AusIMM marks the conclusion of its first Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
As AusIMM reaches the conclusion of its first Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in August 2026, we acknowledge an important milestone in our ongoing reconciliation journey and reflect on the progress made across the organisation, our member communities and our broader sphere of influence.
Reconciliation Action Plans, developed through Reconciliation Australia, provide organisations with a structured framework to advance reconciliation through practical commitments built around relationships, respect, opportunities and governance. The four RAP types — Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate — support organisations at different stages of their reconciliation journey, enabling them to build strong foundations, implement change, embed long-term commitments and demonstrate reconciliation leadership.
AusIMM strives to provide opportunities for First Nations peoples, professionals, organisations and communities through the work of our staff, members and industry partners in the sector. AusIMM’s 2024-2026 Innovate RAP built on the foundations of our 2021 Reflect RAP and represented a step forward in our commitment to strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians through the resources sector. It provided an opportunity to further align our reconciliation commitments with AusIMM’s role as the peak body for professionals working across mining, resources and metallurgy.
Across the 2024–2026 Innovate RAP implementation process, AusIMM implemented a diverse range of initiatives. Key achievements included establishing and maintaining practical systems for RAP governance, keeping senior leaders engaged in delivery, promoting National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week through staff and member channels, and strengthening internal cultural protocol guidance. AusIMM also reviewed relevant HR, recruitment and anti-discrimination policies, introduced recurring staff learning on appropriate workplace behaviour, and continued to strengthen procurement practices to support engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.
AusIMM developed guiding principles for engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and reviewed its membership base to better understand First Nations representation. The RAP shaped AusIMM’s sphere of influence in policy forums, Indigenous engagement content at conferences, student programs and at the GRX employment hub, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business had the opportunity to exhibit their organisations to potential employees in a dedicated space.
Additional to initiatives concentrating on AusIMM’s own reconciliation advancements, some actions extended beyond the organisation and its members. AusIMM funded research into First Nations employment statistics and opportunities in the resources sector, initiated the development and design of mining education content by First Nations people for First Nations audiences together with a First Nations partner to be released later in the year, and recommended Aboriginal executives from partnering organisations for board positions. These actions demonstrate AusIMM’s important role in influencing professional practice beyond its own internal organisation across the broader resources sector.
While significant progress towards reconciliation was made during the implementation of our Innovate RAP, some actions will receive further focus during the next RAP implementation process. AusIMM has already begun the process of developing its second Innovate RAP, which is expected to commence implementation starting January 2027. Remaining at the Innovate level will allow AusIMM to further solidify the values and practices established through its first Innovate RAP, while continuing to build the capability, relationships and systems needed to support sustained reconciliation outcomes across the organisation and its external stakeholders.
Through this next phase, AusIMM will apply the lessons learned from the 2024–2026 RAP implementation process and work to ensure its reconciliation commitments remain practical and aligned with the organisation’s main areas of impact. AusIMM recognises the importance of having Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices represented throughout the development and implementation of the RAP and is looking forward to working together with different representatives in this next phase. The new RAP will provide an opportunity to build on what has been achieved, address areas where further progress is needed, and continue positioning reconciliation as an important part of AusIMM’s contribution to a more inclusive and sustainable resources sector.