While the mining industry is not a large-scale employer, its wealth generation capacity makes it a significant base industry, supporting jobs in related industries and the services sector. While it is not a low-carbon industry, emissions can be reduced by renewable technologies and energy efficiency. While I support imposing carbon pricing on major polluters, that is not the focus of this site. Apart from transitioning from fossil fuels to renewables, this site recognises the continuing importance of the mining industry to the Australian economy.
A selection of articles on application of renewable energy in the Australian mining sector
Mining: Australian Jobs
https://australianjobs.employment.gov.au/jobs-industry/mining
Mining is an important industry in terms of its export revenue, but it is a relatively small employing industry (accounting for around 2% of Australia’s jobs). Mining employment has fallen for much of the past five years, but has recovered strongly over the past year. Full-time work is very common in this industry.
Employment is concentrated in Western Australia and Queensland and a significant share of jobs are located in regional areas. Workers in this industry often travel to remote areas for work, with fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) arrangements common.
Post-school qualifications are often required (43% of workers hold a Certificate III or higher vocational qualification and 24% hold a bachelor degree or higher). More than one third of workers are Machinery Operators and Drivers, 28% are Technicians and Trades Workers and 15% are Professionals.
Mining employment is projected to grow by 2.4% over the five years to May 2023.
EY-mining-the-growing-role-of-renewable-energy
EY report ‘Mining: The Growing Role of Renewable Energy’
‘. . . With global demand for energy set to increase 36% by 2035, the industry faces greater energy price increases and volatility. Managing costs sustainably is a priority for the sector.
The mining sector is facing growing demand from governments, customers, communities and
other key stakeholders to operate in a sustainable manner. Doing so has a growing influence on
the mining industry’s “social license” to operate.
Many of the world’s largest mining companies are evaluating greater use of renewable energy
plants — a trend set to intensify rapidly — as part of a broader strategy to lock in long-term fixed
electricity prices and availability while minimizing exposure to regulatory changes, market pricing
and external fuels.’
ARENA Whitepaper ‘Renewable Energy in the Australian Mining Sector’
Could not upload file, but URL is: https://arena.gov.au/assets/2017/11/renewable-energy-in-the-australian-mining-sector.pdf