Australia is renowned for its mineral wealth, but one of the most lucrative forms of it has historically been in precious metals and gems. This was the main drive for the continued attempts to settle Australia in the 18th and 19th centuries by European colonial powers. Gold and silver are abundant in Oceanyka, as are gems such as diamonds, emeralds and sapphires, but the vast majority of deposits lie in the barren and dangerous Outback. Nevertheless, a few settlements have prospered in this region, sometimes purely through the mining of precious metals. New Dublin was initially founded near a gold-rich ravine, which is still exploited to this day. Another 9 large deposits have been located reasonably close to the city, ensuring its continued prosperity. Aside from their value as currency backing, gold and silver are excellent electric conductors, invaluable in the electronics industry.
