The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) has released an independent report detailing the growing complexity around land use across Australia, particularly for mining, agriculture, and renewable energy.
According to AMEC, these competing demands are creating congestion in project development, despite Australia’s vast geographical expanse. The nation has a land mass of about 7.68 million square-kilometres – representing the sixth largest in the world.
However, due to overlapping claims, activities, and land tenure, Australia’s land use totals more than 15.7 million square-kilometres.
This congestion is driven by the emerging technologies and expanding land users interacting with each other, and existing land users.
Coexistence
AMEC in its reports cites coexistence as an opportunity, noting land use activities across sectors are not mutually exclusive – meaning they can coexist or occur simultaneously.
Speaking to Mining.com.au, CEO Warren Pearce says this report makes it clear that productivity is being “strangled” by competing demands.
“Meeting a 62–70% reduction is impossible without our industry,” Pearce says.
“The copper, lithium, nickel and rare earths mined right here in Australia. These targets cement our role as the backbone of the global clean energy transition.
“Strong targets like this give certainty to investors. By locking in ambition, we unlock billions in new projects and jobs. It also emphasises the need to sort out land access and environmental approval issues that are hamstringing new projects.”
Congestion
AMEC says if the approach to coexistence does not change, the ability to achieve national, state, and sector-based objectives and targets is at risk.
According to the association, Australia does not have a single or integrated system of land use planning. At least 31 common classes of land use, policies, and tenures that inform, impact on and enable coexistence.
The report also outlines that confidence in investment decisions requires a clear pathway to delivery. AMEC says the projected expansion of renewables has a projected 10,000km of upgraded transmission lines by 2050 to connect renewable energy generation hubs to the grid.
A decarbonisation transition is also underway, targeting 82% renewable energy generation by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
To support this transition, renewable energy technologies, like solar, wind, and electric vehicles are forecast to globally increase the requirements for critical mineral resources such as copper and lithium by 350% by 2040.
“The resources sector underpins clean energy, but you can’t mine lithium or copper if you can’t get approvals or secure land,” Pearce tells this news service.
“Government setting targets is one part, but they won’t be achieved without addressing the land access gridlock identified in AMEC’s Coexistence report.”
In 2024, Australian established land-based sectors were crucial economic drivers for the nation, contributing $493 billion to the economy.
AMEC is an industry association representing over 500 member companies from all around Australia. Its members include explorers, emerging miners, and producers, as well as a wide range of associated businesses and service providers working in and for the industry.
Mining.com.au is an official member of AMEC.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: AMEC
