AusIMM brings the voice of resources professionals to Parliament’s critical minerals inquiry
AusIMM has taken the expertise and experience of resources professionals directly to the national policy table, appearing before the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries as part of its inquiry into the factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes in critical minerals projects across Australia.
Our appearance at the Committee’s Melbourne hearing on 19 October provided an important opportunity to contribute AusIMM’s research, policy recommendations and the insights developed with members and stakeholders through our growing Policy Forum program.
For AusIMM, this is an important part of our role as the trusted voice on resources: contributing the expertise of our professional community to the policy processes that shape the future of the sector and define our role advancing the public interest.
At the heart of AusIMM’s contribution is a simple proposition: Australia’s critical minerals opportunity will only be realised if economic development, professional leadership, community partnerships and regional integration are delivered in a well-planned, coordinated manner.
The hearing in October was an opportunity to reiterate six key themes from our research, engagement and advocacy programs:
- Take a region-first approach to engagement, supported by transparent and meaningful engagement with communities and Traditional Owners and appropriate mechanisms for participation and benefit sharing.
- Integrate critical minerals projects into broader regional development, coordinating infrastructure, investment, land use and economic opportunities rather than considering individual projects in isolation.
- Apply an investment matrix to critical minerals development, weighing strategic importance and commercial potential to help guide investment in exploration, research and downstream capability.
- Strengthen Australia’s STEM and specialist resources workforce, including through regional education, vocational and associate degrees, work experience and pathways allowing professionals to move between disciplines and sectors.
- Deepen coordination between Commonwealth, state and territory governments, to support domestic value chains and regionally integrated industrial hubs.
- Take an evidence-based approach to a strategic minerals reserve, considering strategic relevance, commercial readiness, long-term demand, resource certainty and Australia’s wider industrial and regional priorities.
Research and member expertise driving the conversation
Our policy contribution is underpinned by an expanding evidence base.
Research commissioned by AusIMM and undertaken by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre examines the role the resources sector plays in helping Australia harness and develop its STEM talent. The work forms an important part of AusIMM’s evidence base as we advocate for the professional skills, education and workforce Australia needs to realise its resources opportunities.
This evidence is complemented by AusIMM’s ongoing Policy Forum program, which brings members and stakeholders together to develop informed policy positions drawing on professional knowledge and practical experience.
The program has included forums examining professional pathways, post-mining land use, critical minerals research and development, regional development, a Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve forum involving ASPI, and a Critical Minerals Skills Forum involving AUSMASA.
Members can also read more about AusIMM’s work seeking member insights on professional pathways, post-mining land use and research and development priorities.
Together, these initiatives are helping AusIMM develop practical propositions on some of the most important questions facing the sector: how Australia builds sovereign minerals capability, attracts and develops the professional workforce it needs, creates lasting benefits in regional communities, and builds confidence in responsible resources development.
A trusted, credible and evidence backed perspective
AusIMM’s appearance before the Committee demonstrates how the expertise of our professional community can channel technical leadership and experience, through research and Policy Forums, directly into the national policymaking process.
As Australia considers how best to capture the critical minerals opportunity, AusIMM will continue creating opportunities for members and partners to contribute their knowledge and ensure resources professionals have a respected, credible voice in the decisions shaping the future of our sector.