Public trust in the mining industry has improved, but further gains will depend on the industry’s ability to address key environmental and social concerns, according to a survey conducted by the CSIRO.
Engaging more than 6,400 participants, the survey included a focus on critical and energy transition minerals to measure community sentiment regarding the mining industry’s role in renewable energy efforts.
The CSIRO said it was one of the largest national surveys examining Australian attitudes towards mining. It built on previous surveys conducted in 2014 and 2017.
Apart from the improvement in public trust, key finds of the survey were:
- 73% of respondents acknowledge that access to critical minerals is essential for achieving net zero emissions.
- 71% agree that mining is important to the Australian way of life.
- 72% believe mining will support Australia’s future prosperity.
- Despite strong support for mining, 61% agree that mining has negative environmental impacts.
- 32% of respondents believe Australia should reduce mining activity, even if it delays the transition to net zero emissions.
- 52% of participants agree that mining communities receive a fair share of benefit.
The report said that while the economic contribution of mining and its importance in supporting the energy transition are widely recognised, building trust, ensuring fair distribution of benefits, and actively engaging communities are key to maintaining the industry’s social license.
It said over time, perceptions of the contribution of mining to Australia have strengthened, with the average score for mining’s contribution to the economy significantly higher in 2024 compared to 2017 and 2014.
Regional Benefits
The report found a strong positive view that the mining industry has helped improve transport infrastructure (70% agreement), communications and information technology infrastructure (68% agreement) and social infrastructure (63% agreement) in regional Australia.
There was greater agreement in States where mining activity is significant, such as WA and Queensland.
Health Impacts of Mining
The survey found:
- 55% of participants agreed with the statement ‘mining has a negative impact on the health of mine employees’ (20% disagreed and 25% were neutral).
- 45% agreed ‘mining has negative impacts on the health of local communities’ (30% disagreed and 26% were neutral).
- 36% agreed and 36% disagreed that FIFO and DIDO strategies negatively affect local communities.
Energy Transition Minerals
The survey found strong support for Australia urgently transitioning to renewable energy to combat climate change, that mining was necessary to achieve a net-zero future and for increased mining activity in Australia if it meant reaching net zero targets sooner.
Respondents also listed factors that the mining industry must address to make it more acceptable. These included:
- Ensuring fair treatment of workers, free from sexual harassment.
- Adherence to environmental standards and regulations.
- Commitment to land rehabilitation and restoration post-mining.
- Minimising the impact on local ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Ensuring fair labour practices and workers’ rights in the mining industry.
The report said the findings suggest that a critical component of the mining industry’s social licence to operate will be its ability to involve communities in decision-making processes and to transparently communicate the role of energy transition minerals in the nation’s sustainable future.