The Queensland Government has put up its new blueprint for the future of mining, outlining the state’s intentions for the next thirty resourceful years.

The agreement is being touted as a “30 year vision for the sector”, according to the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

The deal is part of ResourcesQ, an ongoing project to define the future an industry central to much of Queensland life. 

A number of key bodies for the industry have signed a statement of intent to focus on global competitiveness, including the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC), the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), and the QRC.

The QRC says it is hoped that the document will show the business-readiness and willingness of the state’s resource sector.

“This agreement recognises the need for long-term and stable policy and legislation to attract investment in the sector,” said Mr Roche.

“What the resources sector doesn’t need is unexpected cost increases, such as increased royalties. Investment in the sector is by its nature long term, and changes to royalties affect the global competitiveness of resources operations, and reduce our attractiveness as a destination for resource investment.”

Roche says the document will ensure growth, jobs, and sound a clear warning to conservationists that science is in fact on the miners’ side.

“I’m very pleased to see included in ResourcesQ measures to ensure that we have the skilled people we will require into the future.

“I’m also gratified to see in the agreement an emphasis on properly informing the community about the sector’s importance to the economy, and regaining the confidence of the community in the government’s stringent environmental legislation.

“As has been seen in our current television commercials on the Great Barrier Reef, there is a real need to push back on the misinformation being spread by an ever increasing bevy of anti-resource industry activists.

“Also covered is the importance of demonstrating prospectivity through the provision of geological information, and actively pursuing investment to identify future resource deposits.”

The council will now work to ensure the thirty-year agreement is turned into action.