Mining industry

The mining industry includes businesses engaged in:

• coal mining
• oil and gas extraction
• metal ore mining
• non-metallic mineral mining and quarrying
• exploration and other mining support services.

Industry research is an important part of planning for your business, it may help you identify:

• economic and industry trends
• establish or improve your business
• help you keep pace with your industry.

See statistics for mining and Australian industry on the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) website.

Read about mineral resources information on the Australia Minerals website. This includes information on Australa's mineral projects, strategies and investment opportunities.

See data and publications on the Geoscience Australia website. This includes interactive maps, 3D models and online tools.

Check out the profile for the mining industry, on the Labour Market Insights website. This will give you an idea of what's happening in the Australian job market.

It’s important that you’re aware of the laws that apply to the mining industry. Key legislation includes: 

• Competition and Consumer Act 2010
• Australian Consumer Law (ACL)
• Privacy Act 1988
• Australian Privacy Principles
• Legislation, regulations and guidelines for Australia Minerals
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
• Native Title Act 1993.

You may also need to consider the other legislation outlined below. 

State and territory governments manage the licences and permits for the mining industry. You may need to consider permits, licences or leases for:

• exploration activities
• production activities 
• infrastructure development
• information gathering, such as surveying.

It is also important to consider: 

• Indigenous Land Use Agreements may need to be made with Aboriginal landowners, as outlined on the Australian Trade and Investment Commission website. 
• royalties may be payable for mining activities. 

Mining businesses have specific goods and services tax (GST) measures. It’s important that you know your GST obligations and to make sure you register with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to ensure you can claim your GST credits.

If you have mining site employees, you may like to make them aware of income and work-related deductions information on the ATO website.

If you employ staff, you need to comply with Australia’s national workplace laws specific to the mining industry.

There are general work health and safety regulations for all businesses, however there are state and territory WHS requirements that apply to businesses in the mining industry:

• ACT - WorkSafe
• NSW - SafeWork
• NT - WorkSafe
• QLD - WorkSafe
• SA - SafeWork
• TAS - WorkSafe
• VIC - WorkSafe
• WA - WorkSafe.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 is the Australian Government's key environmental legislation. Approvals may be required under this law for exploration or mining activities that impact on Australia's environmental resources. 

If your business is planning offshore oil and gas activities in Australian Commonwealth waters, you will need to have an environment management plan accepted by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA).

Reducing your Energy Costs

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has tips for reducing your energy costs in their mining industry sector guide.

For further advice and assistance, consider contacting your accountant, solicitor, business adviser or industry association.