Critical minerals are seen as vital to the energy transition although mining induced environmental impacts remain a key concern of the public, according to CSIRO.
Critical minerals are seen as vital to the energy transition although mining induced environmental impacts remain a key concern of the public, according to CSIRO.
CSIRO’s latest report detailing attitudes towards the industry-not including oil and gas-took a particular focus on public perceptions around the role of critical minerals in the energy transition.
It found that 73 per cent of respondents acknowledged access to critical minerals like lithium and rare earths were essential in achieving the fast-approaching net zero emission targets.
Majority of the 6,400 participants surveyed agreed the perceived benefits of mining outweighed the perceived impacts, and overall trust in the resources industry had grown over the past decade, CSIRO said.
But 61 per cent agreed mining had negative environmental impacts and 32 per cent believed mining activity should be reduced even if it delays the transition, the report read.
Further, 66 per cent supported streamlining regulations to speed up the energy transition, with the vast majority agreeing government policies and regulations played a significant role in the timeline.
“This duality reflects the broader tension between the urgent need for resources to drive the energy transition and the environmental and social costs associated with their extraction,” CSIRO wrote.
“Social license to operate is a central theme, with public trust and perceptions of benefits outweighing impacts as two key drivers.”
“Trust has also been linked to governance, with increasing confidence that local communities and governments can hold the mining industry accountable.”
To meet the targets set under the Paris Agreement, it’s been estimated more than 260 new lithium, cobalt, nickel and copper mines will need to be established by 2030.
That would represent investment of US$4 trillion, according to CSIRO, at a time when critical mineral operations locally are hampered by weak prices and market conditions.
CSIRO said public trust and acceptance were critical for the industry’s ability to secure ongoing support and social licence, especially in Australia given its resources.
The majority of prospective mining projects in WA are in the iron ore realm, with a few critical minerals players like Hasting Technology Metals proposing to build new mines.
Just over half of respondents believed mining communities received a fair share of the benefits and 35 per cent agreed individuals like them received a fair share of the perks.
Concerns around dust, water quality, and community health impacts largely persisted, which CSIRO said highlighting the need for strong regulation and community collaboration.
The report found 44 per cent of respondents, regardless of where they lived, agreed mining negatively impacts agriculture. A similar percentage disagreed that mining negatively impacts tourism.
Community confidence that governments could keep mining companies accountable had increased, CSIRO wrote, with strong governance linked to community trust and acceptance of the industry.
