People Don’t Know ‘How Embedded Mining Is in Their Lives’ Due to Misinformation: Opposition

A 450 megawatt combined cycle gas-fired power station under construction at Citic Pacific Mining's Sino Iron magnetite iron ore project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia on Mar. 5, 2010. Photo credit should read AMY COOPES/AFP via Getty Images

The growing “anti-mining sentiment” in the past decades has led the public to underestimate the importance of the mining industry despite it being so embedded in people’s daily lives, an international mining conference has been told.

Australia’s Federal Opposition Resources Spokeswoman Susan McDonald on June 26 called on industry groups to  “stand up and tell the world what vital work you do,” saying said that over-regulation and misinformation are throttling the resources sector.

The senator argued that many people don’t realise the mining sector is what’s behind the phones they use every day, their computers, “reusable” glass coffee cups, the bricks in their house, the fertilisers that help grow vegetables that they eat, or radioactive materials so critical to medical research.

“Despite the increase in anti-mining sentiment that has developed over the last few decades, it remains simply a very loud minority actively working against the sector,” she told the World Mining Congress 2023 in Brisbane, Australia.

“However, there remains a risk that if this rhetoric is allowed to flourish unchecked, that it will spread misinformation about the sector that builds pressure on government and industry, putting the future of mining at risk.”

Mining: The ‘Backbone’ Of Australia

McDonald noted that the security of reliable energy sources is even more important as the world is facing supply shocks during COVID-19 and gas shortages following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The mining sector—the largest sector by share of Australian GDP (10.4 percent between 2019 and 2020) —is “not only the backbone of Australia, but the backbone of global development,” she added.

“From sourcing secure, reliable and affordable energy sources, to transforming the manufacturing sector, building infrastructure and housing, and feeding nations with fertilisers, it is non-negotiable: resources are irreplaceable.”

Contrary to popular belief that the resources sector is harmful to the environment, strong mining industry is actually what enables countries to provide high-quality energy sources to developing nations, which helps decrease their reliance on poor energy sources like dung, wood or other fuels.

“Ironically, Australia providing supply in the world thermal coal and gas market reduces world emissions by pushing down prices and allowing developing nations to utilise cleaner energy sources,” she said.

“This dramatically increases their living standards and can allow countries to provide a quality of life enjoyed by many developed countries like Australia across the world.”

“Australia’s resources sector has some of the best environmental standards in the world–we know how to properly manage environmental concerns and deliver world-class rehabilitation projects.”

In terms of the economy, the resources sector is one of the most in-demand employers due to well-paid jobs, good working conditions and limitless opportunities.

“The sector paid over $38 billion in wages in 2022, supporting over 1.1 million Australians across the country. It pays higher than the median wage and offers increasingly flexible arrangements for the many workers employed,” McDonald said.

“Additionally, the sector has helped revitalise rural and regional communities.”

On the other hand, the opposition resources spokesperson noted that the critical minerals are booming and urged Australia to capitalise on the opportunity for downstream investment in processing and refineries.

For example, iron ore demand is estimated to grow by eight percent, aluminium demand is expected to grow by 45.5 percent, and lithium demand is predicted to grow by 368 percent

However, she argued that it would not replace the strength or success of traditional resources like coal, iron ore, gas and steel.

Red Tape Must Be Reduced For Mining To Flourish

Despite the resources sector’s major contribution to the Australian economy, over-burdening regulation is stifling its growth, Senator McDonald added.

She called on the government to strike a balance between upholding environmental protections and delivering manageable project timeframes.

This does not mean environmental protections, she argued, but it means devising a plan to streamline approvals and reduce red and green tape to make sure projects can progress in a cost-minimal and timely manner, especially for projects of national significance.

Currently, the permitting process for mining projects takes an average of three-and-a-half years as it’s laden with duplications of regulatory barriers. Meanwhile, project timeframes for nickel or copper mines can take up to 20 years from initiation to first production.

This means that many mineral projects would have needed to start 10 years ago to meet the forecasted demand.

A Gathering Of The ‘Greatest Minds In Mining’

More than 3000 delegates will attend the World 2023 mining conference after CSIRO mining expert and 26th Congress chair Hua Guo led Australia’s bid for the event in 2016.

Held in Australia for the first time, Guo said the United Nations-affiliated event brings together people who can “re-imagine mining” to resource the world for the future and benefit society.

“We have gathered the greatest minds in mining around the world, the influential companies, the smartest inventors, the most progressive investors and thousands of passionate delegates,” he said.

For those wanting gadgets and gizmos, there is an exhibition hall featuring the latest in automated underground coal mining and preparations for moon mining.

AAP contributed to this article.