I see Australians are now more trusting of the mining industry than ever before as its role in a clean energy future takes centre stage. That’s great news.
The CSIRO survey of more than 6000 people showed that almost 3 in 4 agreed that access to critical minerals—of which I count copper—is necessary to hit our net-zero emission goals, while nearly two-thirds support more mining activity if it means reaching net-zero emissions sooner.
The public also now seems to be seeing the economic importance of mining, with over 70% saying its essential to our future prosperity. This is important. For too long Australians didn’t want to acknowledge that their high standard of living had anything to do with digging up ore, but of course it does.
But the study also holds some important warnings. Maintaining the public’s support will, it said, need to be built on the resource sector continuing to tackle environmental, economic and community concerns.
For example, 60% in the CSIRO snapshot said mining has negative environmental impacts on the environment, while another third believed Australia should reduce its mining activity, even if this delayed the net-zero transition.
Meaning public support is thin and can easily turn if the industry doesn’t double down on sustainability, making sure those efforts are transparent, fair and communicated. Clearly we need to remember the community is a key partner in all of this.
Resource sector messages about Net Zero efforts—and I’d like to think the copper industry in particular given our long running commitment to sustainable mining—have obviously been heard by the public. The next steps on that journey won’t be easy for everyone, but its obviously far more valuable to do it together.
Cheers, John Fennell
CSIRO study: https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/News/2024/October/CSIRO-report-reveals-Australians-attitudes-toward-mining-in-2024