https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Australia has an opportunity to be epicentre of mining – Rio CEO

Rio Tinto CEO Jean-Sebastian Jacques

Rio Tinto CEO Jean-Sebastian Jacques

25th November 2016

By: Esmarie Iannucci

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Australasia

  

Font size: - +

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Australia has a unique opportunity to buck the global protectionist trend and position itself as the epicentre of the global mining industry, but the country will have to raise its ambition if it is to achieve this goal, head of diversified major Rio Tinto, Jean-Sebastian Jacques, has said.

Outlining three key areas where Australia could make the most of its “obvious advantages”, Jacques said on Friday that there was an opportunity for Australia to gain ground on London and beat Vancouver as the destination for investment.

“The uncertainty of Brexit in the UK and the recent election of Donald Trump in the US, makes now the perfect time for Australia to grab the initiative,” he said at the Melbourne Mining Club, adding that the company should position itself as the financial centre for mining.

“But if Australia wants to do this, it must become more attractive as an investment destination for business, which means stable policy, stable tax settings and incentives for companies to set-up shop and stay.

“The simple truth is that Australia remains one of the most expensive places for us to do business,” Jacques said.

The second area of opportunity for Australia was to position itself in a more obvious way as the global centre of mining technology and operational excellence, Jacques said.

“Australia could, and should, be the global mecca of mining technology in the same way the US is on the Internet, smart phones, software and space exploration. Australia could achieve something similar in mining technology, but we need to start now.”

He called for a unified effort from business, government, investment capital and universities to achieve this goal.

The third area of opportunity was taking the lead in mining industry partnerships to deliver value to shareholders and customers.

Edited by Mariaan Webb
Creamer Media Contract Publishing Editor

Article Enquiry

Email Article

Save Article

Feedback

To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Showroom

Alcohol Breathalysers
Alcohol Breathalysers

Supplier & Distributor of the Widest Range of Accurate & Easy-to-Use Alcohol Breathalysers

VISIT SHOWROOM 
M and J Mining
M and J Mining

M and J Mining are leading suppliers of physical support systems as used by the underground mining industry. Our selection of products are not...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







301

sq:0.051 0.932s - 140pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now