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Tuesday, 30th May 2006 (2198 views)

The Australia Gold Council (AGC) is to merge with the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA), a body that has put the gold industry's social issues at the "front and centre" of its agenda.

A downturn in the gold industry during the 1990s led to a decline in AGC membership, as many mid-size gold producers were forced to close down.

This, together with a proliferation of other industry groups, has led to members of the AGC opting to join the MCA, which is confident it can represent the gold industry's needs.

MCA chief executive Mitch Hook told ABC News that gold's social issues, particularly indigenous relations, "are matters that are front and centre to the MCA's agenda right now".

His view was echoed by the head of the AGC, Michael O'Neil, who said the MCA will provide sustainable, long-term representation for the gold industry in Australia.

Member companies of the MCA produce over 85 per cent of Australia's mineral output. The group's goal is to "advocate public policy and operational practice for a world-class industry that is safe, profitable, innovative, environmentally and socially responsible and attuned to community needs and expectations".

Australia is the third largest producer of gold in the world, with around 70 per cent of production coming from Western Australia.

 

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