Association of Mining & Exploration Companies (AMEC)
Fraser Institute survey out of step in extraordinary 2020 year
Each year the release of the Fraser Institute’s Annual Survey of Mining Companies is eagerly awaited as it ranks the worlds mining jurisdictions for investment attractiveness and policy measures as perceived by industry respondents.
“The Survey is a valuable indicator to how an industry sees the performance and supportiveness of governments and regulatory bodies toward the mining industry,” said the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies’ (AMEC) Chief Executive Officer, Warren Pearce.
“It also highlights the highly competitive investment environment that Australian’s mining and exploration industry must do business in.”
“In most years, the Survey gets it about right, and it serves as a useful and important industry refection on the perception of different mining jurisdictions. But this time, the survey has missed the mark.”
“Through this past year, the mining and exploration industry has received incredible support from all Australian Governments, State, Territory and Commonwealth.”
“In 2020, despite the impact of COVID-19, Australia has seen record production and exports, and near record levels of mineral exploration and mineral investment.”
“These achievements have been made possible by the commitment of industry and government to work together.”
“As the COVID-19 pandemic hit Australian shores, our industry was able to stay open and keep operating.”
“This achievement, at a time when many operations in competing mining jurisdictions had been forced to close or operate under severe restrictions, has drawn significant international investment to Australia’s vast minerals prospects, where it was clear we would be able to continue operations.”
“These outcomes clearly demonstrate the continued strength of Australia’s minerals investment attractiveness, despite the challenges of last year.”
“Across Australia there have been a suite of recent successful discoveries over the last two years, further demonstrating the continuing mineral potential for future development and the growth in exploration, and the number of mines approaching production have boosted employment and investor confidence.”
“This success should not allow us to lose focus. There are still many changes that need to be made to streamline our regulatory frameworks and deliver a more efficient and supportive regulatory environment here in Australia.”
“Many such initiatives are underway around Australia, and we will continue to work with Governments to deliver a welcoming investment environment for our sector, to drive this investment.”
“More work needs to be done, but to suggest Australia’s position for investment attractiveness in the world has fallen, simply doesn’t stack up,” said Mr Pearce.
For investment attractiveness, the Survey ranked Western Australia 4th on the list, South Australia 7th, Queensland 16th, the Northern Territory 19th. New South Wales has jumped to 27th, Victoria is 56th and Tasmania is 63rd.
Source: https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.51/0h5.0cf.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/08-Fraser-Institute-survey-out-of-step-in-extraordinary-2020-year.pdf?time=1616552061
|