What is concerning mining and metals industry executives today?

Recent surveys conducted in the mining and metals industry sector indicate that climate change, price volatility and the risk of a global depression are the top concerns for executives.

The KMPG Mining Risk Forecast 2020/21 Report nominates climate change and price risks as top-of-mind for executives while a mid-year survey by White & Case found that the fear of a global recession was the most common concern amongst those surveyed. It’s worth noting that the KMPG survey was conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the concerns raised have ongoing relevance both now and into the future.

Implications of the Interim report on Commonwealth environmental protection laws

Professor Graeme Samuel recently released his Interim Report of the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). The report is highly critical of the EPBC Act, reporting that it neither ensures effective environmental and biodiversity protections nor efficiently regulates business.

In the report, Professor Samuel makes several recommendations, some of which have already become priority areas for the government. These have significant implications for the energy and resources industry. 

Lunch and Learn 2020 launches in October: Annual Conference postponed

ARELJ - Article - Foreign Investors' Increasing Awareness of Investor-State Arbitration – View from Australia

ARELJ - Case Note - Judgement Clarifies Extent of Non-Conforming Use Protections

ARELJ - Article - The Grounds Not Taken: Reliance on Additional Matters to Support the Refusal of Consent to the Assignment of a Joint Venture Interest

ARELJ - Article - The Great Space Rush: Regulating Space Mining

ARELJ - Comment - New Powers to Disqualify Persons from holding Resource Authorities in Queensland

How COVID-19 could change mining for the better

The mining industry was deemed an essential service by the Government, which has enabled it to continue to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this hasn’t been without its challenges. New processes and procedures were required to address safety and social distancing and issues of supply and worker mobility have impacted how the industry operates. But with adversity comes opportunity and the mining industry has thrived and realised the potential for new improvements amidst the pandemic.

ARELJ Case Note - Applying the Cautionary Principle to Harvesting Timber in Victoria