Mining set to take a bigger role in Australia’s manufacturing future

The contribution of Australian mining to manufacturing jobs and innovation will expand under the Morrison Government’s Modern Manufacturing Fund outlined today.

Australia’s mining and manufacturing industries have always sustained each other.

Today’s announcement will bring both sectors even closer together to lead the post-COVID reconstruction.

Building on Australia’s strong comparative advantage, Australian mining and the mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector already support one in ten Australian jobs, mostly in regional areas.

Expanding the networks of local suppliers and supporting the commercialisation of inventions will create further job opportunities.

The METS sector is an unsung champion of Australian manufacturing, with three-quarters of METS companies building and selling into mining along with other sectors of the economy.

Further development of Australia’s critical minerals capability will also serve to expand manufacturing across the entire economy.

Along with proposed changes to the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and lower energy costs, significant new investment in mining, processing new materials and manufacturing is now a stronger prospect, enabling the manufacturing of lithium, graphite and a range of high performance metals for use in Australia.

These new materials are essential for emerging technologies, including computers, health care, communications and clean energy.

The mining industry has over the past two years identified a broad range of new skills that will be required to create the workforce of the future. The MCA is already working with educational institutions and government to redesign curricula and develop new talents in electrical and communication trades, robotics, automation and data analysis.

Australia’s minerals companies are also expanding their intake of apprentices and trainees to deliver the pipeline of new jobs.

Innovation, people and skills combined with technological advances will deliver a more globally competitive minerals sector that delivers fulfilling careers in more highly paid, high-skilled jobs.

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