Indigenous Employment in the Australian Mining Industry

Abstract

In the last decade or so Australian mining companies have begun to take a more proactive approach to increasing indigenous participation in the mining workforce. This article provides an overview of key trends and reviews recent research on the outcomes for indigenous people of increased participation in the mining workforce. The article concludes that the industry’s performance in providing employment opportunities for indigenous people has been highly variable and there is still much to be achieved. However, research data from two large mines with substantial indigenous workforces show that there is potential for positive outcomes to be delivered for indigenous people who do obtain work in the sector.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

David Brereton

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David Brereton is Professor and Director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining at The University of Queensland. He holds a BA (Hons) from the University of Melbourne and a PhD in Political Science from Stanford University. David can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected].

Joni Parmenter

Joni Parmenter is a graduate BA (Hons) Research Officer for the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining at The University of Queensland. She can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected].