Australia’s minerals industry working together for safe and strong sector and healthy communities

Australia’s minerals industry is working together to ensure its workforce is safe and healthy and mining remains strong and sustainable during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health and safety is the number one priority of Australia’s minerals sector and the industry is taking a range of measures to protect its workforce, families and communities from the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

This approach is in line with the Prime Minister’s determination to keep Australia running by focusing on the health response, economic impact and keeping Australians in work.

The industry is also stepping up so that mining continues to sustain the economy in a time of national crisis while making a strong contribution to regional communities as a responsive and responsible partner.

The MCA’s COVID-19 Working Group including senior member company representatives and state associations met today to discuss how the industry can work together to support the communities in which it operates and share information to keep mine sites safe and producing.

In particular, the minerals industry has a special responsibility to ensure that vulnerable people in remote and regional communities are protected from the spread of COVID-19 as part of its contribution to health and wellbeing.

The challenges outlined by Working Group members included workforce movement restrictions, pressure on infrastructure such as ports, rail networks and community health facilities and medium-term equipment and consumables supply risks.

The industry continues to share best practice in relation to protective measures, workforce health and other areas in line with official advice.

The Working Group acknowledged the National Cabinet’s exemption of mine sites from its ban on gatherings of more than 100 people and the Prime Minister’s strong statements on panic buying, hoarding and the need for national unity, all of which have an impact on regional communities.

The industry also notes that the safe movement of people across Australia along with the safety of their families is a high priority for the National Cabinet.

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