PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The resources sector has welcomed the release of the draft Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan (QRIDP).

The QRIDP identifies the biggest global trends affecting the industry now and over the next three decades, and presents actions that will enable industry and government to respond to these trends.

Trends identified in the QRIDP include decarbonisation, corporate and social responsibility, the scarcity and complexity of access to quality resources, an increasing consumer base in the Indo-Pacific region, geopolitics and emerging innovations which are expected to make mining safe and more productive.

The draft plan outlines six key focus areas where government and industry needs to take action in the short- to medium-term, including; improving regulatory efficiencies, fostering strong and genuine First Nation partnerships, growing and diversifying the industry to take advantage of the growing demand for new economy minerals, strengthening environmental, social and governance credentials, and building a resilient workforce.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) CEO Ian Macfarlane said the draft plan was the result of 12 months of industry and community consultation, after the QRC secured an election commitment from government to develop a long-term blueprint for the sector.

“The resources sector is one of Queensland’s driving forces. We have seen that again today with the release of QRC’s latest economic contribution data which showed the resources sector added A$84.3-billion to the state’s economy and supported more than 422 500 jobs,” Macfarlane said.

“We believe a long-term plan for the sector will help ensure all Queenslanders continue to benefit from the state’s world-class commodities and world-leading practices for decades to come. Most importantly, we should signal to the world and to both Australian and international investors that Queensland’s resources sector has a strong future.

“The draft QRIDP is mapped out in six key areas and includes a range of recommendations. We welcome the central focus on ways to grow and diversify the resources sector and to ensure it has the skilled workers to meet demand,” Macfarlane said.

“The Queensland resources industry has significant opportunities to continue investment and jobs in our traditional commodities, including coal, gas and metals, as well as a chance to seize added opportunities in areas such as the critical economy minerals that will support the technology for a low emissions economy, and in emerging technologies such as hydrogen and carbon capture and storage.

“We welcome the state government’s commitment to a common-user critical minerals demonstration plant in Townsville.

“Queensland’s resources sector has the building blocks to lead the low emissions economy.  We must focus on ways to harness that potential and add to the breadth and depth of the sector.

“QRC looks forward to reviewing the recommendations of the draft QRIDP in detail and continuing consultation with the Queensland government and Queensland communities to ensure the long-term blueprint puts the right framework in place to maximise investment and jobs.”

The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (Amec) has also welcomed the draft QRIDP, with CEO Warren Pearce saying it was the result of in-depth stakeholder consultation earlier in 2021.

“The state government’s Collaborative Exploration Initiative is vital for the growth of our industry, so it is excellent to see the KPMG report support not only maintaining but enhancing the funding for this programme.” 

Land access is a key topic raised through consultation and the draft plan acknowledges that co-existence is an extremely important part of the resources industry and will be one of the six focus areas, said Pearce.

The draft QRIDP plan also acknowledges that renewable energy projects are encountering similar co-existence challenges as the resources industry. 

“Yesterday’s announcement of funding for a common-user mineral processing facility shows the government is genuinely listening to industry about what will accelerate mineral developments, and sends a clear message to investors, that Queensland is serious about developing supply chain resilience,” said Pearce.