PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The South Australian government has launched its energy and mining strategy called ‘Building on our Strengths, outlining the central role these sectors would play in delivering an early recovery from the economic downturn resulting from Covid-19.
Minister for Energy and Mining Dan van Holst Pellekaan said the strategy is expected to deliver between 25 000 and 30 000 additional jobs by 2030.
“This industry-guided strategy aligns with the ambitions of ‘Growth State – Our Plan for Prosperity’ to harness nine priority sectors to drive sustained economic growth,” Van Holst Pellekaan said.
“South Australia’s energy and mining strategy underlines the strength and resilience of these sectors and highlights the major role they have in facilitating the state’s economic recovery.
“Some of the innovative programmes launched in the past 12 months have been incorporated into the strategy and emerging strengths and opportunities identified for future government attention.
“Central to South Australia’s future in energy and mining will be an even stronger investment in our clean energy transition and more modern, lower impact development of our natural resources.
“Ensuring our natural resources are developed and managed responsibly is an important element in ensuring South Australia eventually emerges stronger from the Covid-19 pandemic and the global economic downturn it has triggered,” the Minister said this week.
Building upon the feedback from the consultation, a new A$5.6-million investment would help new and expanding resource projects in South Australia by addressing issues around infrastructure and water, Van Holst Pellekaan added.
“By establishing infrastructure corridors for priority regions, projects will find it easier to secure power, transport and water whilst reducing the environmental, cultural and financial impacts of duplicating infrastructure.
“The initiative will also expand our knowledge of groundwater resources in priority regions so that proponents can understand all their options in sourcing water sustainably.”
Minister for Trade and Investment Stephen Patterson said the mining and energy industry would play a critical role in growing the state’s economy.
“South Australia’s 300 mines and quarries produced more than A$5-billion in mineral sales in 2019, and we’re a nation-leader in renewable energy, and our ambition is growing.
“We have the drive and capability to grow this sector, and the energy and mining strategy sets out a plan of how we’re going to get there. By working hand in glove with industry to propel these key projects, together we will take this sector to new heights.”
The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (Appea) said that the new strategy would ensure resources, including oil and gas, were developed and managed responsibly, remaining an important contributor to the state’s economy as South Australia emerged strongly from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Appea CEO Andrew McConville said it was encouraging to see energy and mining recognised in the nine sectors identified by the South Australian government as contributors to the state’s economic recovery.
“The government’s new energy plan highlights the importance of natural gas for South Australia’s economy. We need ongoing investment as we move towards a cleaner energy future with modern, lower impact development of natural resources,” McConville said.
“We strongly support the focus on improving the productive capacity of resource-exporting companies and associated supply chains as well as creating a modern energy system with innovation and technology to help meet Australia’s targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
McConville said the state government’s A$48-million Plan for Accelerating Exploration for Gas (PACE Gas) has encouraged gas exploration and production through a competitive grants programme, aligning with the Australian government’s Gas Acceleration Program.
“We need to unlock exploration and development through further acreage releases, especially during the current economic challenges,” he added.
Meanwhile, Van Holst Pellekaan said the state’s mining and energy industries had played a substantial role in the growth and prosperity of South Australia, and the energy and mining strategy illustrated how they would continue to play a supporting role for years to come.
“This strategy has been carefully designed to leverage South Australia’s competitive advantages and identify and support emerging opportunities created by the creation of a modern energy system,” the Minister said.
“Removing barriers and facilitating progress are key pillars of South Australia’s energy and mining strategy and will help to focus resources and energies where they are most needed.
“This strategy also defines the scope of the energy and mining sector’s involvement in the state and suggests ambitious targets to encourage business confidence, attract further investment and address barriers to growth.
“Maintaining strong energy and mining sectors will be critical in ensuring our state and the wider Australian economy are well-positioned to pick up when the global economy recovers from this pandemic,” he added.