Mackay resources industry worth $18 billion to local economy

As a major anchor to the resources industry, the METS sector is one of our best nurseries for new technologies, practices and innovations to address climate change.

As the world turns to cleaner, more renewable forms of energy, the transition for the resources industry is opening the doors to new carbon-reducing processes.

With thousands of jobs becoming available in Mackay’s mining industry, the region is in a prime position to find solutions for a low-emission economy across Australia.

A Queensland Resources Council report released this week confirms almost 82,500 jobs in the resources sector in the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac regions, with more than 17,300 full-time jobs.

In 2020-21, the industry contributed $8.6 billion directly to the region’s economy, with an additional $9.4 billion from flow-on employment and purchases.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the industry had a leading role in the state’s transition to a low-emission economy.

Queensland Resource Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane. Picture: Contributed

“Climate change is a critical global challenge which must be addressed by all parts of society,” he said.

“The resources industry is absolutely committed to being part of the global solution.

“The world is moving towards a new era of sustainable mining to meet the challenges of climate change, and there is no going back.”

Resource Industry Network general manager Dean Kirkwood said the resources industry was of huge importance to regional and state economies.

“The sheer size of numbers represented in this data (released by Queensland Resources Council) is proof our sector is best positioned to lead the charge on reducing carbon footprints and rising to the challenge of climate change issues,” he said.

“As a major anchor to the resources industry, the mining equipment, technology and services sector is one of our best nurseries of new technologies, practices and innovations to address climate change.”

Resource Industry Network general manager Dean Kirkwood. Picture: Contributed

Mr Macfarlane said it was exciting to see the expansion of renewable energy options.

“The good news is there are technologies being developed to help reduce the resources sector’s carbon footprint that simply didn’t exist five years ago, and even more will be discovered,” he said.

“New, renewable energy options are emerging, and the potential for hydrogen to play a major role in meeting the world’s future energy needs is being watched very closely.

“A technology-driven transformation is under way, and the future of resources is bright.”

Info graphic for Queensland Regional Council jobs. Picture: Contributed

Mr Macfarlane said Queensland was the envy of the world because of its unique mix of traditional and renewable resources.

“Queensland has substantial deposits of coal, gas and minerals which will be increasingly essential in the production of green technologies and products,” he said.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane.

“Our industry’s largest contributor to the state economy by commodity is coal, which makes up 70 per cent of our $84.3 billion contribution.

“We also have deposits of in-demand critical minerals, particularly in the state’s north, that are being used in the latest defence, medical and renewable energy technologies.”

Originally published as Mackay resources industry worth $18 billion to local economy