PERTH (miningweekly.com) – New research undertaken on behalf of the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has shown that public opinion towards the Australian mining sector is at its highest level in six years, after hitting a low in 2016.

Public opinion research conducted in May this year has shown that views on coal mining, iron-ore, gold and uranium have all significantly improved since early 2016, the MCA said on Friday.

“Outright support for the mining industry amongst Australians outweighs opposition by more than three to one, with total support at 46% versus total opposition at 13%,” MCA CEO Tania Constable said.

The main reasons provided by respondents for their support of the Australian mining industry included providing high-wage, high-skill, high-technology jobs for Australians, providing resources essential for modern life, technology and business in Australia, and providing almost 60% of the jobs in the regional communities in which it operates.

“Australians had strong positive views on the perceived importance of resource industries for the nation’s future. Iron-ore was seen by 14% of people as the most important resource, with coal and battery minerals like lithium and cobalt also seen as important,” Constable added.

“We welcome the strong positive support for the world-class mining sector amongst Australians. These results show that the advocacy of the MCA, our members and other industry supporters is working to restore public support for the industry.

“However, the results also show that our industry needs to do more to address perceptions amongst some Australians that the industry does not do enough to manage its environmental impact, look after employees or share prosperity across the community.”

Constable noted that nearly half of those surveyed believed mining companies should be repatriating land that had been mined, with strong views also recorded on the need for companies to invest in health and welfare programmes, including mental health and social welfare.

“Australian mining has a strong track record in mine rehabilitation and investing in regional communities. The research indicates that the industry needs to provide more information to the public about its positive activities in these and other areas.”

The qualitative phase of the research included face-to-face focus group discussions in Parramatta and Melbourne and online discussion forums amongst regional mining communities, while a nationally representative sample of 1 500 Australians was surveyed in the quantitative phase.