MINING and agriculture are first and second - respectively - on a list of the state government's top 10 priorities for the next few years.
In response to a business-led report into the future of SA, Premier Jay Weatherill has unveiled a plan to encourage growth.
"SA is living in a pivotal time in our history," he said.
"Our largest industry by value - manufacturing - is in decline.
"We are simply able to replace one industry with another so we need to build on diverse industries."
Number one on the list in Shaping the Future of South Australia, released on Monday, was to expand the mining industry and unlock the full potential of the state's resources, energy and renewable assets.
This was followed by the second priority: producing premium food and wine in a clean environment for export globally.
Mr Weatherill said the mining industry was a potential area of big growth and wealth for the state.
"This has been an area of the economy that has changed significantly in the past couple of years," he said.
Mr Weatherill said the regulatory systems the state had in place would allow the government to support exploration and development.
"We will also continue to protect the natural environment to ensure there is a shared approach to land access and make efficient use of water and energy," he said.
Mr Weatherill said the mining industry also had other opportunities to work with universities and build intellectual capital in the field, which could also expand to manufacturing opportunities.
Opposition mineral resources and energy spokesman Dan van Holst Pellekaan believes it is no accident that mining is the first priority, rather than agriculture.
"We need to find a way to enable new mining, oil and gas projects to go ahead without damaging out state's very strong reputation for the production of healthy food," he said.
"Getting this right is going to be one of the most important things to set us up for the next 100 years in SA.
"We must do that in the next five to 10 years."
Priority three is to become a leader in health research, ageing and related services and products.
* Full report in Stock Journal, August 14, 2014 issue.
