron ore, coal and big LNG products."

However he warns the problems associated with the last mining boom still remain. He added that "Skills shortages will come back, they're not quite with us yet, but they will come back as an issue."

Mr Hart said that Queensland, WA, South Australia and the Northern Territory will benefit most from the boom.

(Sourced from ABC News)