Mining body wants Victoria to fast-track minerals strategy
The boss of the nation’s leading mining exploration body is putting pressure on the Victorian government to green light the development of more mines.
The boss of the nation’s leading mining exploration body is putting pressure on the Victorian government to green light the development of more mines and to explain plans to embed “benefit sharing” for Indigenous Victorians in the state’s critical minerals strategy.
Association of Mining and Exploration Companies chief executive Warren Pearce was taken by surprise when Victorian Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio indicated she had intentions to embed “the concept of traditional owner benefit sharing” in the long-awaited critical minerals strategy.
In her evidence to the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Ms D’Ambrosio also said she was looking at implementing benefit-sharing arrangements from infrastructure projects around transmission infrastructure and renewable energy zones.
“Recent comments from the minister have come out of nowhere,” Mr Pearce told The Australian. “There has been no consultation with industry and key stakeholders. In fact, there hasn’t even been a hint of such a large policy shift.”
While not opposed to traditional owners receiving benefits, the lack of consultation was troubling, the AMEC chief said.
The industry association represents more than 500 companies in Australia, including explorers, emerging miners and producers.
“The best thing the Victorian government could do to support Aboriginal people is to get on with the job of approving projects and opening more mines,” he said.
“As part of Native Title negotiations, mining proponents agree on benefits for traditional owners, which flow once the mine is in operation and producing revenue. If no new mines are developed, there is no revenue to be shared, no matter what the model is used.”
Benefits agreed between mining companies and traditional owners can include royalty payments, the establishment of trust funds, education and training and employment commitments.
Mr Pearce said the state government must focus on developing its strategy, considering the state’s “considerable mineral endowment”, which includes antimony, lithium, copper, tungsten, tin and mineral sands.
“In contrast to the significant lack of investment in Victoria’s critical minerals industry, we have a federal government that has created a $4bn fund that has already identified projects in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland,” Mr Pearce said.
A Victorian government spokesperson said the wealth of the state’s earth resources should benefit all Victorians.
“The critical minerals strategy will be released later this year following consultation with industry, regional communities and traditional owners,” they said in a statement to The Australian.
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