Communities
Australian mining continues to be a significant contributor to the economic and social foundations of regional and remote communities.
Long-life mining operations support local employment, business activity, infrastructure and the population base that underpins many regional services.
MCA supports policy settings that enable mining investment to contribute to regional economic development while recognising the different local circumstances that arise across the mining lifecycle.
MCA’s current policy work is focused on three areas.
- Regional economic participation by supporting local employment, skills development, procurement and opportunities for regional and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses to participate in mining supply chains
- Supporting better infrastructure and services by supporting coordinated planning between governments, industry and local communities so housing, transport, power, water and essential services can respond to major project development
- Mining Lifecycle by supporting early planning for the different economic and community factors associated with construction, operations, care and maintenance, closure and transition.
Local community outcomes are strongest when investment can proceed, local businesses can participate and governments and industry work constructively to plan for the long-term needs of mining regions.
MCA will continue to advocate for practical, coordinated policy settings that support investment, regional economic participation and the long-term capability of regional communities.