A DISCONNECTED INDUSTRY; CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A 21ST CENTURY MINERALS INDUSTRY WORKFORCE

The minerals industry is more important to modern society and maintaining expected standards of living than at any other point in human history. This is especially true given the crucial role the industry is expected to play by providing the raw materials that underpin effective climate change mitigation and moves toward the energy transition. However, this reliance comes at a time of significant disconnects and negative perception of the minerals industry, despite the fact that knowledge of the importance of supply chains is perhaps higher now than at any time before the COVID-19 pandemic. This lack of engagement and knowledge of the importance of the minerals industry poses a significant challenge for the development of workforce and research capacity needed to meet the increased demand for metals and minerals related to the energy transition. This clash between general anti-minerals industry sentiment and the perception of mining as old, environmentally and socially problematic and not needed for modern standards of living with the vital role this industry will have in moves toward carbon neutrality may be a rate-limiting factor in the development of new and expanded supply chains vital for the energy transition. This can only be overcome by increased engagement and education of both young people and the general public in an open and honest way; greenwashing and claims that we should mine everything everywhere will only further distrust of the industry rather than improving the knowledge of the vital role of the minerals industry in everyday life.