Minerals Council of Australia Proposes Education and Reforms to Enhance Victoria's Mining Sector
The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) advocates for educational investment in its pre-budget statement to position Victoria as a global mining and engineering services hub. Key recommendations include improved approval timelines, competitive fees, and establishing a mining skills pipeline in schools.
A proposed mining VCE vocational major aims to facilitate pathways from school to the industry. The report indicates positive economic contributions from mining, with over $180 million in wages in 2023-24, but highlights declining gold production since 2021 as a significant challenge.
The MCA calls for reforms to stimulate exploration and efficient approvals for existing and new mines. Additionally, it emphasizes co-funded research for circular economy processing and infrastructure investment for critical minerals projects. The approval of VHM's Goschen rare earths project showcases progress in approval timeframes.
