Victoria’s minerals bounty could propel even more regional prosperity

Victoria's minerals bounty could propel even more regional prosperity

• MCA Victoria outlines policy agenda to boost regional growth from bigger mining sector
• World-renowned goldfields sustain skilled regional jobs
• Globally significant resources of gold, mineral sands and rare earth elements
• Major hub for antimony; home to Australia's only operating antimony mine

Victoria's minerals sector has laid out its vision for regional prosperity through converting the state's rich minerals endowment into jobs, revenue flows and sustained economic growth.

Releasing Mining Victoria: A Prosperity Agenda for Regional Victoria, MCA Victoria Executive Director James Sorahan said gold prices and global demand for critical minerals had created a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity for the state.

Mining already delivers strong social and economic benefits in the regions, with gold operations in Bendigo, Ballarat and Stawell supporting thousands of jobs and local businesses.

In advance of the state election on 28 November, we are keen for all parties to back Victorian mining and our highly skilled workforce so we can do even more to support families to stay in the regions and providing opportunities for young people.

Unlocking a new generation of gold, mineral sands and rare earths projects by 2035 is both realistic and responsible if we want to build a stronger economic base for Victoria.

MCA Victoria has four key policy priorities to create more jobs and growth in the regions from mining:

• Reduce approvals timeframes for mining projects, because faster approval times will improve investment certainty, support regional jobs and unlock the benefits of new mining projects
• Incentivise technologies to support exploration - the essential first step to developing the next generation of mines, jobs and regional prosperity - and minerals processing technologies
• Reform taxes to benefit regional communities, including returning a share of royalties to regions to re-invest into the community and investing in infrastructure to support productive mining regions
• Give young Victorians a head start in a growing global industry through stronger school-to-mining pathways to equip students with skills for high-value regional careers and opportunities.