Mining

The mining sector is a dominant force in the Australian economy, generating hundreds of billions of dollars in export revenue and employing a highly skilled and diverse workforce. Australia is a leading global producer of a wide variety of minerals, including iron ore, coal, uranium, gold, and critical minerals essential for modern technologies, with operations ranging from large-scale open-cut mines and complex underground ventures, to many junior and exploration outfits playing a critical role in the ongoing development of the nation’s resources.

Key ESG issues

The industry's primary ESG challenges lie in managing its environmental footprint including land rehabilitation and water usage, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of its workforce, supporting the aspirations and rights of First Nations and local communities, and addressing its significant greenhouse gas emissions. All of this is occuring against a backdrop of a disjointed global transition to a low-carbon and circular economy as well as the rapidly increasing threat posed by physical climate risks to mine site and logistical operations.