- Media Release
Focus on partnerships that support and enrich communities
Australian mining is proud to have an enduring and significant presence in regional Australia.
Every day the minerals industry supports communities from Weipa to the Tanami, Bendigo and Port Hedland by providing highly paid local jobs, support for small businesses and local health and environmental partnerships.
The minerals industry strives to be a responsible partner in its host regional communities.
Its partnerships enrich social and cultural life, economic opportunity and environmental sustainability for current and future generations. The industry currently directly employs 256,000 Australians in secure and highly paid jobs – most of which are located in regional Australia.
Mining supports thousands of regional and remote businesses through local procurement and a tremendous support network of mining equipment, services and technology firms.
Industry is increasingly focused on long-term business partnerships and strategic investment to support community priorities and aspirations.
Building on existing relationships and approaches, mines across Australia moved quickly during the global pandemic to expand local programs, help keep vulnerable people safe and support community food security, housing and social services.
In many remote areas, mining companies work closely with governments to provide essential health and education services, utilities such as gas and water as well as first responder emergency services.
As one of Australia’s largest industries with a strong presence in regional Australia, the resources sector is supporting the national Covid-19 vaccination rollout across operational sites and nearby communities.
The sector’s prompt and comprehensive response will continue its track record of keeping workers, families and communities safe.
Robust health and hygiene protocols already in place means the sector can continue to contribute to jobs, exports and national prosperity while protecting workers, families and communities.
The mining industry generates highly skilled, highly paid jobs in regional and remote communities across Australia.
The Productivity Commission found that regions with an economic base of large-scale mining generally had the highest rates of growth in employment since 2005 and that average personal income was “generally higher in mining-intensive regions than in other parts of the country”.
Mining jobs pay 54 per cent more than the average wage, giving families living in regional Australia a more secure future with better opportunities.
Flexible learning, specialist training and stronger collaboration between industry and education providers will generate more highly skilled, highly paid jobs across regional Australia.
From graduate programs to retraining of older workers, the industry turns regularly to local training that supports education providers in the regions.
The Minerals Council of Australia is also very proud that mining has an abiding partnership with First Nations Australians. Industry is committed to genuine dialogue, respect and support for the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
First Nations Australians are a core partner and the mining industry is a significant stakeholder in the economic development of Australia’s First Nations people.
Industry is working hard with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders to realise future benefits while respecting and preserving cultures, languages and knowledge. More than 60 per cent of operating mines are near Indigenous communities.
Industry recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have rights and interests in relation to the lands and waters to which they have a special connection as well as the right to self-determination and autonomy in local affairs.
The mining workforce has the highest proportion of Indigenous employees of any industry.
Indigenous mining jobs have more than doubled since 2006 and nearly 20 per cent of Indigenous mining employees are women. Entrepreneurial Indigenous businesses have also established themselves as a critical part of the mining supply chain and provide opportunities broader than a single project, adding to the sustainability of remote communities.
Mining must earn and maintain the trust of regional communities to operate.
This requires respectful and ongoing engagement, enduring community benefits and fair, transparent practices.
This year, MCA member companies have adopted the Towards Sustainable Mining sustainability system that demonstrates operations are meeting performance standards and community expectations.
Australia’s minerals industry uses the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to collaborate, support and measure social, economic and environmental outcomes important to regional communities.
Working with local community groups and farmers, we are committed to land use co-existence, progressive rehabilitation and supporting alternative post-mining uses, including agriculture and conservation.
As Australian mining continues to sustain economic growth and prosperity for the whole nation, the industry remains committed to powering economic growth, jobs, infrastructure, education and community partnerships in regional Australia.